Christian Practices Flashcards
What is liturgical worship
· This is worship which has a set pattern to it. Found in the Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox Churches. There are service books with set services in.
· It follows the example of Jesus who taught his followers how to pray, gave sermons and initiated the first Holy Communion.
· It is led by a vicar or Priest.
· It usually takes place in an official building e.g. church.
· The set pattern may include readings from the Bible, reading the Nicene Creed (statement of belief) hymns, set prayers, the sermon, Holy communion, offering one another a sign of peace, the Blessing.
What is non liturgical worship
· This is worship with no set pattern.
· It happens in Quaker worship (Society of Friends) and Evangelical worship.
· Worshippers wait for the Holy spirit to come upon them.
· There is no leader.
· worshippers may sit in a circle.
· There will be extemporaneous prayers, talking in tongues, healings, spontaneous singing.
· It is a reminder of the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they started speaking in tongues.
Why is liturgical worship important
- It is a reminder of a pattern of worship Jesus set up e.g. he gave the sermon on the Mount, led the last supper and taught his followers the Lord’s prayer.
- It brings the church community together For example, during the service, they offer one another a sign of peace. They partake in Holy communion together.
It helps believers achieve salvation and atonement e.g. they are reminded of Jesus’ teachings, take the sacrament of Holy Communion, pray and repent their sins
Why is non liturgical worship important
It is a reminder of the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they started talking in tongues This showed them the importance of Jesus’ message to them to go and preach to all nations.
2. It reminds believers of the personal nature of God and the power of the Holy Spirit e.g. healings may happen during this type of worship, believers may feel so moved that they cry.
It helps believers achieve salvation and feel at one with God through spontaneous prayers and allowing them to build a personal relationship with God.
Describe 3 types of prayer
Set prayers-these may be found in the Common Book of Prayer and are used in liturgical worship (worship with a set pattern). An important set prayer is the Lord’s prayer (Our Father, who art in heaven..). Also, in the Anglican church there is the intercession prayer (praying for others), each week in the service.
Extemporaneous prayers-these are spontaneous prayers and often said in informal worship. Worshippers pray in this way when moved by the Holy Spirit.
Informal prayer-These may be said at home and use informal language e.g. Dad instead of Father.
Why is prayer important
- It was the example of Jesus e.g. he taught the disciples the Lord’s prayer and the tradition of the church e.g. Anglican church has a book of common prayer.
- It is a way to salvation. This is because it involves repentance of sins. E.g. in the Lord’s prayer “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” As well as petition “lead us not into temptation”
It helps remind the believer of the greatness of God and important Christian beliefs because it involves adoration e.g. “Hallowed be your name and it is confessional “thy kingdom come, thine will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
What is a sacrament
It is an outward sign of an inward blessing.
What are the seven sacraments of the Catholic church?
Mass, Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, ordination of priests, the anointing of the sick, confession
Which two sacraments are recognised by most Protestant churches?
Baptism
Eucharist (Mass/Holy Communion)
What happens at an infant baptism
- Wear a white gown to show purity.
- Is a public event with church community there.
- God parents and parents make promises to renounce evil, turn to Christ.
- Vicar makes the sign of the cross on the baby’s head
- Vicar pours water from the font over the babies head to wash away original sin. Vicar says “I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
- Given a candle.
- Given a baptismal certificate.
- The vicar announces that the baby has joined the church community.
What happens at an adult baptism
· Happens in Baptist churches.
· Is a public event infront of a church congregation
· Believer makes the baptismal vows.
· Is fully submersed in water in a baptismal pool.
· Minister says “I baptise you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
· Given a candle
Why is baptism important
- It is a reminder of the example of Jesus. Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and at his baptism, God says “this is my son, with whom I am well pleased.” Holy spirit appears as a dove. Jesus also tells his disciples to baptise people.
- It helps believers achieve salvation. It is a sacrament and bestows God’s blessing. It washes away original sin of Adam and Eve so atonement can happen.
- It brings the church community together. It is a public event and all witness the person entering the church community and will endeavour to support that person.
Jesus told his disciples to baptise people “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
What is the holy communion / eucharist
a reminder of the Last Supper when Jesus blesses the bread and the wine and says to do this in remembrance of him.
· It happens during liturgical worship.
· The priest or vicar represents Jesus and blesses the bread and wine then gives it to the congregation.
· Catholics believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus (transubstantiation)
· Protestants believe the bread and wine symbolise Jesus’ body and blood.
Why is the eucharist important
It is a reminder of Jesus. It is what he did at the Last Supper with his disciples and tells them to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of him. He says “this is my blood which I shed for you, this is my body which I give for you, do this in remembrance of me”
2. It helps the believer to achieve salvation. This is because it is a sacrament and atones the believer. It also helps the believer to remember Jesus’ death and reminds them of what he did for them (symbolism in Protestant churches).
3. It brings the church community together. Each week, the community gather in church and take the Eucharist together. Afterwards, they offer one another a sign of peace.
How do Christians celebrate Christmas
- The period of four weeks before Christmas is called advent. An advent candle is lit each Sunday in Church during this time. Some Christians fast during this time.
- During advent, children perform nativity plays, open advent calendars, light advent candles each day.
- Christians exchange Christmas cards with religious images and messages.
- Christmas Eve there is midnight mass.
- Christmas Day-Eucharist and exchanging of gifts.
Why is Christmas important for Christians
- It is a reminder of the belief that Jesus was the Incarnation of God and the suffering he will go through. In Matthew’s gospel, wise men visit Jesus a bring gold-kingship, frankincense- divinity and myrrh-suffering. Mary is told by the Angel Gabriel that she will give birth to the “Son of the Most High” The virgin birth shows Jesus’ divinity.
- It is a reminder of the events of Jesus’ birth e.g. nativity scenes depict the story from Matthew’s gospel showing the wise men, the star and from Luke’s showing the shepherds being told by the angel.
- It brings the church community together e.g. to light the advent candles each week in church, Christingle service (orange with a lit candle and red ribbon around it to show Jesus is coming into the world to suffer for the world. Sweets in the orange show the gifts of salvation he brought with him).
- It is a time to bring Christians closer to God and help on their path to salvation. During advent, they fast and pray…considering their spiritual needs.
What happened in Holy Week
Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Now Christians have crosses made of palm leaves.
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus overturns the tables in the temple, he has his last supper,is betrayed by Judas and he washes the feet of his disciples, is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, put on illegal trial by the Jewish high priests. Now, in the Catholic church, the priest washes the feet of his congregation.
On Good Friday, he is tried by Pontius Pilate who tries to free him by allowing the crowds to choose to release either Jesus or Barabus (a murder). Whipped up by the High Priests, they choose Barabus. Jesus is then mocked by the soldiers, they give him a crown of thorns, whip him and draw lots for his clothes. He then carries his cross and his crucified next to two thieves. Now, some Christians fast on this day and some re enact Jesus’ death with a procession.
On Easter Sunday, the three women go to his tomb and find it empty. They tell the disciples who don’t believe them. Peter has to see for himself! Now, Christians exchange Easter eggs as a sign of new life, read the Bible and take Holy Communion on Easter Sunday.
