What is not recorded in the minutes of the Session meetings at Highland are the many ways in which the experience of worship becomes a saving, healing act in the lives of individuals and the community. Almost any act within a worship service holds healing potential. A hymn which is sung in worship arises in the memory of a member during a difficult moment in the following week and lifts that person’s spirit. A confession of sin enables a worshipper to unburden himself of a paralyzing guilt which frees him to become more loving. A sermon answers a haunting question for a would be believer and helps her take the next step of faith. An announcement opens the opportunity that fills the need of a congregant to serve.
The healing impact of worship is not constrained to that which happens within the congregation. Being asked to offer prayer for the hungry of the world or on behalf of the ill in a congregation enables a self-absorbed member to gain a new perspective on his or her problems. A liturgy that celebrates the life of the congregation fuses a people into a body with new energy to take on a challenging ministry that God has laid before them.
Worship is central to the church’s identity. Through worship, God takes individuals and connects them into a body which gives expression to God’s intention for all humanity. Those who have lost sight of the image of God in which they were created have that image reformed before and within them.
