Liturgy

Liturgy is a term referring to the standardized order of worship used in many religions and churches. Many Christian denominations use a standard form of worship for their services, which may include hymns, prayers, scripture readings, responsive readings, a sermon, and Holy Communion. Some denominations do not use a standard order of worship and are more spontaneous in their worship practices; these are sometimes distinguished as being 'non-liturgical' churches and include, for example, many Baptist and Pentecostal churches and some non-denominational churches. Churches for which the liturgy is standardized in their worship services such as the Catholic Church, Anglican, Lutheran, and Presbyterian Churches are sometimes called liturgical churches. In some churches, such as those of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, the liturgy has a more specific meaning, referring to the Mass or Holy Communion service. Liturgy is sometimes prescribed according to a book containing the set order of worship for each service, such as the Book of Common Prayer in the Anglican and Episcopal churches.