SOME
NOTES ABOUT 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 Lay Eucharistic
Ministers who assist at the Sunday and Thursday Eucharists and take communion
to the sick and shut-in.
Sunday worship at Trinity begins at 8 a.m. with a quiet celebration of the
Holy Eucharist (also called the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper,
or the Mass) using Rite One, a traditional language order, with sermon.
There is no music, but the service offers an excellent opportunity for both
meditation and full participation.
Our 10 a.m. celebration of the Holy Eucharist uses Rite Two, a contemporary
language order. This service also includes organ and adult choir, with sermon.
Our Rector is a gifted preacher who inspires and always challenges us by
her well-crafted interpretations and relating of the Scriptures. Other members
of our clergy group also preach from time to time.
Candlelight, silence, readings from Scripture and other religious traditions,
a meditative reflection on the readings, and communion around the altar
accent the Contemplative Eucharist at 5 p.m. on alternating Sundays of each month. “Seekers” and those who practice
religious meditation are especially welcome to join us at this innovative
service.
The Liturgy of Evening Prayer takes place at 5:00 p.m. on the alernating Sunday with the Contemplative Eucharist.
Family celebrations of the Holy Eucharist are scheduled on the first Sunday of each month
at 9 a.m. and feature simple music, shorter readings,
an informal homily, and communion around the altar. Please check the current
Worship listing for the next scheduled Family Eucharist.
On Thursdays at 12 noon there is a quiet celebration of the Holy Eucharist
(Rite Two) with the Laying on of Hands for parishioners desiring healing
for themselves or for others. This ancient rite of the Church strengthens
many people.
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.
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 services.
