What are services like?
Sunday Worship services at St. Alban’s usually follow Rite II, which is found in the Book of Common Prayer.
The service bulletin provided for each Sunday will list the hymns and the order of service. There will be an insert with the readings from the Holy Bible designated for that Sunday.
The Processional: We all stand and sing an opening hymn, as the Celebrants process in from the side aisle.
The Opening Prayer and Collect
The Gloria: We stand and sing our praise to God (omitted during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent)
The Word of God, including readings from the Old Testament, a Psalm, and a New Testament Lesson
The Sequence Hymn is sung by everyone (standing) to prepare for the reading of the Gospel.
The Gospel: Everyone stands as they are able for the Gospel reading. The priest or deacon will announce the Gospel and everyone responds with, “Glory to you, Lord Christ.” During the introduction of the Gospel some people will make the sign of the cross, and others will not. It is a matter of personal practice. At the end of the reading, the people will respond saying, “Praise to you, Lord Christ.”
The Sermon: Everyone sits to listen.
The Nicene Creed: After the sermon, we stand and affirm our faith by saying the Creed.
Prayers of the People: A member of the congregation leads us in prayers for the Church, the nation, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the community, those in need, and the departed.
Confession: Everyone stands or sits prayerfully as we confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
The Peace: Here we greet one another in the name of the Lord and wish each person near us the Lord’s Peace in their lives. Usually, a person will greet you saying, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” The traditional response is, “And with you.” Do whatever is comfortable.
The Offertory: We sit for this part. The choir sings or music is played as the altar is prepared. During this time, the ushers will walk forward and pass the offertory plates. The ushers then present the gifts, and we sing our praise and thanksgiving together for the gifts of bread and wine, and for our community offering of time, talent, and treasure. We may also present a basket of materials we have collected for one of our Outreach projects.
The Eucharist or Great Thanksgiving: We remain standing and the liturgy of the communion service begins. The words tell the story of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his offering of himself, his body and blood, in the memorial of bread and wine. The bread and wine are prepared and offered for consecration.
Communion: Once the consecration and the Lord’s Prayer are finished, the communion procession begins as people move forward to receive the bread and wine. The ushers will guide people out by rows. All baptized people are welcome at God’s altar in the Episcopal Church. If you wish to receive just follow the others ahead of you. The priest will place the blessed bread in your hand. Most people will eat the bread and then sip from the cup of wine as the server presents it. If you prefer communion by intinction, hold the bread in your hand, and the chalice bearer will take the bread, dip it in the cup of wine, and place it in your mouth. Please use the method you prefer. After that simply return to your seat. If you do not wish to receive, feel free to remain at your seat. No one will pressure you one way or the other. After people make their communion, they sit prayerfully.
Communion hymns: During communion, the choir will begin singing a hymn that is listed in the service bulletin. Please join the singing, as we joyfully celebrate the gift of communion with all the members of the body of Christ.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Everyone kneels or stands for this prayer thanking God for the gifts we have just received.
Closing hymn and Dismissal: We stand and sing as the altar party recesses from the church behind the cross. The Deacon closes by saying “Let us go now into the world in peace to love and serve the Lord” or some similar phrase reminding us that we live the Gospel in the world, and we respond by saying “Thanks be to God.”
We leave our seats as the musicians play, and we gather in the lobby for fellowship and refreshments, followed by an opportunity for spiritual formation as we gather to discuss the day’s Gospel or some other facet of our life as a church.
What is the community like?
Our regular service is Sunday Eucharist, Rite II at 9:30 am. You can expect the service to last about 1 hour. Plan to stay for coffee and snacks, with time to chat. You may also want to stay for our adult Sunday School class, which lasts until 11:30. Study topics vary, and they do not usually require advance preparation.
■Dress is casual. Feel free to come as you are. Folks will be wearing everything from shorts to jeans to suits and dresses.
■If you have children under the age of six, you may let them stay in the theatre lobby with our professional nursery caregivers. They are always welcome in church for all or part of the service.
■If you have school age children, please plan to have them sit with you in church. We welcome children and frequently offer a special sermon or other participatory activities.
■We have many outreach ministries to participate in, from local community programs with Arlington Life Shelter and Crow Elementary, to partnering with national organizations such as Episcopal Relief & Development.
■We have many programs for our children and youth - including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to "Let's Do Lunch" - an opportunity for our college students to gather in fellowship.
■We are a multi-generational congregation that enjoys spending time together - from Sunday morning coffee hour to group events such as Second Tuesday Bowling and our recent participations Arltington's Parade of Lights with the St. Alban "Float".
What if I'm not a Christian?
We want you to know, that if you are looking for a place to gather with others for worship, you are welcome to worship with us. Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight, no matter what race you are, what nationality you hail or what creed you profess, all are welcome.
We believe that when Christ said in the scripture “whosoever,” he really meant it. For when he stretched out his arms of love upon the hardwood of the cross, it was in order that all might come within his saving embrace.
