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Services of Worship

Worship is central to our life together — it is where the people of St. Philip's, as well as visitors to our parish, gather to celebrate their faith, express their joy, renew their hope, rekindle their vision, and to prepare for the tasks ahead.

At St. Philip's, worship takes varied forms. Most services center around the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and the principal act of Christian worship. The term Eucharist is from the Greek, "thanksgiving." Jesus instituted the eucharist at the Last Supper, a sacred meal with his disciples. The Last Supper provides the basis for the fourfold eucharistic action of taking, blessing, breaking, and sharing. Christ's body and blood are present in the sacrament of the eucharist and received by faith. Christ's presence is also known in the gathered eucharistic community.

Generally, our services reflect time-honored and traditional rituals. Episcopalians find in them a lively source of inspiration for living in the world today — a rich convergence of art, music, scripture, and the spoken word found worldwide in the Anglican community.

Holy Eucharist Rite I with homily
Eucharist in traditional language.

9:00 a.m.

Sung Eucharist Rite II with sermon
Eucharist using more modern language, adopted in 1979. This services chooses more contemporary liturgical elements than the 11:15. Led by the St. Philip's Singers.

3rd Sundays, September-May:
All-Generations Eucharist Rite II
The liturgy in language that will resonate with children and youth. Led by the children and youth choirs with scriptures read and often dramatized by the Chalice Players.

5th Sundays, September-May:
Morning Prayer with Eucharist
A service incorporating specific music and readings, including sung prayers, followed by Eucharist.

11:15 a.m.

Sung Eucharist Rite II with sermon
Eucharist using more modern language, adopted in 1979. This services chooses slightly more traditional liturgical elements than the 9:00. Led by the Canterbury Choir.

5th Sundays, September-May:
Morning Prayer with Eucharist
A service incorporating specific music and readings, including sung prayers, followed by Eucharist.

"Come and See" Eucharist
A non-traditional, contemplative liturgy with inclusive language, intended for those who are exploring their faith journey or those who are seeking a return to community within the church.

1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays: Holy Eucharist Rite II with homily
Eucharist using more modern language, adopted in 1979.

3rd Sundays, September-May: Evening Prayer or Choral Evensong with Eucharist
An evening prayer service incorporating specific music and readings, often including sung prayers, followed by Eucharist.

What Is Holy Communion

Holy Eucharist is the liturgy (form of worship) we use for services most Sundays. It contains two parts: the Liturgy of the Word, which includes readings, sermon, prayers, confession, and forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Communion, which includes giving thanks for Jesus' sacrifice for us, making a symbolic remembrance of it, and being sent forth into the world to do God's work. The word "eucharist" can also be used to refer specifically to Holy Communion.

The 9 and 11:15 a.m. Sunday services are "Sung Eucharists," which means that several main parts of the service are sung by the choir and congregation. These include the Gloria (Song of Praise), the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), and the Fraction Anthem (sung when the bread is broken). The first Sunday of each month, a special "Choral Eucharist" is presented, featuring a major musical setting of the service music, sung by choirs and soloists and accompanied by the St. Philip's Chamber Orchestra.

Your Invitation to Communion
At St. Philip's, all people are invited to receive communion — to be nourished by this outward and visible sign of something that is inward and spiritual. It brings together the entire congregation to share in a ritual rooted in the biblical account of Jesus' last meal with his disciples. By participation in this act we nourish the hope that we shall both know and do the work of Christ.