"Service after the Manner of the Pilgrims"

November 20, 2005

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 11:13-16

Rev. Dr. Carol L. Kerr 

Blue Point Congregational Church

 

I. Introduction

 

The story of the Pilgrims is a great adventure story. It includes fleeing from enemies, capture, prison, escapes by night, hiding, foreign lands, spies, intrigue, lies, dangerous storms, countless encounters with death, embracing mystery and danger. All this and more.

All adventure stories have heroes. Heroes are people, men and women, who do things no one has dared to do. They think things no one has dared to think. They go places no one has dared to go. The hero has endurance. The hero has nerve. The hero also has something ore. Some might call it incredible good luck – like hitting the megabucks three times in a row. Others would call it God on their side.

The story of the Pilgrims is a story of great adventure and powerful heroes, with God on their side. It all started with people who lived in England and wanted to worship in their own way and according to their own conscience. They had a divine restlessness. They never could settle down, and settle for less because they were stuck on God. They lived in England but felt they were citizens of some holy place conjured for them when the read the Bible.

You are a hero too, or can be. The hero’s task, his or her quest, is to bring new life to a world that is dying to the status quo. There are dragons to be slain still.

But, we do not have to risk the adventure alone. For these heroes have gone before us. These Pilgrims were our religious fore fathers and fore mothers. Congregationalism, our church, descended from their faith. So, we have only to follow the thread of their path. A path that dared to read the Bible for themselves, and interpret it for themselves and let no priest, or dogma, or creed get in between them and the truth. A path that made each person come to terms with God personally. They looked for an inward religious experience where each person struggled with their own darkness and overcame it through Christ. A path where tolerance was the weapon for peace.

Heroes are a little crazy. The Pilgrims were crazy. There is an imaginary line over the Atlantic ocean which is an airliner’s “point of no return.” After that point it can only go forward and it can’t turn back. That is where heroes live spiritually. They live at the point of no return. There is something inside heroes which is a restlessness and an inner compulsion that makes the status quo unbearable. All pilgrims in whatever day and age believe that even if they die on the journey, only by taking the journey they will be really living for the first time.

The Pilgrims were crazy. 102 of them boarded a ship, the Mayflower, that was suppose to carry only 75. They had to lie on bare floors to sleep. There were no sanitary provisions. They ate food uncooked. They were seasick. They were crowded in a small cabin with standing room only. They didn’t wash the whole time. They landed off of Cape Cod in November. Within one month 10 out of the 17 fathers and husbands who were on that ship died. Within a couple months only four of the mothers and wives were alive out of the first 17 couples. And by Easter almost half of the pilgrims had died. They landed in the middle of winter without provisions, without shelter and that took a huge toll.

The Pilgrims were crazy, but they were also holy. Holy heroes are called saints. But, what made them really crazy and really holy was that in 1621 they still gave thanks to God in the first Thanksgiving. A Thanksgiving that we join with them celebrating this week along with millions of people throughout the United States. Joseph Cambell in The Power of Myth writes of the hero, Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.

This was the Pilgrims’ adventure. This is our adventure too.

When we were planning this worship service we wanted it to be in the manner of the Pilgrims. We wanted people to get a feel of what it was like to worship like they did. And we will sing, and pray, read scripture, ask questions…like they did in their worship services. But our sanctuary is entirely different than what they would have approved of. Our sanctuary is in the style of a high church like the Church of England. It has stain glass windows and fancy woodwork. These were all signs of popery, and priests, and rituals that had nothing to do with the Bible according to the Pilgrims. The church also has a huge organ. The Pilgrims felt that an organ was “the devils bagpipes.” Plus, when I was researching this service on the web all the other churches who were doing pilgrim worship services were dressed up in pilgrim costumes. For the service to fly at all it seemed like we had to have these costumes, at least for some of the major players in the service, like the minister, the Beadle, the drummer, and the titers. But, costumes are expensive, and take a long time to make.

Then it occurred to me that maybe it was better we didn’t have very good costumes. Because it was not what they wore that made the Pilgrims heroes. It was not the cute white bonnets, soft aprons, pretty collars, or black hats with silver buckle that made the Pilgrims pilgrims. What they wore had nothing to do with it. It was who they were. The Pilgrims themselves would have agreed. Who you were on the outside made no difference, rich or poor, tall or short, dressed in pantaloons or blue jeans. It was who you are n the inside that makes you a hero and a saint. So instead of costumes I made up name tags. Each of you is wearing a name tag of some one who was a Pilgrim or on the Mayflower. The Pilgrims were real heroes with real names. And in honor of what they did each of us is wearing a name of one of them.

