Worship FAQs

The central part of worship in the Episcopal Church is the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion. It is celebrated in a manner similar to most other Christian denominations. At All Saints Sharon Chapel, we have two Sunday morning worship services. At the service, you will hear readings from the Bible, a sermon, and prayers, as well as be able to receive Communion, if you wish.

The 8:00 a.m. service uses Rite I and the 10:30 a.m. service is celebrated using Rite II, which follows the same format as Rite I, but uses contemporary language. We also have music at the 10:30 service. The weekly church bulletin will guide you to necessary sections of the BCP (Book of Common Prayer) and the hymnal for that day's service. Both books are found in the pews.

The Book of Common Prayer, or the Prayer Book, is what Episcopalians use in worship. Various editions of the Book of Common Prayer have been used by churches of the Anglican communion since the middle 1500s. It contains all of the various liturgies one might see used, including forms for daily prayers, baptisms, weddings, funerals, ordinations, the dedication of buildings, and for the Holy Eucharist. It also has directions for conducting services and the Book of Psalms. For Sunday services, we print a bulletin that tells exactly which pages and which prayers will be used.

If you follow along in the Prayer Book during a service, it will tell you exactly when you should sit, stand, or kneel (if you are able). Or you can just watch the people around you. Generally speaking, we sit for readings from the Bible and the sermon; stand to sing and for some prayers; and kneel for some prayers and to take Communion.

All baptized Christians are invited to share Holy Communion at All Saints Sharon Chapel, regardless of denomination. As we say, "We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins." However, if you are not Episcopalian, your own denomination may have instructions for you on this matter.

If you want to be baptized, or want your children to be baptized, please speak with the Rector or Priest in charge. Persons may be baptized at any age. Baptism is normally celebrated as part of the regular service on four specific days during the Church year: the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, All Saints' Day (November 1) or the Sunday following it, and the first Sunday after the Epiphany (January 6).

Please see our Get Involved and Events Calendar web pages. You might also want to look at the Church News.

The Episcopal Church observes the same calendar as most Christian Churches, with the year divided into six seasons.

The first season is Advent, which begins on the Sunday closest to St. Andrew's Day, November 30. It lasts for four weeks, and is a time of preparation for Christmas.

Christmas begins on December 25 and lasts until January 6, which we call Epiphany.

The third season is Epiphany, which lasts from January 6 until Ash Wednesday. It can be anywhere from six to eight weeks long.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays, and is also a time of preparation.

Easter lasts for 50 days, celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Easter concludes with the feast of Pentecost.

The season following Pentecost (which is called "Ordinary Time" in some churches) lasts until Advent begins again.

Depending on your previous experience in the Christian faith, you may be eligible to be "received", or you may need to be "confirmed" into the Episcopal Church. Please speak to the Rector or Priest in charge about the process of being received or confirmed by the church. This process involves some instruction about the Episcopal Church and receiving the laying on of hands by a bishop. However, you do not need to be Episcopalian to attend services and take Communion.