Worship, Justice, and Joy: A Liturgical Pilgrimage
Ebook
Overview
Joy is elusive. Discovering, living in, and living with joy means a lifelong connection to the heart of God. This book connects the pilgrimage of life and faith to parallel movements of worship as communities gather to hear, read, proclaim, receive, and witness to the word of God. At the heart of joy, is the One who is Joy itself, the triune God who shapes and forms lives for the work and witness of justice in the world. In doing so, the author sees that the entirety of life is worship, the totality of the world is the arena of God's work of justice in which we participate, and in being connected to God and to God's work, there lies the core of joy. Worship, Justice, and Joy draws upon liturgical theology, ritual studies, and is a guide for living out faith everyday, in community, for the common good of justice in the world.
“This gem of a book sparkles with hard-won wisdom and gentle truth. Neal Presa points us toward a joy that is both bracing and tender, a calling and a gift, a summons and a grace.”
—Melanie C. Ross, associate professor of liturgical studies, Yale Divinity School
“In this powerful book, Neal Presa offers all who follow Jesus a great gift: the permission to be joyful. Given the weightiness of life’s burdens and the injustice of our world, we can easily lose the joy that is to mark discipleship of Jesus. Presa calls us to root our souls in the joy of the Spirit and, through this, to work for peace in the world from the depths of God’s sustaining joy.”
—Joel Lawrence, executive director, Center for Pastor Theologians
“Encountering this book is to embark on a pilgrimage of joy. Neal Presa reveals how liturgy and worship frame life, with vulnerable stories rooted in his own faithful journey, embedded with rich theological insights. You’ll learn the depth of joy from a remarkable church leader. Take and read.”
—Wes Granberg-Michaelson, author of Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage
“This book is a deeply necessary journey toward ‘joy’ as it breathes new perspective on justice and worship. Neal Presa offers us a fresh way to think about Sunday morning worship and calls us to deepen our awareness of communal liturgical practices that reveal God anew. Reading this book moves us to witness God’s power at work around us in our fellowship and connection to one another as we worship God together.”
—Khalia J. Williams, associate dean of worship and spiritual formation, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
“‘Joy is elusive. It’s like Happiness, but not quite.’ Neal Presa writes out of his own experience embedded in his loving family, satisfying work, and professional success, yet finding his heart and soul blocked by tasks, expectations, responsibilities, obligations, and deadlines. This blockage led to ‘wrestling’ with God and with himself. Presa describes ‘a liturgical spirituality’ that leads to the One who is our joy and guides us as we learn and embrace hope and justice.”
—Ronald Byars, professor emeritus of preaching and worship, Union Presbyterian Seminary
Neal D. Presa is executive presbyter of the Presbytery of San Jose. He is Affiliate Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary and a Fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is a past Moderator of the 220th General Assembly (2012) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more info: NealPresa.com and social media (LI/FB/X/IG: @NealPresa)