Worship and Sacraments

This is a hybrid course which will meet requirements for Christian educator certification in the PC(USA).  At-home work begins on January 8, 2018; in-class time is February 6-8, 2018.

Location:  Union Presbyterian Seminary, 5141 Sharon Road, Charlotte , North Carolina 28210

Led by: Rebecca L. Davis

Cost:  $295, includes lunch on Feb 7

CEUs:  3.0

This class meets the requirements for Christian Education certification in the PC(USA), but is open to anyone interested in the topic.

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Click here to register for Worship and Sacraments beginning at home on January 8, 2018, and in-person February 6-8, 2018.

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Description:

The purpose of this course is to provide a Reformed theological foundation of worship and the sacraments that informs the education for and the practice of each in the congregational setting. It will be an appropriate blend of biblical/theological, theoretical and practical, and will provide students with the opportunity to design educational events and engage in demonstration teaching with mutual review and critique. Topics include: the centrality of worship in the life of the congregation, planning for the inclusion of all God’s children in worship and the sacraments, the unity of Word and Table, worship design, flow, leadership and space, preparation for baptism and communion, a life-span approach to worship education and worship related polity.

To register for Worship and Sacraments, click here. Information on how to log into the class on Blackboard will be sent to those registered.

Objectives

The participant will be able to:

1. Articulate a Reformed theological understanding of worship and the sacraments and its relationship with educational ministry in the congregational context.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and practice of the various dimensions of Reformed worship including elements, structure, order, time, actions, objects, environment, space, speech, and song.
3. Design and lead a Time with Young Disciples
4. Create and teach a worship education event for one aspect of the life span.

Required Reading

1. Old, Hughes Oliphant. Worship, Revised and Expanded Edition: Reformed according to Scripture. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002. ISBN: 978-0664225797 NOTE: Additional readings will be posted to assist with theological reflection
2. Presbyterian Church, (USA), Book of Confessions: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Part I. Louisville: Office of the General Assembly. (Current Edition)
3. _____. Book of Order: The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Part II. Louisville: Office of the General Assembly. (Current Edition)
4. Stake, Donald Wilson. The ABC’s of Worship: A Concise Dictionary. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1992. ISBN: 978-0664252465

Supplemental Reading:

Select one book from the list below to explore more deeply:

1. Caldwell, Elizabeth F. Come Unto Me: Rethinking the Sacraments for Children. Cleveland, OH: United Church Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0829811193
2. Edie, Fred P. Book, Bath, Table and Time: Christian Worship as a Source and Resource for youth Ministry. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0829817447
3. Long, Thomas G. Beyond the Worship Wars: Building a Vital and Faithful Worship. Washington, DC: Alban Institute, 2001. ISBN: 978-1566992404
4. Weaver, Dudley J. Presbyterian Worship: A Guide for Clergy. Louisville: Geneva Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0664502188

Click Here for a biographical sketch of the leader.

Click Here for a schedule of at-home topics and in-class work.

Click here to register for Worship and Sacraments beginning at home on January 8, 2018, and in-person February 6-8, 2018.