1. We Love a Parade. The principal service is Holy Eucharist at 10:30 on Sunday morning. It commences with a procession of the choir, lay ministers and clergy, moving up the center aisle as everyone sings the opening hymn. Soon, after some prayers and Scripture readings, will come the Gospel procession, in which the Book of the Gospels is brought out to the center of the nave, where the deacon reads the passage for the day. Then at the Offertory, the verger, crucifer and two torch bearers lead another procession – the ushers bringing the alms basins, several parishioners bringing the bread and wine for communion, and children bringing canned goods for the poor – up to the altar. And finally, when the service comes to an end, everyone remains standing while the ministers depart in, you got it, a procession.

2. Where’s the action? The altar is the central focal point in an Episcopal church. (Technically, the area inside the altar rail is called the sanctuary, and the area where the congregation sits is the nave.) At St. Bartholomew’s, the lectern and pulpit are at the front of the nave to the right of the altar and the baptismal font is to the left. Also at St. Bartholomew’s, the choir and organ are at the back. The first half of the Holy Eucharist is referred to as the Liturgy of the Word and takes place mostly at the lectern and the pulpit, and the second half, the Holy Communion, takes place at the altar. (This part of the service begins with the offertory, when the bread and wine are brought up to the altar.)

3. Sit, stand and (occasionally) kneel. After the Liturgy was revised in the 1970s, Episcopalians have been kneeling less and standing more. We still kneel for the General Confession, and for certain prayers during Lent. And some parishioners just find kneeling more conducive to an attitude of prayer. Do what you feel comfortable with and no one else will pay you any mind. Generally, we sit for the readings and sermon, and stand for hymns, Gospel reading, prayers and the Eucharistic celebration at the altar.

4. By the book. In our worship, we use the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the Hymnal 1982, but most of the service is printed in the bulletin to make it easier to follow along. You’ll notice that much of our service comes from the Bible – an Old Testament reading , New Testament reading, Gospel reading and a Psalm that is sung. Plus, two-thirds of the Prayer Book is taken directly from Scripture.

5. Holy smoke! Not every Sunday, but on major holy days, incense is a part of the service, both in the processions and at the altar. A bell is rung at the consecration of the bread and wine. And you may notice too that some people genuflect (kneel briefly on one knee) at certain points in the service, many bow (for example, when the cross passes in procession) and at other times make the sign of the cross (at the Absolution following the Confession, for example). These are personal expressions of devotion that some, but certainly not all, find meaningful in their worship. Do as the Spirit leads and don’t worry about what others may think. They probably won’t even notice.

6. A woman’s place is at the altar. We have always had at least one female priest among the clergy at St. Bartholomew’s after the Episcopal Church authorized the ordination of women in 1977. Whether the priest is male or female, young or old, gay or straight, black or white makes no difference at St. Bartholomew’s. (In fact, we have all the above.) And, for that matter, children are as much a part of worship here as the rest of us. See Children.

7. You’re welcome. All are invited to receive the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist. Even if you are not receiving communion, you may choose to come to the altar rail to receive a blessing. Other people likely will be remaining in their seat during communion, so if you choose not to come forward, you won’t be alone. And after the service, please join us in the parish hall for coffee and conversation.

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