An Anglican Service at Christ Church Anglican:
Where worship is held:
Anglican churches usually have a few things in common. One is the use of an altar to either remember or celebrate communion. The second is the use of candles to remind us of Christ as the 'light of the world'. The third is the presence of a cross to remind us of Christ's sacrifice for us. Usually there is a location where the service is led and the Scriptures read.
How worship is conducted:
Most Anglican churches use a Book of Common Prayer to help guide and conduct the service. This book and the writing contained in it is called 'the liturgy' and different liturgies are used for different times of the year. Usually a service with be led by an officiant (leader) with congregational responses. Larger writing is usually the officiant and either bold or italic writing is for the congregation. This style of worship was begun to ensure the congregation could corporately response to worship.
Standing, kneeling, and the act of raising hands in worship vary from church to church. At our church, standing is usually done during the processional and recessional hymn - during praise and worship, the peace, the reading of the gospel, offertory - doxology, creeds and during Eucharist.
Current worship services:
Currently, we have two different services at Christ Church Anglican. One is a deacon's mass with already consecrated wine and bread. The reason for this is that we currently do not have an Anglican priest in residence and, therefore, have had the elements blessed by priests who have visited our parish. In this way, CCA can still participate in Eucharist with trained clergy assisting with the service.
The second is Morning prayer, where we use a different liturgy without Eucharist. Usually a testimony is given instead of the sermon.
Liturgies will vary with the Church Calendar.
Many Anglicans feel led to meditate and pray before church service has begun.
What priests, readers and other leaders may wear:
Currently, unless we have visiting clergy or our deacon is leading, leaders of a service will not wear any special robes. This is because we are not in a permanent location or have a priest currently in residence.
However, in time our lay readers and others will wear an alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles. An Anglican priest will wear this, as well as a stole, a narrow band of colored fabric. Deacons wear the stole over one shoulder, priests and bishops over both shoulders. During Holy Eucharist an Anglican priest might wear a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. The deacon's corresponding vestment has sleeves and is called a dalmatic. If we are ever blessed by a visit from our overseeing bishop, he may wear a special headcovering called a mitre.
The Church Year
Christ Church Anglican observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. The colors on the altar will be purple for penance. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6). The color for this time period, and all high Holy days is white for Christ's purity and gold for his royalty. White can also stand for joy or triumph. After the Feast of Epiphany, our colors return to Green - which stands for our growth in Christ.
Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday and the church color returns to purple for a 40 day period of reflection and penance. During Holy Week the church color is red to symbolize Christ's sacrifice. On Good Friday, our church color is black as a sign of mourning. On Easter, the church color reverts to white. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost, the church color is red to commemorate the Holy Spirit descending with fire on the Apostles. The rest of the season of Pentecost, the church color is green.
Unusual things at Christ Church Anglican:
One portion of our service which is not reflected in all the Anglican Communion is a variety of worship styles during Praise and Worship. CCA has teams of musicians - each bringing a different style of music to the congregation. At any given time you might here traditional hymns, choruses, southern gospel tunes, classical piano, violin or guitar, and even a little cantering now and then. As we are gifted with several young musicians, their music is often added to the service.
In addition, we also have prayer teams available after one participates in Eucharist to pray with those who may feel in need to healing or encouragement.
We also pray a blessing over our children when they leave for children's church, our church family for birthdays and anniversaries, and have a member of the congregation pray for the speaker for the service for the day.
Lastly, the "Passing the Peace' portion of the church service is filled with talking, shaking hands, and hugging. If you are uncomfortable with any of this, just give people your hand and they'll take the hint.