Worship at Trinity Church

Many people, youth and adults who worship at Trinity, volunteer to help with our services. Being an usher, serving communion, singing in the choir or reading the lessons are just a few ways to participate. Link to Sunday service schedules here.

The church year consists of two cycles of feasts and holy days: one is dependent upon the movable date of Easter Day and the other upon the fixed date of Christmas Day. The seasons provide the structure for liturgy and celebration along with the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the traditions of the church. One of the most intense periods in the church year is Holy Week, the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Day.

Weddings and funerals are pastoral offices offered to members of Trinity Episcopal Church and their families. Baptism is a special liturgy (rite) usually, but not always, performed for infants and their families.

Taize

On the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm during the fall, winter and early spring, Trinity has a Taize service in the church. This Ecumenical service of simple music, readings, prayer and contemplation is held by candlelight. Link to the Taize Community website.

The Labyrinth

Our labyrinth is located on the Lewis Street side of the church, between the back of the church and the entrance to the Parish House. It is always available for use. Walking a labyrinth is a tool that can be useful to people of all spiritual traditions. An ancient concept, the Christian community often uses labyrinths as a way to engagein our life in Christ using body, mind and soul. Link to our Labyrinth Page.

The Episcopal Church uses the Book of Common Prayer to unify and organize worship. However, we welcome and join in prayer with people who have different points of view and encourage open dialog. We share a Christian faith that honors the Bible, the traditions of the Church, and God-given human reason.

For each service, celebration or office, scripture is read grounding the experience in the Bible. The Lectionary Page is the reference for the cycle of readings.

Rite I is the traditional form of the Holy Eucharist, a service with Communion at its core. The language is derived from the sixteenth century (roughly contemporary with Shakespeare), but elegant and clearly understood. The service includes readings from Scripture, preaching, prayers for the church and the world, and Holy Communion. During the service, baptized people are invited to take communion and others may come forward during communion for a blessing.

Rite II is the contemporary form of the Eucharist service, again with Communion at its core. The words of the service and the readings from scripture are in contemporary language. The service includes readings from Scripture, preaching, prayers for the church and the world, and Holy Communion. Baptized Christians are invited to share Communion, others to come forward for a blessing.

Morning Prayer is a Daily Office, a service of psalms, scripture readings and prayers. This use of the word "office" comes from the Latin word "opus," meaning "work"; the Daily Office is the daily prayer work of the church. Morning Prayer may be led by a lay person or by clergy. There is no communion in this service.

Evening Prayer is a Daily Office, a service of psalms, scripture readings and prayers. This use of the word "office" comes from the Latin word "opus," meaning "work"; the Daily Office is the daily prayer work of the church. Evening Prayer may be led by a lay person or by clergy. There is no communion in this service.

Healing Prayer is held once a week and focuses on prayer for the healing of body, mind and spirit. It includes the sacrament of anointing and laying on of hands.

Taize (pronounced Tah-zay) is a style of ecumenical service developed in France following World War II to foster spiritual healing and growth among diverse people. It consists of prayer, meditation, readings and chanted songs held in the chapel by candle light. It is a lay-led service and does not include communion. Link to Taize Community website.

Mass On the Grass is an informal outdoor service held on Wednesdays during the summer months at Trinity Church. It includes communion. Following Mass on the Grass, those who have participated break bread together at a potluck picnic supper. If it rains, Mass on the Grass is held in McCracken Hall.

Do you still have questions about our services? Of course you do, they are very complex with layers of tradition, belief and expression. Click here to go to a page that explains some of our customs.