An Anglican Service!

[DarkNLovely]

:sigh: I don't know when I will be able to attend a service! There are a feww issues other than transportation that I don't really want to get into, but it hinders me at the moment. However, I know I will be just fine eventually so...I wanna know more about Anglican service. Do you call it Liturgy? What exactly is Litergy? Because I really have no idea! I'm assuming it's...I don't know! Are there flowers and candles? Any icons? Do you kiss the preist? Do you cross yourself when you come to the church? Do ladies cover their hair? Do men and women sit on the same side? When do you use the Book of Common Prayer? Can anybody eat the Eucharist or must they be Anglican? Wow! I didn't realize how long this list is! Sorry! :pink:

[Secundulus]

:sigh: I don't know when I will be able to attend a service! There are a feww issues other than transportation that I don't really want to get into, but it hinders me at the moment. However, I know I will be just fine eventually so...I wanna know more about Anglican service. Do you call it Liturgy? What exactly is Litergy? Because I really have no idea! I'm assuming it's...I don't know! Are there flowers and candles? Any icons? Do you kiss the preist? Do you cross yourself when you come to the church? Do ladies cover their hair? Do men and women sit on the same side? When do you use the Book of Common Prayer? Can anybody eat the Eucharist or must they be Anglican? Wow! I didn't realize how long this list is! Sorry! :pink:

Liturgy simply means the rule, or prescribed form of the worship.

We do not kiss the priest, and you can sit wherever you want.

The rest of the stuff you mention will vary by individual parish. Don't worry about any of that as nobody expects someone new to already know everything.

In taking of the communion, that will also vary. My own opinion and that of my parish is that only those of the Catholic faith (baptized and confirmed) should take communion. This is because others do not even believe in it in the same way as us. Some other parishes will offer it to anyone that shows up at the rail, whether they have any understanding or not.

[IowaLutheran]

:sigh: I don't know when I will be able to attend a service! There are a feww issues other than transportation that I don't really want to get into, but it hinders me at the moment. However, I know I will be just fine eventually so...I wanna know more about Anglican service. Do you call it Liturgy? What exactly is Litergy? Because I really have no idea! I'm assuming it's...I don't know! Are there flowers and candles? Any icons? Do you kiss the preist? Do you cross yourself when you come to the church? Do ladies cover their hair? Do men and women sit on the same side? When do you use the Book of Common Prayer? Can anybody eat the Eucharist or must they be Anglican? Wow! I didn't realize how long this list is! Sorry! :pink:

5 years ago this month I visited an Anglican church for the first time so I was in your position. I continue to attend a weekday Episcopal service and have visited other Anglican churches as well, so I know what it is like to be a visitor. To answer your questions:

- There are normally candles and sometimes flowers.
- I don't believe I have seen any Eastern Orthodox-style icons in the Anglican churches I have been in, but I am sure many do. The one I attend regularly has elaborate stained glass windows.
- No kissing of the priest in my experience. During the exchange of the peace, some may hug you, however.
- I have not observed many people crossing themselves as they arrive. Some will genuflect before they sit in the pew and cross themselves at that time.
- I haven't seen any ladies cover their hair.
- Men and women sit on the same side.
- The Book of Common Prayer is used throughout the service. The priest/deacon usually gives guidelines as to what page to go to.
- Anglicans typically allow all baptized people to receive communion.

These are all observations based on my experience and based upon my studies of Anglicanism. I think you can probably find Anglican churches who differ from these answers on about every question you asked, however.

[Naomi4Christ]

Do you call it Liturgy? What exactly is Litergy?

We tend to call our service by the time their on at - eg 'The Eleven O'Clock'. Within that, we have different titles depending on what is happening week-by-week. For example, we may have Holy Communion or Family Communion, Family Worship, All-Age Worship, or Celebration.

Are there flowers and candles? Any icons?

We have flowers according to the church calender and depending on whether there is a wedding that week. We have neither candles nor icons. We do have a lot of artwork in church, though - paintings and sculptures and memorials.

Do you kiss the preist? We normally shake hands, but some people do get rather continental with the vicar. There are lots of 'mwa mwa's' at The Peace.

Do you cross yourself when you come to the church? Do ladies cover their hair? Do men and women sit on the same side?

No, no, yes.

When do you use the Book of Common Prayer?

We use the 1662 at the 8.00. Other than that, it's Common Worship - on paper for the 9.30 and projected for the 11.00.

Can anybody eat the Eucharist or must they be Anglican?

