absolution – the pronouncement of God’s gift of forgiveness to the penitent
acclamation – the congregation’s response to the announcement and reading of the Holy Gospel in the Holy Communion liturgy
acolyte – liturgical leaders who light the candles and serve in such roles as bannerbearer, bookbearer, crucifer, server, torchbearer, etc.
advent – the first season in the church year, comprising the four weeks before Christmas
altar – the table of the Lord upon which the Eucharist is celebrated; a symbol of the presence of God
baptism or Holy Baptism – the sacrament, by water and the Spirit, of being joined to the death and resurrection of Christ, and of being incorporated into Christ’s Church, the Christian community of faith.
chalice – vessel used for the consecration and distribution of the wine for Holy Communion
chancel – that section of a worship space in which are located the altar and pulpit.
Communion or Holy Communion – the celebration and reception of the Sacrament of the Altar. Also referred to as the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist, the Mass, the Breaking of Bread, and the Eucharistic Meal.
confession – an acknowledgement of and sorrow for sin, and accompanied with a desire for forgiveness
confirmation – a rite to conclude a period of instruction of young people who had been baptized as infants
consecration – the blessing of the bread and wine during the liturgy of the Holy Communion to be the true Body and Blood of Christ.
creed – a statement of belief
eucharist – a term for Holy Communion
first communion – receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time
intercessions – a form of prayer in which petitions are presented on behalf of, and for the care and benefit of, persons, nations, the Church, and the world.
intinction – a mode of ministering Communion by dipping the consecrated host (bread) into the chalice of consecrated wine.
Lent – the forty-day (excluding Sundays) season of penitence and preparation for the Triduum and Easter. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The forty days of Lent recall Jesus’ forty-day fast in the wilderness after his Baptism, as well as Moses’ forty-day fast on
liturgy – those rites and ceremonies of the Church, offered for the adoration of God and the sanctification of God’s people.
narthex – interior entrance hall of a church building, leading to the nave.
nave – the place where the congregation gathers for corporate worship; the nave is between the narthex and the chancel.
offering – the gathering of the worshipers’ gifts of (wheat) bread, (grape) wine, and money for presentation at the altar. Bread and wine offerings may be used for the celebration of Holy Communion.
ordination – the rite of conferring the ministry of Word and Sacrament upon those persons whom the Church determines to be rightly called by the Holy Spirit to baptize, preach, absolve, teach, bless, and to reside at Holy Communion.
pulpit – the place of the Word of God from which the sermon is customarily preached.
Sacraments – those ceremonies instituted by Christ, each having a divine promise and a visible sign: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
sanctuary – that area in the chancel which includes the altar and the space immediately suurounding the altar.
worship – offering adoration, praise, and thanksgiving to God in recognition of God’s holiness and in response to what God has done, continues to do, and promises yet to do for this people and for all creation.
