| In 1998, the PC(USA) approved for
study three new catechisms: Belonging to God: A First Catechism;
Study Catechism: Confirmation Version; and Study Catechism: Full
Version. For the past five years, churches around the country
have been using these catechisms for study. In 2003, the General
Assembly will be faced with the question of whether or not to
include the catechisms in the Book of Confessions as official
constitutional documents of the church.
Beyond their constitutional status, however, the catechisms present
a helpful framework for shaping children and adults alike in the
Christian faith. Christian formation occurs not only in the classroom
but also in worship. How might the catechisms be used in worship
to contribute to the formation of Christian disciples?
In response to a 1998 General Assembly referral, the Office of
Theology and Worship gathered a group of people to write a worship
resource using the language and themes of the Belonging to God
catechism. This resource, entitled Belonging to God: Resources
for Worship, will be published by Geneva Press in the spring of
2003. It is intended for both pastors and educators, and it encourages
the full inclusion of children in Sunday morning worship. With
liturgical texts, ideas for preaching to children and adults,
and new music and art commissioned for the book, Belonging to
God: Resources for Worship promises to spark the imaginations
of worship leaders to make use
of these new resources in the sanctuary.
Example from Belonging to God: Resources for Worship:
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God,
We confess that we close our hearts to you.
You hate our sin but never stop loving us.
We disobey your law and do what we want.
You hate our sin but never stop loving us.
Our relationship with you is broken.
All our relations with others are confused.
You hate our sin but never stop loving us.
Forgive us, O God. (based on Questions 11–13)
of First Catechism.
For more resources, see the book Belonging to God: Resources
for Worship, ISBN 0-664-50236-9.
New from Witherspoon Press in 2003
Gift Editions of the 1998 Catechisms
Belonging to God: A First Catechism
This first catechism is written for children in the third and
fourth grades. It begins with the question
“Who are you?” and concludes with questions about
the Lord’s Prayer. Questions and answers are followed
by biblical references.
ISBN 1-57153-036-3 Item #097750 48 pp. $7.95
The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version
A shorter version of the full Study Catechism, this edition
is designed for use with young people during the confirmation
process.
ISBN 1-57153-037-1 Item # 097751 72 pp. $9.95
The Study Catechism: Full Version
The comprehensive version is ideal for use in
training church officers, in adult study groups, and in
the education of new church members.
ISBN 11-57153-038-X Item # 977752 88 pp. $12.95
El Catecismó de Estudio: Versión de Confermacion
# 079532 $1
The Study Catechism (Korean Version) ISBN 89-398-3417-8 $2
To Order Call (888) 728-7228 ext. 5397.
Additional resources available through www.pcusa.org/marketplace.
Martha L. Moore-Keish, author, is Associate
for Worship, Office of Theology and Worship.
Contact her at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5332, or send e-mail
to mmooreke@ctr.pcusa.org.
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