Favorite part of Liturgy or Services?

[AveMaria]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd enjoy a change from discussing the Windsor Report, and so I thought I'd resort to one of my favorite topics: Liturgy.

What is your favorite part, and why? Does something particular in the service speak to you and move you?

I'd have to say, the Gospel Procession - something about it just gives me goosepimples. The symbolism behind the act really speaks to me. There's even been a time or two when I've been moved to tears.

How about y'all?

[Inside Edge]

Does Communion count, or is that a given? It may sound obvious, but it hit home with me the first time I walked into an Anglican Church, and I didn't even go up to take it the first several times.

I was raised in Baptist/Pentecostal churches (for them most part...Catholic when I was too young to remember). Communion involved passing around of grape-juice shots with bits of soda crackers throughout the pews. It seemed there was barely a service or tradition around it: the Pastor would recite the relevant Bible passage, give the go-ahead to take it back and that was it. It never made sense to me.

In the Anglican Church, I love the part where the Priest or Deacon calls all to the table, those of faith and those who wish to have more, etc etc. This wasn't just some idle tradition, it was the calling of a community and individual, all in one.

[AveMaria]

Communion definately counts! (I probably should have picked it instead, but I do truly love the Gospel Procession).

My mother, who was raised Baptist and is currently Presbyterian, comes to church with me on occasion, because she really enjoys our Eucharist. I have a feeling she may eventually switch denominations. :)

[ahab]

For me the favourite part of the service is when I meet with God and that could be anytime, during worship, prayer, sermon. Other favourite bits during a service are testimonies, healings, occasional prophecies and words of knowledge etc. At the evening service I mostly attend we dont have communion at the altar but at the front and we dont have much litergy. :) The structure of our services allows times for the Holy Spirit to lead, thats also a favourite time.:clap:

[benedictine]

Either the prayers of the people, or the Eucharist.

[gtsecc]

Prayer of Humble Access

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.
But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy;
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood,
that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore ever dwell in him, and he in us.
Amen

[AveMaria]

:) :) :)

I love the Prayer of Humble Access - sadly, I don't see it used much, anymore.

[ahab]

As a matter of interest, and consideirng the hundreds of times I must have said this, I have never heard it called the prayer of humble access. :)

I used to think that 'we are not so worthy..' meant we aren't worthy, until I realised that by the blood of Jesus we made worthy, and so sharing the bread and wine is a command from Jesus to His disciples.

[Wigglesworth]

I was raised in Baptist/Pentecostal churches (for them most part...Catholic when I was too young to remember). Communion involved passing around of grape-juice shots with bits of soda crackers throughout the pews. It seemed there was barely a service or tradition around it: the Pastor would recite the relevant Bible passage, give the go-ahead to take it back and that was it. It never made sense to me.
:amen: :D :hug:

This is hilarious to me. I never heard those tiny plastic cups referred to as "shots," but I guarantee I will never be able to receive communion in my Assembly of God church the same way since I received the common cup in the Episcopal Church.

Suggested Baptist Eucharistic Rite:

Through the lips, over the gums, lookout Jesus, here we come! Drink up!

Amen.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Songspinner]

Well other then Eucharist...

I'm a big fan of the Peace, and also at the end of the intersessions, when we dedicate our whole lives to God *to thee oh lord*

[benedictine]

I have never heard the prayer of humble access said in church.

[gtsecc]

I have never heard the prayer of humble access said in church.I believe it is Rite I, so maybe you always do Rite II?

[PaladinValer]

The Eucharist tied with two others; Reconciliation of a Pentient and the Nicene Creed.

And there's a third two, when we do it: Unction. :)

[AveMaria]

And, while we're on the topic - Rite I or Rite II?

I'm quite partial to Rite I (surprising, given my age). I blame a childhood spent in private Episcopal schools, in a Diocese that did not exactly embrace the 1979 BCP.

[benedictine]

I've never gone to anything but Rite II. I would really like to go to a Rite I Eucharist.

[TomUK]

I adore hearing the common worhsip (CofE services) collects for the day. Each one is truely inspired and totally amazing. You yanks are truely missing out on a lot without common worship! :)

[BarbB]

I adore hearing the common worhsip (CofE services) collects for the day. Each one is truely inspired and totally amazing. You yanks are truely missing out on a lot without common worship! :)

I still go at my local church in Florida, even though I joined a Church of God. You are so right - it really sets me up for the day.

