Early each Sunday morning, a small group gathers in the Peace and Justice Chapel. The candles are lit while the quiet of the new day is still palpable. The poetic phrases of the traditional language lift into the air. It is a quiet, reverent way to begin Sunday and can be a good change of pace or a good time to be with God on a Sunday with other commitments.
At this service, the Eucharist is celebrated in a circle, in simplicity, with shared reflections and periods of silence, through gifts of music, storytelling and interpretation. We follow The Book of Common Prayer’s An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist (page 400). The rubric states, “This rite requires careful preparation by the Priest and other participants.” To do so…
We plan each week’s service, designing it through selected Bible lessons, music, special Eucharistic prayers, non-Biblical readings, dramatic presentations- however the Spirit (and such practicalities as time) leads us. The planning gets conveyed into a weekly planning sheet used by that week’s coordinator to choose participants in the service, and by the church office to make up the weekly booklet. Typically ten lay people have parts in each week’s service, from reading a lesson to leading the meditation to inviting the congregation to share prayers to offering the Eucharistic bread. And with this preparation…
We worship together as part of our journey with our God. Be adventurous and join us at 8:30 am Sunday morning in the Church. Thanks be to God!
Our largest Sunday service follows the 9:30am Education Hour. Our prayers and praises are lifted up by our fine choir and beautiful organ as well as a full liturgy. On special Sundays such as Annual Meeting Sunday, Homecoming Sunday, and Pentecost Sunday, we combine our services for some especially festive worship experiences usually followed by a huge feast in the Parish Hall or a picnic in the street.
*Nursery Provided
The 7 pm. Sunday evening Taizé service is based on a form of worship from Taizé, an ecumenical monastic community in France that brings together youth and people of all ages, from all over all over the world, speaking many different languages and from many different religious traditions. From this diversity, Taizé has developed a community prayer that is meditative and easily accessible for all. Readings and prayers are simple and short. Following the Gospel or a short meditation, there is an extended period of silence for individual reflection. Songs are simple melodic chants repeated over and over, contributing to the meditative and accessible quality of prayer. We offer this service as a quiet end to a busy weekend or beginning to the new next week.
Peace is a word of vast definition, but it can rarely be seen as a state or concept that we just “let happen.” A reading of more than ten translations of the Beatitudes, found in the fifth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, reveals a consistent use of the word “peacemakers.” We are called to be makers and maintainers of peace. For our peacemaking to be intentional we must be fed and fortified, informed, supported and challenged; we must be praying and prayed-for people.
Gathering at 7:00 am every Tuesday for Eucharist with a special focus on peace and justice helps us to be peacemakers. The service is held in the Justice and Peace Chapel, and we linger afterwards for a light breakfast in the Upper Parish House, sharing concerns and opportunities during lively conversation. Come join us. Together let us wage peace. Click here for Peace & Justice Group 2005 Priorities.
Residents of the Memorial Apartments and friends gather on Wednesday at 10:30 am in the Chapel for the Holy Eucharist and Healing Service.