Christainity Practices Flashcards
What is meant by communal worship ?
- When Christians go to worship in church with other people who make up the congregation
- benefit from experience of worshipping with others
What are the 3 basic forms of communal worship ?
Liturgical
Non-liturgical
Charismatic
Describe Liturgical worship
- formal in organisation and use set patterns for service
- congregation respond to person leading the service by reading set words from service sheet/book
- usually same every time
- RCC , orthodox + COFE
Why is the symbolic use of colour important in COFE and RCC ?
- tied in with the church year , during which different parts of Jesus life and work are remembered
- colour of vestments that priest express character of what it is being celebrated / remembered
What are the two mains types of services in liturgical worship ?
- Eucharist service
- Service of the Word
Describe the Eucharistic service
- focuses on the Eucharist , celebration and remembrance of Jesus suffering and death
- Last meal with his disciples , before his crucifixion, Jesus broke loaf of bread + poured wine
- congregation receive bread and wine = Jesus body + blood
- readings from Bibles . hymns , short sermon
Describe the service of the Word
- does not include Eucharist ( not bread or wine )
- focus on bible readings and the sermon
- sermon will be longer and more developed than Eucharist service
Describe how Anglican worship
- generally use the Book of Common prayer or Common worship liturgy books
- The Books of Common sets out the words of the service + gives directions to worshippers and minister
- hymns will be sung
- people stand for the reading of the creed and Gospel
Describe the Roman Catholic worship
- use an order of service in book called a missal
- similar structure to COFE
- believe in transubstantiation ( transformation of the bread and wine into body + blood of Christ )
- anglicans dont agree ^
- Catholic’s believe Each EU service Jesus sacrifice is truly recreated at altar
- Anglicans believe Jesus death to have been a single event in time , never repeated
Describe a Quaker meeting
- call their worship service a “ meeting for worship “
- people enter meeting room and take a seat in silence
- silence = able to reflect , thank and listen ( closer to God )
- no songs , set prayers etc. ,
- believe in equality so no ministers anyone can contribute ( ministry )
- Bibles available , and small booklet called “ advices and Queries “
- ends when Quakers shake hands
Describe Greek Orthodox worship
- Eucharist is called Divine Liturgy ( hour and a half )
- Little entrance = book of the gospels carried in sanctuary
- Great entrance = bread and wine are carried to the altar for the Prayer of Consecration + holy communion
- 1st section of service : Liturgy of the word followed by Liturgy of the Faithful
- Nicene creed , hyms + reciting of Lord Prayer , bread and wine are consecrated
- emphasise role of Holy Spirit
- bread is soaked in wine + distributed to believers , bread that is blessed = congregation and non-orthodox believers share in this ( Christian fellowship)
Describe Methodist worship
- similar to Anglican Church , but may follow a less structured service
- publishes own hymn book
- Eucharist = the service of the table or communion
- open communion , all welcome as it’s Christ’s table
- led by minister
- Wine distributed , small circular waters used instead of bread
Describe Non-liturgical services
- more spontaneous , little pre-organised structure
- minister leads service , but anyone might be allowed to pray in own way
- Protestant + non-conformist churches eg. Baptist , Methodist
- ensures they don’t become stuck in a worship ‘rut’ , always saying without true meaning
- focus on service = reinforces importance of the bibles as the authoritative Word of God
- sermon is the focus of service , understand message of Bible , word of God and application to daily lives
Describe charismatic worship
- Charismatic Christians believe they receive similar gifts of the Holy Spirit
- eg. speaking in tongues , prophecy and healing
- does not follow a set pattern, includes dancing , clapping and people raising hands
- open to Holy Spirit + led by him, during service
- person in congregation fields it’s right moment for them to say a special praye r/hymn of praise /silent reflection
Describe individual worship
- spend time praying in their own private worship
- develop close + personal relationship with God
- seeks Gods specific guidance, help and encouragement ( challenges ) for own lives
- may respond to God with personal thanks + praise as they are aware God is working on their lives
- Pray to God = Christians reliance on him will increase , faith will be deepened as they seek his will
- God hears and responds to prayers
What are sacraments ?