I love the whole service (Rite II).

[AveMaria]

I've never gone to anything but Rite II. I would really like to go to a Rite I Eucharist.
Sundays, I almost always attend the Rite I, Sung Eucharist. About once a month, my 20-30s fellowship group has a Eucharist, which is always Rite II. There's such a different feel to the languages of the services!

I hate to think I'm an 'old fogey' at 27, but I do prefer the Rite I. My background is in history, perhaps that explains it?

Anyhow, if you do make it to a Rite I, let us know what you thought!

[Bonifatius]

Prayer of Humble Access

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.
But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy;
Grant us therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood,
that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore ever dwell in him, and he in us.
Amen

Hi GTSSEC

No, that's MY favourite part of the service, so it can't be yours also ;)
I just think that beautiful language and theology together have formed this wonderful prayer. AFAIK there were some efforts in England to get rid of this prayer through liturgical reforms but it was so much loved by the people that they couldn't get it out of the prayer books.

Another highlight is the Sanctus.

Greetings
Bonifatius

[Bonifatius]

Could one of you ECUSA members please quickly explain the difference between Rite I and Rite II (I believe it's not the same as we have in Common Worship - Order One being the more modern rite similar to the Catholic Mass since Vatican II and Order Two being the old BCP order).

Thanks,
Bonifatius

[gtsecc]

Could one of you ECUSA members please quickly explain the difference between Rite I and Rite II (I believe it's not the same as we have in Common Worship - Order One being the more modern rite similar to the Catholic Mass since Vatican II and Order Two being the old BCP order).

Thanks,
BonifatiusIt is the otherway around. If you were Roman Cathoic and walked into a Rite II service, you would be able to get through most of it without the Prayer Book because it is simillar to the Vatican II Rite.

[SirTimothy]

Did the Prayer of Humble access come in the Alternative Service book? I've not been a regular anglican eucharist attender for many years, so apart from occasionally, I'm more familiar with that.

Timothy

[Bonifatius]

Hi Timothy,

yes, the ASB had the Prayer of Humble Access at least in one of the orders, but it came before the Eucharistic Prayer. In Common Worship it was moved backwards and we now pray it directly before the distribution.

Greetings
Bonifatius

[Brian Augustyn]

What is your favorite part, and why? Does something particular in the service speak to you and move you?

I'd have to say, the Gospel Procession - something about it just gives me goosepimples. The symbolism behind the act really speaks to me. There's even been a time or two when I've been moved to tears.

How about y'all?

Well, Communion, of course. But I like a good sermon (delivered from the trancept at our level) too. Our clergy have a really engaging ability to unpack the scriptures in ways that both explicate the readings of the day, but also show the aplication to our lives as well.

I also far prefer the Rite II Eucharist. When we came to the Episcopal Church and the parish (from the RC), the Rector wisely guided us to the contemporary service. "I don't see you enjoying the Elizabethan grovelling of Rite I." He was talking about the "Prayer of Humble Access," but, believe me, he was kidding.

:wave:
Brian

[Inside Edge]

Suggested Baptist Eucharistic Rite:Through the lips, over the gums, lookout Jesus, here we come! Drink up!Now that is funny! Perfect little incantation before I knock back a shot of grape juice! But I have to say, we never had plastic cups - they were little glasses, slightly stylized, looked just like shot glasses of some sort.

I hate to think I'm an 'old fogey' at 27, but I do prefer the Rite I
I'm not at all clear on Rite I or II...so couldn't say which one I'm used to partaking in. But "old fogey" at 27? Is that all it takes these days?

Aside from Communion - the Homily is the thing for me.

[UberLutheran]

I love the readings for the day. For about seven years, I was music director in a non-Lutheran/non-Anglican church which did not have Scripture readings, and on the times when I did attempt to read something from Scripture, I was written up and reprimanded.

Obviously, the minister and I had a serious parting of the ways!

I really love Scripture -- some people might say to the point of obsession -- and having been in a situation where reading and studying Scripture was actively discouraged, the readings are real important to me.

