Discussion Forums

Fellowship Hall

As in any physical church, this Fellowship Hall is for you to gather with your classmates for conversations that fall outside of the structured discussions for the modules. Bring your own bowl of Jello and join in the fun! I've made a start with some church bloopers and funny misinterpretations of the Lord's Prayer!

Help

Having a problem with an assignment? Confused about the readings? Having some technical difficulties? Post your questions here. The entire class can be your sounding board - and your tutor.

Worship Attendance

In the Weekly Worship Attendance discussion board, report on your experiences at worship for the week. What house of worship besides your home church did you attend? Did you feel welcome? How was it different from what you're used to? How was it similar? What about it did you like? Was the service easy to follow? Did you learn anything new you could use in the services you are planning for this course?

Library

As you research different topics for this class you will more than likely come across some great resources. Please share those with your classmates here. Consider giving a brief description of the resource and why you found it useful. These resources may be either web pages or books or magazines. Let everyone know how they can find them.

Module 1 - In the beginning

Introduce yourself to the class by giving us your name and the city and state where you live. Tell us a bit about your background and your interests. What is your first memory of church? What involvement do you expect to have (or have had) in planning for worship in your congregation? What led you to enroll in this course? What do you expect to get out of this course?

Module 2 - Planning Process

Use this forum to comment on the planning process itself. Discussions about your group project should be held within your group discussion area. Some questions to consider are:

Are the suggested processes in the readings helpful?
Are you able to answer all the questions posed?
Is there too much detail involved?
How far in advance does your congregation plan worship services?

Module 3 - The Church Year

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Does your congregation follow the three-year lectionary? Do you use the one in the LBW or the one posted on the ELCA web site?
Do you agree with this practice?

Module 3 - Church Year Assignment

Select a season in the church year. Write a brief paper (1 to 2 pages) describing how the lessons, vestments, symbols, colors, etc. support the theme for that season. Refer to your readings. Post your paper and reply to at least two classmates' papers. Your paper should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.

Module 4- Furnishings

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Based on the readings, do you think your congregation makes good use of its worship space?
Do the worship leaders in your congregation wear special vestments? Explain why you agree or disagree with this practice.
What are some of the obvious symbols used in your church?

Module 5 - Hymns

How you would introduce a new hymn to your congregation?

Module 5 - Hymn Service Individual Project

Post your chorale service here. Your submissions should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format. Comment on at least two of your classmate's posts.

Module 6 - Liturgy (Music and Roles)

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Which setting of the liturgy is used in your church?
Does your congregation know more than one setting? Which ones? Why were those chosen?
Do you sing the Psalm in your congregation? Why or why not?
In your congregation, who performs the leadership roles in the service? Why is this practice used?

Module 7 -Liturgy (Baptism and Holy Communion)

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Does your congregation use the Baptismal service in the LBW. Where in the service does it take place? Why?
Does your congregation follow the suggestions in the rubrics for omitting portions of the liturgy during certain seasons?

Module 7 - Liturgy Assignment

Write a brief paper (1 to 2 pages) describing each of the four settings for Holy Communion in the Lutheran Book of Worship. Answer the questions: What makes them different? When would you use one over another? How would you alter the service based on the season of the church year? Refer to your readings. Post your paper here and reply to at least two classmates' papers. Your paper should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.

Module 8 - Liturgy (Lent and Easter, Other services)

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Is the LBW promoted as a devotional book for family at-home worship?
Does your church hold an Easter Vigil service?
Where and how would you use the occasional services in your congregation?

Module 9 - The Arts (Anthems, Drama, Instruments, Visuals)

Address the following topics and questions. Draw on your reading and personal experience.

Does your congregation use technology, such as PowerPoint slides or videos, to enhance (or maybe it's a distraction?) worship?
How can drama enhance the worship service?

Module 9 - Special Service Individual Assignment

Post your individual project here. Your submissions should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format. Comment on at least two of your classmate's posts.

Module 10 - Projects

Post your group project here. Remember, the individual evaluation of the group process should be e-mailed to the instructor. Your submissions should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format. Comment on at least two of your classmate's posts. Try to post your projects early in the week so your classmates will have ample time to comment on them.

Module 11 - Benediction

As we complete the course and move on to other things, take this time to thank all those who have helped you throughout the course.

What are your future plans for applying what you have learned here?