Worship
In the Episcopal / Anglican Church, we believe that the way we worship and pray
together helps to reflect who we are. We therefore take seriously the need for our
worship to be ‘in common’: in other words, our worship needs to reflect the
common features of our identity as Anglican Christians. The Episcopal Church's
Book of Common Prayer (1979), and other Anglican liturgical resources, help us
with that task.
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Worship is at the heart of who we are and what we do.
Sometimes in the Episcopal Church we say that our Sunday worship is the
springboard for life. In other words, our Sunday worship is not intended to be a
segregated part of our week or isolated part of our being but something that is
integrated into our week and incorporated into our being. It is a gift that teaches
us how to live all the time.
The word "liturgy" comes from the Greek, meaning "the work of the people," which refers to the participation, of everyone who gathers together for worship. When we pray together through the liturgy we are participating in an ancient
and never-ceasing stream of worship, over two thousand years old for Christians, based on Jewish liturgies even older than that.
When we pray together we are joining the voices of others in the room but also all around the world, today and beyond time. We join all the saints in ages past. Our prayers point to a deep connection to the living and the dead through God. These common prayers have withstood the test of time. What a joy and privilege to enter this mystery that points us to God.
We welcome visitors to Emmanuel and are delighted to have folks who are new to Emmanuel come through the door! Ushers will be there to greet you on Sunday mornings and they can help you get acclimated to our service. We enjoy children being in church during the service and also offer a nursery for younger children when parents choose to use it. While Sunday morning worship is at the center of our identity as Episcopalians, there are many other offerings throughout the week and year that may capture your attention and interest. We encourage you to talk to members or make an appointment with the rector, who is the priest/pastor, to learn more about our faith community.
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Morning Prayer: Monday through Thursday, 8.45am​
While on duty, the Rector says the daily office (morning Prayer) in Emmanuel, at 8.45am. It is an
opportunity to begin the day with prayer, dedicate the day's business to God and to pray for one
another and the needs of our world.
All are welcome to join the Rector in prayer.
This gathering of prayer companions meets as an informal group - "Companions of the Sacred
Star of Bethlehem". The name comes from the liturgical east window above the altar in the chancel.
It depicts the Magi (Wise Men) who gather before the infant Christ to present their offerings. It is a
beautiful scene memorialised in stained glass - and yet it lacks one thing: the star! By acknowledging
the guiding light which drew those first worshippers to Christ, we hope to do the same through our
prayer, adoration, and offering.
The Daily Prayer resource we use can be downloaded by clicking here.
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Sunday @ 8am
This is a Rite I Said Eucharist (with no musical setting or hymns), using traditional language. It is a more quiet and reflective liturgy.
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​Sunday @ 10.30am (September - May) / 10am (June - August)
This is a Rite II Eucharist with music. The tone is much more celebratory and uses the full liturgical resources as we mark the seasons and festivals across the Church year.
After the Service
​There is a time for Coffee 'n' Cookies after worship. This is a more informal time for us to catch up with one another, hear our stories and share experiences and enjoy one another's company.
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Ready to be a Member of Emmanuel?
Becoming a Member of Emmanuel really is quite easy. Speak to the Rector and he can help you get acclimated. You may enjoy almost all the benefits of life at Emmanuel just by showing up. You can add your name to the church directory and to the weekly email list. If and when you are ready to become an official member you are welcome to either have your membership transferred if you are already a member of another Episcopal Church, or you may be confirmed or received by the bishop of our Diocese of Southwestern Virginia when he next makes a visitation to Emmanuel. Being an official member opens the possibilities for involvement a little wider, which includes being a Vestry member and a Eucharistic Minister.