On the front is the name. Throughout the service I will be telling you about some of the people whose names you are wearing. At the end of the service, written on the back is what happened to that person. How she or her died and when. I hope wearing that name brings home to you that there was a real person like you who lived a life of adventure, dared to risk everything for their belief and God, and took the heroes path and changed the world forever. Furthermore, when this Sunday is over and we resume our practice of wearing our own name tags, Carol Kerr, Sara Salisbury, Peggy Dunn, Steve Rioux may our own name tags never quite feel the same. Instead of being rather formal things to clip on, may they forever remind us that in our own way and in our own time that we are today’s pilgrims.

 

II. Start of Service

 

(I proceed walking to the back of the church while talking) In the earliest days the meeting house had no heat. Foot stoves were brought to the service which often lasted three or four hours. (So if this service runs over and hour the excuse is that we are doing it like the Pilgrims did it!) Women carried hot muffs. Ministers preached in overcoats and even wore mittens.

Men and boys were seated on the right side, facing the front. Women and girls on the left. So lets do that now.

(When they are seated begin again.) The call to come to church was given by a drummer. A procession of worshippers came to the church together and in a group because of the need for protection. The drummer led the men and women and children to worship and into the sanctuary. (Read name of drummer…) ______________ will now drum up the aisle as if we have just been led into the church. Again, this is just to give an impression, and hear the sound of what it might have been like for them.

After the drummer a man called a “beadle” carried a large old bible and placed it on the table at the front. A beadle, was not a bug, but was an officer appointed by the vestry to keep order in the church, punish petty offenders, and act as a messenger for the church.

_________________________ will be our Beadle today.

The minister came in last. By the way the minister wore black academic robes instead of priestly garments. This is because the Pilgrims valued education and using the mind, over what they saw as superstition and arbitrary authority telling them what they should believe. Every Sunday I too wear a black academic robe. I didn’t have to get a costume for this one. Our heritage of Congregationalism comes strait from the Puritans. This heritage of black academic robes has been handed down and we use it even today. Also, the most explosive political issue in England for the Pilgrims was the authority to choose ministers for their church. Likewise today, you chose me through a search committee of this church. No bishop or archbishop or pope told the church who to have as your minister.

 

III. Tithing man

A tithing man was appointed by the vestry to keep order during worship and enforced the observance of the Sabbath. In other words, he was like the churches truant officer. The tithing rod was thumped three times on the floor to indicate the start of the service. Also, tithing rods were then used to keep people awake during the service which lasted 3-4 hours. It was a long pole tipped with a brass knocker on one end or rap the sleeping “males” and tipped on the other end with a rabbit foot or feather to tickle the females. Read off name tags _____________________ and ________________________.

 

IV. Free Prayer

 

In the earliest days, the congregation stood as the service opened with prayers – which lasted at least 15 minutes. These were called “free prayers” because they were not written in any prayer book, and they composed by the minister each time. The Pilgrims hated prefaced prayers, the ones used in the church of England Book of Common Prayer. They seemed, hard boiled, and fake to them. Likewise we do not use a book of prayer over and over. Our prayers in our service change. Often the service is composed, or compiled, by me and can be different each time.

The congregations would pray with their arms raised above their heads. Kneeling was not acceptable because it was an “idolatrous Roman practice.” We still do not kneel today. Although, we usually remained seated instead of standing during prayer. Also, kids, you will like this. During the prayers if the minister said something that you particularly like you can shout out “Amen” any time.

The prayers of the Puritans are intense, passionate and personal. The high point of their spirituality was self examination. Puritans and pilgrims wrote many diaries full of details about their struggle with darkness, they called Satan, and persevering and overcoming the darkness because of their devotion to Christ, the light of the world. Theirs was not a cold and calculated faith. It was hot and alive.

