Tuesdays 8:00 am Contemplative Prayer (30 minutes of individual silent prayer) Tuesdays Pray and Play 9:45 am except for the 1st Tuesday of each month, which then meets at 11:15am
Pray and Play and Holy Eucharist An invitation to all families with very young children: Join us for an informal time of worship, lasting just 30 minutes. The children will be encouraged to participate in the story, sing simple songs, learn to pray and share the bread and wine (grape juice). We will gather in the lower parish hall, as the signs indicate.
Sunday Adult Forum There is an adult forum series in the lounge area of the parish hall. All are welcome. The forum is available during the program year from September to May. Refreshments will be served.
Sunday Holy Eucharist All are welcome to receive the sacrament of Eucharist. Services are held at 8am (without music) and 10am (with music).The children may attend Sunday school during the 10am adult
worship time and will return to be with their families during Holy Communion together. There is nursery care for babies and
toddlers in our delightful nursery. We have trained staff who care for
the tiny ones. Coffee hour following 10am service. Baptisms, weddings (and blessings) and Confirmation classes are arranged by consulting the rector.
Adults who have been Confirmed in another tradition/denomination are invited to be Received into the Episcopal Church. Consult the rector.
There is an Inquirer’s Class for anyone who is interested in finding out more about Christianity, about the Episcopal Church, about the Church of the Messiah. Consult the rector.
Music is a very important part of our 10 a.m. service. We use both an electronic organ and piano in worship. We sing many songs, including some old favorites and others which are much more contemporary.
Our adult vocal choir is always willing to incorporate new members. Led and accompanied by choir director, Laura Craig, the choir sings at the 10 a.m. service every Sunday and on most other holy days, except during July and August. The choir also sings two or three concerts each year, including an annual concert in which other groups join us. Rehearsals are Sundays before and after the 10 a.m. service, and as needed for special occasions. Their much-appreciated ministry adds to the beauty of our worship.
We also have a wonderful bell choir and a fine set of bells. This group traditionally rehearses each Thursday evening. The group is taking a sabbatical for the 2019 season and would welcome any new members for the 2020 season which starts September 2020. We play monthly at the 10 a.m. service and on special occasions. Anyone interested in joining this beautiful and rewarding ministry please contact Laura Craig, choir director.
In The Episcopal Church, the sacraments are very important. Our Book of Common Prayer says that “The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” (page 857)
We understand this to mean that symbols of bread, wine and water, for example, are the means we have to experience God’s presence, God’s truth with us and in us. We may not be able to articulate how this happens, how we are transformed by them, but we feel God’s presence as we receive these elements.
The two great sacraments are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist, (also called Holy Communion).
Other sacraments are confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, (forgiveness after confession), and unction, (anointing of the sick for the healing of mind body and spirit).
December 24: Christmas Eve - Early evening Children’s Pageant and late evening Mass with Carols.
December 25: Christmas Day - Family service with Holy Communion
Ash Wednesday - See calendar for times
Lent - Mondays in Lent: Stations of the Cross.
Palm Sunday - Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. The liturgy begins in expectation and celebration as we re-enact Jesus entrance into Jerusalem by reading the Gospel of his triumphant entry and as we bless and bear palms. Next we move into the lessons appointed for the Eucharist. We participate in the reading of the Passion narrative, the sermon for this day, the beginning of Holy week. Morning and Evening Prayer take you to Jerusalem with Jesus as he
began his final week on earth.
Tenebrae This special service of psalms and readings features the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, a symbol of our Lord, remains. This candle is hidden, representing the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end a loud noise is made symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection. The hidden candle is restored and by its light all depart in silence.
Maundy Thursday - The word Maundy is derived form the Latin word “Mandere” which means “to command.” Two commandments are given: first, “love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus washed the disciples feet as the symbol of his love, and thus in the liturgy we repeat this action. The second commandment is “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper was instituted during the annual Passover Seder. We will share a Seder meal together before the liturgy. Tonight after we have shared the Lord’s Supper, the last one Jesus ate with his disciples before crucifixion, we will remove the remaining consecrated bread and wine to a “Chapel of Repose” where they will remain. Then we will strip the altar area to create the sense of loss felt by Jesus’ followers as he was taken away.
Good Friday - Good Friday is the name given this day in the English tradition, the day the passion and death of our Lord is commemorated. The cross is reverenced during the evening liturgy of prayers and music, and we offer the reserved sacrament.
Holy Saturday, The Great Vigil of Easter - The
Great Vigil, held on Easter Eve, is the first service of Easter Day. The service consists of
four parts: a service of light (we begin in darkness with the entry of
the Pascal candle,) a service of 3 lessons (they tell our salvation
history) Baptism (we renew our baptismal vows) and the Holy Eucharist –
the first Communion of Easter. We celebrate and proclaim “Christ is
risen!” A Celebratory “Chocolate and Champagne” party in the rectory will follow the The Great Vigil Service.
Easter Day - Easter Day brings the joy of the risen Christ. Come join us and share as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection! An Easter egg hunt will take place after the 10 a.m. services (with a special visit by the Easter Bunny after the 10 a.m. Service).
Easter “special” Pray and Play - We welcome
all families with kids aged 6 and under.
Following the participatory worship there will be an Easter egg hunt.
Ascension Day Thursday Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) with music
Pentecost Occurring 50 days after Easter, it celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem.
Holy Saturday, The Great Vigil of Easter - The
Great Vigil, held on Easter Eve, is the first service of Easter Day. The service consists of
four parts: a service of light (we begin in darkness with the entry of
the Pascal candle,) a service of 3 lessons (they tell our salvation
history) Baptism (we renew our baptismal vows) and the Holy Eucharist –
the first Communion of Easter. We celebrate and proclaim “Christ is
risen!” A Celebratory “Chocolate and Champagne” party in the rectory will follow the The Great Vigil Service.