How We Worship
Photo: David Rider
Worship is central to our identity. Episcopal worship services vary widely in style but follow the same elements, or rituals, in a specific order as worship proceeds. This is what we call “common” prayer, meaning it is done by all.
These elements—many practiced by Christians for almost two millennia—include Scripture readings; prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and blessing; recitations of psalms, canticles, creeds, and the Lord’s Prayer; a sermon based on the day’s Scriptures; the singing of hymns; and a celebration of the Eucharist, or communion.
Some churches worship with ancient music, some with contemporary choruses, and some with no music. Some use elaborate ceremonial elements; some worship very simply. Some incorporate cultural elements and language familiar to their participants. We consider this diversity to be a great gift, even as our common prayer unites us as one body within The Episcopal Church and throughout the Anglican Communion.
Vital to our worship are the following:
Bible
Our worship is filled with Scripture, from beginning to end. About 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible, which is foundational to Christian faith and understanding.
Book of Common Prayer
First published in England in 1549, the Book of Common Prayer serves as our central guide for individual and communal worship. Most recently revised in 1979, the prayer book of The Episcopal Church contains liturgies, prayers, instructions, and more.
Eucharist
Eucharist, meaning “thanksgiving,” is a ritual established by Jesus Christ during which bread and wine are blessed and consumed by his followers. In The Episcopal Church, it is commonly an element of a congregation’s weekly Sunday worship. It may also be celebrated on other occasions.
Sacraments
The two sacramental rituals that take place during Episcopal Church worship are baptism and Eucharist. Baptism is the ritual of initiation into the church. It typically takes place on specific holy days or on the occasion of a bishop’s visit to a parish. Eucharist (sometimes called Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Divine Liturgy, or the Mass) is our principal act of worship. We celebrate Eucharist on Sundays and on other special occasions.
Creeds
The creeds are ancient statements of basic beliefs about God. They are affirmed by a large majority of Christian denominations worldwide. We recite the Apostles’ Creed at baptisms and in daily worship; the Nicene Creed is spoken or sung during eucharistic services.
