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MECS Worship

Significant Developments in the Order for Public Worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South

Italics indicates a change or addition from the previous order.

by Dr. Kenneth Rowe

1846 Singing
1st Prayer (concluded with the Lord's Prayer)
Reading (1 chapter Old Testament, 1 chapter New Testament)
Preaching
Dismissal - Apostolic Benediction

1866 Singing
1st Prayer (concluded with the Lord's Prayer)
Reading (1 lesson Old Testament, 1 lesson New Testament)
Preaching
Dismissal - Apostolic Benediction

("Let the Lord's Supper be administered monthly, in every congregation, wherever it is practicable; and where it is not practicable, at every quarterly meeting.Let the service preceding the administration be so proportioned as to admit of due time for this ordinance.... Let the Ritual be invariably used in all the offices for which it is prescribed." ) REPRINT OF THE SECOND EDITION OF JOHN WESLEY'S 1784 SUNDAY SERVICE AUTHORIZED FOR USE IN THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.


1870 Singing - standing
Prayer (concluded with the Lord's Prayer) kneeling
Reading (1 lesson Old Testament, 1 lesson New Testament)
Singing - sitting
Preaching
Singing - standing
Prayer - kneeling
Benediction (Apostolic) ("The Lord's Supper shall be administered monthly.")

NOTE: The 1906 Methodist Episcopal Church, South Discipline retained the rubric concerning the giving of an invitation with the hymn following the sermon.