Why I Think the Methodist Church Has Gone Astray

[RomansFiveEight]

LOL!!! That certainly does not constitute a minion. (10 adult Jewish males) that is the minimum size to carry on synagogue liturgy.

If you like liturgy, you should attend a Jewish service (probably from a Reformed Synagogue as usually the liturgy is in english) to get a feel of the source of early Christian liturgy.

I have. If I can, I'll likely be taking my confirmands to one.

 

[Dave-W]

I have. If I can, I'll likely be taking my confirmands to one.

Great! If it is an orthodox synagogue, I would suggest getting copies of either the Artscroll Siddur or the Koren Sachs Siddur. (find out which one they use) That way everyone can be somewhat familiar with the English (which you may not hear in the service at all) meaning behind the prayers. Both are good and I own both (and several others as well). Artscroll has a wide range of siddurim, some in Hebrew only, some with transliterations, (askenezic only) and the main one has translation and commentary/explanations. I think the page numbers are consistent across all versions of the same siddur.

If you are going on a Saturday, you should make sure to get the Shabbat/Sabbath prayer book or the full prayer book and not the one ONLY for weekdays.

 

[Celticflower]

Our confirmation class went to a synagogue - very interesting. The prayer book they used had Hebrew on one page and English on the facing page so it was easy to follow along. Just had to remember to start from the back of the book and work forward to find the right page. And the rabbi talked to us before the service, letting us know what to expect, and answering any questions we had after. He also complimented us on our respectful behavior - there had been problems in the past with visiting teen groups and we were only allowed because the rabbi and our pastor were friends. But we were good - sat quietly in the back, followed the service, let the older members of the congregation leave before we tried to get out (found out that was seen as a GREAT sign of respect). All in all it was a wonderful experience.

 

[Dave-W]

The prayer book they used had Hebrew on one page and English on the facing page so it was easy to follow along.

That is a very common arrangement for English/Hebrew Siddurim.

The one I have been working on off and on for a few years has them all together on each page. It is in the format of Hebrew and the transliteration in columns together with the English translation following.

 

[joshua 1 9]

I think the idea of sinless perfection is a "chasing after the wind", if I can borrow from Solomon.

"God gave Solomon wisdom". "Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt". Still he did not have the mind of Christ. So even the least in the Kingdom of God is greater then Solomon and has more wisdom then Solomon.

 

[circuitrider]

Sinless perfection isn't the emphasis of Wesley. Being "perfect in love" is Wesley's emphasis of Christian perfection.