In many congregations this is a joyous time with much movement and noise. A long prayer which is known as the Great Prayer of thanksgiving is then offered which recounts God's saving acts in the world culminating in Jesus Christ. This is followed by the Lord's Prayer, usually in the modern form. The congregation remain standing until after the Lord's Prayer. The bread is then broken and the cup offered and the people of God are invited to partake of the elements.
People stand for hymns and when the offering is brought forward and sit for the rest of the service.
Some congregations have a procession at the beginning of the service consisting of the minister and other worship leader and someone carrying the Bible. Ordained ministers have a choice about whether they wear vestments or not. If worn, they consist of an alb and a stole in the seasonal colour or a blue stole with the Uniting Church logo on it. Return to list of Critical questions about the Christian faith Sharon Hollis lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is a minister in the Mont Albert Uniting Church, and has been a member of the Doctrine and Liturgy Committee of the Uniting Church, Synod of Victoria.