Staff is centered in Nashville, Tennessee, but we also have staff at locations across the United States. This is one of the most amazing opportunities l have to speak or write in the hope of bringing freedom, to show the value of every human life, and to help girls who are in immense suffering. Methodist Church: 1944: Book of Worship : 1957: Wesley Orders of Common Prayer : 1960: Book of Worship for trial use: 1964: Book of Worship and Hymnal with two . See A Service of Word and Table V on UMBOW 51-53. If announcements and welcoming are not placed in the Gathering, they may follow the Opening Prayers and Praise. refrain from Ye Watcher and Ye Holy Ones, 711 "Alleluia!" Another alternative is to sing a hymn or refrain such as one of the following in UMH (or others listed in UMH 951) as the Prayer for Illumination: 544 Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song (esp. The people can become actively involved in any anthem by saying Amen at its conclusion. Major Revisions of the General Services of the Church Baptism, Lord's Supper, Marriage, Burial, and the Ordinal within the Methodist & United Methodist Traditions . op*}d+f^4sLdn+^2ybrn11r/ H>A` 3Pk zL*+K%hp*}Q@o? This page features liturgies, produced by the Worship and Liturgy Resources Group of the Faith and Order Committee, which have been produced since the Methodist Worship Book was published. We warmly welcome you to the web-space of the Methodist Church Ghana. In an attempt to act impartially, The Methodist Church Ghana assigned expatriate parties to give opinions on the matter. Chairs of Districts are appointed and stationed by the Methodist Conference. These influences give the contemporary Gospel music scene new impulses which are crucial for its future development. [15], The Methodist Revival was a movement held by the Methodist Church Britain to reach citizens who felt neglected by the Church of England. The third of the four actions of Holy Communion, like the first, is brief and preliminary to the act that immediately follows. To see . It is also traditional that the bread and cup have been covered by a white linen napkin, or by a white linen-covered card over the cup, or by metal tray lids. Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A, Home The Church has 17 dioceses, 3,814 societies, 1,066 pastors, 15,920 local preachers, 24,100 Lay Leaders, many schools, an orphanage, hospitals and clinics. Combining research on music, cognition, and materialist theories with firsthand ethnographic data, problematic conceptions of the human body arise. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVINGThe following or other Prayer of Thanksgiving (see 550-55) is prayed after the presentation of the gifts: All things come from you, O God,and with praise and thanksgiving we return to you what is yours.You created all that is, and with love formed us in your image.When our love failed, your love remained steadfast.You gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior,that we might have abundant and eternal life.All that we are, and all that we have, is a trust from you.And so, in gratitude for all that you have done,we offer you ourselves, and all that we have,in union with Christ's offering for us.By your Holy Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other,and one in ministry to all the world;through Jesus Christ our Lord. We have no tradition of refusing any who present themselves desiring to receive. See also the examples printed in UMH 7-8, 12, 26-27, and 890-93 and the listing of hymns that can be sung as prayers of confession (UMH 939-40). <>>> Following this change, multiple Methodist churches in Ghana translated the main British hymns into their own native languages, including Ewe and Ga.[11] The Methodist Church was the first to add native songs to praise and worship services in Ghana. By presenting some Gospel songs in Akan, the present researcher has tried to show that there are two main strings of influences in these songs. Methodist worship everywhere is partly liturgical and partly spontaneous. Churches in Oakland County Michigan and zip code 48390 are included with reviews of Baptist churches, Methodist churches, Catholic churches, Pentecostal and Assembly of God churches, Lutheran churches and other Protestant and . 3 0 obj After the Opening Prayer(s), if an act of praise is desired, one or more of the following may be spoken or sung, actively involving the whole congregation if possible: 1) Canticle of God's Glory (UMH 72, 82, or 83), 2) A psalm or other scripture song (canticle), especially the canticles indexed in UMH 935-36, 3) The Gloria Patri (UMH 70 or 71) or the Glory to God on High (UMH 188, refrain only), 4) The Lord, Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison) in threefold form (UMH 482). They include recognition of who we are before God by centering on the nature and gifts of God. This approach to worship displays a more vibrant and energetic form of praise. