Liturgical Worship

Why do you have different colors at different seasons?

The different colors serve as reminders of the Church year. While not required, they add to the beauty of our worship in keeping with the holiness of God.

The most common color usage is White or Gold for joy, Resurrection, and the Feast of the Lord: Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter as well as weddings, funerals and some National Holidays. Purple for penitence and royalty, such as Lent. Red for the Holy Spirit: Holy Week, Pentecost, the Saints and Martyrs, and Confirmation. Marian Blue for Expectation: Advent, and green for Christian growth and hope: all other seasons, called Ordinary Time, the time of order and study.

There is no color for Good Friday or The Feast of the Faithful Departed (November 2), the altar is bare.

References: Exodus 28:4-6, 35:25, 36:8; Psalm 27:4; Revelation 4:1-5

What are the special clothes called?

There are many special garments worn by the clergy, lay ministers and others.

The most common special article of clothing is the ‘clerical collar’ which is worn by priests and deacons when they are acting in their official capacities. The priests on the London docks needed a way to identify themselves as clergy during the late 18th Century. They began to wear white scarves around their necks, which evolved into the collar worn by most Anglican clergy today.

When services are held in church, all those involved in leading the service except the Reader are vested, that is wearing special garments to set them apart. The practice of wearing special clothes is based on the garments worn by Aaron and his sons and all the later Levitical priests in the Old Testament. (Exodus 28)

Our young Acolytes wear red cassocks (a special type of robe) with a white cotta (a white vestment with large sleeves and a yoke, symbolizing purity) over them.
The adult Acolytes and Eucharistic Ministers wear while albs.
Our Organist wears a burgundy cassock with a white cotta.
Our priest wears an alb-cassock. The alb is a long, plain white garment worn over everyday clothes is accordance with St. Jerome’s (341-420 CE) directions that a special “suit of clean clothes” be worn for conducting services. The alb (from the Latin for white) symbolizes purity and joy.
When Holy Eucharist is celebrated, the priest wears a stole and a chasuble. The stole is a symbol of ordination and represents the yoke of Christ on ordained ministers. The chasuble (Latin: little house) is a round, tent-like covering with a hole cut in the center for the head. The chasuble declares the Episcopal priest to be set apart from the mundane world. Both the stole and the chasuble match the liturgical color of the season or day.

Why do you use one cup for Communion wine?

Jesus instituted the eucharist “on the night when he was betrayed.” At the Last Supper he shared the bread and cup of wine at a sacred meal with his disciples. He identified the bread with his body and the wine with his blood of the new covenant. Jesus commanded his disciples to “do this” in remembrance of him (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Mark 14:22-25; Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:14-20). Christ’s sacrifice is made present by the eucharist, and in it we are united to his one self-offering (BCP, p. 859).

From An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors, Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY

At Holy Eucharist, we use a single cup, just as Jesus and his apostles did at the last supper. This has been the tradition of our church since its beginning.

It is traditional to take the host (bread) in the palm of the right hand and then guide it to your mouth to consume it, then to take a sip from the Common Cup, holding the base of the cup to help the Eucharistic Minister guide it to your mouth.

The process of Intinction has become more wide spread and accepted. With Intinction, the communicant keeps the host in his or her right palm, then the Eucharistic Minister dips it into the Common Cup. This way, one receives the Eucharist “in both kinds” simultaneously.

Today, many people are concerned about the spread of germs, colds and diseases. It may seem a bit strange for an entire church to drink from a single cup. Actually, it’s not as hazardous as you might expect.

First, we use fortified wine, such as port, which has a high alcohol content. This kills off almost every germ.

Second, Canadian doctor David Gould researched illnesses passed through using a common cup. He found that people are more likely to become ill at church through airborne infections than from using the single chalice!

Further, some people, for a variety of reasons, do not wish to partake of the wine. Taking only the host is a complete communion.

The are some interesting symbols around the church. What do they mean?

We’re glad you asked. Prior to the 20th Century, few people could read. As a result, the Church used pictures, stained glass windows and other objects to remind people of important facts about the Christian Story and Life.

Most Episcopal Churches have red doors. These symbolize the tongues of flame that appeared over the Disciples heads at Pentecost.(Acts 2:2-4) They are also a reminder of the martyrs who have given their lives for the proclamation of the Gospel.

