Our Traditional Anglican Worship


Style or Paradigm?

    Often we're asked what "style" of worship we practice at St.
    Stephen's. But more important than the "style" of our worship is
    the "paradigm" or "pattern" we model our worship after. Where
    we find our pattern for worship is not anywhere on this earth. For
    when the Church assembles in the Name of Christ  to worship
    Almighty God, we believe we actually transcend this earth and
    ascend in the Spirit into the very throne-room of God. There we
    worship Him "with angels and archangels, and all the company of
    heaven." It is that heavenly worship service that we participate
    in each Sunday, and it's therefore that service in heaven that
    becomes the pattern for our own earthly worship, as it is
    revealed to us in the Word of God.















    When the Apostle John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Rev.
    1:4)--in other words, when he was engaged in holy worship--he
    was lifted up by the Spirit into the holy of holies of heaven itself
    and given a vision of the worship service around the throne of
    God. He saw Christ, the Lamb of God, as though He had been
    slain, standing upon the throne. Surrounding the throne were the
    elders, or "presbyters," of heaven, dressed in white robes,
    offering their corporate act of worship, "saying" and "singing"
    together their words--their liturgy--of adoration and praise. He
    saw the prayers of the saints ascend to God under the symbol of
    incense. He heard the Seraphim sing the Sanctus--"Holy, Holy,
    Holy, Lord God Almighty..." And when they sang he saw the elders
    fall down before Him who lives for ever and ever.