COMMON PRAYER
In worship, we use the Book of Common Prayer in its 1928 American edition. This edition contains prayers and affirmations of faith dating to the beginning of Christianity and the traditional Anglican/Episcopal liturgy. This liturgy has been in continuous use since it was first published in 1549.
When we gather together in services of worship, our “common prayers” are liturgical, that is, they are structured. Only in this way can we truly share our worship of God. Our liturgical worship involves the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. We are active participants rather than just listeners. Worship to us is not “show business.” It goes from us to God rather than from a preacher to us. We come to church to give God the praise and worship that, as His creatures, we owe Him, not to get something for ourselves.