Worship
SUNDAY SERVICES
Two services of Holy Eucharist are offered on Sundays. The 8:30 am service of Holy Eucharist, Rite I, is in the Canadian Chapel. The 10:00 am service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II with music, is in the nave. Both the Canadian Chapel and the nave are located inside the main church building. Bulletins, hand sanitizer and masks are available on the host table near the entrance to the chapel and the nave.
Worship FAQ
What do I do when I arrive?
Entering worship in a new place can feel intimidating. Many may feel lost or confused, especially when there may be unknown expectations and unfamiliar traditions. At Resurrection, our goal is to help you feel at ease. Please do not hesitate to ask our ushers if you have any questions.
Please note that many at our church gather before and after the service, while some go into the church early to prepare their hearts and minds for worship. The ringing of the bell marks the beginning of the worship service.
What books are in the pew?
In the pews you will find the Book of Common Prayer, which guides our worship and helps us participate in corporate worship. In addition, you will find a copy of the Episcopal Hymnal 1982 to help us sing the service music and the hymns. The ‘order of worship’, also known as the bulletin, will be handed to you at the door, and this will also help guide your worship experience.
When do I sit, stand, and kneel?
You will notice that some sit, some kneel, and some stand, and they may do so at different times. All generally stand when we sing, for psalms, when we affirm our faith in the creed, share the peace, and for the Gospel reading. During the prayers, you will find that some stand and others kneel. Please feel free to choose whichever is more natural for you. Please remain seated for Bible readings, the sermon, announcements and anthems.
Two different services. Which one do I choose?
There are two main services on Sunday mornings. The first is at 8:30 a.m. in the Canadian Chapel. This Eucharistic service uses traditional language and has no music.
The second service is at 10:00 a.m. in the main church. This service uses modern language and music. Please know that, whatever service you attend, it will make more sense the more you participate from week to week.
What are the people leading the service wearing?
There are usually people dressed in robes in the altar area. The different robes signify different ministries. Baptized ministers or Laity often wear a black robe called a cassock, and a white pullover called a surplice. Our acolytes wear a red cassock with a surplice, and our choir wears blue robes.
The priest wears a white robe called an alb, which is a white tunic that covers their whole body. Over that the priest wears a stole, that colorful piece of fabric that goes around the back of their neck to the past their knees. At the Eucharist the priest will wear what is called a chasuble (a circular garment that covers most of the body). The color of the stole and chasuble are coordinated with the church calendar.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to get involved in worship. The best way to discern is to spend time in worship and prayer and to let the priest know so that they can get you the proper training.
Our Choir
Although COVID quarantine changed our choir size and meeting schedules, our music is going strong. We periodically feature various musicians and singers, and you can find out more on any Sunday before or after the 10:00 AM Rite II worship service.
Worship Ministries
This year's ANNUAL PARISH REPORT is available on our Community page under News & Events.
Acolytes assist the priest in service at the altar during worship services at Resurrection. This is a ministry that requires special training.
The duties of an acolyte include:
lighting of candles at the altar
handling torches for the service
handling communion plates
extinguishing the candles after the service
carrying the choir cross
carrying flag or banner if needed
helping the priest with communion
carrying the main cross
ringing of sanctus bells during the service at the appointed time.
Training and refresher meetings are held throughout the year.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is responsible for preparing the altar for each worship service and taking care of the vessels, candles and linens. Any confirmed member of the parish can be appointed to the Altar Guild by the priest. Members are assigned to one of four teams, and each team is assigned to one week of the month and responsible for the services held that week. Two to three times a year, the entire Altar Guild meets for a workshop and a thorough cleaning of the church nave and sanctuary.
Chalicists
This ministry involves the administration of communion by lay persons as part of the Holy Eucharist. Words of administration are said when administering the chalice to communicants. The exercise of this ministry requires training and a license from the bishop which may be granted for up to three years. The proper vestment is a cassock with surplice. As a part of this service a person may carry the Gospel Book in procession, for the actual reading, and the recessional. There may be other occasions in which this person may perform acolyte duties and further participate in other types of services. Chalicists serve at the discretion of the priest.
Flower Guild
The Flower Guild is a subgroup of the Altar Guild; however, members are not required to be members of the Altar Guild. They are responsible for selecting fresh flowers from a wholesale or retail flower outlet and creating the floral arrangement that sits on the shelf behind the altar during a worship service. After Sunday morning services, the designated Flower Guild member removes and separates the arrangement into smaller arrangements for the Pastoral Care Ministers to take to members of the parish family unable to attend services or to a nursing facility.
Greeters
The role of the Greeter is be the smiling and welcoming face of Resurrection, welcoming worshippers, answering any questions and helping the newcomer and long-time parishioner feel at home in the church and service.
Readers
The main purpose of the Readers’ Ministry is to serve through reading at services thereby helping to enrich the worship experience for all. Participants in this ministry add to our corporate worship by reading the scriptures and leading the congregation in the Psalm and the Prayers of the People. Training sessions are held periodically and most readers serve once or twice a month.
Ushers
The role of the Ushers is to welcome worshippers into the church. The Ushers pass out service leaflets, assist persons with special needs, pass the alms plates through the congregation during the offertory and bring the alms to the altar for presentation.
Unction Ministers
Unction ministers provide provide prayers for healing to individuals during or after Sunday services.