Here we have elements of liturgy. They had teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayers. Other parts of Scripture mention them singing hymns as well as diving into the Word. Or at least, the Word as they knew it. They slowly acquired the books of the New Testament throughout their history as copies circulated.
Although they did have times where they gathered and exercised liturgy, these efforts may have looked a little different in different towns and churches. Most of the time, when we hear the word liturgy, we think of a traditional Catholic service, steeped in tradition. Christians value liturgy because of the history and tradition attached to it—that believers have incorporated the same elements of worship into their services for centuries.
This is also when a homily happens, a short sermon that often has a tangible or figurative illustration that teaches a lesson. The Eucharist: This is a fancy word for communion , this often includes a prayer and Eucharist song. Concluding Rites: A blessing and often a dismissal happens at this time as well. Of course, although Catholic churches do revere tradition, some may have some slight deviations from this format.
In short, no. Technically every church, no matter how traditional or relaxed, engages in liturgy. You may notice that your church follows a similar pattern each Sunday.
Often my pastor will sprinkle in times of prayer, confession, Scripture reading, and on select Sundays, baptism. Churches often have a reason behind the liturgy they do. A Lutheran church, for instance, chooses to read from different parts of Scripture: an Epistle, a Gospel, etc. Although some Christians may balk at the idea of liturgy, saying that it gives the Holy Spirit no room to move with such a rigid structure, other believers may assert that liturgy remembers a strong church tradition and makes sure every element of the service has symbolic and spiritual value.
Liturgy comes from both the Bible and man. And before this gets confusing, we need to show how liturgy has existed long before the church did. The reality is much different. Perhaps we need to identify the key features of liturgical worship as a start in examining what elements might be appropriated by evangelicals. To do that, we need to understand exactly what we are talking about in liturgical worship. What are the key elements of liturgical worship and how can they be adapted or blended with more traditional worship that derives from nineteenthh century forms of worship?
A fully liturgical service has very recognizable elements, just like the various aspects of a service of worship in a mega-church, or a charismatic church, or an old-fashioned evangelical church. They may vary widely in application in different church traditions, but the basic elements remain the same. Short of writing a book, the most important liturgical elements are:. Communal prayer — This kind of prayer is one of the many interactive elements of the service and provides a place for the congregation to voice personally and corporately the life and needs of the Body in a service of worship.
This kind of prayer is used throughout the service: to open the service and reflect on the lectionary for the day, in the pastoral prayer as the congregation shares their praises and prayers, and culminates in the communal prayers of the Eucharist and the closing prayer of the service. See The Prayers of the People. Depending on the type of service, there may not even be a sermon. See A Theology of Word and Table. In the liturgical service the Lectionary scriptures are read.
These usually consist of an Old Testament reading; a reading from the Psalms, often as a call to worship; an Epistle reading; and a Gospel reading. The three-year lectionary cycles focus around the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, with John used throughout all three years, expounding again and again on the message of the prophets, the life of Christ, and the gospel message. See The Church Year. A Response of Confession — This is the heart-response of the believer to the Holy Spirit working through the Word that is read in Scripture or proclaimed in preaching.
It is also a spiritual discipline that encourages a humble heart before God and others as the gathered people of God both corporately and individually confess their shortcomings and sin before God.
Passing the Peace of Christ — The passing of the peace has come to be a greeting time in most churches, but really it has a much more profound and spiritual meaning. In the time of the passing of the peace we pause to bless the other person with a beautiful blessing: "The peace of Christ be with you. The response is usually "And also with you," a reflexive blessing back to the person who has blessed you.
Eucharist — The word Eucharist contains the meaning of gratefulness, thanksgiving, and grace. It is a very appropriate word naming this part of the worship celebration that depicts the very heart of the gospel. Around the table all can gather, all can come to Christ, all can enter into the glorious and mysterious presence of the Christ, right there at the table. When the table is opened to all, salvation can even take place as a result of God working through this great moment of table grace.
It is true that different traditions approach this moment with different ideas and theological explanations. Open our hearts to your Spirit and message this day that we may grow in wisdom and maturity, so that we may love as you love. Leader: Blessed are the poor. People: For yours is the kingdom of God. Leader: Blessed are the hungry.
People: For you will be filled. Leader: Blessed are the weeping. People: For you will laugh. Leader: Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob,. People: Whose hope is in the Lord their God. Leader: Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,.
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