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The Processional
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The Celebrant will announce the start of the service with a scripture. Everyone stands as they are able and sings the opening hymn. |
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The opening prayer or collect
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Everyone stands as they are able. |
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The Gloria
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An ancient hymn of praise to God. Everyone stands and sings. |
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The Old Testament Lesson
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Everyone sits as a member of the congregation reads the appointed lesson. At the end the reader says, "The word of the Lord." The people respond, "Thanks be to God." |
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The Psalm
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After a short period of silence to reflect on the lesson we remain seated and read responsively a selection from the Psalms. The words are printed in the service bulletin. The Celebrant will read the first line or portion of the line and the congregation will read the second line or portion. |
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The New Testament Lesson
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Everyone sits as a member of the congregation reads the second appointed lesson. At the end the reader says, "The word of the Lord." The people respond, "Thanks be to God." |
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A hymn
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We stand to sing the first stanzas of a hymn. During this time the Book of Scriptures is brought, in procession, to the place from which the Gospel will be proclaimed. The remaining stanzas are sung after the Gospel.
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The Gospel
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Everyone stands as they are able for the Gospel reading. The priest will announce the gospel and everyone responds with, "Glory to you, Lord Christ." During the introduction of the Gospel some people will make the sign of the cross others will not. It is a matter of personal practice. At the end of the reading, the people will respond saying, "Praise to you, Lord Christ."
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The Children's Moment
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The children follow the altar party up to the steps at the front of the sanctuary. The priest or another adult spends a few minutes talking with the children and helping them relate to the lessons. Children may then exit to Sunday School (return during communion) or return to their pew.
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The Sermon
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Everyone sits to listen. Normally, the sermon is about 15-20 minutes in length.
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The Nicene Creed
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After the sermon, we stand and affirm our faith by saying the Creed.
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Prayers of the people
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Everyone remains standing as they are able as a member of the congregation leads us in prayers for the Church, the nation, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the commmunity, those in need, and the departed.
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Confession |
Everyone kneels or stands as we confess our sins against God and our neighbor. |
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The Peace
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This is the part that surprises most visitors who are not familiar with liturgical services. Here we greet one another in the name of the Lord and wish each person the Lord's Peace in their lives. Usually, a person will greet you saying, "The peace of the Lord be with you." The traditional response is, "And with you." Do whatever is comfortable.
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Announcements
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We sit and listen.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
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Anyone with a birthday or anniversary is invited to come up for a special prayer and blessing.
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Blessings and the offertory
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We sit for this part. The choir sings or music is played as the altar is prepared. During this time, the ushers will walk forward and pass the offertory plates. Once the offertory is collected, the ushers and two members of the congregation bring the offering, the bread and the wine forward. As they begin walking up the aisle, everyone stands.
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The Eucharist or Great Thanksgiving
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We remain standing and the liturgy of the communion service begins.
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Communion
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Once the consecration and the Lord's Prayer are finished, the communion procession begins as people move forward to receive the bread and wine. The ushers will indicate when it is your row's time to receive. All are welcome to the Lord's Table at St. Mark's. If you wish to receive just follow the others ahead of you. The priest will place the blessed bread in your hand. Some will eat the bread and then sip from the cup of wine as the server presents it. Some hold the bread and dip it in the cup of wine before consuming. Please use the method you prefer. After that simply return to your seat. If you do not wish to receive, feel free to remain at your seat. No one will pressure you one way or the other. After people make their communion, many kneel or sit in prayer.
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Communion hymn
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Just before the communion is finished, a hymn will start. We stand to sing this hymn as others finish their communion.
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Prayer of Thanksgiving
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Everyone kneels or stands for this prayer thanking God for the gifts we have just received.
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Closing hymn and Dismissal
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We stand and the altar party recesses from the church behind the cross and torches. Once the hymn ends the priest closes by saying "Let us go now into the world in peace to love and serve the Lord" and we respond by saying "Thanks be to God." We leave our seats and most proceed downstairs to the Parish Hall for coffee hour.
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Next Section: What do Episcopalians Believe? Back to Visitor's Guide
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