What's in a name?
Beginnings
Sacrifice
A Simple Shape
Part 1: prepares us to meet God by confessing our sins in general, or saying how sorry we are for disobeying Him. It also sets the tone for the celebration in the prayer or ‘Collect’ for that day.
Part 2: is called the 'Liturgy of the Word'. In it we listen to readings from the Bible, and also listen to a sermon in which the Faith is explained and applied to current circumstances.
We say what we believe as Christians in the words of the Creed, and offer prayers for other people in the Intercessions. Sometimes the 'Peace' is shared here; sometimes it is shared just before Holy Communion.
Part 3: is called the 'Liturgy of the Eucharist'. It starts with the Offertory, which is when bread, usually in the form of unleavened wafers, and wine are brought to the altar.
At its heart is the great Prayer of Consecration, or Eucharistic Prayer, which begins when the priest says or sings: "The Lord be with you… "Lift up your hearts… "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God…”
In this prayer, which only a priest or Bishop can say, God performs the great miracle of changing the bread into the Body of Jesus, and the wine into the Blood of Jesus.
Part 4: is when Christians eat the bread, which has become the Body of Jesus, and drink the wine, which has become the Blood of Jesus. It is called Holy Communion.
When everybody has received Holy Communion, or received a blessing if they are not Confirmed, the final prayers are said and the priest gives a general blessing, and then dismisses the people.
A Miracle
Preparation And Thanksgiving
Our Services Explained
Index
Marriage
Baptism
Confession
Confirmation
Ordination