Guidelines for Common Worship for Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada
Proposed revision (March 2003) for the National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and for the Council of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
Introduction
In July, 2001, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada signed the Waterloo Declaration establishing a relationship of full communion between them. These guidelines have been prepared by the Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission of Canada to assist those who are preparing for occasions when Lutherans and Anglicans are worshipping together in this new relationship of full communion.
Principles of Common Planning
As both of our churches are rooted in the liturgical heritage of the West and in the Reformation, and are active participants in the liturgical movement, there is a great deal which we have in common in our present worship patterns. We both stress the centrality of both Word and Sacrament. There is a common shape to our eucharistic liturgies. We both use the Revised Common Lectionary. Nevertheless, we do have different traditions, and it will be important for worship planners to be sensitive to these differences. What is comfortable and familiar to one community may feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar to another.
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