=> Inviting => Worship
=> Inviting => Worship
The parish is, first of all, a worshiping community.
All services are Eucharist centered. Rite One (using traditional
language) is generally followed.During the months of September through June, the services are at 8 and at 10 am. During the summer months of July and August, the services are also at 8 and 10 am.
The earlier service is a spoken mass (with no music). Rite One (with traditional language) is almost always followed. St. John's Chapel is often used; it provides a quiet intimate space.
The later service is a sung high service. Rite One (with traditional language) is generally followed. However, Rite Two (using contemporary language) may be used in other seasons, such as Lent. We have used other authorized services (such as the so-called "inclusive language" forms) during the summer.
Our choir leads the service music, and sings anthems (except during the Summer). In organist terms, we are a "four hymn" church, with a processional, recessional, and hymns before the Gospel is read, or while the offering is collected, or after communion.
Within the worship service, there is ample opportunity for lay participation. We have an Altar Guild, a choir, several lay readers, intercessors, and licensed chalice bearers, and a staff of ushers.
Church School is at 10:15, during the school year. A Nursery is available. Donna Talmage is Director of Christian Education.
A spoken mass is offered at 10 am in St. John's Chapel.
On the First Sunday in Advent we have a sung litany
procession, occasionally with incense.
On a Sunday in Advent, we may have a service of Lessons.
We have a Christmas Eve, and a Christmas Day service. During the twelve days of Christmas, we often have a Service of Lessons and Carols.
During Epiphany, the statues of the Wise Men, and their camels, move from the font, and join the shepherds gathered in the creche scene. Often children join in the procession. On a Sunday in Epiphany, we may have a service of Lessons.
Ash Wednesday is the occasion for the imposition of ashes.
On the First Sunday in Lent we have a sung litany procession, occasionally with incense.
On Palm Sunday, we have special music and enacted lessons. Some years, we have held a procession through the neighborhood.
On Wednesday, we often have Tenebrae, a service of shadows based on historic texts.
On Maundy Thursday. we have a communion service in the evening, usually with the washing of feet, followed by the stripping of the altar.
On Good Friday, we have a vigil from noon to three, at the Altar of Repose in the small side chapel. It is decorated with spring plants to symbolize Gethsemane. There is a communion service in the evening.
On Easter Eve, we have the Great Vigil of Easter. It is common to have baptisms on this occasion.
On Easter, we have special music, often with extra musicians.
These are observed with special celebrations.
We may observe Candlemas, as we did in 2003.
We observe Trinity Sunday, our titular day, with a special
procession, some years with incense.
On All Saints Day in November, we read a list of those people who
have passed on, and we offer prayers in remembrance.
We may have Evensong services, from time to time, sometimes with guest choirs.
These are scheduled at the convenience of the bishops of the diocese, and are often occasions of baptisms, and confirmations.
We seek to provide opportunities for the laity to serve, as Altar Guild, Choir, Acolytes, Readers and Intercessors, Chalice Bearers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers-B, and Ushers.
Betty Walker directs the Altar Guild.
Usually, the chalice bearers serve as acolytes, and crucifer in the procession.
Occasionally, the youth of the parish serve as crucifer, incenser, thurifer, gospel bearer, and so on in the procession, and assist the celebrant during the service.
We usually send some to the Diocesan Acolyte Festival each year. Pictures from 2001.
We have several licensed chalice bearers. The chalice bearers are trained by the rector, and serve in rotation. Currently, they include: Richard Johnson, Dale Fleming, Jean Macdonald, Jan Boyd, and Milt Boyd.
We have two licensed Eucharistic Visitors, who distribute
communion to shut-ins. Currently, they include: Jan Boyd, and
Milt Boyd.
We also have two people trained as Lay Eucharistic Ministers - B
( LEM-B), Betty Walker and Richard Johnson. The national church
has phased out the use of LEM-Bs.
The members of the choir include:
Joyce Painter Rice is Music Director and Organist, and as such is Choir Master.
We have two LEM-Bs to take communion to shut-ins. We are about to train more according to the latest Diocesan regulations.
We have more than a dozen who, each Sunday, lead the congregation in the Lessons, Psalms, and the Prayers of the People.
We have about a dozen ushers who greet parishioners, distribute service booklets, and provide assistance as needed.
|
Play midi file courtesy of Chris Cerrato (not available to all browsers) |
|
| First Words: "Holy, Holy, Holy!" |
Hymn Tune: Nicaea 11 12. 12 10 |
| Words by: Reginald Heber 1837 |
Music by: John B. Dykes 1861 |
Copyright © 1998- Trinity Episcopal Church
last revised and validated