Praise & Worship

'O come let us sing to the Lord

Let us make a joyful noise

to the rock of our salvation'

(Psalm 95:10)

'Worship is like food, or a film or a book; when it is good; it is very good indeed; When it is terrible it is bad indeed'

Bishop Michael (Birkenhead)

Worship forms a regular and special part of our life here at St. Luke's. We set aside time during each day to reflect on God, the world he made, the lives we have, those who need our prayers and offer thanks for all that we have.

We believe that good worship happens where children are active participants, not passive spectators and this includes being involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation. In this way, the Act of collective worship becomes their own, rather than something that is ‘done to them’.

Our 'Prayer & Worship Team' features a group of pupils who represent each year group. They are involved in the planning, leading and evaluation of our worship. They are actively involved in being 'Change Agents', supporting the drive and direction of our work as courageous advocates.

So what is important to us here at St. Luke's and what does worship aim to do?

• We aim to enable children and staff to explore and celebrate the differences and diversity found in the variety of forms of worship in the Anglican Christian tradition;

• We aim to lead the school community to the ‘threshold of worship’ in order for them to make an informed choice about their own involvement and to consider their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ;

• We seek to deepen and widen the experience of those of ‘faith’ and encourage those of ‘no faith’ so that they begin to feel for themselves something of what it means to worship;

• We use celebration, silence, reflection, contemplation, meditation, prayer, song, symbols and imagery as vehicles for worship and spiritual growth;

• We provide opportunities for the whole school community to address God directly through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit through acknowledging his presence, reflecting upon his character and giving Him praise and honour;

• We use a vocabulary of worship that encourages the whole school community to attend, participate and lead worship;

• We encourage all present to explore their own beliefs and understanding of God within a Christian framework by learning more about the Christian faith and by encountering Christ through worship;

• We raise awareness through reflection of the ultimate questions of life relating to matters of faith;

• We reaffirm, strengthen and practise our own School Values and  key Christian values. (e.g. love, peace, compassion, forgiveness, self giving) and celebrate each unique individual member of the school community as made in the image of God;

• We nurture and encourage respect and care for God's created world by promoting a positive attitude to environmental issues locally, nationally and globally;

• We seek to provide opportunities for spiritual, social and moral development that is characterised be feelings such as awe, wonder, being uplifted, elation, appreciation, gratitude, respect, and reverence;

• We develop a sense of community within the school, the locality, (e.g. St. Luke's Parish Church) and foster the sense of being part of a wider community though the celebration of achievements, festivals and special occasions;

• We foster a concern for the needs of others.