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Available at all . Valedictory Service in Honor of Most Rev. After a long struggle with some bureaucratic policies, Calvary Society's request to become a circuit was approved and the name changed to the North-Accra circuit. Due to the influence of the movement, some non-ordained charismatic leaders were formally appointed as evangelists due to their commitment to their work. Before you discuss on how somebody is doing something, it is also good to look at the reason why the person is doing that thing, so that you can be in a better position to educate the person properly. Even when a worship service immediately follows another activity such as Sunday school in the same room, and some who have been at the earlier activity simply remain seated for the worship that follows, the Gathering is a crucial part of the worship service. Amen. This new form of Christianity was a faster paced, more vibrant, and more kinetic form of Christianity. The people's responses may be sung, using the musical settings in UMH 17-25. [14], As part of the charismatic movement, clergy and congregants have incorporated more in-church prayer. Stockholm: SIDA (2004): 164-179. Opening prayers, together with opening hymns, establish that our worship is communion with God as well as with one another. After expanding the property and adding medically trained professionals, on September 24, 1988 the hospital opened to the public. The growth of Christianity in Ghana has led to the proliferation of liturgical changes leading to conflict of religious ideologies within the traditional (orthodox) and the modern (charismatic) churches. The people may offer one another signs of reconciliation and love, particularly when Holy Communion is celebrated. For instance, during an election for the presidency of the denomination in the 1980s, people were vouching for their own ethnic president and a conflict of interest between some ethnic groups occurred. This group not only spread the charismatic movement throughout the mainline Protestant Methodist church in Ghana's cities, but also to smaller churches in villages. 6nq$Fvtf7Cb9 ach@[l282]e2=S>`XPE]uFF< 5Ue?%FlE Each reading may be introduced as follows: "A reading from (or Hear the Word of God in) the book of --------, the ---- chapter, beginning with the ---- verse." . Like the Basic Pattern, it is a guide to help those who plan worship see the structure and flow of our services. PhD thesis Protestant Theological University, Utrecht Date of defense: November 23, 2009, Sounds of change: Social and political features of . 2) A prayer of confession and act of pardon may include the following sequence:a) A formal or informal call to confession by the leaderb) A prayer of confession prayed in unison by the peoplec) Silenced) Words of assurance or declaration of pardon by the leadere) A response by the people. If wafers or bread cubes are used, the pastor should remove the lid(s) or covering. If an altar table is fixed against the wall, the pastor may stand beside it, or a freestanding Lord's table may be placed in front of it. The people may be called to pray the Lord's Prayer with this invitation: "And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray: .". All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup. Sometimes there is a regular structure which follows the liturgy contained in the Methodist Service Book. United Methodist Faith community serving Walled Lake, MI, and surrounding area. Download now of 1 THE METHODIST CHURCH GHANA EBENEZER METHODIST CHURCH, KWAE ESTATE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE, 2018 PART I PROCESSIONAL HYMN MHB 490 INTROIT MHB 154 HYMN MHB 19/ CAN 9 PRAYER PRAISES CHOIR WORSHIP & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS MRS. VIDA YEBOAH HANDSHAKE OF FELLOWSHIP HYMN 1046 (NEW HYMNAL) BIBLE READINGS 1ST READING I SAMUEL 16 : 1-13 Following the reading, the reader may say, "The Word of the Lord (God )," and the people may respond, Thanks be to God. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. See the listings under Closing Hymns (UMH 939), Discipleship and Service (UMH 940), and Doxology (UMH 951) and the listing of doxologies above. As Jesus gave thanks over (blessed) the bread and cup, so do the pastor and people. Seventh, to spread Christianity and endorse the giving of the student's life to God. there is no Liturgy in the world, either in . It may be: 1) A hymn of thanksgiving and praise or a doxology, 4) A hymn of thanksgiving following Holy Communion (see list above), 5) A favorite hymn or theme song, sung every week. See 39 for appropriate words to accompany these actions. Every effort should be made to make each person, and especially children, welcome at the table. Dimensions : 6.14 x 0.42 x 9.21 inches. Each of these prayers may be followed by a common response, such as Lord, hear our prayer, spoken or sung by all, or one of the following from UMH : 2) A litany of intercession and petition (see UMBOW 495). Cambridge Univ. None of these combinations in itself is more valid than another, but one may be far more appropriate than another, depending on the particular congregation and circumstances. For use at any time when a district wishes to hold a celebration of Holy Communion, such as at a representative session of the synod. 