| 3550 Southwest Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133 Phone: 817-926-8277 -- Fax: 817-926-8278 Preschool: 817-923-2040 email: st.christophers@att.net |
St. Christopher Episcopal Church
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To Know Christ and Make Him Known
| Worship Services - Getting Comfortable in Worship... |
The Resources You'll Use
In the pew rack in front of you, you will find:
inserts that tells you which of the resources or inserts you'll be using as worship progresses.
In addition, during worship the priest, or lay minister will frequently announce page numbers
and hymns.
Ritual Actions
You may be mystified by things you see people around you do: bowing, making the sign of
the cross, going down on one knee, standing at times, kneeling on both knees at others.
While we generally stand to praise, kneel to pray and sit for instruction, many actions are up
to an individual's personal spirituality. If you don't understand an action or don't like it, you
don't have to do it. There is no "authorized" way of doing things.
Symbolism
Symbolism gives our inner spirituality a concrete expression. There are many symbols in
Episcopal worship that need explanation. A few of the more important symbols:
Passing the Peace
Midway through the service, the congregation will "Pass the Peace." You might find yourself
approached by other worshippers offering to shake hands (you can hug if comfortable but
you don't have to) and say "God's peace be with you," or something similar. You can
respond, "And also with you," or, again, something similar. If you don't want to participate,
just be seated and we'll leave you alone.
Sermons
Sermons at St. Christopher are not meant to tell people What to think, but to stimulate them
in their own spiritual search. If you don't agree with something you hear, you don't have to
agree. You might take it as an invitation to develop your own ideas in ways that seem right
for you. Our Priest will be happy to visit with you about his sermons.
Receiving Holy Communion
All visitors who have been baptized with water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, and who have been admitted to Communion in their own church, are welcome to
share the Holy Eucharist. If you wish to receive communion, feel free to come to the altar rail
at the appropriate time and take your cue from those next to you. It is also appropriate to
come to the altar rail to receive the bread but not wine, or to receive only a blessing from the
priest. Simply cross your arms over your chest when the minister approaches with the
element you do not wish to receive.
There's a Learning Curve!
You caught us! We admit it. The learning curve in the Episcopal Church means our visitors
often feel like they have two left feet while everybody else knows the dance steps. It takes
time to learn the dance, but it's worth the effort. We worship as we do so that we can have
access to wonderful, millennia-old ways of worshipping God. ...And all those folks who
know the dance steps? Every one of them has been right where you are. They'd love to help
you if you need it. Don't be afraid to ask.
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour is held every Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Parish Hall and after
the 10:30 service. Stop by after the 8:00 service or after the 10:30 service for the fellowship.
Visitors are especially welcome!
An Invitation
In the pew rack in front of you, you will also find a visitor card. Please tell us about you and
your family. We want to get to know you, and I believe that you will want to get to know us.
Please drop the card in the offering plate or give it to an usher. If you want to become a
member of St. Christopher, just fill out a New Communicant Card located in the narthex in
the pamphlet shelf and leave it with an usher. If you are Episcopalian, we will send for your
letter of transfer. If you are from another denomination, you will be registered as a baptized
communicant and we will contact you when the next communicant's class begins. If you are
not yet baptized, please contact Fr. Stanford regarding baptismal instruction.
In the pew rack in front of you, you will find:
- A black "Book of Common Prayer"
- The blue "Hymnal 1982"
- The "Holy Bible"
inserts that tells you which of the resources or inserts you'll be using as worship progresses.
In addition, during worship the priest, or lay minister will frequently announce page numbers
and hymns.
Ritual Actions
You may be mystified by things you see people around you do: bowing, making the sign of
the cross, going down on one knee, standing at times, kneeling on both knees at others.
While we generally stand to praise, kneel to pray and sit for instruction, many actions are up
to an individual's personal spirituality. If you don't understand an action or don't like it, you
don't have to do it. There is no "authorized" way of doing things.
Symbolism
Symbolism gives our inner spirituality a concrete expression. There are many symbols in
Episcopal worship that need explanation. A few of the more important symbols:
- Bread and wine in Holy Communion is the real presence of Christ
- Crosses remind us of Jesus' sacrifice for us
- The candles represent the light of God's inspiration
- Colors on the altar are a reminder of the current church season
- Passing the Peace expresses the congregation's unity as we prepare for Holy
Communion
Passing the Peace
Midway through the service, the congregation will "Pass the Peace." You might find yourself
approached by other worshippers offering to shake hands (you can hug if comfortable but
you don't have to) and say "God's peace be with you," or something similar. You can
respond, "And also with you," or, again, something similar. If you don't want to participate,
just be seated and we'll leave you alone.
Sermons
Sermons at St. Christopher are not meant to tell people What to think, but to stimulate them
in their own spiritual search. If you don't agree with something you hear, you don't have to
agree. You might take it as an invitation to develop your own ideas in ways that seem right
for you. Our Priest will be happy to visit with you about his sermons.
Receiving Holy Communion
All visitors who have been baptized with water, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, and who have been admitted to Communion in their own church, are welcome to
share the Holy Eucharist. If you wish to receive communion, feel free to come to the altar rail
at the appropriate time and take your cue from those next to you. It is also appropriate to
come to the altar rail to receive the bread but not wine, or to receive only a blessing from the
priest. Simply cross your arms over your chest when the minister approaches with the
element you do not wish to receive.
There's a Learning Curve!
You caught us! We admit it. The learning curve in the Episcopal Church means our visitors
often feel like they have two left feet while everybody else knows the dance steps. It takes
time to learn the dance, but it's worth the effort. We worship as we do so that we can have
access to wonderful, millennia-old ways of worshipping God. ...And all those folks who
know the dance steps? Every one of them has been right where you are. They'd love to help
you if you need it. Don't be afraid to ask.
Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour is held every Sunday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Parish Hall and after
the 10:30 service. Stop by after the 8:00 service or after the 10:30 service for the fellowship.
Visitors are especially welcome!
An Invitation
In the pew rack in front of you, you will also find a visitor card. Please tell us about you and
your family. We want to get to know you, and I believe that you will want to get to know us.
Please drop the card in the offering plate or give it to an usher. If you want to become a
member of St. Christopher, just fill out a New Communicant Card located in the narthex in
the pamphlet shelf and leave it with an usher. If you are Episcopalian, we will send for your
letter of transfer. If you are from another denomination, you will be registered as a baptized
communicant and we will contact you when the next communicant's class begins. If you are
not yet baptized, please contact Fr. Stanford regarding baptismal instruction.