About Episcopal Services
First and foremost at The Church of The Holy Name - it is a very friendly crowd! Know that all are welcome at God's table. If you would like to receive communion, simply come forward when the ushers come to your pew, and you can either kneel or stand at the altar, and if you wish to receive communion, cup your hands, and Father Mark will place the Eucharist in your hands - you may then either intinct the wafer into the wine cup, or draw the wine cup to you and take a sip when it is offered - if you do not wish to receive communion, simply come to the alter and cross your arms across your upper body, and receive God's blessing.
What to Expect When You Visit an Episcopal Church
Going to an Episcopal Church for the first time may feel a little intimidating. Below you will find some general information that might help you to feel more comfortable.
Gathering
It’s good to arrive a few minutes before the service so you can get yourself settled. There will be ushers who will give you a bulletin which will guide you through the service. You can sit anywhere you would like. In addition to the service leaflet you will see red copies of the Book of Common Prayer. This book has various portions of the service in it. Your bulletin will give you page numbers to find those sections. You will also see a dark blue book called the hymnal.
A bell will ring, and the organist will begin to play the first hymn - all stand and sing as Father Mark, the choir and acolytes process to the altar. Once the song is over Fr. Mark will lead us in prayer.
The Liturgy of the Word (Readings, sermon, statements of faith, prayers of the community)
We all sit down to hear readings, a psalm and a reading from the Gospels. Church members read the first two readings, and Fr. Mark will lead us in the psalm after the first reading. Next is the Gospel followed by the sermon. After the sermon, the next several pieces of the service provide a way for us to respond to what we have heard. We say the Nicene Creed, an ancient statement of faith used by most Christian churches which binds us together with Christians of all generations. We pray the Prayers of the People, again lead by a church member with a responses by the entire assembly. The petitions include prayers for the Church, the world, the nation, those who are sick and those who have died. After the prayers we say the the confession, an opportunity to confess together the ways we have not loved God or others. At the conclusion of the confession, Father Mark says the absolution, words reminding us that God forgives our sins.
Father Mark then bids “The Peace.” This can be a bit awkward for people who are newcomers or visitors. What we are doing is ritually enacting our need to be in right relationship with one another before we go to communion. We do that by saying “Peace be with you” to one another. People may shake hands or embrace each other. You can greet the people right around you. In some places the Peace is a little more exuberant and people will actually leave their seats to exchange the Peace with more people. The peace is followed by announcements, letting everyone know what is going on in the church and community and how to get involved.
The Offertory
A collection of money is taken at this point. A piece of music is sung and played while the collection is being taken. Our offerings symbolize both our bringing of ourselves to worship and our support of the life of the community. It is fine for you to put whatever amount of money in or to put in nothing at all. The money that has been collected is brought to the Altar as we sing a song of thanksgiving.
Eucharistic Prayer
Father Mark prays an extended prayer. At the end of the prayer we all say Amen, which our way of assenting to the prayer. We stand at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer. After the sanctus, you may kneel or continue standing. At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer everyone prays the Lord’s Prayer. Then Father Mark breaks a piece of the bread, symbolizing Christ’s body being broken for us. After this symbolic breaking, some more practical preparations are made. Words, called the Fraction Anthem, are either spoken or sung at this point that reflect the actions taking place. Once the bread and wine are ready Father Mark invites people to the meal.
Receiving Communion
People generally come forward and stand or kneel at the altar to receive communion. Ushers are there to help guide you. If you don’t want to receive communion that is totally fine. You can remain in your seat, or you can also come forward and cross your arms over your chest. Father Mark will offer you a blessing instead of communion. Also if you are unable to walk to the altar, let the usher know, and communion and wine will be brought to you.
If you do want to receive, hold out your hands and Father Mark will put a piece of bread in your hand. Then a member of the parish will come with the cup of wine (and it is wine!). There are a few choices here. You can eat the bread when it is put in your hand and then take a sip of wine from the cup. It is okay and actually helpful for you to touch the cup and help guide it to your mouth. If you don’t want to drink from the cup you can also leave the bread in your hand and the person with the cup will lower it for you to dip the bread in the wine and then place it in your mouth. It is also totally fine to receive only the bread or only the wine; either is considered a full receiving of communion. Once you have received, simply return to your seat. .
After Communion
After everyone had received communion we all stand and say a prayer which your service leaflet will either have printed or tell you where to find it. Father Mark then asks God to bless us. Another song is usually sung by everyone at this point during which Father Mark, the choir and acolytes process out. At the very end we are dismissed and sent out into the world. At this time the organist will play an ending piece. It is fine to stand up and leave your seat at this point or you may want to remain and listen to the music. Once the music is finished there is coffee to be enjoyed! People leaving customarily greet Father Mark at the door and you might want to introduce yourself as a newcomer.