2) They may be reverently consumed by the pastor and others while the table is being set in order or following the service. Miriam Hornsby Odoi, a worker for the Diocese who directs The Methodist Church Ghana's health programs, states that the church's involvement in medical work comes from Jesus Christ when his disciples were local healers and spirit purifiers. In addition to this, the book explores how the emphases of the new Ghanaian charismatics internationalism, transformation, prosperity, healing and deliverance provide useful insights into the nature of modern African Pentecostal spirituality. Welcoming may include a ritual of friendship using attendance registration pads or cards and inviting persons to introduce themselves to those sitting around them. refrain from For All the Saints, 596 Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (esp. The following hymns and stanzas in UMH are suggested: Whether or not Holy Communion has been celebrated, the service concludes with a series of acts in which the congregation stands and is sent forth to active ministry in the world. This sharing should focus on the Word of the day and be in styles appropriate to the developmental levels of the children present. See the Great Thanksgivings in A Service of Word and Table I-IV and on UMBOW 54-80. Used by permission. [11], In the late 1960s, Charismatic Christianity spread into Ghana. An anthem based on the psalm is also appropriate. WTV; GHAMSU; Minister's Diary; Evangelism; Book Store; Freeman Center; AlPha Royal; Recent News. See the discussion of confession and pardon on 20-21 for an explanation of this act of worship, with musical suggestions. Las mejores ofertas para Singing the Faith: Words edition, Church New 9781848250680 Fast Free Shipping.. estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! (November 2016) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) The Revised Common Lectionary ( RCL) is a lectionary of readings or pericopes from the Bible for use in Christian worship, making provision for the liturgical year with its pattern of observances of festivals and seasons. Amen. Using ethnographic interviews and months of detailed field observations, this study traces the internal dynamics of musical expression in terms of evident tensions such as the balance between processes of institutionalization with ecstatic charismatic experiences. In 1965 the Fante people made their own church building, called themselves the Cavalry Society, and placed their building in an area that would change their closest proximity circuit, Wesley Circuit, to the Adabraka Circuit. Just as within the traditional political and diplomatic contexts, one cannot formally contact the king without the agency of his linguists or sub-chiefs. See 31-32. Prior to the prayers, prayer concerns or requests may be gathered from the congregation orally or in writing. Ghanaian Pentecostalism in its modern charismatic form has become the most visible expression of renewal within indigenous Christianity. If candles are used, they may be lighted by acolytes. The districts were Gold Coast District, with T. R. Picot as chairman, and Yoruba and Popo District, with John Milum as chairman. To learn more, view ourPrivacy Policy. "1}8[W)e:uw*ufr1?FWODB. lls its role as key texts for anyone interested in the liturgy of the Church of England. Amen.Jesus Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen. Children, youth, and adults should hear and respond to the Proclamation of the Word. In 1974, Dr. John Kofi Agbeti, the first Ghanaian Methodist minister to earn a Ph.D, wanted to create a higher educational establishment that would accept and support all variations of Christianity. The congregation's participation in the prayer is expressed by the unison sung or spoken Amen at the end of the prayer. Choirs may sing at various points in the service, such as here, between lessons, or at the Offering. If a particular hymn of sending forth is desired to be sung every week, the following in UMH are suggested: See also in UMBOW:An Indian Blessing (Hymn 186)Benediction (Hymn 190)Shawnee Traveling Song (Hymn 197). However, we continue to have leadership offices, meeting rooms, and The Upper Room Chapel at 1908 Grand Avenue, in Nashville. A prayer of confession and declaration of pardon belong together; neither should be used without the other. A hymn that is a call to praise may be sung. Press, 1965. The liturgy