|
The focal
point in this church is the Altar, or the Lord's Table. It represents
the Throne of God; Christ's table of the last Supper; and the
eternal Heavenly Banquet table. All that takes place in the next
few minutes is addressed to God. He is the audience. We are the
performers.
YOU WILL SEE—arriving worshipers bow toward the Altar
before entering the pew, acknowledging their intention to let
God rule over their lives today, in this service, and every day.
When the White Lamp burns near the Altar, you will see some drop
to the right knee (instead of bow), recognizing Christ's Presence
in the form of the Blessed Sacrament reserved, from which communion
is given outside the usual services, and in the presence of which
some pray.
PERSONAL PRAYER IS ALWAYS—the first order for worshiping
Christians. We kneel to thank God for His great goodness and for
the opportunity to be with His Family, the Church, and to ask
His blessing upon those who preside and exercise their special
ministries.
QUIET AND REVERENCE IS EXPECTED—in this holy place.
Conversation comes after we have worshiped. We are intent on hearing
God speak to us in the lyrics and/or melody of the hymns, the
Scripture readings, the sermon, the prayers and action of the
common liturgy, the silence, the fellowship, and the communion.
Midway in the service, before the bread and wine are presented
along with our offering, we "exchange the Peace", sharing
with those around us God's Peace with a hug, handshake or perhaps
some other gesture, acknowledging God is in them as He is in us.
The offering of God's Peace is not a time for conversation but
it is a time of reconciliation, a tradition we continue from the
most ancient church.
OUR WORSHIP IS LITURGICAL—meaning we all share in
what is said and done–liturgy means "the work of the
people". The service is in the red BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
( BCP), the fourth American edition since 1789, when we used the
1662 Church of England edition. Our prayer is in Common or all
together. It comes from the same root as Communion --the fellowship
of God and His people The BCP allows you to know all that is to
done in the service. The Bulletin will give you both the page
numbers in the Prayer Book and hymn numbers in the HYMNAL. The
hymn board also lists the numbers. In some services, we use special
music which will be an insert and noted on your Bulletin.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST (Holy Communion or Mass)—includes
the Ministry of the Word: the Collect (or special prayer for the
day), Scripture, Psalm, Hymn, Sermon, Prayers of the People, a
corporate confession, and the Exchange of the Peace. The Holy
Communion follows. Just as Holy Baptism is a person's initiation
and adoption into the worldwide Christian Family of God, giving
us an individual and a corporate relationship with Christ Jesus,
so also the Holy Communion is the week by week feeding of the
Family of God as it has been done in the Christian Fellowship
from that very first Easter, based on Christ's own establishing
of the rite at the Last Supper. It is His way of sharing His Life
with us in the bread and wine offered, blessed, broken, and given,
so we may continue to carry out His ministry in the world around
us.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED IN ANY OTHER DENOMINATION—with
water in the Name of the Most Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit) and if you recognize the bread and wine is for you the
very Life of our Lord, received by faith, to sustain you as a
member of His Holy Fellowship, you are invited to receive Holy
Communion.
WE RECEIVE THE BREAD—upon the open right palm resting
upon your left palm. WE RECEIVE THE CHALICE (Cup)—by holding
its base with both hands and tipping it enough to receive a small
sip. IF YOU DO NOT DESIRE TO DRINK FROM THE CUP LEAVE—the
bread in your hand, and the Chalice Bearer will dip it in the
Cup and place the bread on your tongue.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH—to receive the Cup, place your
finger over your lips. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO RECEIVE Communion
but would like to receive a blessing, cross your arms over your
chest as you kneel at the rail.
AS WE ARE GOING TO—the Altar, we use the center aisle
and return to the pew, using the aisles to the left and right.
Ushers assist in directing us.
WE WOULD BE VERY PLEASED— should you come here and
worship with us. We will look forward to visiting with you during
the fellowship time following the service as we share the joy
and celebration of our wonderful God active and alive among us.
COME NOW, RELAX, AND JOIN US AS WE LEARN TO—Exalt
Jesus as Lord through timeless Catholic worship experience, Establish
Christian community in the Family of God, Equip family members
for ministry by discipling through Evangelical Truth from the
Bible, and Extend the Kingdom of God into the whole world in the
footsteps of the Apostles in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
|
