The Religious Support Office is now offering a new mid-week 30-minute liturgical worship service and lunch aimed at providing both physical and spiritual nourishment.
According to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Thomas McCort, the operations chaplain for 1st Theater Sustainment Command, liturgy simply means "order." A liturgical service is a routine and regimented community worship service that generally includes communal participation in activities like prayer and scripture and creed reading.
McCort said liturgical services include readings from scripture, historical prayers and creeds to which worshipers respond with formal responsive reading.
"Typically, each Sunday there are at least two readings each from the Old Testament, and two readings from the New Testament," said McCort. "This [covers more] Scripture reading than in many Protestant worship services, and conversely, the sermon, or homily, is much shorter."
Garrison Chaplain Col. James Boulware said this method may be different than what many are used to, but it offers several benefits.
"This is more than a Bible study. It's an actual service that has been truncated to fit a half hour timeframe," Boulware said. "It's a very organized and structured approach that keeps to a schedule, but it also [allows] people to get to know each other and encourage one another. And, the chaplains are there to support anyone who may have questions or be facing a life crisis."
McCort said the format also allows time for a brief meal.
"We purposely keep the services short so people can attend, eat and get back to work within the lunch time," he said. "The free lunch is usually prepared by the [chaplains].
Boulware said sitting down to a meal together adds to the camaraderie.
"This isn't based on a denomination, but on a belief system in Jesus Christ," said Boulware, "You'll find believers from different denominations worshipping together and eating a simple home-cooked meal."
McCort said he wants the Wednesday liturgical lunch to become a mainstay to those who attend and a source of support in their lives.
"This kind of worship will help ground Christians in the Holy Scriptures and the historical creeds and prayers of the Christian faith," said McCort. "We have an ancient faith with deep roots, and time tested teachings that are important today."
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