- ritual which the grace or blessing of God can be received
- In Anglican Book of Common Prayer , sacrament is explained as an outward + visible sign of inward/spiritual grace given to Christians
- RCC , performed by priest and according to agreed practice of church , gives grace of God
Difference in the belief of sacraments
- RCC believe in all 7 sacraments
- Orthodox regard 7 as sacraments but sometimes call it “ holy mysteries “
- Protestant + COFE only 2 sacraments = Eucharist and Baptism ( direct link to Jesus - sacraments of the gospel )
- Baptist’s prefer to call sacraments ordinances
Difference between transubstantiation and consubstantiation
- TS ; believed by RCC , bread and wine are actually transformed into Jesus’s body and blood , even though appearance and taste doesn’t change
- CS ; believed by COFE , Jesus is believed to be spiritually present in bread and wine , as sacrifice is celebrated
Why is the Eucharist important for Christians ?
- reminds them of the sacrifice of a Jesus and salvation they have received
- brings them closer as a community
- ritual established by Jesus hence shows believer is obeying his command
- May be feel better prepared to deal with things that happen in life
What is baptism ?
- symbolises a person’s admission into the Christian church ( full member of community )
- most denominations, must be baptised to share in the Eucharist
- isn’t just a symbolical removal of sin , causes a real transformation by washing away sin
What is infant baptism ( christening ) ?
- RCC , orthodox + COFE
- ritual of baptising baby that allows it to receive Gods blessing , parents make promise to raise child as Christian
- followed by ritual of confirmation
- inward effect upon child , God’s spirit beginning to work in their life
Which denominations follow Believers baptism and why ?
- non conformist denominations such as Baptist + Pentecostal
- emphasis placed on the person making a conscious decision when baptised
- grace of God received as a expression of faith rather than performance of ritual
- Baby can’t choose to be baptised , hence must be baptised as Adults
- New Testament points to Adult baptism of Jesus , needs to be a believer
Why don’t some denominations such as Quakers and the Salvation Army practice baptism ?
Receive God’s France inwardly no need for outward ceremony
How is Prayer like in congregational worship ?
- Prayer led by one or several people
- congregation may be asked to take part through set responses
- simply listen to prayers and confirm agreement by saying “Amen”
- any member who wishes to stand up and say prayer aloud
- silent prayer , period of reflection , God may speak to them in some way
Difference between set prayers and informal prayer ?
- set prayers : help worshippers express their thankfulness , requests to God , sometimes hard to believers to find words they want to express , this helps them
- informal prayers ( extempore ) : freedom to relate to a God in a unique, individual way , intimate way of engaging in conversation with God
What does the Lord prayer include ?
- confession of things Christians done wrong
- thanksgiving
- adoration
- concern for others
- supplication ( asking for something special for themselves or others )
What are the 4 types of prayer ? Give a brief description of each
- ADORATION : focus on God’s character and adore him , Christians able to keep their own lives in perspective , helps geo in sense or security in his safe keeping
- CONFESSION : bring before God anything they have done wrong / failed to do , seeking God’s forgiveness , believer consider how they need to change
- SUPPLICATIONS + INTERCESSION : asking for help , eg. in a challenging situation , asking for God’s healing or intervention is struggling relationship to bring peace , not a wish list
- THANKSGIVING - Gods has plan for their good + in hard situation , they are thankful , helps them remain grateful to Gods provision , recognise God in all aspects of their lives
What is ‘ grace ‘ ?
- thanking God before a meal
- Christians recognise all they have received , especially food they are about to consume , is because of Gods goodness to them
- Some churches “ The grace “ is a prayer
- Methodist Church close with the saying of the Grace , it acknowledges Gods love and generosity to his piepte