Worship
The foundation of our common life at Christ Episcopal Church is Jesus Christ and the worship life that we share with one another and the wider community.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is at the center of the expression of our faith and a sense of joy permeates our worship. On Sundays, there are two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Worship
Our 8:00 a.m. celebration is “said” according to Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer for a typically small but faithful congregation; between 24 and 35 persons. It is distinguished by the use of more traditional language and is offered without music or hymnody. The celebrant vests in appropriate Eucharistic vestments: alb, stole, and chasuble.
The 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist is celebrated according to Rite II, alternately using Eucharistic Prayers A, B, C and less frequently, Prayer D. During the interim we have celebrated with the Sursum Corda and responses sung by the celebrant and people and the Psalm is now being sung by the choir and congregation to Anglican plain chant. Liturgical music is an essential part of our celebration. Adam M. Pajan, our gifted organist and music director began his ministry on the same day as our Interim Rector. He is a student at the Institute for Sacred Music at Yale University. The choir and choristers often perform Communion or Offertory Anthems. Occasionally, members of our “Cherub Choir” offer a hymn during the Eucharist. Since Sunday school is offered from the start of the service, children re-join their families following the exchange of Peace. Lay liturgical assistants play an important role in our worship as: members of the Altar Guild; as lectors, chalicists, torch bearers, crucifers, acolytes, intercessors, ushers, greeters, on high Holy Days as thurifer, and as presenters at the Offertory.
Special Worship Services
During the liturgical year, special services are celebrated, including: Choral Evensong, St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals (planned for Oct. 2009), the Ecumenical Blessing of Palms on Passion Sunday, Epiphany and various other Holy Days.
The Ecumenical Liturgy of the Blessing of Palms is celebrated in the middle of the Guilford Green jointly with the clergy and people of St. George Roman Catholic Church, located directly across the Guilford Green from us, and with the clergy and people of the First Congregational Church on the northern end of the Green. This coming Palm Sunday (2010) the Right Reverend Laura Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut will make an Episcopal Visitation to the parish and will preach and be principle celebrant at the 10:00 Holy Eucharist and will participate in the Liturgy of the Blessing of Palms on the Green.
Holy Week (scc schedule posted under “EVENTS”)
The Liturgies of Holy Week are observed at Christ Episcopal Church as proscribed by the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Occasional Services. A Service of Tenebrae is offered on Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday is marked by Holy Eucharist, the Pedalavium (ceremonial foot washing) solemn stripping of the altar and transfer of the Reserved Sacrament to the Altar of Repose for Good Friday. The Prayer Book’s Liturgy of Good Friday was returned to the schedule of services in 2009. Previously Christ Episcopal Church had hosted an Ecumenical “Seven Last Words’” Good Friday Service. The Holy Spirit continues to be an active presence in this time of transition as we seek to call the next Rector of Christ Episcopal Church.