User:Pbritti/sandbox/Methodist worship

Multiple traditions of worship and liturgy developed within Methodism during the first century of the movement. Early forms of Methodist worship were directly associated with Anglican liturgies and some Methodist liturgical books still trace their origins to formulae established within John Wesley's revisions of the Book of Common Prayer. Wesley's revision of the 1662 prayer book, the 1784 Sunday Service, continues to inform the liturgies of major Methodist denominations, such as the United Methodist Church. Other Methodist worship practices reject prescribed liturgies with the objective of emphasizing Scripture.

Besides Holy Communion and canonical hour liturgies that are also practiced in other Christian denominations, Methodism innovated the Covenant Renewal Service. The Methodist worship music tradition, much of which is contained within denominational hymnals, reflects both John Wesley's own hymn writing and many other traditions. Methodist hymns are regularly adopted by other groups for their worship practices. The 20th century saw many changes in Methodist worship, particularly as a result of the Liturgical Movement.

Background
Methodism emerged with through the practices, writings, and preaching of brothers John (1703–1791) and Charles Wesley (1707–1788) during the early and mid 18th century in England. Both brothers were members of the Church of England and emphasized the Bible as the basis of a Christian lifestyle. From 1739, John Wesley's open-air and itinerant preaching of Arminian theology characterized the early Methodist movement and its worship.

The established Church of England, the first Anglican denomination, and its public worship–primarily found within the Book of Common Prayer–were omnipresent and legally propagated in England during the 18th century. English Dissenters and nonconformists, which were fellow Protestants that included Congregationalists and Presbyterians, were both common but often challenged by state officials and Anglican ecclesial authorities. While the Church of England's worship was liturgical with mandated rubrics, these other Protestants often followed worship practices with little to no strictures.