Worship

HFCC Logo Small A mission of
Holy Family
Episcopal Church

Support Holy Family when you shop through e-Script: Click here for details

Holy Eucharist 9:00 AM

alter02Our service is specifically designed to emphasize the full inclusion of all of our members from Adults to our youngest members. There is a time when children exit to participate in age appropriate activities to nurture their own spirituality and faith.  But, in addition to that, during the regular service there is a specific time for the children to reflect on a story or lesson from scripture for the day, a time we call Share the Good News. The children are participants in the Prayers of the People, writing or drawing their prayers on cards or paper to be lifted up with all other prayers for the day. And, after the Lord's Peace is shared, all who desire, children included, are welcome to gather behind and beside the altar for the Eucharistic prayer.

Our service reflects a traditional liturgical form of Eucharist with music. But unlike many traditional Episcopal services, this one invites participants to experience not only the Book of Common Prayer, but also Eucharistic prayers and language from around the world on a seasonal basis.  You may be familiar with a few of these: the New Zealand Prayerbook, and the Book of Common Worship from England are two that come to mind. One idea behind this practice is to make us think about what we are saying and praying in worship. It also reminds us of the variety of ways that are used to worship God while still allowing ourselves the means of entering into a liturgy which is both relevant to today and timeless in the experience of it. This practice may be startling at first because the language is unfamiliar but over the course of a season of 6-8 weeks, many are surprised by what prayer or phrase has become a familiar friend.

Finally, our service incorporates a wide variety of music drawn from a number of sources including the 1982 Hymnbook, Wonder, Love and Praise a supplement to the 1982 Hymnbook and Lift Every Voice and Sing, a hymnbook of African American Music.