worship at christ church
Christ Church is an Episcopal Church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We serve as the local presence of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion in our community. As part of our connection to the larger church we make use of a set liturgy, The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), that gives words, structure, and direction to our worship and ritual actions alongside those of the larger Anglican Communion. Our worship is grounded in the Catholic tradition with its rich symbolism connecting us across time with the church of earlier ages.
We celebrate the eucharist each Sunday at Christ Church as our main act of worship.
Sunday - 8am (Rite I)
A simple, spoken service, using the traditional language version of the liturgy (“thees and thous”) and lasting about thirty minutes, the 8:00 am service at Christ Church takes place in the Lady Chapel, which is just to the right as one enters the main church entrance on McCallie Avenue.
Sunday - 10:30am (Rite II)
At 10:30 am, we offer a solemn high mass using the contemporary language version of the liturgy. Much of the Eucharistic Prayer at this is chanted. This service includes the use of incense, clergy and acolytes in procession, and beautiful music by the Christ Church organist and choir. This service lasts about an hour.
what to expect
Please participate as much as or as little as you feel comfortable. Although our liturgy is traditional, we are not stuffy nor do we expect anyone to do everything.
Enter through the McCallie Avenue entrance to find a greeter.
A small booklet with all the words as well as a guide to the choreography is available from the greeter when you arrive. A bulletin is provided for each service with the scripture readings and page numbers for the Book of Common Prayer (red book) and the Hymnal (blue book).
The service is preceded by a musical prelude and announcements.
A bell is rung to begin the mass.
We welcome all people baptized in the name of the Trinity to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (also called Communion or the Eucharist). This practice allows us to acknowledge our real unity across Christian divisions while still maintaining our belief in the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the bread and wine.
If you are not baptized or prefer not to receive, please feel free to come forward to receive a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest.
Childcare is available for children aged 2-10 upstairs in Fox Hall. All volunteers and paid childcare workers have received safeguarding training and have been background checked. Children typically do a craft, read a bible story and play together. Children return during the peace and may assist with the offertory or special feast day activities. If you would like your child to participate, please ask a greeter to direct you to Fox Hall.