was then revised in 2000. The former looks at the liturgy in retrospect whereas the latter dwells on the changes culminating different beliefs as a result of the different movements in the Christendom in Ghana. The pastor stands behind the Lord's table, the people also standing. Rehearsal of unfamiliar hymns and other congregational music and acts of worship may be included. appointed jointly by British Methodist Church, and the Methodist Church Ghana in consultation with the CMC of the Fellowship. It uses two epistemological frameworks: The separatism and the syncretism. It is our custom to serve each person individually, while exchanging these or other words: [Name, ] the body of Christ, given for you. I believe that as the people called Methodists, we have . But it is also the strict commitment, to the observance of certain (written or unwritten) divinely inspired moral prescriptions or codes of ethics, promulgated by the religious authorities and enforced by sanctions. "Music teacher education in Ghana: Training for the churches or the schools?." @lX,]~7_W6U7UV'_=}RVC!G!Hh=Cxe,dI[eizEYO]>}"`1({Ofz;jz=t:StwN6PWfvR~&i@60 418zvROgOfjZUtM9(FN-OOONfw8cf/QT34 p,0KU_P+:.G.@grURrJUZ-YX=^}lE The blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked upon the reading, preaching, hearing, and doing of the Word. Between 2003 and March 2008, 406 new congregations were started and ministry was initiated in the neighboring country of Burkina Faso. See the listing of Processionals in UMH 949-50. The use of a large uncut loaf of bread, which later in the service is broken and distributed to the people, follows the practice reported by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and symbolizes the fact that the Church is one body in Christ. Amen. This new and more charismatic liturgy was intended to allow the worshipers to add a more vibrant and jubilant interpretation of praise, intended to make a more spiritual presence for services. F.L.Bartels. Evangel Temple is balanced carefully between processes of formalization and charismatic praxis, and due to its implementation of a range of sacred music genres, it caters to all age groups and retains vitality and vibrancy. [12], The first liturgy accepted was a 1936 version of the English liturgy. Anthems that give the whole congregation a familiar or easily learned part to sing are increasingly common and especially recommended. F.L.Bartels. This decision encouraged the church to spread the charismatic movement throughout the whole congregation instead of just one focused group. The body of Christ, the bread of heaven. For this reason, it should be given from the front, not the back, of the sanctuary. A large cup, commonly called the chalice, is also a symbol of unity in Christ. The typical first responses of denominational officials and liberal "Be UMC" leaders has been to falsely accuse those raising concerns about Unitarian influences among United Methodists of "spreading misinformation.". [16] Because many Ghanaian churches also serve as a local school, The Methodist Church Ghana incorporated this movement for the locals and used this opportunity to educate students about its religion and taught any citizen, young or old to read and write. Wesley House: E252/2 Liberia Road, P.O.BOX 403, ACCRA GHANA, W/A Phone : (233-0302) 670355 Email : info@methodistchurch.org.gh. From this view point, Ill begin to say that African Traditional Religion (ATR) involves the belief and worship of the Supreme Being known and revered all over Africa as Onyame in Akan, Mao in Ewe, Chineke in Igbo and Oludumare in Yoruba etc. One or more of the scripture readings is interpreted and proclaimed. The Roots of Ghana Methodism. Bulletin of the Hymn Society of Great Britain, Nos 272 & 273, Volume 20, Martin J.M. These liturgical modifications are seen not only in their worship, prayers and offerings but also in their music. With this idea came the Methodist Prayer and Renewal Program (MPRP), a group dedicated to making certain that the charismatic methods touched every area of the church. %PDF-1.5 This time is both an outward and visible gathering of the people and an inward and spiritual gathering--a focusing of awareness that they are a people gathered in the presence of the God known to us through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. . In the 1980s there was a conflict between two ethnic groups, as a Fante native and a Ga native debated which of these two ethnic groups should control the conference's presidency. The Methodist Church Ghana also took initiative to remodel and reconstruct a local hospital to broaden its outreach and possibilities for medical care for its community. The Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP, or "Batak Christian Protestant Church" in English") is a Calvinist and Lutheran church among the Batak people, generally the Toba Batak in Indonesia.With a baptized membership of 4,500,000, it is one of the largest Protestant churches in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The common pattern of worship is found in the official liturgies of the church, while the practices of congregations across the denomination are quite diverse. 