Welcome... You are our respected guest.
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Worship Services and Styles
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When You Arrive
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Park in the parking lot on the side of the church. and enter into the church in one of two different ways. To go directly into the sanctuary, enter the double red doors on the right side of the Church Street side of the church.
To enter through the foyer, you may go in the glass doors facing the the parking lot, which will bring you into the Narthex (a hall between the sanctuary, chapel, parish hall and office, and classroom space).
There are coat racks in the Narthex and you are welcome to leave your coats there if you'd like. You will also find a guest book there — please sign to let us know you visited! In the Narthex, you will see bulletin boards with information about our various ministries. Sign-ups for upcoming events are located in the Narthex as well. It can be a busy place! If you are arriving with children for Sunday School our Children's & Youth Director will meet you in the Narthex before church. 
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Liturgy and Ritual
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Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be liturgical, meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prayers that don’t change too much from week to week.
This repetition 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, sung or spoken responses, and other participatory elements that may provide a challenge for the first-time visitor. However, liturgical worship can be compared with a dance: once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance, again and again, as the music changes. Following along in the bulletin during the service will make it easier for you to understand the service. |
The Holy Eucharist
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In spite of the diversity of worship styles in the Episcopal Church, Holy Eucharist always has the same components and the same shape.
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The Liturgy of the Word
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We begin by praising God through song and prayer, and then listen to up to four readings from the Bible: including readings from the Old Testament, a Psalm, something from the Epistles, and a reading from the Gospels. The psalm, when used, is usually sung or recited by the choir and the congregation. Next, a sermon or homily 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. 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 those who have died. After the prayers and petitions, the congregation confesses their sins to God through a few moments of silent confession and a congregational prayer. This is a group statement of what we have done and what we have left undone, followed by a pronouncement of absolution by the clergy. In pronouncing absolution, the presider assures the congregation that God is always ready to forgive our sins. The congregation then greets one another with a sign of peace, a time of handshaking and other greetings, where people sometimes say to each other “Peace be with you!” responded with “And also with you.” The congregation is just as likely to say simply “Hello!” or even “Peace.” Following the Peace, in some services, the congregation is invited to give a monetary offering for the Lord’s work. 
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The Liturgy of the Table
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Next, the priest stands at the altar, which has been set with a cup of wine and a plate of bread or wafers, raises his hands, 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 comes forward to take and eat the consecrated bread and the wine. All baptized and believing Christians are invited to take Communion at Trinity, regardless of denomination. Episcopalians invite all baptized people to receive, not because we take the Eucharist lightly, but because we take our baptism so seriously. Visitors who are not baptized Christians, or who do not wish to take Communion are welcome to come forward during the Communion to receive a blessing. 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. |
Coffee Hour
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Our Sunday morning service is followed by “Coffee Hour,” where all can enjoy coffee, tea, or a cold drink, and some goodies, and get to know each other.
We hope this has answered many of your questions about what to expect before you visit our church. If you have any additional questions, please Contact Us and we will be glad to help you. |
If you have any other questions you want to discuss before you arrive, you are welcome to contact us Here.