I have struggled in worship at church lately, for various reasons. It seems the littlest things will tear me out of the mode of worship. A typo on the powerpoint slide (Really? Could no one take a moment out of their crazy, insane Sunday morning and change that your to you’re?), the babbling child behind me (We do have a nursery, y’know), even the person a few rows up with their hands raised to the heavens (Down in front! You’re blocking the powerpoint typos!). It’s truly frustrating, as worship through music has always been a powerful thing for me. I’m sure some would say something spiritual like Satan is trying to stand between me and Jesus. I think it’s just me, really.

I went to a wedding this past weekend, and was pleasantly surprised to find Jesus waiting there for me. The ceremony was a true worship service. It was largely an Anglican service (with some Presbyterian intermixed) which meant it was long. I think some were shifting uncomfortably in their seats with each passing minute (especially the teenager sitting next to me), but I loved every minute. I love wedding ceremonies that are packed with meaning. Not just aimless words or painful vows written by the bride and groom, but real meaning. This one had meaning all throughout. It had all the traditional wedding ceremony elements (“Dearly beloved…” “…in sickness and in health…”) but it was also laced with Scripture (and NOT 1 Corinthians 13! Woo hoo!), hymns, and meaningful prayers. I know that many people are not hymn fans,but I really do have a love for them. Maybe it’s because it’s what I grew up with. Before powerpoint slides and big projectors, we actually used the hymnals in the pews. I used to open the book and wonder what all the black markings meant, and marveled at the fact that everyone else around me seemed to know how to read these strange markings. As I began to devote a large part of my life to learning these strange markings, hymns became very special. At the wedding, the bride walked down the aisle to Be Thou My Vision (very cool) and later we sang And Can It Be, Holy Holy Holy, and It is Well With My Soul. As we sang, I just relaxed and worshipped.

One thing that caught me by surprise was that we were singing hymns during communion. What caught me by surprise was the fact that I didn’t mind it. One of my biggest worship pet peeves has become singing during communion. Mainly because I’m trying to pray and prepare myself for this holy sacrament. When vocals begin, I can now only focus on the words being sung and not the words I was trying to pray through in my head. There have been many times where I have thrown up my hands in frustration and not taken communion, because I can’t focus, and I don’t feel ready to accept the elements. And I don’t take that lightly. If I am not in the right place, it is not my place to take communion. For some reason at this wedding, the singing didn’t bother me. I think it’s because there was plenty of quiet time before that, as the minister prepared the elements. In the bulletin, it even says: “The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.” I had some quiet time and time to prepare myself, so the singing while the 200 people there came forward for communion wasn’t nearly as distracting.

I was also blessed by the prayers throughout the service as well. There was a series of prayers that was prayed over the newly married couple. I was touched by them.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.

Throughout all my worship struggles, I’m thankful that God will still meet me, even when I’m not expecting it.