Ecclesiastical «emperors» may love to march in solemn assembly, but to most younger church members today's vestments suggest ostentation — which they have difficulty associating with Jesus. (religion-online.org)
In his The Noise of Solemn Assemblies (1961), Berger observed that the calls to reform the structures of societal life have little relevance to «many of the aged and the sick and the emotionally crippled in our congregations.» (firstthings.com)
«I hate, I despise your festivals,» God says in Amos 5, «and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies... Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. (rachelheldevans.com)