C1 - Christian Worship Flashcards
What is liturgical worship?
Worship that follows a set structure, with set prayers, actions, and responses.
What is non-liturgical worship?
Worship with a less structured approach, sometimes even spontaneous worship.
What is an altar?
Comes of the tradition of a place of sacrifice. In church context it is where the rituals related to the Eucharist or Holy Communion take place
What is a communion table?
A place where communion is presented or prepared,
linking to the table of communion shared by Jesus and his disciples at the last supper.
What does denomination mean?
Autonomous branches of the Christian Church (different
groups), for example Baptist, Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic.
Why are the features and artefacts in a church important? [2]
They reflect the church’s beliefs and practices or its wider denomination.
They will also be a reflection of the type of worship done in the church and some features may even be used as aids to worship.
What do churches with altars celebrate?
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
In what churches are altars most likely to be found? [2]
Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox.
In these churches, the Eucharist or Communion is the main part of the service.
What alternative to an altar are Protestant churches more likely to have and why?
A communion table.
This is because many Protestant churches perform Communion in memorial of the last supper.
How important is communion in Protestant churches?
It is typically a secondary element with varying levels of frequency of communion. Focus on the Bible and preaching is more important in these types of churches.
What is a lectern?
A platform/stand which the bible readings take place during
worship. Can often be raised above the level of the congregation.
What is a pulpit?
A raised (often high above the congregation) structure from
which the priest, vicar, bishop, minister or preacher can deliver a sermon.
What is a cross?
An image/carving/statue of the cross used to execute Jesus.
What is a crucifix?
A cross with the figure or image of the crucified Jesus on it.
Where in the church was the pulpit often placed and why?
On the north side facing east.
This meant all in the church could hear the preaching and in other ways it shows the elevated status of the messages being given in the preaching.
Which churches would use the crucifix and which would use the cross?
Catholic - Crucifix
Protestant - Cross
What is the symbolic difference between a cross and a crucifix?
The crucifix is more a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice and suffering
and the cross a symbol of the victory achieved by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
What is a font?
The Baptismal font is a vessel used for the water of Baptism,
usually on a raised stand where water is poured over the head of the person being baptised.
What is a baptistery/baptistry?
A part of the church; a separate room or connected building specifically for baptisms to take place. A baptistery may also be a part of a church with a pool for baptism.
What churches are fonts more likely to be found in?
Anglican, Orthodox, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
What does the water in a font symbolise?
Cleansing of sin and/or the commitment to a new life in Christ.
What are the two vessels containing water that you may find in a baptistry?
A font or a pool.
What do baptistery pools emulate?
The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river.
What does full immersion baptism symbolise?
Leaving the old life of sin behind and rising to a new life in Christ.
What does Eucharist mean?
thanksgiving
What does the Eucharist remember?
the last supper, Jesus’ farewell meal with his disciples in the lead up to his crucifixion.
What are some other names for the Eucharist?
holy communion, mass, Lord’s supper
What are the bread and the wine in the Eucharist?
They are symbols of Jesus’ blood and body and some denominations believe that the bread and wine actually become Jesus’ blood and body.
What is communion?
sharing in a meal that unites people with each other and with Christ.
What sort of worship is mass?
liturgical worship.
What is the pinnacle of mass?
receiving the Eucharist.
What is Holy Communion?
the name for public worship that takes place in Anglican churches usually on Sunday.
What are three similarities between Anglican Holy Communion and Catholic Mass?
1) a eucharistic prayer is said
2) preparation of the table and the gifts
3) reading + prayers of intercession
What are two differences between Anglican Holy Communion and Catholic Mass?
1) any baptized person can take Anglican Holy Communion but only a Catholic can take mass
2) any authorized person may lead Holy Communion but only a priest or higher can lead mass
What happens in the introduction to mass?
- an entrance song
- the act of penitience
- the ‘gloria’
- the opening prayer (collect) is said
What happens during the readings at mass?
aka liturgy of the word
- readings from old and new testament
- passage read from one of the gospels
- passage from psalms
What happens during the offertory at mass?
- preparation of the gifts and the altar by the priest
- bread and wine are brought forwards and blessed
- monetary gifts may also be brought forward
What happens during the eucharist?
- gifts of bread, wine, and money are offered to God
- transubstantiation takes place
Who is a priest?
someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.
Which denominations have priests?
anglican, eastern orthodox, and catholic
Where does a priest rank in church hierarchy?
above a deacon
below a bishop
What are some of the duties of a priest?
preaching, baptising, offering mass, serving the poor, praying, etc.
What is a vicar?
an ecclesiastical agent such as an anglican incumbent receiving a stipend but not the tithes of a parish.
What happens during the liturgy of the Word in Anglican services?
nicene creed
prayers of intercession and confession
the peace
Define reconciliation.
the rebuilding of a relationship. reconciliation is rebuilding the relationship with God through seeking his forgiveness.
What is reconciliation/confession?
the sacrament of receiving God’s forgiveness after confessing sins to a priest.
What are some features of reconciliation services?
- prayers offered on behalf of the community seeking God’s forgiveness and thanking him for his mercy
- bible readings
- personal prayer
- worship music
all relates to themes of reconciliation and forgiveness
What is the preparation during a reconciliation service?
reading from scripture and private prayer.
What is the confession during a reconciliation service?
examine their heart and confess their sins to a priest.
What is the penance during a reconciliation service?
conversation between person and priest to explore the issues. priest may give a penance/something to do.
What is the contrition during a reconciliation service?
being genuinely sorry for your sins and being determined not to sin again.
What is the absolution during a reconciliation service?
the priest gives the prayer of absolution.
Define hierarchy.
a system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority.
Define apostolic succession.
the theological teaching followed by some churches that bishops/priests/ministers carry on the authority and mission given to the apostles.
Who are bishops?
viewed as direct successors of Jesus’ apostles.
responsibility for a large number of churches in their diocese.
may perform specific sacraments (confirmation).
Who are priests/vicars?
responsible for an individual parish/church.
main spiritual guide for their community.
lead sacraments.
care for pastoral needs of community.
Who are pastors/ministers?
elected directly by community or church elders.
lead/facilitate worship.
lead baptisms.
What are the differences between bishops and archbishops?
archbishop is higher in the hierarchy.
archbishop is responsible for a larger diocese.
