Worship Schedule
Sundays 8:00 & 10:30am
Wednesdays 5:30 pm
Worship at Calvary
Worship in a liturgical tradition is often confusing at first. People are standing and sitting and kneeling and finding their way through a series of books with apparent ease. Do not feel out of place if you are new to this. You are welcome here. We are all here for the same reason: to worship God in community.
Liturgy (the form of worship) simply means “the work of the people.” We believe that it is the work of the people to worship God and be a witness of Jesus the Christ at all times. Coming together to worship formally in church is the “crowning moment” in a life committed to God.
The shape of the liturgy is made up of elements that date back thousands of years to the early church. We find meaning and value in carrying on this ancient heritage and interpreting it in new ways. A great deal that we do is inspired by Holy Scripture.
Books Used During Worship
The most important book in the church is the Holy Bible. The Episcopal Church is a biblically-centered church. Not only are passages from the Bible read during the service, but also most of our prayer book comes from the Bible. While Calvary does not provide Bibles in our pews, you are encouraged to read the Bible and to bring one with you to worship.
Two other important books are located in the rack on the back of each pew in the church: The Book of Common Prayer (red) and the Hymnal (blue). The Book of Common Prayer we use today has descended through generations in the Church from the first prayer book written in England in 1549. The present edition (1979) contains the principal services and prayers of the community (hence the word “common"). The hymnal, revised most recently in 1982, contains a rich history of sacred music from many traditions.
When to Stand, Sit, and Kneel
Generally, we stand to praise God (in song, in some prayers, and to listen to the Gospel), we sit to listen and learn about God (during the lessons and the sermon), and we kneel to pray to God (such as during the confession and the prayers of the people). Rubrics in the Book of Common Prayer provide guidance on the appropriate posture.
Receiving the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is one of the two great Sacraments of the church instituted by Jesus. The other is Holy Baptism. Sacraments are “outward and visible signs” by which we are assured to receive God’s grace.
The Holy Eucharist (which means “thanksgiving") is a celebration and commemoration of the Last Supper, as described in several of the Gospels. Jesus commanded his followers to break bread and share wine in remembrance of the sacrifice of his body and blood for us. All baptized Christians may receive the Holy Eucharist in the Episcopal Church.
If you wish to receive this sacrament, walk up the center aisle when directed by the ushers. Stand or kneel at the altar rail, extending both hands toward the priest. The host (bread) will be placed in your hands. You may consume the host at once or intinct it in the chalice (cup) when it is offered by the Eucharistic Minister.You may also drink from the chalice as it is offered by guiding it to your lips. If you do not wish to receive the wine, cross your arms in front of yourself as a signal to the chalice bearer. If you do not wish to receive communion at all, but desire the blessing of the church, cross your arms when the host is offered. Please guide your children who are not yet receiving communion to cross their arms to receive a blessing from the clergy.
