division  between  the  Eastern  Orthodox  and  Roman Catholic churches. During  the  early  16th  century,  the  Protestant Reformation  developed  within  the  western  half  of Christianity   from   a   reform   movement   started   by Martin  Luther  and  John  Calvin  against  the  ruling Roman Catholic Church. This  division  later  resulted in the growth of fragment groups called denominations. RITES OF LITURGY As    a    reflection    of    the    diversity    of    its denominations, the Christian worship service can be in either the formal or the less structured style. Formal Style In the formal style, the Christian worship service is offered according to fixed rites. You should use the term  liturgy  in  reference  to  these  rites.  A  formal liturgical  rite  is  used  within  the  Roman  Catholic Church,  the  Eastern  Orthodox  Church,  and  various Protestant   denominations,   such   as   the   Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church, and others. Free Style You will find the free-style or less structured rite of worship used in many of the other Protestant faith groups.  The  different  styles  in  the  rites  of  liturgy have  resulted  from  the  many  divisions  that  have occurred within the history of the Christian church. Diversity Table 1-1 provides some examples of the variations in the rites  of  Christian  worship.  Notice  how  even  the forms of worship—praise, petition, repentance, thanksgiving,  devotion,   and   offering—are   varied.   In recent   decades,   the   Christian   rites   of   liturgy   have Table 1-1.—Variations in the Rites of Christian Worship ROMAN CATHOLIC EASTERN ORTHODOX PROTESTANT Style #1 THE ORDER OF MASS THE DIVINE LITURGY GENERAL PROTESTANT WORSHIP Introductory Rites Entrance Song, Greeting, Penitential Rite, Kyrie, Glory to God Liturgy of the Word First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Alleluia, Gospel, Homily, Profession of Faith Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Gifts, Invitation to Prayer, Prayer   over   the   Gifts,   Eucharistic   Prayer, Sanctus,   Communion   Rite,   Lord’s   Prayer, Sign of Peace, Breaking of the Bread, Lamb of God, Communion, Prayer after Communion Concluding Rite Blessing and Dismissal Variations on Mass may include: Easter Vigil Good Friday Liturgy Communion rite outside of Mass Ritual and votive Masses   Mass for the Sick, the Sacred   Heart, the Blessed   Virgin Mary, Marriage, and the Dead Catholics believe that when they receive Holy Communion, they receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Roman Catholics guilty of grave sin must be reconciled with God and  the church. Reception of Penance is encouraged. The Antiphons (Invocation) Great Litany, First Antiphon, Second Antiphon, Third Antiphon The Small Entrance Trisagion Hymn The Readings Epistle,  Holy  Gospel,  Homily,  Prayer  of  the Faithful The Great Entrance Petitions, Prayer of the Proskomide (Offertory), Peace, Creed The Holy Anaphora Hymn  of  the  Virgin,  Litany  of  Preparation, Lord’s  Prayer,  Elevation,  Holy  Communion, Communion Hymn Prayer of Thanksgiving The Dismissal Variations on Mass may include: The Liturgies   The Liturgy of St. Basil, St. John   Chrysostomos, and the Pre-Sanctified   Gifts Other Liturgies   The Liturgies of St. James, Jerusalem   Alexandria, St. Gregory the   Theologian, and Cappadocia and                  Alexandria Reception of Holy Communion belongs to and is  shared  by  those  who  have  been  baptized into the church and who hold a common faith. The Preparation Greeting, Hymn, Act of Praise, Act of Penitence, Confession, Declaration of Pardon The Proclamation of the Word of God Old   Testament   Lesson,   New   Testament Lesson   (after   each   lesson,   a   hymn,   an anthem,  or  a  responsive  reading  may  be said), Gospel, Sermon Affirmation of Faith Nicene Creed, Peace, Prayers The Lord’s Supper Offertory,     Thanksgiving, Breaking of Bread,  Communion,  Hymn,  Act  of  peace, Dismissal In a General Protestant Worship,    Communion    is    open    to    all believers in Jesus Christ. 1-13