Chrsitian practices and worship

Agape

Selfless, unconditional love

Believers' baptism

Initiation into the Church, by immersion in water, of people old enough to understand the ceremony and willing to live a Christian life

Christmas

The day commemorating the incarnation and birth of Jesus (25 December)

Church

1. The holy people of God, also called the Body of Christ, among whom Christ is present and active; 2. (church) A building in which Christians worship

Easter

The religious season celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; starts on Easter Day and finishes with the feast of Pentecost

Eucharist

A service of thanksgiving in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine; also called Holy Communion, Mass, the Lord's Supper

Evangelism

Spreading the Christian gospel

Forgiveness

Showing mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

Infant baptism

The sacrament through which babies and young children become members of the Church, where promises are taken on their behalf by adults

Informal prayer

Prayer that is made up by an individual using his or her own words

Informal worship

A service that does not follow a set text or ritual; this type of worship is sometimes 'spontaneous' or 'charismatic' in nature

Liturgical

Relating to a formal, structured form of worship

The Lord's Prayer

The prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus

Lourdes

A place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary mother of Jesus. In 1858 Bernadette had visions of Mary there. A place of healing

Mission

The calling of a religious organisation or individual to go out into the world and spread the faith

Peace

An absence of conflict, which leads to happiness and harmony

Persecution

Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, or political or religious beliefs

Pilgrimage

A journey by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons; an act of worship and devotion

Prayer

Communicating with God, either silently or through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for God's help or guidance

Private worship

When a believer praises or honours God on his or her own

Reconciliation

A sacrament in the Catholic Church; also, the restoring of harmony after relationships have broken down

Sacraments

Rituals through which the believers receive the Holy Spirit

Set prayers

Prayers that have been written down and said more than once by more than one person, for example the Lord's Prayer

Street pastors

Christian volunteers patrol the streets to help and care for vulnerable people.

Christ for all nations

Started in 1974 by evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and organisation which holds evangelical missions throughout the world - over 1 million attended a meeting in Nigeria.

Christian Aid

Works to help the world's poorest (any religion etc). Encourage sustainable development, stop poverty and provide emergency relief. 'We believe in life before death'

Corrymeela Community

Begun in 1965 by Ray Davey - seeks to promote harmony and reconciliation

The Alpha Course

An introduction for those interested in Christianity

The Great Commission

Jesus' instruction to his followers that they should spread his teachings to all nations of the world

Trussell Trust

Based on Christian principles of ending poverty they have food banks to provide emergency food supplies to people in need.

Pastor Baber George

Converted to Christianity and then had a fatwa issued against him by radical Muslims

Christian Solidarity Worldwide

A Christian human rights group that campaigns for religious freedom for all

Worship

Acts of religious praise, honour or devotion

Iona

Place of pilgrimage off the coast of west Scotland. Remote- pilgrims feel it is a place which Gods power and presence are felt