Liturgical Worship
"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him." (Psalm 96: 9)
To Anglicans, worship is the most important thing we do in this life, and, ultimately, this should characterize our moral behavior as well, for we believe that we do all things as doing them unto God. If you are new to St. George's, the following will help you to understand our services, some of our worship practices, and why Anglicans to what they do.
Reverent, Altar-Centered Worship
Worship according to the Anglican Faith tends to be quietly reverent and dignified. Our uniformity of worship, while allowing for minor variations, serves to remind us of the universal nature of the Faith. The ritual and solemn form of the Liturgy is embodied in one of the great treasures of Christianity and the English language, the historic Book of Common Prayer.
Our Book of Common Prayer (1928 ed.) contains the catholic treasure of corporate worship and enables us to use it every time we gather together for praise and prayer. The catholic balance of Sacrament and Word in our worship is evidenced by our frequent celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and our emphasis on Biblical preaching. The rich inheritance of the Christian Year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Pre-Lent, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity) and centuries of sacred music make the year alive with a Christ-centered liturgy, participated in by all the Faithful. In the Liturgy we are united with the past, present and future generations of Christians. Our worship is carried out with a view to the glorification of God, not for our entertainment. It is God, and not ourselves, that we seek to please with our worship.
Active Participation
Anglicans are not spectators but active participants in liturgical worship. Members of the congregation take their proper part in the worship of God. As a general guideline, we kneel to pray, sit to be instructed, and stand to give praise. The Service Bulletin and Prayer Book will help you follow the liturgy. Our parishioners are always happy to answer any questions you may have. The sick or the infirm may sit while others kneel or stand. During Communion, you may stand at the altar rail if you cannot kneel. If you cannot go to the altar rail, please request that the priest bring the Blessed Sacrament to you.
Gestures of Reverance
Gestures of Reverance have been left to the piety and discretion of the individual. Devotional gestures reflect the courtesy and protocol of service in the court of a king, in this case, the King of kings. Using optional devotional gestures such as the sign of the Cross, genuflecting, bowing, etc., enables us to worship not only mentally and spiritually, but physically as well. The sign of the Cross is marking of someone or something with the Cross of Christ. It was once a secret sign amongst persecuted Christians. Now it is a public announcement of someone or something that belongs to Christ.