We will spend the first week of class getting to know one another, the layout of the course, and the course environment. We will also select groups for the work that will be done throughout the course. In the Discussion Board area is a place for you to get help. Please feel free to use this for any help you may require. Everyone is encouraged to contribute answers to questions posed. Also, visit the Fellowship Hall to chat about off-topic interests or just to visit.
You will be working in two capacities during this course. As a member of the class you will be contributing to the main Discussion Board. As a member of a small group functioning as a worship planning team, you will be contributing to your Group Discussion Board. Group functions are explained more fully in Module 1.
Please take the time to explore the environment for the course. The navigation pane to the left will get you to anything you need and is explained more fully below. When you enter the course, you'll see the Announcements. Be sure to read them as they contain important information for you to know. If you have any questions, please post them in the Help discussion forum.
Each time you enter the course you will see Announcements. These will contain important information for you so be sure to read them.
The Syllabus is your starting point for general information about the course.
You will find information about me and how to contact me.
Go here for the course modules. Each module contains the readings and assignments for that module.
From this location you will be able to e-mail fellow students and access the Discussion Board and Group Pages.
You can access all the discussions for the class here.
Small groups are listed here. You will have access only to your group. Each group has its own discussion board where you will discuss issues relating to your group project.
Here you will find a compilation of all the web readings for the course plus some extra resources for you to use. There is also a glossary of worship-related terms available.
Here is the place to check your grade. There is also a manual for using Blackboard, the course management system that contains this course.
The course is divided into modules, approximately one for each week. Each module will include discussion. Since discussions can get lively, and lengthy, I ask that you post any off-topic discussions in the Fellowship Hall. If you need assistance, post your questions or concerns in the Help forum. Anyone is welcome to jump in and answer questions or concerns.
If you experience any problems with the course (such as not being able to log in, or it crashes on you), please notify me immediately via e-mail at annrstephens@yahoo.com. (You may want to put this address in the contact list of your e-mail software.) I check my e-mail at least twice a day and should be able to get back with you quickly.
Some parts of this course require that you have special plug-ins for your browser. Read the technology requirements and download any plug-ins you will need.
This course prepares people to create meaningful worship experiences for their congregation. Through simulation of a worship planning team in a congregation, students gain practical experience in working with a group to plan worship. By exploring such topics as the church year, symbolism, the lectionary, language, liturgical settings, hymns and special music, students gain background knowledge invaluable to the worship planning process. Throughout the course, students participate in worship at their home church as well as other houses of worship in their community. Discussion boards provide an environment for students to converse about assigned readings and the worship services they attend. Students complete several papers and projects, both individually and in a group.
After completing this course, students will be able to plan worship services of various styles. To reach this overall objective of the course, other objectives will also be met. The student will:
Lutheran
Book of Worship. Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. $18.50
for the pew edition.
The hymnal for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It contains liturgical
settings and prayers as well as hymns.
Lutheran
Book of Worship, Manual on the Liturgy. Augsburg Publishing House,
Minneapolis, 1979. $44.
The companion to the LBW, this book contains a brief history about Lutheran
worship and how the LBW came to be. It gives more detailed instructions about
the services in the LBW and how they can be used in congregational worship.
Historical and biblical perspectives are covered.
There will be several readings in each module that are found on the World Wide Web.
Within your groups, you will be working on Module 2 throughout the course. It is placed at the beginning to give you some background material before beginning your group project. Although you may proceed at your own pace, try to keep on schedule of at least one module per week. This will keep you from getting behind.
The discussion groups can get overwhelming when the number of posts are numerous. Try to make time each day to check in; at a minimum you should check in three times during a week.
