Worship

Our Place of Worship

As you enter our church, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence.

Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles, but whether they be small (like ours) or large, elaborate or plain, your eye is carried to the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. Our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose house the church is.

On and near the altar are candles to remind us that Christ is the “Light of the world” (John 8:12). Often there are flowers, to beautify God’s house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.

On the right side of the front of the church, there is a lecturn-pulpit for the proclamation of the Word; from here the Scriptures are read and the sermon may be preached.

Besides the Service Bulletin given to you by the ushers, you will find the Book of Common Prayer (red books) and the Hymnal 1982 (blue books), as well as the supplementary hymnal, Wonder, Love, and Praise (green books), in the pew racks. These books enable the congregation to participate fully in every service.

You may wonder when to stand or kneel. Feel free to follow others as they stand or kneel.

Our Act of Worship

Worship in the Episcopal Church is an active expression of love for God and neighbor. It is a cooperative effort, with parts to play by every member of the congregation. Simply by standing, kneeling and sitting with the rest of the congregation one makes the physical act of worship one’s own. Reciting aloud the psalm, the creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, each member of the congregation joins his or her own expression of spiritual unity with God and with the gathered people of God.

The principal act of worship for Episcopalians is called the Holy Eucharist. Each week we respond to Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Eucharist consists of a written order and form (the rite), that invites paricipation of all in attendance. That is, there is no audience—only worshippers with varied roles in the rite.

A priest presides at the Eucharist, but communion is also administered by licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Bible lessons are read by Lectors, Choristers lead the congregation in singing hymns and service music.

The structure of the Eucharist consists of two major parts: first the Ministry of the Word (of God): Bible Lessons, Sermon and Prayers. Next comes the Holy Communion itself: an offering of bread, wine and money, prayer over the gifts, and the sharing of the bread and cup. We use the Book of Common Prayer (the red books in the pew racks), or variations of it to give order and dignity to our worship.

The early service on Sunday is traditional in style and language. It is a simple, brief service without congregational singing. The late service is contemporary in style and language, varying from week to week depending on special events and commemorations. Both services reflect the Christian Year by the change in colors of vestments, of themes of lessons and sermons, and in the later service, by appropriate music.