Worship at St. Mark's
Worship at St. Mark's
When you come to St. Mark's, the first thing you will notice is the beauty of the worship space. Skylights in the ceiling splash rainbows of color across the soaring white walls. A simple gold tile cross directs your eye to the altar.
St. Mark's is a liturgical church. Liturgy simply means "the work of the people." Worship in a liturgical tradition is often confusing at first. People stand, sit, kneel, and find their way through a series of books with apparent ease. Do not feel out of place if you are new to this. You are welcome here. We are all here for the same reason: to worship God in community.
We believe that it is the work of the people to worship God and be a witness of Jesus the Christ at all times. As people of diverse ages and background come together to worship, the gathered community draws strength from God and from one another to live out our individual lives.
The shape of the liturgy is made up of elements that date back thousands of years to the early church. We find meaning and value in carrying on this ancient heritage and interpreting it in new ways. A great deal that we do is inspired by Holy Scripture.
Books Used During Worship
The most important book in the church is the Holy Bible. The Episcopal Church is a biblically-centered church. Not
only are passages from the Bible read during the service, but also most of what is in our prayer book comes from the Bible. There are Bibles in every pew at St. Mark's.
Three other important books are located in the rack on the back of each pew in the church: The Book of Common Prayer (red) and the Hymnal 1982 (blue) and Lift Every Voice and Sing (often called LEVAS which is red and black). The Book of Common Prayer we use today has descended through generations in the Church from the first prayer book written in England in 1549. The present edition (1979) contains the principal services and prayers of the community (hence the word “common"). Music is very important to Episcopal worship. The Hymnal 1982 contains a rich history of sacred music selected from many traditions. LEVAS has additional music from the African American gospel tradition.
When to Stand, Sit, and Kneel
Generally, we stand to praise God (in song, in some prayers, and to listen to the Gospel), we sit to listen and learn about God (during the lessons and the sermon), and we kneel to pray to God (such as during the confession and the prayers of the people). There are directions in both the Book of Common prayer (they are written in small print and knows as Rubrics) and in the bulletin. Fellow worshippers are always happy to answer questions.
Receiving the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is one of the two great Sacraments of the church instituted by Jesus. The other is Holy Baptism.
Sacraments are “outward and visible signs” by which we are assured to receive God’s grace.
The Holy Eucharist (which means “thanksgiving") is a celebration and commemoration of the Last Supper, as described in several of the Gospels. Jesus commanded his followers to break bread and share wine in remembrance of the sacrifice of his body and blood for us. St. Mark's welcomes all who confess Jesus as Lord to receive the sacrament.
If you wish to receive this sacrament, walk up the aisle when directed by the ushers. Stand or kneel at the altar rail, extending both hands toward the priest. Bread will be placed in your hands. You may eat it at once or lightly touch it to the wine in the chalice (cup) when it is offered. You may also drink from the chalice as it is offered by guiding it to your lips. If you would prefer to receive a blessing, cross your arms across your chest and you will receive a blessing from the clergy.
