Rhythms of Worship - The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy - Acknowledgments and Introduction

Sep 29, 2026

Rhythms of Worship explores how worship planning shapes liturgical life, presenting rhythms, purposes, and practical structures for congregational practice. It outlines core elements of worship, including gathering, being addressed by the word, the joyful feast, and worship through music and the arts. The text also covers worship for special times such as Christmas and Epiphany, Advent, Easter, Lent and Holy Week, and the Great Fifty Days toward Pentecost, followed by reflections on worship’s importance and concluding notes and bibliography.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages100

Reading Time4 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Order--Not Just a Grocery List

The Gathering

Addressed by the Word

The Joyful Feast

Sent to Serve

Music and the Arts in Worship

Worship for Special Times

Celebrating Christmas (and Epiphany)

Advent as Preparation

Celebrating Easter

Lent and Holy Week:Journeying with Christ

The Great Fifty Days of Easter and Pentecost Day—Celebration Overflowing

Liturgical Odds and Ends:Meaningful Moments and Conversations

Is Worship Important?

Notes

Bibliography

John G.Stevens Michael Waschevski # The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy . # Rhythms of Worship # Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2019 # Rhythms of Worship The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy John G.Stevensand Michael Waschevski ◎2014 John G.Stevens and Michael Waschevski First edition Published by Westminster John Knox PressLouisville,Kentucky 14151617181920212223--10987654321 All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted inany form or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying,recording,or by any information storage or retrieval system,without permissionin writing from the publisher.For information,address Westminster John KnoxPress,100 Witherspoon Street,Louisville,Kentucky 40202-1396.Or contact usonline at www.wjkbooks.com. Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible are copy-right ◎1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of theChurches of Christ in the U.S.A.and are used by permission. Book design by Sharon AdamsCover design by Dilu Nicholas Cover illustration:Abstract mnsic volnme eqnalizer infinity compnter technology◎vs148/www.shntterstock.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stevens,John G. Rhythms of worship:the planning and purpose of liturgy /John G.Stevensand Michael Waschevski.--First edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references.ISBN 978-0-664-26017-0(alk.paper) 1.Worship.2.Worship--Planning.3.Liturgics.I.Title.BV15.S6952014264--dc23 2014029381 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of theAmerican National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paperfor Printed Library Materials,ANSI Z39.48-1992. Most Westminster John Knox Press books are available at specialquantity discounts when purchased in bulk by corporations,organizations,and special-interest groups.For more information,please e-mailSpecialSales@wjkbooks.com. We dedicate this book to the congregations we have worshipedwith and served over the years,especially our current congregationsof Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento,California,and First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth,Texas.They inspire,nuture,and deepen our faith in so many waysWe are grateful for their faitbful worship and witness. # AcknowledgmentsIntroduction 1Xxi 1.The Order--Not Just a Grocery List 1 2.The Gathering 3.Addressed by the Word10 4.The Joyful Feast16 5.Sent to Serve21 6.Music and the Arts in Worship25 7.Worship for Special Times33 8.Celebrating Christmas (and Epiphany) 3忆化3 9.Advent as Preparation 10.Celebrating Easter 11.Lent and Holy Week:Journeying with Christ 12.The Great Fifty Days of Easter and Pentecost Day—Celebration Overflowing 57 13.Liturgical Odds and Ends:MeaningfulMoments and Conversations60 14.Is Worship Important?66 7175 Notes # Bibliography

FAQs

What is the main focus of the book Rhythms of Worship?

The book focuses on the planning and purpose of liturgy, explaining how worship is structured and why those elements matter for congregations.

Which worship seasons and special times does the book address?

It covers Christmas and Epiphany, Advent, Easter, Lent and Holy Week, and the Great Fifty Days leading to Pentecost, including celebration and preparation themes.

How does the book treat music and the arts in worship?

It includes a dedicated section on music and the arts in worship, describing their role within liturgical practice.

Sep 29, 2026

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