It has been observed that a Catholic worship is centered in the altar and Protestant worship in the sermon, while worship among Friends attempts to realize at its center the divine Presence revealed within.

Such worship is not just silent worship. It is worship on the basis of silence, singing, meditation, listening to the messages of others including a pastor, expression of concerns and praise --- in expectant waiting on the Lord.

Such worship is unprogrammed, unhurried, but not unplanned, even though much of the participation may be spontaneous. The planning is in structuring a setting allowing the best opportunity for mental and spiritual preparation for communion with the Lord. What may appear to an observer as no planning is probably the best planning, for the "order of service" should be designed for unpredictable participation by all present.

Such worship is entering the Holy of Holies to listen to as well as talk with God. Such worship is really a confessional, with God, rather than a priest, hearing our sins, our short-comings, our needs, our praise, our expressions of adoration. Such worship is direct communion with God. Someone has well said, "Thinking about God is not the same as communing with God." It is more than a symbolic act of the bread and the wine; it is rational, real, thinking, feeling, and life-changing.

The meeting for worship is the church's, and our, most vital and creative act.