In my research, I found this Puritan prayer about prayer. It could very well have been like one of the prayers the Pilgrims prayed during the Mayflower voyage. It talks about prayer in terms of launching out on the broad ocean. It speaks of gales, and puffs of wind. It talks about leaving the shores of cruel disappointment behind. It also talks about heading towards a “New Jerusalem” and “Zion.” The Pilgrims felt that going to America was their chance to become the New Jerusalem and the true Zion, city of God.

Kids, we are going to a prayer scavenger hunt. I want you to listen for certain words in the prayer. When you hear them instead of saying, I found it, I want you to say “Amen.” The words you are to list for are: ocean, gales of the Spirit, New Jerusalem, puff of wind, Zion and Thy kingdom come. When you hear these words say “Amen!” Imagine yourself on the Mayflower sailing across the ocean as this is being said.

 

In Prayer

 

O Lord, in prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel disappointments never appears so inconsiderate as then.

In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after Thee with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to Thee. Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem.

In prayer all things here below vanish, and nothing seems important but holiness of heart and the salvation of others.

In prayer all my world cares, fears, anxieties disappear, and are of as little significance as a puff of wind.

In prayer my soul inwardly exults with lively thoughts at what Thou art doing for Thy church, and I long that Thou shouldest get Thyself a great name from sinners returning to Zion.

In prayer I am lifted above the frowns and flatteries of life, and taste heavenly joys; entering into the eternal world I can give myself to Thee with all my heart, to be Thin for ever.

In prayer I can place all my concerns in Thy hands, to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.

In prayer I can intercede for my friends, ministers, sinners, the church, Thy kingdom to come, with greatest freedom, ardent hopes, as a son to his father ,as a lover to the beloved.

Help me to be all prayer and never to cease praying.

 

V. Singing a Hymn

 

Organs were not used until the 18^th century. Pilgrims and Puritans alike shunned those “devils bagpipes.” Hymns, instead were “lined out” by a “Stalwart person with a comely voice.” That person sang each line to the congregation which then the people simply repeated.

We have ___________________ and ________________________ who are very stalwart. They have comely voices too.

Let’s stand.

 

Scriptures

 

The Pilgrims looked to the scripture for their authority rather than the church. Everyone was to interpret the scripture according to their individual insights and understanding.

The quote at the beginning of the bulletin is from Rev. John Robinson. He was the Pilgrims pastor in England, and then in Holland. He was unable to go to America with them. This quote is from his farewell speech. He says, For I am persuaded the Lord hath more truth and light to break forth from His holy word. The puritans believed that no one person could know all the truth. Truth would forever break forth from the scriptures. Greater insights and understanding were sure to come. This was the beginning of religious tolerance. Everybody is allowed to have their own thoughts and ideas and faith. No one has it sown up.

We are so use to reading the bible on our own that it seems boring, ho-hum, and who cares. But, I can’t understate the importance this had for the Pilgrims. Before the bible was written only in Latin and not in English. Before they had to rely on the church hierarchy to tell them what was in it. Now by reading the Bible themselves in English they discovered an overpowering message of God’s grace. Robert Capon puts it this way:

…this was a time when men went blind, staggering drunk because they had discovered, in the dusty basement of late medievalism, a whole cellar full of fifteen-hundred-year-old, two-hundred-proof grace –of bottle after bottle of pure distillate of Scripture, one sip of which would convince anyone that God saves us single-handedly. The word of the gospel – after all those centuries of trying to lift yourself into heaven by worrying about the perfection of your bootstraps – suddenly turned out to be a flat announcement that the saved were home before they started…Grace has to be drunk straight: no water, no ice, and certainly no ginger ale; neither goodness nor badness, nor flowers that bloom in the spring of super spiritually could be allowed to enter into the case.

 

Comments from the Congregation

 

Again, the scriptures were not the exclusive right of the ministers. The scriptures were everybodies. Plus the Pilgrims felt that the mind and reason should be applied to the scripture in order to brings its truth to light. So people were encouraged to ask questions or make comments after the scripture. I really like this practice. I think we maybe should adopt this part of our heritage back.

Worship was not a show that people came to watch. Worship was a place where everyone was involved as a community.

I am going to read through this passage again and slowly. Look for a word or a phrase that you like and tell it to the congregation. Or if you have question just ask it. I am not going to answer it though. In interest of time.