The letters IHS do not mean “In His Service” as many believe. Originally written as IHC, they are a monogram for Jesus. It represents the first three letters of IHCOYC (Iesous) or, in today’s world, Jesus. (In ancient Greek, the capital C became an s in lower case!)

The triangle and three interlocking rings (the triquetra) stand for the Holy Trinity: three equal circles interwoven to symbolize continuity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Creator, Redeemer, Comforter).

The butterfly represents the Resurrection.

The descending doves stand for the decent of the Holy Spirit. (John 1:32; Luke 3:22 ;Mark 1:10-11; Matthew 3:16-17)

The wheat and grapes stand for the Holy Eucharist and for the gifts of God.

The anchor is an ancient Christian symbol for steadfastness in faith and the Hope in Christ (Hebrews 6:17). It also represents boats or fishers of men.(Matthew 3:19; Mark 1:17)

The fish is an ancient symbol for Christians. The first three letters of the Greek word for fish, ICAITHUS, are the same as the initial letters in Greek for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”. Further, the fish ties us to Peter, Andrew and the other disciples who were originally fishers. Ancient Christians used this symbol to identify each other and to mark their meeting places.

The lily and its symbolic counterpart, the fleur-de-lis, symbolize purity.The trifold appearance of the lily reminds us of the Holy Trinity. The Easter lily, which blooms from a seemingly lifeless bulb, is symbolic of Christ’s Resurrection.

A modern figure is the dogwood flower, a symbol of Christ’s Passion. One legend tells that the wood of a dogwood tree was used to make the Cross of Christ. The tree was so ashamed that it asked to be changed into a tress that could never crucify again.

The daisy stands for the Christ Child.

Palm fronds indicate Victory. They also keep Palm Sunday in front of us all year.

The Rose of Sharon, Lilies of the Valley and other flowers represent the flowers in: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(Matthew 27-29)

If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(Luke 12: 26-28)

The lamb with a banner represents the “Lamb of God”. Reclining on a book with seven seals, it stands for the Last Judgment. (Revelation 5:11) Standing with a banner, it represents the risen Christ’s triumph over death. (John 1:29; Genesis 22:9).

The Alpha and Omega signs, the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, represent Revelation 1:8 “I an the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (NIV)

A crown is a symbol of royal authority, often representing Christ the King of Kings.(1 Timothy 6:13) It may also represent the “crown of life”, the unending reward of the faithful.(Revelation 2:10) Three crowns together represent the Three Wise Men of the Nativity.

A crown and scepter together indicate Christ’s reign over all of creation.(Genesis 49:10; Hebrews 1:8b)

Candles stand for Jesus words, “I am the Light of the World.” (John 8:12) Two candles on the Altar stand for Jesus divine and human nature.

The number seven and multiples of seven stand for a number of things including:

• The seven Churches of Asia
• The seven days of the week, especially The Lord’s Day
• The roots of Judaism (The Menorah)
• Perfection and rest
• The seven seals of the book of Life
• The seven Guardian Angels of the Seven Churches of Asia

The seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Might
• Fear of the Lord
• Delight in the Lord
• Hope in the Lord

The keys in an x-shape indicate the authority of the church to forgive sins. They also, when together, indicate St. Peter’s ability to unlock heaven for the repentant and to lock the gates of heaven against the unrepentant. (Matthew 16:18).

Why do some of you make the sign of the cross, bow and kneel at certain times? Why don’t all of you?

Worship is not just with our minds, our entire being is involved. These physical signs are done to honor God in Christ. They help us remember that service to God is what we do, not merely what we say. The general rule is:

• Kneel to pray and confess our sins to God
• Stand to praise, to declare our faith and to hear the Gospel
• Sit to learn, to hear the Lessons and Sermon

Many of us in Ordained or Lay Ministry bow at the mention of Christ’s name because the scripture tells us that every head should bow at the mention of His name.
(Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:16; Ephesians 3:14)

Most of us, if we are physically able, bow or genuflect (kneel momentarily on one knee), when entering our pews. This is to acknowledge our acceptance of Christ Jesus as our Lord and show respect for Him in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies.

Crossing one’s self is a personal reverence as a means of demonstrating to one’s self the acceptance of the blessings of the Church.

All Episcopalians stand at the appropriate times if they are physically able so to do. Not all Episcopalians perform the other actions due to physical ability or personal preference. These actions are never forced on anyone nor are they intended to disrupt the service.