Worship
Episcopal worship is essentially liturgical: the primary way Christians have worshiped since antiquity. At St. James’ Episcopal Church, we believe the liturgy is an ideal vehicle for worshipping God “in Spirit and Truth.”
We recognize that this may be strange or unfamiliar for many visitors. Below are some elements of worship you will encounter when you join us at St. James’.
Since the time of the Reformation, the most distinctive aspect of Anglican and Episcopal worship has been the use of The Book of Common Prayer. In this masterpiece of liturgy, we find everything needed to worship God as a community in a single volume. At St. James’, we use the 1979 BCP of the Episcopal Church with a combination of both Rite I and Rite II.
The Book of Common Prayer
Hymns and Songs
At St. James’, we have a magnificent organ and several very talented organists who provide the bulk of our worship music. The congregation lifts up their voice in song with the use the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church, a collection of some of the best music from the first millennium through the current century.
Vestments
Following the ancient Western Christian tradition, the clergy and servers wear special clothing during worship. These vestments have their roots in the clothing of late antiquity, but have taken on special significance and symbolism over the centuries. The basic vestment is the white alb (i.e. robe) or surplice (loose garment worn over the black cassock). This is reminiscent of the white robes given to new converts at their baptism, symbolizing being washed clean from our sins by Christ’s blood. Other vestments used by the priest include the scarf-like stole (symbolizing the promise of everlasting life) and the poncho-like chasuble, representing the yoke of Christ. These are usually colored according to the liturgical seasons.
Acolyte (altar server) in an alb
Acolyte in a cassock and surplice
Fr. Terry in various-colored chasubles: red for Pentecost and white for Easter
Preaching & Scripture
While we don’t usually think of preaching in these terms, the sermon is also an essential part of our worship, especially since the Reformation. In proper preaching, the truths from the Bible are brought out for all the congregation to see. At St. James’, we preach the Gospel from the Scriptures with the goal of exhalting Jesus, edifying the Church, and saving souls.
Not only do we preach from the Scriptures, but we also proclaim them in public reading at each service. In the readings from Holy Communion, we follow our Lord’s life through the Church year.
Holy Communion
It goes by several names, Holy Communion, the Eucharist (meaning “thanksgiving”), the Lord’s Supper, the Mass: this is the family meal for Christians and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. As such, all persons who have been baptized, and are therefore part of the extended family that is the Church, are welcome to receive the bread and wine, and be in communion with God and one another. Before we come to take Communion together, “we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people” (BCP p.859.
The above are the children’s paten and chalice made by one of our parishoners so children could learn about the practices and traditions of their church.
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