Each Sunday, in churches across the Anglican tradition, the faithful come forward to receive a piece of bread and a sip of wine, being told that these are the body and blood of Christ. It is an ancient practice that traces back to the words of Jesus himself. So, what happens during a liturgical service…
Thomas McKenzie’s The Anglican Way
Background In the summer of 2016, my wife and I were preparing to move to a new city. Leading up to the move, we often returned to the discussion of finding a new church community. She was raised in the Baptist tradition, and I was raised as a Pentecostal. Despite these backgrounds and our identification…
A Rookie Anglican Guide to an Anglican Worship Service
Word and Sacrament Our worship service consists of two parts, the Service of the Word and the Service of the Sacrament. These two elements are equally essential, as the Word of God reveals Jesus and prepares us to receive him in the sacrament of Holy Communion. This pattern follows the early Church of the Book…
The Ache of All Saints’ Day
I cannot remember the last All Saints’ Sunday I sat in the pew instead of the chancel. However, this All Saints’ Day, I wasn’t collared and vested, leading the liturgy in the parish I serve. I sat in a pew in another parish because I’m taking a sabbatical this autumn. Where does an Anglican priest…
Eucharist and Forgetfulness
One of the greatest of the abundant joys of celebrating the Eucharistic liturgy is the sure knowledge that few, if any, parishioners will congratulate me afterwards on a job well done. Certainly, it does happen from time to time. When it does, it is a gift graciously offered and graciously received. I have forgotten myself in…
Five Other Sacramental Rites
Main Two: The Sacraments of the Lord Christ instituted Holy Baptism and Holy Communion for his Church to perpetually celebrate. We call these the Sacraments of the Lord. (To learn more about what Anglicans believe about the sacraments, go here.) The Other Five: The Sacraments of the Church There are five other rites of the…
