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Liturgy - spirituality and worship

An ecumenical site of resources and reflections for spirituality and worship, for individuals and communities.

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Liturgy Spirituality Worship

The word “liturgy” comes from the Greek λειτουργια (leitourgia) – public work or duty, work of the people. Liturgy is the spiritual work of all God’s people. Liturgy is structured common prayer. It can be shared, common worship precisely because it is structured. Anglican (Episcopalian) liturgy is the glue and glory of that denomination. Other denominations also have a primary focus on liturgy: Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, Methodist - in fact all churches and individuals structure their spirituality. Ecumenically there has been much growing together around liturgy and lectionary.

The word “Religion” derives from the Latin “re-ligare” – to re-connect. Religion provides the scaffolding that makes spirituality possible for the majority of people.

In our new context, the old dichotomies of religion verses spirituality, traditional verses liberal are breaking down.

Spirituality, the relationship with God, is nourished and expressed in worship, prayer, contemplative life, and meditation, individually and in community. There can be a new paradigm, a new model. This site affirms all that is good in worship that takes its cue from scholarly return to early-church sources as well as worship that takes its cue from our contemporary culture and environment. This website is part of taking seriously our Christian heritage and our current situation. It seeks to encourage worship that is vital, transforming, and faithful. Resources here are ecumenical and international. There is material for spirituality, worship, preaching, teaching, or a pew sheet.

The stance here is contemplative (loving God) and missional (loving others) – often called “emergent”. There is a focus on the Eucharist (Mass, Holy Communion) as the jewel in the crown. And also a highlighting of the Liturgy of the Hours (Daily Prayer- using the Bible as prayer) as the crown in which the jewel of the Eucharist is set. Hence, in the spirituality of this site, there is a balance of Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina (individual prayerful hearing what the Spirit is saying in the scriptures), and silent contemplative prayer. There is a balance of solitude and community. A balance of liturgy as service of God, and our call to service of others.