Anyone who loves the Lord can share Communion with us.

[karen freeinchristman]

Liturgy means 'the work of the people' and this is the way we worship, either with the BCP, or Common Worship (the more contemporary liturgy here in the Church of England) or other regional liturgies. We don't normally call the service 'the Liturgy', like the Orthodox do (the Divine Liturgy). We just call it 'church', usually, or Holy Communion, or the Communion Service, or the Eucharist, or Evening Prayer, depending on what service you go to. We used to have an 'Alternative Worship' service that we simply called 'Tuesday Worship'.

We do have candles and flowers in my church but that varies according to churchmanship (high or low church). Women do not cover their hair, generally, though we did have one woman in her twenties that wore a baseball cap every Sunday...
We don't kiss the priest except at the Christmas morning Communion service (and only if we know and love him).

I don't cross myself (except sometimes I do in my mind for some reason...:sorry: ) but some people do. Men and women are mixed within the nave of the congregation. No icons in my church.

Our 'rule' for partaking of the Eucharist is generally those who have been confirmed, but I know of other churches nearby who allow anyone 'who loves the Lord' as Naomi states it.

[DarkNLovely]

WOW! Thank you guys so much!

[gtsecc]

In 1979 the House of Bishops of ECUSA, in a pastoral letter stated that all Baptized Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist may receive.
Of course, this is impossible to enforce, even if we wanted to, so plenty of Zwinglists receive.

[ebia]

In 1979 the House of Bishops of ECUSA, in a pastoral letter stated that all Baptized Christians who believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist may receive.
Of course, this is impossible to enforce, even if we wanted to, so plenty of Zwinglists receive.

Interesting.

The official position in the CofE is that any baptised Christian may receive if they normally would in their own denomination. No requirements about 'real presence'. I've not seen any official position for Australia but most parishes seem to take the CofE line.

[Cjwinnit]

you can sit wherever you want..

It's really really bad form to sit on the altar so don't even think about it..

[ChaliceThunder]

'Liturgy' literally means public works. The public work of the church is:
* to gather
* to hear and respond to the Word of God
* to pray for the Church and the World
* to share the sacrament of the Eucharist
* to be sent forth into the world proclaiming the Good News.

ANY Episcopal/Anglican Eucharistic Liturgy you attend will have this basic shape. Beyond that, it's VERY open. You can visit a very traditional place, where there are only males vested at the altar and (sometimes) in the choir as well. Music might range from basic plainchant, which has come down to us through the centuries, and is quite lovely. You also might hear a choral setting of the mass.

In another church you might get straight on music from the hymnal with organ, straight on prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, and a predictably safe sermon from the priest.

On the other side of town, you might find a congregation that is more charismatic - use of guitars and recorded music - high powered, lengthy sermons - perhaps a more modern building, or even a theater or storefront.

If you come to my church, you'd get a balance of tradition and innovation. We retain the traditional shape of the Eucharist, of course, but we have a group who writes the prayers of the people each week, so they really pertain to the readings. In any week you might sing hymns from a multitude of resources, the choir might be singing in Spanish or Swahili at the offertory, and a Palestrina motet at communion. Sometimes it's Gospel music, Victorian music, or Duke Ellington...it all depends on what the scriptural message is for the day. One thing you will get almost every week at my church is African or Native American drumming to accompany the song that greets the Gospel reading.

If you need help finding a place, I bet many of us here are well-connected enough to help you out. Just let us know! :hug:

[ChaliceThunder]

One Easter, when I was serving at the cathedral, we had a young woman who was quite obviously off-balance. Right at the end of the liturgy, she came forward and plopped herself right onto the altar.

Many people started to rush her - but the Bishop walked over with his crozier - everyone moved out of the way. He took off his mitre, pulled out an egg and gave it to her, and the two of them walked out together in the procession, handing out the rest of the eggs to kids in the aisles.

[DarkNLovely]

One Easter, when I was serving at the cathedral, we had a young woman who was quite obviously off-balance. Right at the end of the liturgy, she came forward and plopped herself right onto the altar.

Many people started to rush her - but the Bishop walked over with his crozier - everyone moved out of the way. He took off his mitre, pulled out an egg and gave it to her, and the two of them walked out together in the procession, handing out the rest of the eggs to kids in the aisles.
WHAT! WHY?

Well, I wouldn't be recieving right now any way because I am not baptized, but what if a person dosen't drink alchol? I'm assuming you use wine?

[ebia]

WHAT! WHY?