3) Appropriate portions of the Baptismal Covenant: c) Congregational reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant, d) Reception into The United Methodist Church of those not already United Methodists, 4) Installation and recognition services for church officers, workers, or groups (see 593-605), 5) Other acts of worship such as services of healing that are appropriate responses to the Proclamation of the Word (see UMBOW 585-90, 613-29), 6) Consecration or dedication services relating to the church building or its furnishings (see UMBOW 606-07, 610-12, 630-51), 7) Congregational or individual commitment to specific actions such as missions (see UMBOW 591-92) or reconciliation, 8) A time of silent reflection or spoken expressions from the congregation, 9) The Apostles' Creed or another creed (see UMH 880-89), except when already used in the Baptismal Covenant, We Believe in One True God (UMH 85) may be sung as a creed, or one of the following in the UMH may be sung as a response to the creed:177 He Is Lord 98 To God Be the Glory99 My Tribute. [14], In the 1970s in Ghana, being admitted into university was a difficult proposition due to the small number of schooling options and the extremely low admittance rate, since there were far more applicants than available slots. Read more. It assumes that worship leaders and congregation are to be in constant prayer. Many Sunday schools used Fante-Akan as the primary language for service, so Ga people had to accommodate themselves to Fante preferences. An Order of Worship Using the Basic Pattern Copyright 1985, 1989, 1992 by UMPH. 10.6.2: Any other worship book/s recommended for the use by the Fellowship, shall be approved by the CMC before it forms part of the Fellowship's worship books. Read more . See the listings under Opening Hymns in UMH 948. See also the hymns listed under Opening Prayer in UMH 951. Milford, MI Neighborhood-focused Casual Lots of kids Historic Multigenerational. In the mid 1800s many European missionaries traveled to new countries to spread religious influences. WESLEY HOUSE: COLLABORATION ON . Bartels, Francis Lodowic. The Methodist Church Ghana separates itself from the mainline Methodist Church of Great Britain in approach through the addition of Charismatic elements to the worship services. ;QGqGP:J6MsApV7o*D`Hj61L 1 It is a sequence of gestures inviting the people to come to the meal. Second, to sponsor research in order to harvest knowledge for application towards any problem. What takes place during the Gathering includes both what the people do as they are entering the place of worship and what happens after they are seated. A9k2:jRF,}dD`nbf 3q3{+/T4SR!@ >NACOCh2~pq,l The form and content of the service focus on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God's redeeming love in Jesus Christ. After tracing the roots of Pentecostal music and its developments up to the present, this study investigates the production and experience of contemporary worship in Evangel Temple Christian Center, an Assemblies of God congregation in Springfield, Missouri. The worship service begins when the people begin to gather for worship. These debates about the constitution's clarifications came at a price, as the debates led to the suspension and resignation of church ministers.[15]. It assumes that worship leaders and congregation are to be in constant prayer. A representative of the church then negotiated with the administration for the proper rights to operate and run the hospital. For example, one may clasp another's hand and say, "The peace of Christ be with you," and the other respond, "And also with you." Doxologies (Stanzas of Praise to the Trinity) in UMH, 161 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (last stanza; "Hosanna" sung by choir), 296 Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle (last stanza), Amen, Praise the Father (Hymn 178)Doxology (Hymn 182)Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (Hymn 180 and Hymn 185), See also in UMBOW:May the Warm Winds of Heaven (Hymn 198 and Hymn 200), Hymns in UMH Suggested as Calls to Praise, 632 Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether (may be sung by choir), See also in UMBOW:Come! First Baptist . A church bell or bells or amplified music may call persons to worship. If necessary, sharing the Word with children may be placed earlier in the service as a response to the reading of one of the scripture lessons. This shifted the Gold Coast towards British control, subjecting the current citizens to British influence. BIML offers thousands of Bibles and New Testaments, over twenty thousand world CDs and