Please note when assignments and projects are due. Individual assignments and projects may be turned in before the due date. Please do not post your Group Project until Module 10.
| Assignment/Project |
Due |
|---|---|
| Church Year Assignment | End of Module 3 |
| Individual Hymn Service Project | End of Module 5 |
| Liturgy Assignment | End of Module 7 |
| Individual Service Project | End of Module 9 |
| Group Project | Module 10 |
You are expected to participate in the general discussion as well as in the discussion for your groups. You should be prepared to contribute at least one quality post that shows you have read the material and reflects your understanding of the subject and its relevance to you and your situation. You should also be prepared to reply to at least two classmates' posts with something more substantive than, "I agree" or "I disagree"; explain your reasons.
Although punctuation, spelling and grammar will not count against you in the discussion groups, may I suggest you read your post and correct any obvious errors before clicking the submit button. You can always compose your post in a word processor, run the spelling and grammar checker, and then copy and paste it into the discussion forum.
Punctuation, spelling and grammar will count in all other written work. If this isn't your strong suit, find someone who is strong in this area to proof your work. For help, consult the Strunk & White website at http://www.bartleby.com/141/.
You will also be using your critical thinking skills throughout the course. If you need help in this area, check out http://www.criticalthinking.org/K12/k12class/strat/stratall.html for some insight.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Your papers should be documented with citations and references. The APA style is appropriate for your work. This site (http://www.wooster.edu/psychology/apa-crib.html) maintained by Russ Dewey will give you some guidelines. I am interested in this style only for the formatting of citations and references.
Each group has lessons from a different season and a different Gospel, after which the groups are named. You may choose which group you want on a first come, first served basis (groups and assigned lessons are described below). Please e-mail me (annrstephens@yahoo.com) with your choices in order of preference by Friday at noon PST. I will assign you to a group based on the order in which I receive your request. Once a group is full I'll move to the second choice, then the third choice and fourth choice. You will get notice of your group by Sunday evening.
Your group will act as a worship planning team during this course. Use the group area of the course for your discussions about the service you are planning. Only members of your group have access to your group. Your group will plan a worship service based on the assigned lessons and using the readings for Module 2 as a guide to the process. The readings for the other modules will serve as background information as you go through the process.
Each person in the group will take on a particular role: leader, pastor, parish musician, and volunteers from the congregation. Notice that the pastor and parish musician do not serve as the group's leader. Decide among yourselves who will play which role. You should have this done by 6 p.m. PST on Tuesday. Once you have decided on roles, make them evident in your group discussion area so I will know who is doing what.
Matthew Group: Epiphany 3, Year A. Lessons: Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27: 1, 5-13, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23.
Mark Group: Advent 2, Year B. Lessons: Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8
Luke Group: Pentecost 15, Year C. Lessons: Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 51:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-15, Luke 15:1-10
John Group: Easter 5, Year A. Lessons: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14.
Besides the worship service you normally attend each week, you will be expected to attend eight (8) other services during this course - either a different service at your home church or a service at another house of worship (it doesn't have to be on Sunday). The second service should be different each week. With so many churches offering services at different times on Sunday as well as services during the week, this should not be a problem. Let me know if it is.
Use this time to explore other traditions if you would like, such as Judaism, Islam or Buddhism. Check the Yellow Pages for your area. Be sure to call ahead and make arrangements if you plan to attend a service at a non-Christian house of worship. Some may require special attire or may not allow you to attend a service. If you are not allowed to attend a service, you may be able to arrange a meeting with someone in the congregation that can answer your questions about their worship practices. This type of meeting would satisfy the worship attendance requirement.
You will report on your worship experiences each week in the discussion board.
Remember the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It applies here! Basic rules of netiquette (Network Etiquette) are the foundation for respectful and lively participation in the discussion groups. If you are unfamiliar with these, you may review them at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html.
In order to participate fully in this course you should have the following technologies:
The course is divided into 11 modules, approximately one per week. You do not have to wait for one week to be over before moving on to the next module, nor do you need to complete the modules sequentially. The beauty of online learning is that you can participate at your own pace and when it is most convenient for you. I will ask that you complete Module 1 before moving on to the other modules. These modules support the work you will be doing in your small groups.
