What To Expect When You Visit

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The Holy Eucharist (the service of Holy Communion) lies at the heart of our worship. It makes the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus present to all believers, and unites us with Christ in his offering of himself to the Father. All three Sunday services at Church of Our Saviour are celebrations of the Eucharist. This follows the ancient tradition of the Church and gives our worship its sacramental quality. And all our services come directly from the Book of Common Prayer, which is the primary liturgical and doctrinal text of the Episcopal Church.

While our services are all Eucharistic, each one has a distinctive character. If you come to the 8 o’clock service in the Rock Chapel, you will experience very quiet and traditional worship without music. We use the Rite I liturgy, which employs Elizabethan language and thus hearkens back to the original Book of Common Prayer used by the Church of England. The Rock Chapel, a lovely building dating back to 1906, promotes a contemplative tone of worship which is evident at the 8 o’clock service.

By contrast, the 9 o’clock liturgy focuses on families with young children. Taking place in the main church, it is a full celebration of the Eucharist (Rite II) but has been slightly abbreviated at points for the sake of a younger congregation (we have two readings instead of the normal three and shorter Prayers of the People). We offer a children’s homily every week, and try to make worship as accessible as possible for young people. That said, we also want to feed the adults who attend (many of whom do not have children with them). After Holy Communion has been administered, children leave for Church School (during the school year) and adults stay for an adult sermon. Music for this service combines traditional hymns with more contemporary songs. In addition, the COOS Celebration Choir (composed of adults) and the St. Nicholas Choir (composed of children) sing regularly at this service.

The 11 o’clock service is a full Rite II Eucharist with adult choir (except for summer). This liturgy feels more formal and traditional than the 9 o’clock and seeks to embody the very best of Anglican worship. In addition to our outstanding adult choir, the handbell choir also plays in this service regularly.

People sometimes wonder who may receive Holy Communion. In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive. If you wish to do so, please come forward to the altar when Communion is shared. Most people at COOS kneel to receive, but you should feel free to stand if kneeling is not a comfortable option for you. Extending your hands (one on top of the other) indicates to the priest that you would like to receive the Bread. To receive the Wine, you may either take a sip directly from the Chalice or intinct (dip) the Bread into the Wine. Gluten-free wafers and a gluten-free chalice are available. You may speak with the clergy before the service or request it at the altar rail during the ministration of Holy Communion.

If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion but would like to receive a blessing at the altar rail, please come forward when Communion is shared. While at the rail, cross your hands over your chest. That will tell the priest you wish to receive a blessing.

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