Sunday Celebration Service
Before Service Order of Service After Service Points of Protocol and Courtesy

     The Institute For Spiritual Development is privileged to welcome you to share our Service Of Celebration.   The Service represents both the culmination and beginning of our spiritual week.   It is a time to focus on God, Self and the Universe.   A time of solitude and contemplation, as well as a time of community, it provides us with an opportunity to balance and understand the experiences of life.  It is right that we pause to gather our energy, to enhance our perspective, and to share our growth with kindred souls.

     The Service of Celebration blends prayer, learning, meditation and inspiration to impart upliftment and balance on the well-being of body, mind and soul.  At first glance you will realize that the Service is structured in a rather traditional fashion — something which we hope you will find comfortable.  At the same time, it incorporates aspects which are unique — something which we hope you will enjoy.   Plan to relax and enjoy the experience as a time of shared happiness.   Resolve to release any uneasiness you may have for the sake of a new perspective and a new experience.  Participate in the suspension of disbelief, and remember:  You are a stranger only as long as you choose to be one.

     Coming from many different backgrounds, we each bring a unique perspective to today's Service.   As an aid in your participation the following summary offers a brief explanation of the elements of the Service.

 

Before Service

  • Healings - With soothing music playing in the background, the energy for the upcoming Service is gathering and focusing.   During this period, Healings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  Healers work in plain sight in the front of the sanctuary.  As a chair is vacant, it cues the one desiring healing to come forward, sit and surrender to the flow of Divine Healing Love.
  • Quiet Meditation - One can make use of the rising Spiritual energy in the sanctuary, to fuel one's own balance, peace, harmony and inward turning.
 
 

The Order Of Service

  • The Processional 
    The celebrants (usually the Master of Ceremonies and the Homilist) enter and take their place on the Podium.
  • The Opening Service 
    Announces the commencement of the Service and sets the tone for what is to follow.
    Call to Worship - Announces that the Service has begun and asks us to focus our attention and attitude.
    Opening Hymn - Standing, we join our voices in celebration.
    Invocation - (Standing) The prayer of commencement is delivered by the Master of Ceremonies.
    Lord’s Prayer - (Standing) The Congregation joins in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. The version used is George Lamsa’s translation of the Peshitta from the original Aramaic.
    Declaration of Principles - Seated, you are asked to join the Congregation in expressing the common principles upon which The Institute as a spiritual entity is based.
  • Transition
    Special Music - An interlude of Music performed by our accompanist, the ISD Choir or a special guest.
  • The Healing Service 
    A time to bring balance and healing to ourselves and others.
    Healing Hymn - Raises the vibration to open the Healing portion of the Service.
    Opening Hymn - Standing, we join our voices in celebration.
    Presentation of the Healing Billets - As one enters the Church they were invited to write the names of those in need of healing. The billets placed in the Healing Cup are now presented and blessed.  Any additional names may be spoken aloud at this time.
    Healing Meditation - A guided meditation designed to bring harmony and ease to your being.
    Healing Prayer - Closes the Healing Service.
  • Transistion
    Responsive Reading - Alternately read in a call and response manner, the Master of Ceremonies begins and is answered by the Congregation.  Each reading consists of excerpts from various sources having common ground in a unifying topic.
  • The Lesson Service
    Reading - A selected reading relative to the lecture for the day is presented by the Homilist.
    Homily - The inspirational lesson, sermon or lecture of the day.
  • Prosperity Service 
    This is the Congregation's opportunity to joyfully affirm their abundance and prosperity by supporting the financial needs of the Church and its mission.
    Thanksgiving Prayer - All abundance begins with an expression of gratitude. The Prosperity Service opens with a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving for our many blessings.
    Charging of the Gifts - Each gift is held by the congregant and charged and magnified by the force of their love and intention.
    Offertory Call - Announces the Collection
    Collection - In-gathering of your Love Offering..
    Offertory Hymn - Standing, the congregation joins together in a song of praise and thanks as our gifts are presented.
    Blessing of the Gifts - (Standing) Our Offering is blessed and dedicated.
  • Transistion
    Announcements - Seated, we take time to express our appreciation for those who have made the Service possible through the generous contribution of their time and talents, and to publicize the upcoming events at the Church.
    Congregational Prayer - As a spiritual community we unite our voices in prayer.
  • The Affirmation Service 
    A unique aspect of the Service in which we pause to affirm the presence and power of the Spirit World as it interacts with us.
    Affirmation Hymn - We join our voices to elevate the energy and quicken our disposition and receptivity.
    Affirmation of Spirit - Through a variety of special approaches (meditation, messages, etc.) we are elevated to interact with the higher realms within and around ourselves.
  • The Closing Service  
    A time to re-orient ourselves, not so much to conclude the Service, but to bring it with us throughout the week.
    Prayer of Closing - The Master of Ceremonies offers the final prayer of the Service.
    Benediction - Standing, the final parting blessing is given.
    Closing Hymn - (Standing) We join in the final hymn of the Service as the celebrants exit.
 
 
 

After Service

  • Fellowship Hour - A time to fortify the body with some refreshments and light snacks and to share your enthusiasm, spiritual pathway and friendship with like-minded and loving individuals.
  • Mini-Readings and Healings - A sign-up sheet in the foyer lists the time slots available for mini-readings and healings. Both outreach services are conducted in the Sanctuary and a Free Will Offering is appreciated.
 
 
 

Points of Protocol and Courtesy

  • Please refrain from entering or leaving the Sanctuary during any aspect of the Service in which someone is speaking or performing from the Podium.   The ushers will direct you as to an appropriate time to enter.   If you must leave during the course of the Service, upon your return, the ushers may hold you at the door until an appropriate time.
  • At the conclusion of the Service, please do not leave the Sanctuary before the celebrants have exited.
  • The Service will end at approximately 12:30 PM (11:15 AM during July and August). If you must leave before that time, please choose a seat close to the door and quietly exit at an appropriate time.
  • Please refrain from talking during the Service, especially during Messages.
  • Please do not bring food or drinks into the Sanctuary.
  • Please make sure all cell phones or pagers are off before entering the sanctuary.
  • Although children of any age are welcome at the Service, we ask that you bring them outside the Sanctuary if they become disruptive to the Service or disturbing to the Congregation.   Children's Hour is held regularly on certain Sundays of the month in the Fellowship Hall.   You are welcome to bring your children to the activities sponsored by the Children's Hour during Service.
  • Spiritual Healing and Quiet Meditation are offered in the Sanctuary from 10:30 to 10:55 AM (Except in July and August).  Please observe silence in the Sanctuary and quiet in the Entrance Area during this time.
 

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