Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. The principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as: Holy Communion.
Worship Styles
Our services have different worship styles. The Saturday service is very casual (shorts and flip-flops in the summer). The early service on Sunday morning is more traditional and is very similar to our services using the 1928 prayer book - there is no music during this service and the dress is khaki and button down shirts. The 10:30 service on Sunday morning is a more contemporary service with music mainly from the hymnal - the dress varies from suits to mainly khaki and button down shirts. The Sunday evening service is casual.
Liturgy and Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be "liturgical," meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prays from texts that don't change greatly from week to week during a season of the year. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers. For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating… or confusing. Services may involve standing, sitting, kneeling, and other participatory elements that may provide a challenge for the first-time visitor - it will get easier as it goes.
The Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion
In spite of the diversity of worship styles in the Episcopal Church, Holy Eucharist always has the same components and the same shape.
The Liturgy of the Word
We begin by praising God through song and prayer, and then listen to as many as four readings from the Bible. Usually one from the Old Testament, a Psalm, something from the Epistles, and (always) a reading from the Gospels.
Next, a sermon interpreting the readings appointed for the day is preached.
The congregation then recites the Nicene Creed, written in the Fourth Century and the Church's statement of what we believe ever since.
Next, the congregation prays together-for the Church, the World, and those in need. We pray for the sick, thank God for all the good things in our lives, and finally, we pray for the dead.
The congregation then greets one another with a sign of "peace."
The Liturgy of the Table
Next, the priest stands at the table, which has been set with a cup of wine and a plate of wafers, raises his, and greets the congregation again, saying "The Lord be With You." Now begins the Eucharistic Prayer, in which the presider tells the story of our faith, from the beginning of Creation, through the choosing of Israel to be God's people, through our continual turning away from God, and God's calling us to return. Finally, the presider tells the story of the coming of Jesus Christ, and about the night before his death, on which he instituted the Eucharistic meal (communion) as a continual remembrance of him.
The presider blesses the bread and wine, and the congregation recites the Lord's Prayer. Finally, the presider breaks the bread and offers it to the congregation, as the "gifts of God for the People of God."
The congregation then shares the consecrated bread and the wine. Sometimes the people all come forward to receive the bread and wine; sometimes they pass the elements around in other ways.
All Are Welcome
All Christians-no matter age or denomination-are welcome to "receive communion." If you prefer you may come forward during the Communion to receive a blessing from the presider.
At the end of the Eucharist, the congregation prays once more in thanksgiving, and then is dismissed to continue the life of service to God and to the World.
