Christ Church -

What's A "Typical" Sunday Like?

Walking into a church for the first time (or for the first time in a long time) can be intimidating. Please be assured that at Christ Church, you'll receive a warm, friendly welcome.

We're genuinely glad that you've chosen to worship with us, and we look forward to meeting you. The following information may help you know what to expect when you join us on Sunday mornings.

Worship

The Episcopal Church uses formal instruction, or rites, for public worship. The rites are based ancient and modern practices.

Being an Episcopal Church also means we follow a liturgy - a schedule of scripture readings, prayers, and congregational responses that are set forth in the Book of Common Prayer (and, for ease of use, reprinted in weekly service booklet). The Book of Common Prayer is the official liturgy of the Episcopal Church. The BCP also includes instructional information regarding the administration of the liturgy, services for all occasions, prayers, collects, devotions and an outline of faith or Catechism. Click here to view a listing of "Episcopal Things" published by Dr, Gerald Smith of The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

Although the content of services changes from week to week, the pattern of worship remains basically the same throughout the church year. The Book of Common Prayer, in addition to being a wonderful aid to worship, is one of the great literary achievements of the English language. Two-thirds of the prayers and responses in the Book of Common Prayer are themselves taken from the Bible.

Episcopalians worship the Lord as a community in devotion and meditation. The congregational responses throughout the service make Episcopal worship participatory. Lay people (members) actively participate in worship, responding to liturgical greetings like, "The Lord be with you", and agreeing to prayer with "Amen!" We hope that because the service is printed in the service bulletin, it is easy for visitors to follow and join in. Please remember that participation is voluntary!

Many - but by no means all of us - kneel or cross ourselves at various points in the service. We stand for praise, stand or kneel for prayer, and sit for instruction. We also stand for our Creeds, at Eucharist, and for the reading of the Gospel. These actions are personal preferences intended to enhance individual worship experience and are purely optional. If you don't feel comfortable worshiping in this way, that's no problem. If you find these traditions helpful, that's great too!

Sunday worship services include readings from the Old and New Testaments, a Psalm, a sermon based on the day's scriptures, recitation of a Creed, congregational prayers, several congregational hymns, a choral anthem, and a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion at Christ Church.

The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds are ancient, ecumenical and traditional standards of faith - second only to Holy Scripture. Creeds are summaries of the Christian faith.

Our Hymnal contains both hymns and chants. The congregation is encouraged to sing along with the choir in praise to God. It doesn't matter if you can carry a tune or not. Any music done in praise of God is great music.

We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. A Rite I (traditional language) service begins at 8:00 AM. A Rite II (contemporary language) service begins at 10:00 AM. Our use of both Rites in celebrating the Eucharist lets our parishioner exercise personal preference in liturgical style. On Wednesday's we have a Healing Service at 10:00 AM.

Please join us for worship at Christ Church. We can't wait to meet you!

Music

Music plays an important role in our life together at Christ Church. Our Director of Church Music is Dr. Christopher Durrenberger, Assistant Professor of Piano at Wittenberg University. Our adult choir practices from September to June every Wednesday evening from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. We have many talented young musicians in our parish as well and they are invited to offer their gifts as the prelude or postlude.

Our organ is a historic Skinner organ, built by Ernest Skinner in 1917-18. Extensive renovation were completed in the Fall of 2003.

Our piano is a Steinway D piano, rebuilt in 2001 by Dr. Durrenberger, and is one of the finest pianos in Springfield.