Our worship life at GRACE centers around the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which we celebrate every Sunday at 11:00AM. Our Sunday service, typically Holy Eucharist, Rite II from the Book of Common Prayer, follows a liturgical format that has been used for millenia throughout the world. We gather, sing, listen to scripture, hear a message or teaching from the scripture we heard, share peace with one another, and come to the altar to receive Christ in the Eucharist.
We also pray in many other ways and forms. Often throughout the year when we gather, whether for a dinner, a youth lock-in, or to burn the palms into ashes for Ash Wednesday, we pray one of the daily offices in the Book of Common Prayer. These forms of prayer are prayed by Christians all over the world at various times of the day, every day. In Lent, we pray the Stations of the Cross, remembering the painful journey of Jesus in His last hours. When crisis arises in the world or community, we open our doors to gather, to light candles and to pray. At other times throughout the year, we offer Bible studies and weekday prayer services.
Special worship services are also held on Holy Days throughout the year, including Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
We also pray in many other ways and forms. Often throughout the year when we gather, whether for a dinner, a youth lock-in, or to burn the palms into ashes for Ash Wednesday, we pray one of the daily offices in the Book of Common Prayer. These forms of prayer are prayed by Christians all over the world at various times of the day, every day. In Lent, we pray the Stations of the Cross, remembering the painful journey of Jesus in His last hours. When crisis arises in the world or community, we open our doors to gather, to light candles and to pray. At other times throughout the year, we offer Bible studies and weekday prayer services.
Special worship services are also held on Holy Days throughout the year, including Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I COME ON SUNDAY?
GATHERING
When you arrive at GRACE on Sunday, you'll be greeted at the door and given a service bulletin. This is the "Table of Contents" to our worship and helps you to navigate the prayers, scripture and songs. A few minutes prior to the service, our musicians will set a prayerful mood with a prelude on the pipe organ or piano, or a choral introit sung by the choir. Just before 10am, the tower bell will ring and our historic pipe organ will boldly begin to sound our gathering song. As we sing, our choir and ministers will process up the aisle to take their places in the sanctuary. After the hymn, the priest begins to lead us in prayer.
THE WORD OF GOD
We then hear several passages from Holy Scripture, typically a lesson from the Old Testament, a lesson from the New Testament, a lesson from one of the Gospels, and a canticle or psalm. After the lessons, a 10-15 minute message (called a Homily or Sermon) is given by the Priest or another minister.
PROCLAIMING OUR FAITH AND PRAYING TOGETHER
After the Homily or Sermon, we proclaim together our faith in the form of one of the ancient creeds of the church. We then pray for various concerns in the Church, the community and the world. There is a time for everyone to offer their personal prayers as well. We then take a moment to reflect silently on the times we have fallen short in life, offer a prayer of confession, receive absolution from our sins by a Priest and greet one another with signs of peace (often a handshake or a hug).
A FEW MINUTES FOR THE COMMUNITY
After the peace, everyone takes their seats. Some community announcements are usually shared by one of the ministers or wardens. Sometimes we'll offer special prayers or blessings here, such as blessing prayer blankets made by the community to take to people in the hospital. Then an offering is received and the altar prepared for the Holy Eucharist.
RECEIVING CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST
After a hymn or choral anthem (or both!) the Priest leads a Eucharistic Prayer which recalls the sacrifices of Christ for us, our relationship with Christ, one another, and all who came before us, and asks God to be present with us through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The community then comes to the high altar to receive a small wafer of bread and/or a sip of wine as a hymn or choral anthem is sung.
GOING FORTH
At the conclusion of Holy Communion, we pray together one last time, receive a blessing from the Priest, and a hymn is sung as the choir and ministers process out of the church. As we leave, a Deacon or Priest reminds us of our mission to return to the world and share the love and good news of Christ with all.
FELLOWSHIP
We then gather in the lower level for some social and fellowship time, complete with coffee, snacks and more!
When you arrive at GRACE on Sunday, you'll be greeted at the door and given a service bulletin. This is the "Table of Contents" to our worship and helps you to navigate the prayers, scripture and songs. A few minutes prior to the service, our musicians will set a prayerful mood with a prelude on the pipe organ or piano, or a choral introit sung by the choir. Just before 10am, the tower bell will ring and our historic pipe organ will boldly begin to sound our gathering song. As we sing, our choir and ministers will process up the aisle to take their places in the sanctuary. After the hymn, the priest begins to lead us in prayer.