My other favorite parts:

1) The Nicene Creed. Liberal that I am (and I make no apologies for it!), I recite the Nicene Creed like I mean it -- because I do.

2) Communion. Contact with God - does it get any better than that? :thumbsup:

[TomUK]

Many members have said that eucharist is their favoutite part of Anglicanism, but i find it very difficult. No matter what my mood, every week i feel so nervous going up to receive the eucharist. I'm not sure if this is just me, but it as onyl at the eucharist that i realise exactly how unworthy i am to be in the Fathers presence. Therefore, for me communion is the worst part of the service, and at the same time the most revealling.

[AveMaria]

Tom, I think that's an extremely healthy attitude to have about receiving communion - far better than for it to be just a matter of routine!

And is this where I confess that I really do not enjoy the Peace? It's a lovely idea, but I am not a huggy-bear person, and I dislike having a complete stranger throw their arms around me.

[pmcleanj]

I'm not at all clear on Rite I or II...so couldn't say which one I'm used to partaking in. But "old fogey" at 27? Is that all it takes these days?

Aside from Communion - the Homily is the thing for me.

"Rite I" is American-speak for "BCP service" (the one that begins on page 67 of the small red book). "Rite II" is their "BAS service" (green book). In 1979, they revised their Book of Common Prayer and included the modern liturgies in the same volume as the traditional liturgies. We took the alternate route, of compiling a second volume of modern liturgies as a companion volume to the Book of Common Prayer.

[Inside Edge]

"Rite I" is American-speak for "BCP service" (the one that begins on page 67 of the small red book). "Rite II" is their "BAS service" (green book).Thanks! Red books and green books...it all makes sense now! :)

Then I guess I'd have to say I've never seen/participated in a "Rite I" service. I don't think I've ever had to refer to the BCP in a Sunday service.

[CSMR]

The prayer of humble access - nice to see some agreement on this forum! :)

[CSMR]

And is this where I confess that I really do not enjoy the Peace? It's a lovely idea, but I am not a huggy-bear person, and I dislike having a complete stranger throw their arms around me.
How shocking! A shake of hands will do!

[CSMR]

Also the creed for me, and the Nunc Dimittis.

[gtsecc]

So, if I want to order the red book from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk, what will let me know I have the right one (Rite I -lol)?

[pmcleanj]

.

[pmcleanj]

So, if I want to order the red book from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk, what will let me know I have the right one (Rite I -lol)?
You want a Canadian "red book"?

(Suppresses the urge to ask why? in incredulous tones. I know why I'd want it if I didn't already have a couple: IMO its beauty surpasses the 1928 U.S. book, and it retains many lovely fragments you've lost in the 1979 book. But I'd be surprised by an American who shared those opinions.)

Anyway, You'd know it was the "rite one" <snicker> because it would be called "The Book of Common Prayer 1962 Canada", not "the Book of Alternative Services". I don't think Amazon carries it. You'd have to try the Anglican Book Centre in Toronto: http://www.abcpublishing.com/books/list.html?list=section_lt.inc

[AveMaria]

Am I the only one who collects different prayer books?

[romaneagle13]

I too came over to the Anglican Church (ECUSA) from the Roman Catholic church, and for me there is so much more reverence in the Eucharist. The first time I received in the church that I now go to (it's high church), I was brought to tears by the experience! I don't recall having that feeling in the RCC. I love the humility of receiving our Lord on my knees at the rail and in both forms--the bread and wine.

I also admit to loving the incense, and all the blessing of the altar, the priest, the choir, and congregation as well as the Bible before the Gospel reading.

[Songspinner]

"Rite I" is American-speak for "BCP service" (the one that begins on page 67 of the small red book). "Rite II" is their "BAS service" (green book). In 1979, they revised their Book of Common Prayer and included the modern liturgies in the same volume as the traditional liturgies. We took the alternate route, of compiling a second volume of modern liturgies as a companion volume to the Book of Common Prayer.

Ohhh...Thank you..I was getting confused there...I'm afraid I don't speak American...I'm a good little BCP girl myself :liturgy:

Our Peace isn't the 10 minute meet and greet that some churches have (though I have to admit I kinda like that) But just a simple handshake. Its the Peace of God comming from the Altar threw to you, no need to asks how the family is doing, thats for after in the Parish hall :hug: