This is an interactive outline. Click the links below to learn more about each respective subject.
Vestments- Information on what we wear and why
Liturgical Gestures
These are the various actions you may see people perform during the service.
- Orans
- See photo above for what this looks like
- It is an ancient form of prayer
- You will see the Celebrant use this form of praying throughout the service, but anyone can use this form as they pray
- Bowing
- Sign of respect to God
- Can bow just the head or bend from the waist
- Remember Philippians 2:10- "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow."
- Sign of the Cross over oneself
- Way to show we are receiving God's blessing
- Genuflecting
- Sign of deep reverence
- Generally reserved for the Sacrament
- Standing
- In general, when the Celebrant stands you should as well
- In general, wait to stand until the Celebrant does
- Kneeling
- A form of praying
- Generally used during Confession
Eucharistic Order of Worship
You can follow along with the service in The Book of Common Prayer with Rite I (BCP 323) and Rite II (BCP 355) , or even with An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist (BCP 400).
Words in bold below reflect where they are in bold in the Prayer Book. Words in italics reflect where said section is mentioned in the Prayer Book rubrics (i.e. the italicized bits).
Words in bold below reflect where they are in bold in the Prayer Book. Words in italics reflect where said section is mentioned in the Prayer Book rubrics (i.e. the italicized bits).
Word of God
This is the part of the service where we hear what God is saying to us, both now and in the past, and where we respond to God's word as well. This is one of the ways that we see worship as helping us develop our ever deepening relationship with the Lord.
- Opening Acclamation- Basic Greeting
- The Celebrant will often cross him/herself here. The congregation is invited to do the same.
- Collect of Purity- Prepares us for worship
- Song of Praise
- The Collect of the Day- Related to the day in the liturgical calendar, and often the readings
- The Lessons- At least one lesson is read and then the Gospel. Learn more here.
- During the Gospel, it is customary to cross oneself when the reader says "The Holy Gospel according to..." and to bow before and after during the people's response (different for Rite I and Rite II).
- The Sermon- What a Sermon Is gives more on what a sermon is and why we preach
- The Nicene Creed- Find out more about all the Creeds of the church here
- The Prayers of the People- These can follow certain forms or be written by the parish
- Crossing oneself when speaking of the dead is generally a sign of belief in Purgatory, and thus is to be discouraged.
- Confession of Sin
- The hope is that one will not only say the words, but reflect on one's sins from the past week.
- Learn more about Confession in general here
- The Peace
- Many epistles speak of the "kiss of peace"
- Should look at this in light of Matthew 5:23-24 and Jesus' call to be reconciled with one another
- You should share and receive the peace in a form that is comfortable and appropriate for you and those around you
- Handshakes and Hugs are the most common form
- You should share the peace with at least all those immediately around you
The Holy Communion
Eucharist is the way we recall and are made present in Jesus' redemptive act in the world through the event of The Lord's Supper (think of Jesus' words, "Do this in Remembrance of me."). We continue to see how we are in relationship with God in our worship because we both make offering to God and receive the presence of God with us as well in Communion.
As a note, The Holy Communion and The Word of God should not be seen as separate entities but as two parts of a larger unity of worship.
As a note, The Holy Communion and The Word of God should not be seen as separate entities but as two parts of a larger unity of worship.
- Offertory
- This includes:
- Money
- Music
- Bread and Wine to be used for the Eucharist
- The Prayer Book states that the people are to stand when the offerings are presented and placed on the altar.
- The Great Thanksgiving:
- Sursum Corda- Opening Dialogue
- Proper Preface- Connected with the specific feast being celebrated on a given day
- Sanctus (and Benedictus)
- Sanctus comes from Isaiah 6:1-8
- Benedictus comes from Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem
- It is customary to bow from the Sanctus until just before the start of the Benedictus
- Salvation History- Reminder of God's work throughout time
- Institution Narrative
- Celebrant will at least touch the bread and wine, if not lift them
- Offering- give gifts as well as praise and thanksgiving
- Epiclesis- Sanctification by the Holy Spirit
- Celebrant places hands over bread and wine or makes the sign of the cross over them
- The entire Congregation is invited to cross themselves when we ask the Holy Spirit to sanctify us (or when we speak of "our souls and bodies" in Rite I)
- Great Amen
- With the prayer done, Jesus is now present to us in the Eucharist
- It is very appropriate to give a solemn bow or even to genuflect here
- The Lord's Prayer- This prayer is used in every service of the church
- The Breaking of the Bread
- A practical act to divide the bread among the people
- The Prayer Book dictates "a period of silence" be kept after the breaking.
- Post-Communion Prayer- prayer of thanksgiving for what has been received
- Blessing
- Here, the Celebrant may confer God's blessing on the people, making the sign of the Cross.
- The people may cross themselves in response.
- Dismissal- Our send-off in the world to do God's will