The small group is designed to simulate a congregation's worship planning team. You are expected to fully participate in the discussions involved in this group work. Discussion forums for the Groups are found in the Group area; each Group has its own discussion board.
A brief overview of the modules in this course
| Week |
Modules | Group Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Module 1 - In the beginning | Form Groups |
|
|
||
| 2 |
Module 2 - The Planning Process | Roles |
3 |
Module 3 - The Church Year | Congregation |
| Church Year paper due | ||
4 |
Module 4 - Furnishings | Process - Visioning |
5 |
Module 5 - Hymns | Process - Planning |
| Hymn Service Project due | ||
6 |
Module 6 - Liturgy (Music and Roles) | Process - Planning |
7 |
Module 7 - Liturgy (Baptism and Holy Communion) | Process - Planning |
| Liturgy paper due | ||
8 |
Module 8 - Liturgy (Lent, Easter and Other Services) | Process - Planning |
9 |
Module 9 - The Arts | Process - Reviewing Details |
| Special Service Individual Project due | ||
10 |
Module 10 - Projects | Process - Evaluation |
| Group Service Project due | ||
11 |
Module 11 - Benediction |
Each assignment and project indicates the number of points you receive for successful completion and when it is due.
Please note the due dates for your assignments and projects. Modules end on Sunday midnight, PST.
| Assignment/Project |
Due |
|---|---|
| Church Year Assignment | End of Module 3 |
| Hymn Service Individual Project | End of Module 5 |
| Liturgy Assignment | End of Module 7 |
| Special Service Individual Project | End of Module 9 |
| Group Project | Module 10 |
Points: 50
Due: End of Module 3
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.
You will be assessed on your knowledge of the church year and how you can relate the different aspects to each other.
Points: 150
Due: End of Module 5
Select hymns for a chorale service of Holy Communion (LBW p. 120). You may select any lessons you wish. You should have a hymn for the following rubric numbers: 4, 6, 7, 11, 14-16 (can be one hymn), 19, 25, 28, 29, 31, 37, 39, plus a recessional hymn. Write two or three sentences explaining each choice. Post your paper and reply to at least two classmates' papers. Your paper should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.
Points: 50
Due: End of Module 7
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 and reply to at least two classmates' papers. Your paper should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.
Points: 150
Due: End of Module 9
Plan a service of your own choosing using any of the liturgies provided in the LBW. For example, you may want to plan a marriage ceremony if you or someone you know is getting married soon. Explain why you chose the service and the elements in it (hymns, lessons, etc.). Post your paper and reply to at least two classmates' papers. Your paper should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.
Points: 400
Due: Module 10
The work you do in your group will culminate in a service bulletin created by the group. You will also send me a weekly review of how that week went for you.
Service bulletin with all hymns, special music (prelude, postlude, anthem, etc.), liturgy included, plus announcements. Please give hymn number and title for hymns, page numbers for liturgy and title and composer for special music. You may put in a sermon title if you wish, but you definitely don't have to write a sermon! Your announcements should include information about your choices, such as why you selected the hymns you did and the theme for the day. Post your bulletin to the main discussion board under Module 10 - Projects. Read and make comments on other groups' bulletins. Your bulletin should be in RTF, HTML or PDF format.
Each week you will send an e-mail to me at annrstephens@yahoo.com describing how the week went for you within your group. Since no one will see this but you and the instructor, feel free to be open about any frustrations you experienced. How would these frustrations apply to "real life" in your congregation? What insight did you gain about the role you played in this class? Discuss what worked and what didn't and why. Would you use this process in your congregation? Note that this individual evaluation will not affect anyone else's grade.
