Episcopalians engage in diverse worship styles, ranging from highly formal ceremonies with vestments and incense to informal services featuring contemporary music. However, regardless of the worship style, all Episcopal Church services are rooted in the Book of Common Prayer, creating a sense of familiarity wherever you attend.

Worship within the Episcopal Church is characterized by its liturgical nature. The congregation follows consistent service forms and prayers that maintain a relatively stable structure from week to week. This rhythmic quality imparts a comforting and familiar atmosphere for worshipers.

For those attending for the first time, the liturgy may evoke both excitement and confusion. Services may involve a combination of standing, sitting, and kneeling, with sung or spoken responses that might pose a challenge for newcomers. Please feel free to participate at your own comfort level—remember, we were all newcomers once!

Part 1: The Service of the Word

The Procession

Our pianist begins the service with a prelude. After a pause, he starts our first hymn while we all stand and turn to face the rear of the church where the cross and ministers are standing. The Crucifer (bearer of the cross) leads the Acolytes and Priest(s) up to the front of the church. Many people bow as the cross passes, affirming our allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Readings

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, one from the Psalms, one from the Epistles, and always a reading from the Gospels. The psalm is usually sung or recited by the congregation.

Sermon / Homily

Our priest or deacon will give a 10-15 minute homily on the Gospel or other passage of the day which they have prepared during the week for us.

Creed

After the sermon, the congregation recites the Nicene Creed together. Written in the 4th Century, through the words of this Creed we are connected to our historic faith community.

Prayers of the People

Next, the congregation prays together—for the Church, the world, and those in need. We pray for the sick and for those who have died, and thank God for all the good things in our lives.

Confession and Absolution

The congregation formally confesses their sins before God and one another. This is a corporate statement of what we have done and what we have left undone, followed by a pronouncement of absolution. In pronouncing absolution, the presider assures the congregation that God is always ready to forgive our sins.

The Passing of the Peace

The congregation then greet one another, usually with a handshake and a message of “Peace” or “Peace be with you.” 

Part 2: The Service of the Table

The Eucharist or "Great Thanksgiving"

In the Episcopal Church, the entire service is referred to as the Holy Eucharist. The actual taking of bread and wine is the central focus of the service. The priest stands at the altar, which has been set with a cup of wine and a plate of bread or wafers, and begins the Eucharistic Prayer. The priest blesses the bread and wine, and the congregation recites the Lord’s Prayer. The bread is broken and offered to the congregation, as the “gifts of God for the People of God.”

Our Table is Open

All are welcome to receive communion. As Jesus freely offered the bread and wine to everyone who would receive it, we also serve you regardless of your age, tradition or beliefs. All who desire to follow Jesus are welcome.

To receive communion, follow others to the altar and kneel or stand in an open spot at the communion rail. A minister with bread will come around first. Simply hold your open hands out in front of you, one on top of the other, (you may place the top hand upside down to indicate you would prefer a gluten-free wafer). The minister will place a small wafer in your hand and say, “The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.”

You may eat the bread then or hold it until the wine comes. A minister with a chalice of wine will stop in front of you and say, “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” You may either drink directly from the chalice or, if you saved your bread, simply dip it into the wine and consume both together. If you have received a gluten-free wafer, a gluten-free chalice will be brought to you to avoid any gluten contamination. When you have received both bread and wine, you can stand and return to your seat.

If you or your children would prefer to receive a blessing instead of the sacrament, instead of holding your hands out to receive the bread, simply cross your arms over your chest. The priest will take it from there.

Dismissal

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.