 

Singing of Psalm 121

 

The Long Prayer

What we now call “the pastoral prayer” or “prayers of the people” up until 70 years ago was called “the long prayer.” Like today, the long prayer was the time where the congregation could bring their joys and concerns to the congregation. It was the place in the service where people felt they had the freest access to God.

This is a prayer of paradox. A paradox is a funny situation when something is really its opposite. For the Puritan only in the depths of the valley can they see the greatest heights of God’s mountains. The way down is the way up. When you think you hear a paradox, when low is high, when broken is healed, so forth, say “Amen.”

 

The Valley of Vision

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

 

The Song of Moses and the Lamb

 

The Sermon

 

The major part of the service was devoted to the sermon. With their emphasis on reason and intelligence the early Congregationalists regarded the sermon as the high point of the worship. All ritual was seen as superstitious and swept out of the service. The sermon today is still the high point of the Congregational service. Notice how high the pulpit is. It is put in a predominant place, can’t be missed.

Back then sermons were 2-3 hours. (I have no idea how they could go on that long…. I feel spent after 20 minutes.)

After the sermon they would have time to ask questions about it. For the same reasons that they did with the scriptures. This is another practice I like.

Today we have Lisa Wolfinger to tell us about her documentary on the Pilgrims… Be prepared to ask questions.

 

Censures

 

This was a time in the service where someone, or more would stand up and call attention to failures of individuals to make their conduct measure up to what was expected of them. People tattle tailed on each other at this part of the service. Weird huh? This is one thing I am glad we no longer do. At the Cumberland Congregational Church they still have records of some of these censures. Someone caught stealing, someone caught gambling at midnight in their barn. Someone drunk, Someone owed too many bills. They would name names.

I have one censure. Who is Francis and John Jr. Billington? Well I want to tattle tale on them. They were bored on the Mayflower and in search of some excitement one day found some gunpowder when their father was not around. They made pellets and placed them in their father’s gun and shot it off. A small barrel of gun powered lay nearby. It caught on fire. Fortunately some other Pilgrims near by threw water on it. Otherwise the Mayflower would have gone up in smoke! How about that for getting in trouble. I think the whole congregation should know about it.

 

Offering

 

At the offering the head of each family walked forward and placed the offering of goods or money on the Communion Table by the Bible.

After the deacon _______________________ says, ….

 

Doxology

 

Closing Comments

You can look at the back of your name tags now. The Pilgrims were heroes that lived out a great adventure.

*Some funny names…like Humility Cooper, Wrestling Brewster, Love Brewster, Resolved White…

*Oceanus Hopkins – you were named after oceans because you were born on the Mayflower on the ocean.

*Peregrin White – you were born on the ocean too. You also were granted 200 acres of land because you were the first male born of the Pilgrims.

*John Howland – you were thrown off the Mayflower in a storm. Lucky you are quick because you caught onto a rope. They pulled you back on board with a boat hook. Howling storm Howland.

*Mary Chilton – you name became famous because for many years people thought you were the one to step first on Plymouth Rock.

*Many of you were orphans, or being raised by people not your parents. John Hooke, Richard More, Jasper More, Ellen More. All of you were orphans. All of you died the first winter, except Richard.

*Fransis and John Billington, we know about your mischief. You two were pretty good guys, unfortunately your father, John Billington senior, was hanged for murder in Plymouth in 1630.

You can all look at the back of your name tags now. Notice most of you died shortly after you arrived. There were 103 on the Mayflower About 50 were bonefide Pilgrims. About half of those died the first year. That leaves about 25 men and women and children left.

Twenty five people left. But, the power of their faith prevailed still. They were all holy heroes. They were Congregational saints.

 

Benediction

 

William Bradford, one of the first governors of the community wrote an account of the Pilgrims from 1620-1647. The original manuscript was lost in the Revolutionary war. But ir reappeared many years later in England. In 1897 it was returned to the United States. Almost lost but found again. In the end of this manuscript he writes.

Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, AS ONE SMALL CANDLE MAY LIGHT A THOUSAND, S0 THE LIGHT HERE KINDLED HATH SHONE UNTO MANY, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise! (Of Plymouth Plantation, p. 236)

In the middle of a dark world, the Pilgrims were seeking to shine! So too, as we leave this place today, may we continue the heroic and adventurous faith of the Pilgrims. May we make our small lights light thousands more.