ST. TIMOTHY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH
About worship at St. Timothy's Church
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
(Psalm 96:1-6)
True worship begins with the understanding that when we approach Almighty God, we do so on His terms, not our own. In short, it is theocentric – that which is centered in and directed toward the triune God. Our praise is offered to Him, confession is made to Him, and petitions are presented to Him. Further, He addresses us in His Word and He meets us at His Table. True worship begins and ends with God, not us.
The Book of Common Prayer is a time-tested worship guide that is designed to draw the worshiper into a right relationship with God. It is a "book" because the great majority of the text is taken directly from the Book, the Holy Bible. Compiled in the sixteenth century by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, and modified in 1662, the Book of Common Prayer continues to be the traditional service book of Anglican churches around the world. It is "common" - not meaning ordinary - because it draws the entire congregation into the worship experience so we can pray and sing as a body. It is a book of "prayer" because it guides the worshiper through the process of confession, adoration, thanksgiving, and supplication. The language used is reverent and dignified and serves as a reminder that we enter into the royal court to worship the King of glory.
Worship is not something done for an audience but something done by a congregation. Like the early church, it's our desire to continue 'steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers' (Acts 2:42). You are welcome to join us, the congregation of St. Timothy's, as we worship our loving and majestic God.