From the National Church:
“We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.”
For more information on the Episcopal Church, visit EpiscopalChurch.org.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the official book of worship of the Episcopal Church. It provides liturgical forms, prayers, and instructions so that all members and orders of the Episcopal Church may appropriately share in common worship. Copies of The Book of Common Prayer are provided during worship, along with any other resources we may use during worship to participate in readings and hymns.
The Lectionary
Our readings are primarily determined by the Revised Common Lectionary. The Lectionary is a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship, providing for a three-year cycle.
The Liturgy
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be “liturgical,” meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prays from texts that don’t change greatly from week to week during a season of the year. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers.
For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating… or confusing. Services may involve standing, sitting, kneeling, sung or spoken responses, and other participatory elements that may provide a challenge for the first-time visitor. However, liturgical worship can be compared with a dance: once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance, again and again, as the music changes.
Music
We welcome your vocal and instrumental musical gifts. Please consider joining us in making a joyful noise for our Lord. Our Parish/Festival Choir meets Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm and is open to tall singers, meeting weekly to prepare anthems to present during 10:15 am worship services. On occasion they prepare and present anthems for major festivals during the church year. For more information about St. Timothy’s music program, contact the church office.