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Both Sunday worship services are from The Book of Common Prayer and include Holy Communion with worship music. The 8:10 a.m. service is more traditional while the 10:30 a.m. service is more contemporary. Anglican Sunday worship may seem a bit ‘formal’ at first but that is far from reality. We follow an order of worship called the liturgy which includes readings from Holy Scripture, a sermon, a time of prayer and confession, followed by Holy Communion. At Faith Anglican we combine traditional hymns with modern worship choruses confirming our ‘ancient/future’ place in the church.
The Importance of the Bible
Anglican worship centers around preaching and teaching of God’s Word as found in Holy Scripture. Each service contains readings by the congregation from the Old Testament, Psalms and New Testament as well as a reading from one of the Gospels. We highly value biblical preaching and teaching with a focus on the Scriptures.
Those readings comprise the basis of the sermon which follows. But not only during Sunday morning service is the Bible taught; Sunday school for all ages is complimented by weekly Bible studies, youth groups, children’s services, and AWANA (for children).
The Importance of Prayer and Confession
Anglican worship also emphasizes prayer during the service. The Prayers of the People are led by a layperson and focus on praying for the church, the nation, the needs of the congregation and others. Then the focus shifts to confession of sins as we prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper. During the Communion time, trained prayer ministers are available for anyone to come for prayer.
The importance Holy Communion (Eucharist)
The Taking of Communion is an important part of Anglican worship. Communion is much, much more than a ceremony; it is part of the Christian’s connection with the living God.
St. Paul wrote, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:16)
Anglicans come together around the Lord’s Table to participate not only in remembering Jesus death on the cross but also to participate in His everlasting life. Jesus said, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; but he eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:53)
In the action of partaking of the bread and the cup, we are partaking of the life of Christ. Jesus found it important enough to be one of the last things he taught his disciples to do. Continuing in Johns’ Gospel, Jesus said, “for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” (John 6:54)
Anglican worship emphasizes the importance of this life-giving sacrament. All baptized Christians are welcome to come forward to receive Communion.
The Church Year
The seasons of the Church Year guide us through a yearly remembrance of the important aspects of the faith, giving us a balanced biblical view of God and how He would have us to live.
Season Theme Color
Advent Coming of Jesus Christ (1st and 2nd) Blue/Purple
Christmas Incarnation of Jesus White/Gold
Epiphany Revealing of Christ to the Gentiles/Evangelism Green
Lent Repentance/Preparation for Baptism/Confirmation Purple
Easter Resurrection and New Life in Christ White/Gold
Pentecost Coming of the Holy Spirit Red
Ordinary Various Themes Green
Times
C. S. Lewis, a 20th century Anglican author, once said, “People like variety, but they also like things to stay the same.” The Church Seasons and the Lectionary Bible readings give us variety, but at the same time, consistency.
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