We call our worship services “liturgies”. The Greek word liturgia, from which we get the word “Liturgy”, means in part “the work of the people.”
From the time of the Apostles and even before, worship has been seen as the people’s service to God, not as God’s service to us. It is true that God does bless us and fill us as we worship, but that is not the first reason why we come to worship. We worship because we love God for who God is, not just for what God does for us. We ask first, “Is this worship that God delights in?” rather than, “Do I like this worship?”
When we go to worship, we gather as the Church – Christ’s body – to offer our sacrifice of thanksgivings, praises, music, song, confession of faith and confession of sins, petitions to God, and to offer our gifts of time, talent, and treasure – all of this in union with Christ’s one sacrifice for the sins of the whole world upon the cross.
As a community of Christ, gathered in the Spirit of Christ, we work together with each other and with Christ to make our sacrificial offerings. This includes such ministries as Altar Guild, acolytes, flower arrangers, greeters, bread bakers, readers, Eucharistic ministers (chalice bearers), preachers, presiders & celebrants, choirs and musicians. And it includes every worshiper who enters our doors or participates online or from afar.
This is the work, the “bounden duty,” and the great joy of the People of Christ. This is our worship – called the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, the Eucharist, Holy Communion, and our Service of Worship.
