CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Today’s Aims –

•Describe what happens in a typical Church Service

•Explain the importance of COMMUNION in Christian Worship

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

PRAISE: Singing hymns and psalms which praise God.These focus the worshippers on God.

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

PRAYER: The Lord’s Prayer is repeated by all and then special prayers are said for the sick and dying; for victims of disasters etc., for forgiveness of failings.

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

READINGS: A part of The Old Testament is read, outlining God’s wishes and then a part of The New Testament outlining the Christian view of God’s purpose.

CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

THE SERMON: The minister or priest then explains the meanings of the readings and gives advice on how people can act on God’s wishes.

CHRISTIAN WORSHIPWorship in Church has several stages:

PRAISE: Singing hymns and psalms which praise God.These focus the worshippers on God.

PRAYER: The Lord’s Prayer is repeated by all and then special prayers are said for the sick and dying; for victims of disasters etc., for forgiveness of failings. READINGS: A part of The Old Testament is read, outlining God’s wishes and then a part of The New Testament outlining the Christian view of God’s purpose.

THE SERMON: The minister or priest then explains the meanings of the readings and gives advice on how people can act on God’ wishes.Describe the four stages of

Christian worship

GIVING.

AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF WORSHIP IS THE OFFERING WHEN PEOPLE GIVE MONEY TO HELP THE CHURCH WITH ITS WORK.

THE MONEY IS USED FOR BOTH THE CHURCH’S OWN PURPOSES (THE MINISTER’S SALARY, UPKEEP OF THE CHURCH, AND LOCAL NEEDS) AND A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH’S MISSIONARY WORK ABROAD.

Answer the following:

• Explain why ‘giving’ is an important part of Christian worship

COMMUNION.

This is the most important ritual in the Christian Church. All Christian Churches, Protestant, Roman Catholic or Orthodox practise it.

Its proper name is EUCHARIST which is Greek for “Thank you” when Christians thank Jesus for dying for their sins

THE MINISTER OR PRIEST TAKES BREAD AND BREAKS IT , QUOTING THE WORDS JESUS SPOKE AT THE LAST SUPPER.. HE OR SHE THEN EATS IT AND DISTRIBUTES IT TO HIS/HER HELPERS. THEY,IN TURN DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE PEOPLE.

THE SAME IS DONE WITH THE COMMUNION WINE.

BY PERFORMING THIS ACT OF THANKSGIVING CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT THEIR SINS, WHICH THEY HAVE COMMITTED AS FULL ADULTS, ARE FORGIVEN.

Answer the following:

• Describe what happens when people take communion as part of the Church Service

THIS RITUAL IS PERFORMED AT EVERY SERVICE IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

IN THE PROTESTANT CHURCH, IT IS ONLY PERFORMED EVERY THREE MONTHS OR SO.

ROMAN CATHOLICS BELIEVE THAT THE BREAD AND WINE ACTUALLY TURN INTO THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF JESUS BUT PROTESTANTS BELIEVE THAT IT IS MORE “SYMBOLIC”, BUT NOT TOTALLY SO.

Answer the following:

• Explain the differences in the Roman catholic and Protestant versions of Communion.

Your First Communion…• Taking your first Communion is an

important event for a lot of Christian Children. Children will normally take their first Holy Communion at the age of 7 but some people think it is better to wait until you are a teenager and are more mature and have a better understanding of Jesus’ teachings.

• During a first Communion children may take part in Bible readings, sing hymns with their bible class and take communion with the other members of their group. They will often take it with other members of their family. Girl’s will probably wear a white dress and boys will be dressed smartly.

Answer the following:

• 1. What age do people take their first Communion? Do you think this is an appropriate age?

• 2. Describe what happens in your first communion.

Exam Style Question…

• Going to Church makes a Christian's Faith Stronger.

• Do you agree?• Give reasons for your answer.• _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• 4

In your answer you should include as much information about what you have learned about going to Church as well as your opinion. You must give clear explanations in your answer…

• Going to Church makes a Christian's Faith Stronger.

• Do you agree?• Give reasons for your answer.• _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• 4

You could include things like…

•Meeting other Christians

•Ask the minister questions/talk about any doubts

•Hear the sermons, listen to the Minister, listen to the Bible

•Singing Hymns as praise to God strengthens faith

•Receive Communion at Church

CHRISTMASThe strange events surrounding Jesus’ birth prove to Christians that Jesus is the INCARNATION of God. Therefore, Christmas is a celebration of the incarnation.

On several Sundays leading up to Christmas, stories about the Nativity (the birth of Jesus) are retold in Church. This period is called ADVENT.

On Christmas Eve a candlelit service called the Watchnight Service is held.It is so called because the shepherds were watching for a special event just before Jesus was born.

At this service, carols are sung , scenes from the nativity are represented and gifts are left in the Church for some people less fortunate than others.

The spirit of Christmas

At this time , people are reminded to extend goodwill towards their fellow man,presents are exchanged, money is given to charities, and Jesus’ forgiving nature is remembered.

Families celebrate with a special meal.

Christians decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25th. in 350A.D. It is not known when Jesus was actually born.

EASTER

Easter is the most important Christian Festival because it is a “celebration” of two very important Christian ideas:

The idea that, by dying on the cross, Jesus became a kind of “scapegoat” for mankind’s wrongdoing and also that, by allegedly rising from the dead, Jesus gives all people hope of some kind of existence after death.

LENT

Many Christians, in the weeks leading up to Easter, choose to remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life, (remember that Jesus refused to defend himself at his trials), by making a sacrifice of their own. Some may give up eating certain foods which they enjoy, some may give up smoking, or some may give extra money to Christian charities etc.

EASTER IN CHURCH.

On the Saturday of the Easter weekend, the Church is decorated in white, gold and silver flowers. The priest or minister wears white, and the covers for the seats etc. are white. A candle big enough to burn for forty days is lit. An Easter vigil is held in the church until midnight and at midnight candles are lit all over the building marking the end of Jesus’ time in the darkness of death.On Sunday morning, there is a very happy service celebrating the Resurrection.

THE MEANING OF EASTER

GOOD FRIDAY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT REMINDS CHRISTIANS THAT JESUS SUFFERED AND DIED FOR THE SINS OF MANKIND ON THAT DAY.

EASTER SUNDAY IS IMPORTANT TO CHRISTIANS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT, SINCE JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD ON THAT DAY, THEY TOO CAN HAVE HOPE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH IF THEY OBEY JESUS’ TEACHINGS.

We now know about..• The four stages of Christian worship• Why giving is important as part of

Christian worship• Why Communion is important• The differences between the Roman

Catholic and the Protestant Holy Communion