Worship

In the Catechism of the Episcopal Church, the purpose of worship is explained:

In corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments. (BCP 857)

Our parish finds our center in our corporate worship, particularly through our regular celebration of Holy Eucharist. Also known as the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering, this service is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection.

In Holy Eucharist, the Church's sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving makes present the sacrifice of Christ to us, uniting us to his one offering of himself. The outward and visible sign of the sacrament is bread and wine, given and received according to Christ's command. The inward and spiritual grace is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people and received by faith. Through Eucharist we receive the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life. Before we come to Eucharist, the Church calls us to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.  

Our Parish celebrates Holy Eucharist at least three times every week. During the summer, those services are as follows:

• Sunday mornings at 8am is a said Eucharist, once a month there is music.
• Sunday mornings at 10am is also a said Eucharist with the organ, hymns, and usually a musical anthem.
• Wednesdays at 12noon is a said Eucharist with those attending invited to sit either up in the chancel or in the nave. We celebrate whichever feast falls wtihin that week, particularly Major Feasts, and also offer the sacrament of unction (laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing of body, mind, and spirit).
• In addition, we have special 7pm sung Eucharist with incense on Principle Feasts. The next Principle Feast is All Saints' Day, Monday, November 1.

Everyone is welcome to come forward to the altar rail during Holy Communion. If you are not baptized, please cross your arms over your chest and you will receive a blessing. If you are baptized, please extend your hands for the bread and then grasp the base of the chalice to guide it to your lips. If you have a gluten allergy, you can indicate to the priest that you would like a gluten free wafer.

We hope you'll join us for worship sometime soon. Whoever you are and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, the Episcopal Church always welcomes you.