What to Expect When You Visit an Episcopal Church
Going to an Episcopal Church for the first time may feel a little intimidating. Below you will find some general information that might help you to feel more comfortable.
Gathering
It’s good to arrive a few minutes before the service so you can get yourself settled. There will be ushers who will give you a bulletin which will guide you through the service. You can sit anywhere you would like. In addition to the service leaflet you will see red copies of the Book of Common Prayer. This book has various portions of the service in it. Your bulletin will give you page numbers to find those sections. You will also see a dark blue book called the hymnal.
A bell will ring, and the organist will begin to play the first hymn - all stand and sing as Father Mark, the choir and acolytes process to the altar. Once the song is over Fr. Mark will lead us in prayer.
The Liturgy of the Word (Readings, sermon, statements of faith, prayers of the community)
We all sit down to hear readings, a psalm and a reading from the Gospels. Church members read the first two readings, and Fr. Mark will lead us in the psalm after the first reading. Next is the Gospel followed by the sermon. After the sermon, the next several pieces of the service provide a way for us to respond to what we have heard. We say the Nicene Creed, an ancient statement of faith used by most Christian churches which binds us together with Christians of all generations. We pray the Prayers of the People, again lead by a church member with a responses by the entire assembly. The petitions include prayers for the Church, the world, the nation, those who are sick and those who have died. After the prayers we say the the confession, an opportunity to confess together the ways we have not loved God or others. At the conclusion of the confession, Father Mark says the absolution, words reminding us that God forgives our sins.
Father Mark then bids “The Peace.” This can be a bit awkward for people who are newcomers or visitors. What we are doing is ritually enacting our need to be in right relationship with one another before we go to communion. We do that by saying “Peace be with you” to one another. People may shake hands or embrace each other. You can greet the people right around you. In some places the Peace is a little more exuberant and people will actually leave their seats to exchange the Peace with more people. The peace is followed by announcements, letting everyone know what is going on in the church and community and how to get involved.
The Offertory
A collection of money is taken at this point. A piece of music is sung and played while the collection is being taken. Our offerings symbolize both our bringing of ourselves to worship and our support of the life of the community. It is fine for you to put whatever amount of money in or to put in nothing at all. The money that has been collected is brought to the Altar as we sing a song of thanksgiving.
Eucharistic Prayer
Father Mark prays an extended prayer. At the end of the prayer we all say Amen, which our way of assenting to the prayer. We stand at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer. After the sanctus, you may kneel or continue standing. At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer everyone prays the Lord’s Prayer. Then Father Mark breaks a piece of the bread, symbolizing Christ’s body being broken for us. After this symbolic breaking, some more practical preparations are made. Words, called the Fraction Anthem, are either spoken or sung at this point that reflect the actions taking place. Once the bread and wine are ready Father Mark invites people to the meal.
Receiving Communion
People generally come forward and stand or kneel at the altar to receive communion. Ushers are there to help guide you. If you don’t want to receive communion that is totally fine. You can remain in your seat, or you can also come forward and cross your arms over your chest. Father Mark will offer you a blessing instead of communion. Also if you are unable to walk to the altar, let the usher know, and communion and wine will be brought to you.
If you do want to receive, hold out your hands and Father Mark will put a piece of bread in your hand. Then a member of the parish will come with the cup of wine (and it is wine!). There are a few choices here. You can eat the bread when it is put in your hand and then take a sip of wine from the cup. It is okay and actually helpful for you to touch the cup and help guide it to your mouth. If you don’t want to drink from the cup you can also leave the bread in your hand and the person with the cup will lower it for you to dip the bread in the wine and then place it in your mouth. It is also totally fine to receive only the bread or only the wine; either is considered a full receiving of communion. Once you have received, simply return to your seat. .
After Communion
After everyone had received communion we all stand and say a prayer which your service leaflet will either have printed or tell you where to find it. Father Mark then asks God to bless us. Another song is usually sung by everyone at this point during which Father Mark, the choir and acolytes process out. At the very end we are dismissed and sent out into the world. At this time the organist will play an ending piece. It is fine to stand up and leave your seat at this point or you may want to remain and listen to the music. Once the music is finished there is coffee to be enjoyed! People leaving customarily greet Father Mark at the door and you might want to introduce yourself as a newcomer.