Understanding Worship

Worship is the central practice for Christians…

Welcome to this St Francis College short course, Understanding Worship.

There are 33 short videos here, as well as reflection questions and transcripts for each.

You can use this course following particular Themes, OR just follow your nose (and interest!)

Head here for some ideas about how to use these St Francis College short courses…

Want to start with The Themes?

  1. What is worship?

  2. Loving A Prayer Book for Australia

  3. The Eucharist Explained: The Liturgy of the Word

  4. The Eucharist Explained: The Liturgy of the Sacrament

  5. Other Elements of the Liturgy

  6. Participating in Liturgy

Want to follow your nose?

Click the ‘handout’ link under each video for reflection questions and transcripts

1.1 What is the definition of worship? (click for handout)

1.2 What do other words related to worship mean, like liturgy and ritual? (click for handout)

1.3 Why do we worship? What are we doing? Trying to impress God? (click for handout)

1.4 What is the purpose of the Prayer Book? What does it do? (click for handout)

1.5 What is contained in A Prayer Book for Australia? (click for handout)

1.6 What is the purpose of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer? And the Ordinal? (click for handout)

2.1 Who was Archbishop Cranmer and what was the context of his time? (click for handout)

2.2 How did the Prayer Book come about and where did that lead? (click for handout)

2.3 Why was there a desire for a new Prayer Book after 300 years? (click for handout)

2.4 What is your approach to using the prayer book in worship? (click for handout)

2.5 Is there flexibility in using the prayer book to guide our worship? Can we use Prayer books from other provinces? (click for handout)

3.1 What is the place of the Eucharist in the life of a Christian community? (click for handout)

3.2 How would you describe the overall shape of a Eucharist? (click for handout)

3.3 If there's an introductory phase in the Eucharist, what happens in it? (click for handout)

3.4 What happens during The Liturgy of the Word? (click for handout)

3.5 Where did the tradition of the Peace come from? Is it necessary? (click for handout)

4.1. What is it like as a priest to preside over the liturgy of the sacrament? (click for handout)

4.2 Tell us about the fourfold action: Taking, blessing, breaking, distributing. (click for handout)

4.3 Tell us about the hardware we use in this liturgy, and its arrangement on the altar? (click for handout)

4.4 How is Christ present during the Eucharist? (click for handout)

4.5 What is happening in the “Sending out”? (click for handout)

5.1 What are we referring to when we talk about the “liturgical year”? (click for handout)

5.2 What is the symbolism behind the special clothes for worship: vestments? (click for handout)

5.3 What is the lectionary and how is it an aid to worship? (click for handout)

5.4 Why do we sing in worship? (click for handout)

5.5 The rubrics often mention pauses and moments of silence. Why is silence so useful in worship? (click for handout)

5.6. Why do we mark important life transitions with worship? (click for handout)

6.1 What is the priest’s role in the Eucharist? (click for handout)

6.2 What is the congregation's role in liturgy? Are they just spectators? (click for handout)

6.4 Describe the role and importance of the reader in the liturgy. (click for handout)

6.3 What is the role of the Liturgical Assistant? (click for handout)

6.5. Describe the role and importance of leading intercessions in the liturgy. (click for handout)

6.6 Administering the chalice: Is there an art to it? (click for handout)

6.7 In the end, what makes good liturgy? (click for handout)


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