Last Sunday on the way out of church I was greeted by a 5 year old boy who has been in church perhaps 5 times. As we shook hands he said: Pastor, God forgives me. 

That's the power of liturgy!

Liturgy is not designed to be catechetical, but constitutes the factual worship of God instead. That said, there is no more powerful teacher of the faith than liturgy. When you consider its components: canticles, versicles, responses, prayers, creeds, hymns, lections, sermons, sacraments, blessings, absolutions and so on, Christian worship is a mighty fortress! One that guards and protects us from the wiles of the devil, the siren song of culture and the inclinations of sinful flesh. One that makes our heads swim with all that is good, true and beautiful. One that fortifies us with wisdom, power, courage and perseverence as we live as strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews 11:13) in this world.

Don't ever miss it. And don't ever trade in the glorious for something less.