Grades are based on a 1000-point system. Note that your group project is worth 40% of your grade.
| Module |
Discussion/Assignments/Project |
Points Available |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Introductions Discussion | 10 |
| 2 |
Planning Process Discussion | 15 |
| 3 |
The Church Year Discussion | 15 |
| 3 |
Church Year Assignment | 50 |
| 4 |
Furnishings Discussion | 15 |
5 |
Hymns Discussion | 25 |
5 |
Hymn Service Individual Project | 150 |
| 6 |
Liturgy (Music and Roles) Discussion | 15 |
| 7 |
Liturgy (Baptism and Holy Communion) Discussion | 15 |
| 7 |
Liturgy Assignment | 50 |
| 8 |
Liturgy (Lent and Easter, Other Services) Discussion | 15 |
| 9 |
The Arts (Anthems, Drama, Instruments, Visuals) Discussion | 15 |
| 9 |
Special Service Individual Project | 150 |
| 10 |
Group Project | 400 |
| 11 |
Farewells | 10 |
| Worship Attendance (8 services, 5 points per service) | 40 |
|
| Total | 1000 |
Grades for your group project will be broken down as follows:
| Item |
Points Available |
|---|---|
| Bulletin | 100 |
| Individual Response E-mails (10 at 10 points each) | 100 |
| Roles Discussion | 20 |
| Congregation Discussion | 20 |
| Visioning Discussion | 30 |
| Planning Discussion | 60 |
| Reviewing Discussion | 40 |
| Evaluation Discussion | 40 |
| Total | 400 |
The following scale will be used to calculate letter grades:
A = 900 - 1000
B = 800 - 899
C = 700 - 799
D = 600 - 699
F = Below 599
You may use this rubric as a guide to your discussion participation.
| Objectives | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in learning community | Provides comments and new information in a regular and equitable manner. Interacts with a variety of participants. | Provides comments and some information in a fairly regular manner. Interacts with a few selected participants. | Sporadically provides comments and some new information. Interacts with only one participant. | Provides minimal comments and information to other participants. | No post made |
| Evidence of higher level thinking | Applies higher level thinking including application, analysis, synthesis, or evaluation | Some higher level thinking present | Beginnings of higher level thinking | Ideas are not well-developed and no evidence of higher level thinking | No post made |
| Contributions add relevant and important content to the discussion | Message revealed a solid understanding of the topic as evidenced by thoughtful responses and questions. | Message revealed an adequate understanding of the topic as evidenced by posts indicating superficial knowledge. | Message revealed a limited understanding of the topic that was limited to information that could be derived from prior posts. | Message was a "one liner" or irrelevant to the discussion. | No post made |
You will produce several service bulletins during this course. This rubric will be the basis for your grade.
| Objectives | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theme of day carried throughout service | Excellent development and preparation is evident | Good development; preparation is evident | Lacking in either development or preparation | Little or no development; little or no preparation is evident |
| Seasonally appropriate elements added/removed | Excellent job integrating seasonal elements | Missed adding/deleting one seasonal element | Missed adding/deleting several seasonal elements | Disregarded seasonal elements |
| Music selection appropriate for service | Theme-based music was very well chosen and integrated into theme | Music was applied appropriately to theme | Music used but not clearly applied to theme | No music used |
| “Announcements” show knowledge of material and stated briefly | Brief and complete explanation of selected elements | Wordy but complete explanation of selected elements | Wordy and incomplete explanation of selected elements | Show lack of knowledge of elements |
Each paper will be graded by the following criteria. If you do not have the APA Manual, you may use this web site: http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/apa_index.htm
| 90-100% | 80-89% | 70-79% | 60-69% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Information | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. | Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. |
| Amount of information | All topics are addressed and all questions answered within the desired paper length. | All topics are addressed and most questions answered within the desired paper length. | All topics are addressed, and most questions answered but the paper is either too long or not long enough. | One or more topics were not addressed. |
| Mechanics | No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. | Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. | A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. | Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. |
| Sources | All sources are accurately documented using APA format. | All sources are accurately documented, but a few are not in APA format. | All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in APA format. | Some sources are not accurately documented. |
©2003 by Ann Stephens. All rights reserved.