WORSHIP
Worship invites us to hear the goodness of God’s love and mercy amidst the chaos all around us.
8:00-HOLY EUCHARIST, I
This is a quiet service with traditional Elizabethan language (thee, thou), a sermon, Holy Communion, and a smaller congregation. It lasts about 45 minutes.
10:15-HOLY EUCHARIST RITE II
This service includes a broad mix of contemporary and traditional hymns, a sermon, and Holy Communion. Children’s Chapel for children 4 and older takes place on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays. This service is live-streamed and lasts about 65-70 minutes.
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP
Children, no matter how squirmy or loud they may be, are delightedly embraced in worship. Many of our children and youth also help lead worship by reading Scripture, assisting at Holy Communion, and serving as an acolyte. Although most families attend the 10:15 service, there are activities bags and a children’s bulletin available at both services.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We get it. Worshipping at a new church can be nerve-racking. Although there is no wrong way to worship, it might be helpful to know what to expect.
Why do you call worship Holy Eucharist?
We call our worship ‘Holy Eucharist’ because it centers around the celebration of Holy Communion each week. ‘Eucharist’ is the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving,’ reflecting our gratitude for God’s love and the strength for the journey we receive through this sacred meal of bread and wine. All are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
What should I wear to worship?
Wear whatever is most comfortable for you! We’re not fussy.
Is your building wheelchair accessible?
Yes!
What about children?
Children and their squiggles are warmly welcome here. We know it can be hard to bring kiddos to church: thank you for showing up. We have a children’s bulletin, a basket of books and activity bags outside both the side door near the piano. Children’s Chapel takes place at the 10:15 service on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays from September to May. Read more about our children’s ministry here.
What happens when I arrive?
There are several signs that will point you to the sanctuary (church building). Enter through the white double-doors at the edge of the sidewalk. Upon entering, you will receive a bulletin that contains the order of service. If you have children, be sure to grab a children’s bulletin, some books from our book rack, or a blue worship bag. You may sit wherever you would like.
How do you choose the scripture readings?
Each Sunday there is a reading from the Old Testament, the book of Psalms, and from one of the Epistles (letters to the early church), and a reading from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). The readings coming from the Revised Common Lectionary, which is a 3-year cycle of readings shared by many denominations.
Why do you pass the peace before Holy Communion?
Can I receive Holy Communion?
Yes! Holy Communion is at the heart of our worship. If you are seeking a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you are welcome to feast on this meal of thanksgiving. This is God’s table, not our table. Some people kneel or stand at the altar rail. Do what is comfortable for you. Gluten-free wafers are available.
Am I expected to donate money when the offering tray comes around?
I have a lot of questions and doubts. Am I going to feel uncomfortable?
Will I have to stand up and introduce myself?
Nope! Our rector extends a welcome to new worshippers at the beginning and end of worship, but you won’t be asked to stand or say anything.
ORDER OF SERVICE
The Gathering
When you arrive, an usher will hand you a bulletin outlining the order of worship. Feel free to sit anywhere you’d like. Worship begins with the ringing of the bell followed by a processional hymn that you will find in the blue hymnal. We then pray together asking God to prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
The Liturgy of the Word
After gathering our hearts for worship, we then listen to God’s story throughout the ages. We call it the Liturgy of the Word. It includes readings from the Old Testament, the book of Psalms, letters of the New Testament, and one of the four Gospels. We stand during the reading of the Gospel and the minister and acolytes process down the aisle to symbolize Jesus’ ministry of being among the people. When the reading of the Gospel is announced, you may find people making the sign of the cross in a 3-fold manner on their head, their lips, and their chests, asking to God to bless our mind, our lips, and our hearts with the goodness of God’s story throughout the ages. Following the reading of the Gospel, we hear a sermon inviting us to reflect on the Scripture lessons. Next, we respond to what we have heard by affirming our faith in the historic Nicene Creed, which has served as the foundation for Christian belief since the 4th century. We then offer prayers for the world, one another, and ourselves, and a corporate confession of our failures to love and serve God, one another, and ourselves. After our confession, the priest proclaims God’s forgiveness of our sins, to which we respond by sharing the peace of God with another.
The Liturgy of the Table
We begin the liturgy of the table by offering the fruits of our labor to God with the offering. While we are deeply grateful for any offering, it is not expected nor required of guests.
We continue with the Eucharistic Prayer (Eucharist is ancient Greek word meaning thanksgiving). During this prayer, we sing a short song of praise called the Sanctus and then retell the story of creation, our turning away from God, the work of the prophets, God’s coming to us in the form of Jesus, and Jesus’ Last Supper. You may hear a bell run when the bread and wine are lifted. This is to call our attention to the sacred gift and presence of Christ among us. After the priest blesses the bread and wine we join in saying the Lord’s Prayer. The priest then breaks the bread to symbolize Christ’s body broken for us.
You are welcome to receive Holy Communion here. After we celebrate Holy Communion, we end with announcements, the priest’s blessing, and a closing hymn that sends us out to be the hands and feet of Christ.