DVDs, and rare collectabel items. Exchange 34.1 (2005): 39-60. WTV; GHAMSU; Minister's Diary; Evangelism; Book Store; Freeman Center; AlPha Royal; Recent News. If there are not Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel readings at each service, care should be taken that over a period of time the people hear representative readings from each. [15], The Methodist Church Ghana has placed an importance on its medical work since its construction. See the listing of Service Music for Greeting/Call to Worship in UMH 951 and also UMBOW Hymns 174-222. Congregations that do not wish to place the Concerns and Prayers and the Offering after the Proclamation of the Word may place them at the Opening Prayers and Praise in the service. FEB 22, 2023; DANSOMAN . Ethnic divisions have plagued the administration of The Methodist Church Ghana. AN ORDER OF SUNDAY WORSHIP USING THE BASIC PATTERN. Currently, the Methodist Church Ghana, is one of the leading Churches in our country, with a total membership of over 600,000. [17], The Methodist Church Ghana has not always had success in its endeavors. For the most part, The Methodist Church Ghana follows the same Sunday worship practices as other Methodist Church branches. The Methodist Church Ghana is responsible for a large part of its community's outreach. Prayer may take one or more of these forms:1) Brief intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be prayed by the leader or by members of the congregation. The United Methodist Church includes a variety of approaches to public worship. This should include an Invitation to Christian Discipleship, followed by a hymn of invitation (UMH 337-50); or by a baptismal, confirmation, or reaffirmation hymn (UMH 604-11); or by one of the hymns listed under Commitment in UMH 939; or by another hymn that is an appropriate response to the sermon. Third Sunday in Lent, Year A, Learning to Live Inside Out Third, to develop the student's ability to critically think and problem solve. They claimed or argued strongly that in the light of the more objective or scientific study of religions, ATR can no longer be justifiably characterized as stupid, since the worshippers do not worship the said material objects per se, but the Spirit of the Creator reflected in them. Another problem became the struggle for power between the people's democratic control and the hierarchical control of the church. So that the people may know when to sing or speak their Amen, the pastor may regularly end the prayer with words such as, "through (in the name of ) Jesus Christ our Lord.". Style Matters: Contemporary Worship Music and the Meaning of Popular Musical Borrowings, TRADITION AND MODERNITY IN THE MUSIC OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS CHURCHES: A CASE STUDY OF C&S CHURCH IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA, "Heaven and Earth Collide": Hillsong Music's Evolving Theological Emphases, The Pedagogies of Preaching: Skill, Performance, and Charisma in a Pentecostal Bible School from Ghana, THE PRESENCE AND IMPACT OF PENTECOSTALISM IN NIGERIA DONATUS PIUS UKPONG, Syncretism: Why Latin America and Caribbean Theologians Want to Replace a "Fighting Word" in Theology, Making Congregational Music Local in Christian Communities Worldwide (Routledge, 2018) - Book Introduction, Decolonising Western missionaries mission theology and practice in Ghanaian church history: A Pentecostal approach. Why/why not? [10], The current presiding bishop is the Most Reverend Titus Awotwi Pratt, the fourth presiding bishop and the eleventh person to lead The Methodist Church Ghana. ASH WEDNESDAY. Best Sellers Rank: #1,912,359 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books) #32,544 in Christian Theology (Books) Customer Reviews: 3 ratings. Lectionary - The Methodist Church www.methodist.org.uk Lectionary. Some time in the 1990s, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly translated the English hymns into the now used and locally understood Twi-language version. These have been proliferating across the West Africa sub-region since the late 1970s. 1) They may be set aside for distribution to the sick and others wishing to commune but unable to attend. A doxology, stanza, chorus, acclamation, or canticle may also be sung at this point, possibly repeated every Sunday, at least for a season, so that the people know it by heart. If individual cups are used, the pastor should remove the lid(s) or covering at this time. See UMH 735-862 and the lectionary for suggested psalms on UMBOW 227-37. Each candidate is baptized and receives the laying on of hands individually. Graham, Charles Kwesi. Therefore, these traditional theologians condemned those who said, ATR and similar non-western religions are followed by irrational or foolish people who in their stupidity bow down to stones, trees and rivers instead of the Creator who created such objects and themselves.