THE WORD OF GOD
We then hear several passages from Holy Scripture, typically a lesson from the Old Testament, a lesson from the New Testament, a lesson from one of the Gospels, and a canticle or psalm. After the lessons, a 10-15 minute message (called a Homily or Sermon) is given by the Priest or another minister.
PROCLAIMING OUR FAITH AND PRAYING TOGETHER
After the Homily or Sermon, we proclaim together our faith in the form of one of the ancient creeds of the church. We then pray for various concerns in the Church, the community and the world. There is a time for everyone to offer their personal prayers as well. We then take a moment to reflect silently on the times we have fallen short in life, offer a prayer of confession, receive absolution from our sins by a Priest and greet one another with signs of peace (often a handshake or a hug).
A FEW MINUTES FOR THE COMMUNITY
After the peace, everyone takes their seats. Some community announcements are usually shared by one of the ministers or wardens. Sometimes we'll offer special prayers or blessings here, such as blessing prayer blankets made by the community to take to people in the hospital. Then an offering is received and the altar prepared for the Holy Eucharist.
RECEIVING CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST
After a hymn or choral anthem (or both!) the Priest leads a Eucharistic Prayer which recalls the sacrifices of Christ for us, our relationship with Christ, one another, and all who came before us, and asks God to be present with us through Christ and the Holy Spirit. The community then comes to the high altar to receive a small wafer of bread and/or a sip of wine as a hymn or choral anthem is sung.
GOING FORTH
At the conclusion of Holy Communion, we pray together one last time, receive a blessing from the Priest, and a hymn is sung as the choir and ministers process out of the church. As we leave, a Deacon or Priest reminds us of our mission to return to the world and share the love and good news of Christ with all.
FELLOWSHIP
We then gather in the lower level for some social and fellowship time, complete with coffee, snacks and more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WORSHIP
What is the general style of worship in an Episcopal church?
Worship in the Episcopal Church is structured according to the forms found in the Book of Common Prayer. But don't think “structured” means “stuffy!” The forms in the Book of Common Prayer (which is sometimes referred to as the “BCP”) provide a framework for our worship which helps everyone participate.
Why do you have more than one worship book?
In each pew, you'll find a book rack with two books: The Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal 1982. The BCP has a cross on the cover and the Hymnal has a plain cover. If it’s spoken, it’s in the Book of Common Prayer; if it’s sung, it’s in The Hymnal. Fitting it all in one book makes the books large and unwieldy - so we have two.
Worship in the Episcopal Church is structured according to the forms found in the Book of Common Prayer. But don't think “structured” means “stuffy!” The forms in the Book of Common Prayer (which is sometimes referred to as the “BCP”) provide a framework for our worship which helps everyone participate.
Why do you have more than one worship book?
In each pew, you'll find a book rack with two books: The Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal 1982. The BCP has a cross on the cover and the Hymnal has a plain cover. If it’s spoken, it’s in the Book of Common Prayer; if it’s sung, it’s in The Hymnal. Fitting it all in one book makes the books large and unwieldy - so we have two.
Can I take Communion in the Episcopal Church?
This is one of the most common questions we get. The Episcopal Church recognizes baptism as the sign of membership in the Body of Christ. All baptized Christians, regardless of where they were baptized, who receive Communion in their own tradition are invited to receive the Sacrament at this altar.
But what if I’m not baptized?
Those who are not baptized or who do not wish to receive Communion may come forward for a blessing from the priest and signify this by crossing your arms across your chest. If you desire to be baptized, please speak with the priest after the worship service.
This is one of the most common questions we get. The Episcopal Church recognizes baptism as the sign of membership in the Body of Christ. All baptized Christians, regardless of where they were baptized, who receive Communion in their own tradition are invited to receive the Sacrament at this altar.
But what if I’m not baptized?
Those who are not baptized or who do not wish to receive Communion may come forward for a blessing from the priest and signify this by crossing your arms across your chest. If you desire to be baptized, please speak with the priest after the worship service.
WANT TO EXPLORE DEEPER?
Our principle styles of worship come from the Book of Common Prayer. You can take a look at all of the different services we use not only at GRACE CHURCH, but in the life of the greater church throughout the world by [CLICKING HERE].