Liturgy 101
Facilitator: Abp.++Darel E. Chase, Ph.D., OSP
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Definitions/Synonyms:
Liturgy: lit ur gy litərjē
noun: Liturgy; noun: the Liturgy
origin: mid 16th cent.: via French or late Latin from Greek leitourgia ‘public service, worship of the gods,’ from leitourgos ‘minister,’ from lēitos ‘public’ + -ergos ‘working.’
1. a form or formulary according to which public religious worship, esp. Christian worship, is conducted.
· a religious service conducted according to a liturgy.
· the Eucharistic service of the Eastern Orthodox Church (also called the Divine Liturgy)
2. (in ancient Athens) a public office or duty performed voluntarily by a rich Athenian
Expanded:
noun, plural lit·ur·gies.
1. a form of public worship; ritual.
2. a collection of formularies for public worship.
3. a particular arrangement of services.
4. a particular form or type of the Eucharistic service.
5. the service of the Eucharist, especially this service (Divine Liturgy) in the Eastern Church.
Synonyms:
ritual, worship, service, ceremony, rite, observance, celebration, sacrament; tradition, custom, practice, rubric; formal ordinance; "the Anglican liturgy"
Standard Forms of Liturgy:
The standard forms of liturgy are found in churches and reformations steeped in the religious and spiritual history of the Church. These liturgies are the formalized, standard “order” of worship, much like what is found in non-liturgical churches today.
Liturgies, as noted in the above definition are presented as the standard or format of public worship by the people in attendance of any given service, including morning and evening prayer services, and the observance of the Mass (Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion).
As we proceed, let us examine a standard liturgy in use by the Anglican Church and its many branches, without the influence or focus on the Eucharist. For our example, we will utilize the Order of Morning Prayer as found in the 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer.
Pay careful attention to the facets of this liturgy and make a mental note of the likenesses within the church services of most non-liturgical churches.
NOTE: Liturgy is a format…the wording/verbiage of such are variable and may be changed to suit the focus of the service, the observance of special days and/or events, as well as to keep the services fresh and new. There is NO LAW or CANON stating that each and every word must be recited verbatim. In fact, that has been the plague of many “liturgical” churches – making their service repetitious, dull and unimaginative. The use of liturgy is an effort to organize and standardize the public worship of the church – not to become so entangled with the verbiage that the grace of God, the free movement of the Holy Spirit and the true praise and worship of the people are thwarted.
It should also be noted that the Bishop is at liberty to acknowledge and approve various formats of liturgical worship within his/her jurisdiction.
Also take note of the italicized words within the formulae. These italicized words are known as rubrics, which are instructions to the one or ones conducting the liturgy to give guidance or to redirect their attention to another aspect, or to render suggestion on what may or should happen next.
ORDER OF DAILY MORNING PRAYER
1929 BCP
(see attachment)
The that the opening portion of the ceremony or service is called the “opening sentences,” or also, “call to worship.” Please note that there are several sentences to choose from. Additionally, the above opening sentences are interchangeable, meaning that you may use other verses of scripture that “fit” the particular season of church life.