Introduction

In this paper, the presenter will discuss the topic “Worship and Sacraments in
Protestant Traditions”. When we talk about worship it comes to our mind like, prayer,
singing songs, praising God with Hymn, all those things. But we Christians have different
denomination traditions, Every Christian tradition is a different style of worship, here we
discus some protestant denomination worship and sacrament style.

1. Worship
Worship is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.
Worship itself is a fundamental concept, therefore we can not give a simple definition that
would be truly meaningful. Worship is an awareness of God's majesty and an
understanding of the mystery of the Most High.
Worship is also the praise of God. God is worthy to be praised (Ps 18:3), and
when people praise Him we only pay Him His death. Praising God is a mark of
righteousness man (Ps 33:1). Worship is a personal meeting with God. The Psalmist
longed for the fellowship of the living God, and this longing is a condition of true
worship.1

2. Worship and Sacrament in Protestant Traditions

When we talk about worship Christians are referring to the practice of putting
God first in our lives. This can be done either in private worship or in public worship –
for example, the Sunday worship service in church.
2
Different Protestant denominations worship in different ways as part of Sunday
service, but there are also some common features to all. For example:
a. Worship centers on the Bible – reading the Bible, hearing preaching on it,
or discussing it.
b. Most churches include hymns or worship songs in the service.
c. The Lord's Supper is usually, celebrated once a week/month/year.

1
R. W. F. Wooten, “Basic principles of Worship” “Worship and Preaching” Ed. Zubeno Kithan
(Kolkata: ESPACE, 2020), 30-33.
2
“Worship in the Protestant Church” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (29
August 2023)

1
 d. Some church services have a special section in which children can
become involved. Drama, dance, or multimedia may be used to bring the
message of a Bible passage to life.
The interpretation and number of the sacraments vary among the Christian
churches of the world. The classical Protestant churches, an example Lutheran, Anglican,
and Reformed have accepted only two sacraments, baptism, and the Eucharist, though
Luther allowed that penance was a valid part of sacramental theology. The New
Testament mentions a series of “holy acts” that are not, strictly speaking, sacraments.3

2.1. Baptist worship

Baptists believe that when they worship through praise and prayer they are
offering themselves to God in thanks for His love. God and His people speak with each
other through worship. It is seen as a dialogue and worship is non-liturgical. It is much
less structured than Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Christian services.
No Baptist authority tells people how to worship. All decisions are made by the
members of each local Baptist church. Although they have ordained ministers, Baptists
believe in the Priesthood of Believers, which means that every member can interpret the
Bible and minister to other people. The ordained minister is an equal member of the
community who carries out the responsibilities given by the congregation. The minister
or a layperson may lead a Baptist service.4

2.1.1. Features of worship

a. Worship centers on the Bible - reading the Bible, hearing preaching on
it or discussing it.
b. Most churches include hymns or worship songs in the service.
c. The Lord's Supper is usually celebrated once a month.
d. Some churches have a special part for children to become involved.
Drama, dance or multimedia may be used to bring the message of a
Bible passage to life.

3
“The sacraments” https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity/The-sacraments (29 August
2023)
4
“Worship in the Protestant Church” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (29
August 2023)

2
 e. The Baptist Union of Great Britain has published a book, Gathering
for Worship, which gives guidance and prayers that can be used by
local churches.
f. The Bible is the focus of the Baptist Church and is often placed at the
front and in the center of the building. It is said of this Church,
‘everything flows from the Word of God’.
g. Baptists see church worship as an opportunity to speak about the
gospel to those present that have not yet made a full commitment to
faith in Jesus.
2.1.2. Order of service in a Baptist Church
In the Baptist Church there is no set pattern for how the weekly service must be
conducted. However, for practical reasons many Baptist Church services follow a routine
which people become familiar with.5
a. Opening and Welcome – to make everyone feel welcome and
comfortable.
b. Reading from the Bible – to settle and quieten people’s hearts as they
come to worship God. This is a time for reflection on the promises of
God as well as serving as a call to worship.
c. Singing – to praise God and to worship Him through song.
d. Prayer – to worship God, confess sins, to give thanks, and to ask God
to meet the believer's needs and the needs of others.
e. Announcements and offerings – to let people know what is going on in
the life of the church over the following week. The offering helps the
work of the church and allows the church to support others financially.
f. This Church worships in a simple building so that the money offerings
can be used to take the gospel to other parts of the country and the
world and any place.
g. Address to Children – a short interactive talk for the children before
they leave the children’s church. Especially is called Sunday school
Ministry.
5
“Worship in the Protestant Church” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (29
August 2023)

