Changes

'''Liturgy''' is a term referring to the standardized order of [[worship]] used in many [[religion|religions]] and [[church|churches]].  Many [[Christian]] denominations use a standard form of worship for their services, which may include [[hymn]]s, [[prayer]]s, [[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.   

'''Liturgy''' is a term that refers to the prescribed order of [[worship]] used in many [[religion|religions]] and [[church|churches]].  Certain [[Christian]] denominations follow a standard form of worship for their services which normally includes [[hymn]] singing, [[prayer]]s, [[scripture]] readings, responsive readings, a creedal statement, the [[sermon]], a confession of sins, [[Holy Communion]], and a formal dismissal.  Other denominations do not use the historic order of worship and are more spontaneous in their worship practices. These are called "non-liturgical" churches. They include the [[Baptist]] and [[Pentecostal]] churches and most [[non-denominational]] ones. 

 

Churches in which a version of the traditional liturgy is used--such as the [[Eastern Orthodox]], [[Roman Catholic]], [[Anglican]], [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]], [[Reformed]] and [[Presbyterian]] churches--are classified as "liturgical" in worship.  In some of them the liturgical service is styled the [[Mass]], a word that invokes the concept of the service as a ceremonial offering of a sacrifice to God.

 

[[Category: Christian Rites]]

[[Category: Christian Rites]]