WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be welcomed.
Walking into a new church, or a new denomination, can be an intimidating experience. However, everyone is welcome to worship with us at Holy Trinity Church. To make things a bit easier for you, we offer this brief introduction of what newcomers might expect. If you have questions during the service, feel free to ask someone nearby or one of the ushers at the back of the church.
The Act of Worship
Episcopal Church services are congregational. As you enter the church, you’ll be greeted by an usher and be given a pew bulletin which will guide you through the service, containing all the prayers, responses and readings. It will also tell you when to stand or kneel. Practices vary, even among Episcopalians. Generally, we stand to sing; prayers are said either standing or kneeling; we stand to hear the Gospel and sit to hear the other readings.
On the back of the pews, you will find two books: the blue 1982 Hymnal and the black Book of Common Prayer from which all services are conducted. Pew bulletins are used to make following the services easier, especially for newcomers.
On entering the pews, many people will bow to the altar and kneel in the pew for personal prayer. Others will not. This is another sign of the diversity of Episcopalian practices.
Services
The main service at Holy Trinity is the 10:00 service on Sunday morning. There is organ music accompanied by the choir. After this service, there is always a well-attended coffee hour in the parish hall.
For those who prefer a more meditative service, there is also an 8:00 service on Sunday morning. The content is the same as at the 10:00 service, but there is no music and, generally, fewer children.
There is also a 5:00 service on Saturday evening. It is much like the 8:00 service but occasionally there is special music at this service, and in the summers it is followed by a cookout once a month.
[Note: During Summer months we worship on Saturday @5pm and Sunday @ 9am]
Coming and Going
When you visit an Episcopalian church, you will be a respected and welcomed guest. You will not be singled out in any way nor asked to stand before the congregation nor to come forward. You will simply be part of our family as we worship God.
If you would like more information about Holy Trinity, go to What’s Going On.
