Worshipping with Us
Worship Times
7:45 a.m. – Rite I Service, Holy Eucharist (In-Person)
Historic service of the Anglican tradition using traditional language. There is no music at this service.
9:00 a.m. – Rite II Service, Holy Eucharist with Contemporary Music in the Sanctuary(In-Person and Livestream)
Our most-attended weekend service follows the Rite II services (modern language) from the Book of Common Prayer. The contemporary music is led by our Arise Music Team.
10:30 a.m. – Rite II Service, Choral Eucharist (In-Person)
A classic Rite II service (modern language) from the Book of Common Prayer that is complemented by organ music and singing by our choir or selected vocalists.
About our Worship
If you are familiar with the Episcopal Church and its worship, you will find that St. Matthew’s offers a breadth of services not commonly found in many of our churches, and one that reflect the richness of our liturgical tradition. Each Sunday, we offer a traditional Rite I Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am, which recalls the historic roots of our Anglican tradition and the beautiful rhythms of its centuries-old language. We then move seamlessly into our 9 am Rite II Holy Eucharist, which combines the well-known structure of a service from the Book of Common Prayer with the vibrant and highly participatory sounds of contemporary music. Finally, we offer at 10:30 am a Rite II Holy Eucharist that calls to mind the rich heritage of Anglican choral music with organ and choir.
If you are unfamiliar with the Episcopal Church and its worship, the services are comprised of two main parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The first is comprised of prayers, several passages from Holy Scripture, and a sermon. The services then move into an affirmation of our faith, prayers for various intentions, a general confession, and exchanging of the peace with one another. The heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is consecrating bread and wine to become Holy Communion. Finally, we give thanks and receive a blessing before reentering the world renewed and bearing the light of Christ.
Holy Communion
In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. If you have not been baptized or do not desire to receive Holy Communion, you may still come forward, cross your arms over your chest, and receive a blessing from the priest.
Receiving Holy Communion is typically be done kneeling at the altar rail, but, if unable to do so, standing is acceptable as well. The custom is to place your right hand, palm up, on top of your left; holding them out to receive the ‘host’ (the small, bread wafer). When the priest places the host in your hand, it is then consumed.
The wine is best received by gently grabbing hold of the base of the chalice and slightly tipping it toward your mouth, which greatly helps the chalice bearer. Only a sip of the wine is necessary.
In many churches, there has developed the practice of ‘intinction’, dipping the host into the wine. ‘Self-intinction’, taking the host and dipping it into the chalice yourself, is prohibited.
As a final note, once you receive Holy Communion, please do not leave the altar rail until the person next to you has also received the chalice. This will help avoid any accidental bumps and possible spills.
Music during the Services
Music enhances the theme of our worship services and enables many to feel the presence of God. We praise and glorify God through the gift of music. The Music Ministry at St. Matthew’s is comprised of the Adult Choir and the Arise Music Team.
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir, with organ, leads the music at the 10:30 a.m. service, singing a broad repertoire of music from the earliest styles and traditions to newly published anthems.
Director: Phil LeFevre
Arise Music Team
The Arise Music Team provides support and leadership for the 9 a.m. Contemporary Eucharist. They lead traditional and new contemporary songs written by Christian musicians inspired by the scriptures of the Bible. The band has been blessed to accompany international praise and worship leader Robin Mark at St. Matthew’s on multiple occasions, bringing people from all over the region to come and worship the Lord.
Praise and worship are an essential part of being who we are as Christian people. It is an attitude of the heart, an outpouring of the soul, and the overflow of the Holy Spirit.
Directors: Martha Reynolds and Anne Flood