Trinity's pulpit
WORSHIP AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Worship at Trinity Church is open to all people, and you are welcome and invited to join with us for the Eucharist, which we believe is the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Eucharist means “thanksgiving” and it is the service of the Church instituted by Jesus as the way to make him present with us. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming community, and this spirit is reflected in who we are in our worship of the risen Jesus.
Our worship is dignified and reverent, but also relaxed and friendly. The “passing of the Peace” where we greet and welcome one another in God’s name is warm and animated. We are a congregation of smiling faces and happy hearts who fully participate in our worship experience. Many members of the congregation volunteer to read the appointed Scripture texts on Sunday mornings. We also have a dedicated cadre of Eucharistic Ministers who assist at the Sunday and Thursday Eucharist and take communion to the sick and shut-in.
Sunday worship at Trinity begins at 8:00 a.m. with a quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also called the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass) using Rite II, a contemporary language order, except during the season of Lent, and includes a sermon. There is no music, but the worship offers an excellent opportunity for both meditation and full participation.
Our 10:00 a.m. celebration of the Holy Eucharist uses Rite II. This worship also includes a sermon, but also organ music, the adult choir from September into June, and chanted psalm and parts of the Eucharistic liturgy. The parish has a history of gifted preachers who inspire and always challenge us by well-crafted interpretations and relating of the Scriptures
Each Sunday evening of the month a Contemplative worship experience is offered, alternating between Eucharist (on the first and third Sundays) and Evening Prayer (on the second, fourth, and fifth Sundays). This worship features candlelight, silence, readings from Scripture and other religious traditions, a meditative reflection on the readings, “Seekers” and those who practice religious meditation find this worship especially welcoming.
On Thursdays at 12 noon there is a quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Rite II) with the Laying on of Hands for parishioners desiring healing for themselves or for others. This ancient rite of the Church of healing strengthens many people.
Every morning from Monday to Saturday at 7:15am, we chant the daily office of Morning Prayer. We follow the use of the Mission of St. Clare (www.missionstclare.org) on our web-capable phones and Kindles, but all of the order is still available in the Book of Common Prayer and service music in the Hymnal, and we will always share.
Our worship style is celebratory, with colorful vestments and hangings, candles, and the participation of acolytes (servers) with processions, all of which are augmented on the major festivals of the church, e.g., All Saints’ Sunday, Christmas, Easter, and Trinity Sunday. Incense is used sparingly at the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist on these major feast days.
On special days we have an enlarged choir with singers from the wider community, and additional instruments to accompany the singing and special music. However, throughout the year we have the opportunity to embellish the music with our own musicians and those from the community playing their instruments of expertise to add to the richness of the worship of Trinity.