3
 h. Bible Reading – the reading of God’s Word, this provides the basis for
the sermon.
i. Sermon – the teaching of God’s Word to encourage and comfort as
well as to provide guidance and instruction.
j. Closing hymn – the hymn of response to the sermon/message
preached.
k. Sometimes Communion will follow the service – this involves taking
bread and wine to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.
2.2. Anglican worship (Church of England)
Public worship focuses on praising God through preaching, Bible reading, prayer
and music, especially in the Holy Communion service where people receive the bread
and wine. Because this is liturgical worship, the words and actions to be followed are set
out in the Book of Common Prayer. There are services of morning and evening prayer.6
2.2.1. Features of worship
a. The altar or Communion Table is the main focus and is where the Holy
Communion service takes place. This is because Jesus' death is
considered a sacrifice. There is also a pulpit where the sermon is
preached and a lectern where the Bible is placed for reading aloud to
the people.
b. There may be choir stalls and an organ to accompany hymn singing.
Candles and a cross remind people of the death of Jesus and his
resurrection. Many churches have stained glass windows that tell
stories in pictures from the Bible.
c. Some Anglican services are very formal and similar to the Roman
Catholic Mass, but others are very simple and informal.
d. The priest leads the Holy Communion part of the service in most
churches but in some a lay reader conducts them. At various points,
people go to the altar to receive bread and wine, which represents the
body and blood of Jesus Christ.

6
“Worship in the Protestant Church” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (29
August 2023)

4
 e. The congregation follows the service in the prayer book and responds
to the prayers through written replies. Readings and some prayers
usually change every week but others stay the same. Readings from
the Bible are followed by a sermon that explains their meaning for
people today.
The service usually ends with an opportunity for quiet reflection.
2.3. Lutheran Worship
Lutheran services have developed over the centuries in many different cultures
and countries, so there are variations in expressions and styles of worship. Generally,
Lutheran services are in the Catholic tradition, following ancient liturgies and observing
historic usage. Some congregations, however, offer a simpler style of worship.
Crucifixes, candles and religious art are common. In many churches the priests or pastors
wear traditional vestments, stoles and chasubles. In other churches a black robe and ruff
or bands are worn, often with a pectoral cross.
As opposed to the seven sacraments of the medieval Catholic Church, the
Lutheran reformers quickly settled on only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper
(Eucharist). Nevertheless, Lutheranism remained very much a sacramental religion in
terms of the practices and piety surrounding these two central, Christian rites.7
For Lutherans, a sacrament is something Jesus commanded to do, uses a physical
element—something we can see, touch and sometimes taste; and sacramental is
connected with God’s promise, the word of God, which gives faith. 8 Encountering God in
the Sacraments.
2.3.1. Features of Worship
a. Church buildings can be very ornate or simple, but always with the
altar, pulpit and font as the main features. Differences in worship style
or dress do not imply differences in theology or belief for Lutherans;
often they have arisen for reasons of history or culture.

7
Mickey L. Mattox, “Sacraments in the Lutheran Reformation”(Marquette: Theology Faculty
Research and Publications, 2015), 270.
8
Gordon Lathrop, Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament (Minneapolis: Augsburg
Fortress, 2005), 44.

