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Anglican (Church of England) worship

Easter Maundy service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
Image caption,
Easter Maundy service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Public worship focuses on praising God through preaching, Bible reading, prayer and music, especially in the service where people receive the bread and wine. Because this is , the words and actions to be followed are set out in the . There are services of morning and evening prayer.

Features of worship

  • The or Communion Table is the main focus and is where the Holy Communion service takes place. This is because Jesus' death is considered a . There is also a where the is preached and a where the Bible is placed for reading aloud to the people.
  • There may be choir stalls and an organ to accompany hymn singing. Candles and a cross remind people of the death of Jesus and his . Many churches have stained glass windows that tell stories in pictures from the Bible.
  • Some Anglican services are very formal and similar to the , but others are very simple and informal.
  • The priest leads the Holy Communion part of the service in most churches but in some a reader conducts them. At various points, people go to the altar to receive bread and wine, which represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
  • The congregation follows the service in the prayer book and responds to the prayers through written replies. Readings and some prayers usually change every week but others stay the same. Readings from the Bible are followed by a sermon that explains their meaning for people today.

The service usually ends with an opportunity for quiet reflection.