About 2 years ago a friend--who is actually one of the contributors of this blog--introduced me to "A NEW LITURGY." At that time I think there were 2. There are now 5. What are these you may be asking; they are well thought out 30 minute thematic liturgies that have been perceptively crafted with the incorporation of songs, prayers, quotations, and segments of meditation. Here is how the author of these liturgies describes them. "A New Liturgy is our attempt to create holy space wherever we find ourselves. A moveable, sonic sanctuary. Released quarterly, each Liturgy is a 25 minute journey of music, prayer, scripture, and space that helps open us to The Almighty in any location, season, community, or emotion. I really need this." He also describes one of the reasons why he started writing these liturgies. "There are times where being left to our own thoughts and prayers isn't enough, and we need to be pastored. Whether walking on the bike trail or driving to work or cleaning the house, A New Liturgy helps create holy space anywhere."
These liturgies have been a constant part of my "ipod/ipad/etc." listening habits. And, they have truly pastored me in times that I most needed thought provoking truth rather than another popular worship song from the radio. To be honest the songs that he chooses for the liturgies by themselves wouldn't necessarily be at the top of my list as far as songs to listen to in the car on the way to work, or on the way to workout, or whatever. However, how he puts the songs together with scripture, and times of meditation, and the quotations that he chooses, and the penetrating questions all serve to truly pastor the listener. You cannot be a passive listener with these liturgies. There are a number of ways that these have served to be a grace in personal spiritual growth for me. Specifically, three come to mind: 1. Personal Prayer 2. Thinking and Living Missionally 3. Habitual Repentance.
Finally, we come to the title of the 5th liturgy that Aaron (and a few friends) have written - "Here are my hands." A quick word on the first four before I talk about #5. I think Aaron and his friends have progressively improved. #4 is titled creation and was my favorite out of the first four until the most recent one was released a couple weeks ago. #5--here are my hands--is now by far my favorite and I don't think it is just because it is new. It has truly transformed my commute each day to and from work. I could try to describe it but it might just be easier if I show you the video that he made to introduce #5. I have included that below. If you want to purchase the liturgies, you can find them on itunes for 4.99 a piece…I think. If you want to check out the site with the free resources for the liturgies as well as a lot of helpful thoughts and insights you can go to the new liturgy site here. If you can only download 2 or 3 of them I would say start with numbers 1, 4, and 5 with number 5 being the most significant one in my mind. So, download #5 and begin to experience a transformed commute to and from work every day.
JC
These liturgies have been a constant part of my "ipod/ipad/etc." listening habits. And, they have truly pastored me in times that I most needed thought provoking truth rather than another popular worship song from the radio. To be honest the songs that he chooses for the liturgies by themselves wouldn't necessarily be at the top of my list as far as songs to listen to in the car on the way to work, or on the way to workout, or whatever. However, how he puts the songs together with scripture, and times of meditation, and the quotations that he chooses, and the penetrating questions all serve to truly pastor the listener. You cannot be a passive listener with these liturgies. There are a number of ways that these have served to be a grace in personal spiritual growth for me. Specifically, three come to mind: 1. Personal Prayer 2. Thinking and Living Missionally 3. Habitual Repentance.
Finally, we come to the title of the 5th liturgy that Aaron (and a few friends) have written - "Here are my hands." A quick word on the first four before I talk about #5. I think Aaron and his friends have progressively improved. #4 is titled creation and was my favorite out of the first four until the most recent one was released a couple weeks ago. #5--here are my hands--is now by far my favorite and I don't think it is just because it is new. It has truly transformed my commute each day to and from work. I could try to describe it but it might just be easier if I show you the video that he made to introduce #5. I have included that below. If you want to purchase the liturgies, you can find them on itunes for 4.99 a piece…I think. If you want to check out the site with the free resources for the liturgies as well as a lot of helpful thoughts and insights you can go to the new liturgy site here. If you can only download 2 or 3 of them I would say start with numbers 1, 4, and 5 with number 5 being the most significant one in my mind. So, download #5 and begin to experience a transformed commute to and from work every day.
JC