5
 b. Hymns and instrumental music are common. The musical aspect of
Lutheran spirituality has given rise to much church music within
Lutheranism.
c. Lutherans administer baptism to infants and adults, believing that
through it God unites us with Christ in his death and resurrection,
makes us members of his one Church and gives us new life in his
Spirit. These benefits are God’s work in us, his gifts, and do not
depend upon our efforts or attitude.
d. Lutherans celebrate Holy Communion regularly, believing that the true
body and blood of Christ are present, distributed, and received in the
forms of bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins and spiritual
nourishment. In the sacrament, the full Christ is present, in both His
human and divine natures.9
2.3.2. Order of Service in Lutheran Church
a. Invocation- asking God present in the midst
b. Confess and Absolution – asking forgiveness from God, they believe
that we all still living in a sinful world and evil are still with us. If we
confess then God will forgive us on the day of Judgment.
c. Kyrie – it’s very similar to Confession, they believe simply prayer God
might not respond, but when we with tears and cry out then God will
have mercy on us.
d. Hymn of praise – the opening words of The Gloria in Excelsis is
followed by a hymn of praise to the Triune God.
e. The Word of God and Sermon – they believe that through the Words of
God and sermon, we come to a better understanding of ourselves,
especially our need for God’s forgiveness.
f. Creed – This confession of the Triune God is the property of no single
individual but of the whole church, including the whole company of
heaven.
g. Offertory – They collect offerings for missions in different places

9
“Lutheran Worship” https://www.lutheran.org.uk/3406-2/lutheran-worship/ (01 Sept. 2023)

6
 h. Sanctus – This is an eternal song of the Angel
i. Words of our Lord – This is also a kind of song to remembering Christ,
j. Agnus Dei – This is also a song, they remember to apostle John
through singing this Song.
k. Distribution – this is very similar with Holy Communion.
l. Nunc Dimittis – Another Lutheran contribution to the church's liturgy
is the use of the Nunc Dimittis as the post-communion canticle.
m. Benediction – Praying God to close the service.10
2.4. Quaker Worship
The Quaker place of worship is called a meeting house, which they describe as “a
space of gathered stillness”.
2.4.1. Features of worship
a. Services are usually in a very plain room, with seating arranged in a
square or circle. There may be a Bible, Quaker texts and some flowers
on a table, but very little decoration.
b. Sunday worship can sometimes be structured, but it is more often
completely free and open to the presence of God inspiring people to
take part. There are no priests or ministers. The Sunday meeting
usually lasts about an hour. Non-Quakers are welcome at meetings.
c. Meetings are based on silence, waiting, and listening to the promptings
of truth and love that arises from God. This silence is different from
meditating alone. It is a shared experience in which everyone is aware
of each other as they seek to experience God for themselves.
d. If someone feels called to say something that will deepen the worship,
or if they wish to pray or read aloud, they may do so.11
Conclusion
Through this paper, we learned that every denomination their a tradition of
worshiping and taking the sacrament. Some denominations are taking Holy Communions

10
“Liturgy Parts” https://www.lcms.org/worship/liturgy-parts#offertory (01 Sept. 2023)
11
“Worship in the Protestant Church” https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3
(01 Sept. 2023)

7
once a week/month/year. But the one thing is all the Protestants believe in two sacrament
styles Water Baptism and Holy Communion.

Bibliography

Wooten, R. W. F. “Basic principles of Worship” “Worship and Preaching” Ed. Zubeno

Kithan. Kolkata: ESPACE, 2020.
Mattox, Mickey L. “Sacraments in the Lutheran Reformation”. Marquette: Theology
Faculty Research and Publications, 2015.
Lathrop, Gordon. Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament. Minneapolis:
Augsburg Fortress, 2005.

Webliography
“Worship in the Protestant Church”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (29 August 2023)
“The sacraments” https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity/The-sacraments
(29 August 2023)
“Lutheran Worship” https://www.lutheran.org.uk/3406-2/lutheran-worship/
(01 Sept. 2023)
“Liturgy Parts” https://www.lcms.org/worship/liturgy-parts#offertory (01 Sept. 2023)
“Worship in the Protestant Church”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zbp7y9q/revision/3 (01 Sept. 2023)