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.