Instructed Eucharist

Several weeks ago I sat down with a Grand Canyon University student to answer his questions about why our worship looks like it does and why we do the things we do. He was assigned “Anglican Worship” for a research project. He had visited us the two previous Sundays, and he couldn’t wait to ask me why we make a procession down into the congregation to read the gospel lesson. When I explained to him that all our liturgical practices symbolize God’s actions towards us, and that taking the gospel into the midst of the congregation is a visual way of showing The Incarnation – that Christ left his home in heaven to live among us – my new Baptist friend was just quiet with the wonder of it.

This Sunday will be an “Instructed Eucharist” at both Sunday services. At several points in our worship we will stop to reflect on the meaning behind our words and actions Sunday by Sunday. This is something Anglicans periodically do to help newcomers to Anglicanism better understand the meaning of our rich liturgy. But it is just as important for long-time Anglicans to remember and treasure the things we say and do each week.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; come let us adore Him!” (Psalm 96)

Chuck Collins
Interim Rector