Well, I wouldn't be recieving right now any way because I am not baptized, but what if a person dosen't drink alchol? I'm assuming you use wine?
Yes it's wine. The amount you take is very small, but if you don't even want to take a sip you can intinct (dip the bread into the wine, and then eat it), or even just take the bread alone.

[Albion]

Interesting.

The official position in the CofE is that any baptised Christian may receive if they normally would in their own denomination. No requirements about 'real presence'.

Not knowing what church DarkNLoverly might attend, it may be worth saying that what you have described here is no doubt the most common one in Anglican churches.

[PaladinValer]

Do you call it Liturgy? What exactly is Litergy?

Liturgy means the work of the people. Our worship is liturgical, and I suppose you could call our services "liturgy" if you wish. I personally call it Mass.

Are there flowers and candles?

Yes to both.

Any icons?

In some parishes.

Do you kiss the preist?

Only if he or she allows!

Do you cross yourself when you come to the church?

I do.

Do ladies cover their hair?

You do not have to, no.

Do men and women sit on the same side?

Yes.

When do you use the Book of Common Prayer?

Our services are out of the BCP, so in that way, you are always using it.

Can anybody eat the Eucharist or must they be Anglican?

1. We do not "eat" the Eucharist; we "partake" the Eucharist.
2. All those who have been Baptized in the acknowledgement of the Holy Trinity may receive Holy Communion.

WHAT! WHY?

Well, I wouldn't be recieving right now any way because I am not baptized, but what if a person dosen't drink alchol? I'm assuming you use wine?

We use wine, although if it is still wine after the celebration is finished, I don't know.

[gtsecc]

Alcohol?
It's not wine, it's blood.

[norbie]

maybe someone also like to explain "the little red light" which is always on in most Anglican churches. I also don't know the english name for it, but I learned in religious instruction that this is the sign of a true christian church. I know it in german - but have not thought about it closer in english language, so please can you tell us more about it, thanks.

[Albion]

maybe someone also like to explain "the little red light" which is always on in most Anglican churches. I also don't know the english name for it, but I learned in religious instruction that this is the sign of a true christian church. I know it in german - but have not thought about it closer in english language, so please can you tell us more about it, thanks.

This is more associated with Catholic than with Anglican churches, but the "lamp" is often seen in Anglican churches as well. It is known by several names, but "presence lamp" is one of the most common. The purpose is to indicate that the blessed hosts, i.e. bread -- meaning the presence of Christ -- is there on the altar. This requires a tabernacle (small holding structure usually at the middle back of the altar) into which have been placed blessed/consecrated hosts for future use.

In some Anglican churches, you may find that the practice of "reserving" the hosts is not used, but the lamp will still be lit. This is meant to show a respect, that the altar is where the presence of the Lord will be whenever Communion is celebrated and bread and wine are consecrated during the worship service.

[ChaliceThunder]

maybe someone also like to explain "the little red light" which is always on in most Anglican churches. I also don't know the english name for it, but I learned in religious instruction that this is the sign of a true christian church. I know it in german - but have not thought about it closer in english language, so please can you tell us more about it, thanks.
It is, I think, one version of what is commonly known as a "Sanctuary Light" and signifies that consecrated elements are present.

Our consecrated elements are kept in a "flying pyx" - a brass dove that is suspended to the left of the altar. To the right, a brass lamp is suspended. In that lamp a sanctuary candle burns.

Hope that helps.

[Naomi4Christ]

I don't think I've seen a little red light in a church before. In these parts, that would be giving a completely different signal :)

We don't reserve elements here.

[Finella]

Chalice, I would love to attend your church sometime! And what a great story about your bishop and that young woman. It shows that liturgy need not be so rigid as to exclude our human needs and limitations...

And I don't know about the whole "real presence" requirement, but I suspect one might come to understand "real presence" by partaking in the eucharist, rather than by sitting back and needing to be educated about it first before partaking. I think much of learning and insight is gained through experience.

[ChaliceThunder]

Chalice, I would love to attend your church sometime! And what a great story about your bishop and that young woman. It shows that liturgy need not be so rigid as to exclude our human needs and limitations...

And I don't know about the whole "real presence" requirement, but I suspect one might come to understand "real presence" by partaking in the eucharist, rather than by sitting back and needing to be educated about it first before partaking. I think much of learning and insight is gained through experience.
Hey Finella - next time you are in the Seattle area, check us out:

www.stthomasmedina.org (http://www.stthomasmedina.org)

:wave: