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 WORSHIP
Weekly Worship Schedule
Sunday
8am Worship with Holy Eucharist (no music)
9 & 9:30am Christian Formation for All Ages
10am Worship with Holy Eucharist (with music)
Nursery care is available for infants and children up to 3 years of age, beginning at 9am
through
the
end of
the
10am
service.
Nursery
care
is
also
open
to 3-6
year
olds
from
10:35
to the
end of
the
service. Parents are
invited to bring their children up to the worship service for communion or a blessing.
Nursery
is
located
between
the
church
and
the
Parish
Hall.
Wednesday
10am Worship (Healing Service) with Holy
Eucharist in the Memorial Chapel
4th Tuesday of the Month
4pm Worship with Holy Eucharist at Evergreen
Village (nearby retirement community)
 How
We Worship
Our worship service is divided into two halves:
The Liturgy of the Word and
The Liturgy of the Table (also known as the
Great Thanksgiving, the Holy Eucharist or the Holy Communion)
The Episcopal Church is liturgical - that is, it
has formal rites for public worship, drawn from past ages as well as from the
present. The Church utilizes three central texts: the Bible (read regularly
throughout the Church year), the Book of Common Prayer (contains services,
prayers, a calendar of the Church year and more), and a Hymnal (contains hymns
and chants).
 What
We Believe
We believe in the goodness of Creation, made by
God. We believe the Bible is the Word of God and contains all things necessary
to salvation. We believe in the Holy Trinity - we believe in God the Father
(who creates all things), God the Son (whose life, death and resurrection sets
us free from sin and death) and God the Holy Spirit (whose power of love moves
within us in mysterious and unexpected ways). We look forward to the return of
Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God's kingdom.
The Sacraments
In the Episcopal Church, we take part in certain
regular acts of worship called "sacraments".
Holy Baptism and
Holy
Eucharist are the two primary sacraments. These sacraments were instituted
and ordained by Jesus Christ.
Holy Baptism is administered once to
each person, usually as an infant, in the Episcopal Church. Water is poured on
the head to symbolize the washing away of sins. A&HT offers Holy Baptism on
certain days throughout the year - Easter, the Day of Pentecost, All Saints'
Day (or the Sunday following), the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, and during
the Bishop's visit. If you or a member of your family would like to be
baptized or have any questions about baptism, please call the church office.
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The Sacraments (cont)
 Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is
the reenactment of the Last Supper Jesus Christ shared with his disciples
before his death on the cross. During Holy Eucharist, ordinary bread and wine
become the sacramental vehicle for Jesus Christ's presence with us, as he
promised. In the Episcopal Church, and at A&HT, all baptized persons of any
Christian faith are welcome to share in this meal of bread and wine. If for
some reason you cannot come to the altar to receive, you may speak to an Usher
so that we may come to you. If you do not wish to receive communion, you are
invited to come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a
blessing.
Five other sacraments celebrated in the Episcopal
Church are Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of
a Penitent, Ordination, and
Unction. These were neither directly commanded by
Christ, nor applicable to everyone.
Confirmation is conferred by a bishop
and strengthens the commitment made to Christ at Baptism. At A&HT, both youth
and adults are invited to make a public affirmation of their faith and to
receive the laying on of hands by the bishop. Confirmation classes are
available for youth from September through May. Adults wishing to be confirmed,
received (if baptized in another Christian faith) or reaffirmed should contact
the church office for more information.
Holy Matrimony is the sacrament of
marriage, when God joins together a man and a woman in physical and spiritual
union. Adults wishing to be married at A&HT should contact the church office
as soon as possible.
Reconciliation of a Penitent is a
private confession of sins. While it is not a requirement in the Episcopal
Church, anyone may request an appointment with the Rector at A&HT to receive
reconciliation of a penitent from a priest and receive assurance of God's
forgiveness.
Ordination is the sacrament consecrating
Christians in service to God. Spiritual power and grace are given to help them
devote their lives to the good of the community - teaching, administering
sacraments and governing the Church.
Unction, or Ministry of Healing, is the
continuation of Christ's work among the sick. It may involve the laying on of
hands, anointing with oil, and praying for physical and spiritual health.
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