In worship, we acknowledge that we are in the presence of God. We start with “Blessed be God.” We show honor and respect, including with our bodies; that is why you will see some people bow, kneel, stand, or genuflect at times.
Our worship service follows a time-honored pattern—gathering, Word, meal, sending. While the words we use change a bit with each season of the church year, many words used in worship are repeated each Sunday.
We believe that words matter, that the words we speak help shape us in God-like ways. Repetition of worship words, so that they become familiar, and the use of written prayers leaves room for the Holy Spirit to move within us because wed onto have to focus on coming up with only our own words and sweating what comes next. Like a mantra, many people find the words we use in worship feed their soul and help them experience God’s presence and some freedom from their own concerns.
While we worship with the same words, you will notice that there is no uniformity in how we use our bodies in worship. Some people genuflect or bow toward the altar when entering and leaving the pew, and some people don’t. Some people turn and follow the processional cross as the symbol of Christ leading us into worship and then into the world after worship, and some people don’t turn and follow the cross. When we read the Gospel in the midst of the congregation—to remember Jesus’ presence with us always—we turn to face the Gospel book and reader. When we pray, you will notice people standing, sitting, or kneeling. We recognize that each of our bodies works differently and each of us worships in different ways. Episcopal worship services include the possibility of using your body in addition to your head and heart. There are many ways to feed your soul and experience God.
Music: A piano or organ leads our singing. Sometimes a choir, soloist, or duet add music. Our music variety covers hundreds of years. Some of us are strong singers and others are not.
What to Wear: We are casual and comfortable. For many that means jeans or slacks. For a few it means a dress or sport coat and tie.
The Offering: If you’re visiting, we don’t expect you to give an offering. People who call Church of Our Savior their church home give offerings for two main reasons: Giving back to God out of gratitude for all that God provides, and to support God’s work lived out through our ministries of prayer, teaching, feeding, healing, care, and worship.
Holy Eucharist: (aka Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper) is offered to ALL at Church of Our Savior. It’s a gift from God for strengthening faith, not a reward for being a good person.
Holy Baptism: Holy Baptism is available if you’ve not yet been baptized and want to learn and live Jesus’s way in the world. Talk to our priest.