Worship is, in the origin of the word, the act of ascribing worth to someone or something. In the Christian faith, worship is offered to God alone, as alone is the worthy of such praise and adoration. Christian worship has, since the earliest days, been focussed on the service and celebration of the Holy Communion, instituted by Christ himself at the Last Supper, and continued by His Church ever since.
In this service, the Church gives thanks to God for his acts, for his goodness, and for his mercy. It is from the Greek for giving thanks that the Term Eucharist is derived. In the Eucharist, we join with the Church throughout the world, and through all the ages, in bringing our prayers and praised unto him.
The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's saving work in his death on the cross, rising from the tomb on Easter day, and his ascending into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father. In the Eucharist, we plead that sacrifice and victory before the Father, for the forgiveness of our sins and those of the world. In the Eucharist, those events are made present once again, on the Altar. Christ himself, crucified, risen and ascended, comes and stands in our midst on the altar, and received by us in the eating and drinking of communion.
For this reason, at St Augustine's, and at many churches like it, worship is offered with dignity and reverence. The Altar is greeted by the priest with a kiss, and venerated with incense. The priest himself, and the people gathered together, are purified by the offering of incense. Candles burn on the altar and in the Sanctuary of the church in honour of the Lord himself, come and physically present with his people. The reading of the Holy Gospel, the record of the life and words of Jesus, is accompanied by candles and incense, to honour Christ present in the words he spoke.
Worship is an activity that encompasses the whole of the self. For this reason, we encourage the use of the whole body in worship. We sit to listen, stand to pray, and kneel to adore. Bows are made at the name of Jesus, in honour of the incarnation during the creed, and at times when worship or adoration are addressed to God. The sign of the Cross is made over ourselves when the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is named, when a blessing is given, and when the declaration of absolution from our sins is made.
Worship on a Sunday is not the end, however, of our worship towards God. The days and the week are sanctified through the offering of daily prayer, both in church and privately at home. Here the scriptures are read, the psalms are prayed, canticles and hymns are sung, and prayers for the needs of the church, the world and ourselves are offered.