by Ann Graham Price
STURGIS, Mich. (MC USA) —
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
in the beauty of holiness, in the beauty of holiness.
Oh, glory hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O come before his presence and glorify his name.
(No. 124, Hymnal: A Worship Book)
Art is so beautifully open that worshipers can put themselves into an artistic work — a dance, poem or drama, for example — and the Holy Spirit can honor each individual response to it, Sally Morgenthaler told her audience the weekend of April 25 for the annual “Art of Worship” program at Amigo Centre.
Yet a long-standing suspicion of incorporating the creative arts in worship is deeply rooted in some aspects of Anabaptist traditions, said Marlene Kropf, director of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board Office of Congregational Life. She is also associate professor of spiritual development and worship at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart. Continue reading “Speakers urge creative use of arts in worship”