Worship, a word derived from the Anglo-Saxon weorthscipe meaning 'honour', is central to all we do and believe as it is our 'giving worth to God'.
Ritual appears to be natural to mankind. One only has to be on the terraces before a football match to witness the corporate singing and chanting to understand that this is so!
It is the formalisation of natural action which lies at the basis of worship, which is the expression in corporate gatherings of adoration, praise and thanksgiving to God in response to his activity in the world. This is a natural response coming before any theorising about or doctrinal formulations. So leading to the Latin expression: lex orandi, lex credendi, i.e. what is to be believed is derived from the practice of worship.
The consequence of this is that worship has always been regarded as the living heart of any religion.
Worship can be either 'Free' or formal. In the latter case it is offered in accordance with fixed rites referred to by the term 'liturgy'. Liturgy, often with a capital initial letter, is also used in a narrower sense when it refers to the Eucharist or Holy Communion as the Church's central corporate and official act of worship.
As the Church - the gathered people of God and not the building - we all have our differing preference as to how we express ourselves. For this reason various opportunities are offered within the life of the Church here in Ulverston Parish for meeting those preferences. Traditional liturgies and more modern less liturgical mingle with elements of charismatic enthusiasm to satisfy a wide range of needs.
See the 'Services' page for details of what is offered on a regular basis.