A Guide To Worship in the Episcopal Church

“How do I use each of the different books in the worship service?”

In your service bulletin, BCP refers to the red (or black) “Book of Common Prayer”. Hymnal is the blue book, which is broken into two parts:  service music (“S”before a hymn number) found in the front section of the book and hymns, found in the second part of the book.

“Who may take communion?”

All persons baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from any denomination are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Table and receive The Holy Communion.

“How do I actually take communion?”

There are several ways of receiving communion in the Episcopal Church.

 Stand or kneel at the altar rail and place your right hand in your left hand, in the form of a cross, with palms up.   

1. Lift your hands to receive the bread (host) and either consume it immediately or wait for the chalice to receive by intinction. 

2. To receive the wine from the chalice, you may take a sip directly from the cup or you may intinct the host by dipping it slightly into the wine and then placing it directly into your mouth. If you choose to drink from the cup, it is a great help to the chalice bearer if you will take the bottom of the cup in your hand and guide the chalice to your lips.

3. If you wish to receive the bread but not the wine, after you have received the bread, simply cross your arms over your chest.  This signals the chalice bearer that you do not wish to receive the wine.  It is perfectly acceptable to receive only bread or only wine.

4. It is a courtesy to wait until the person on your left has finished receiving before you rise and return to your seat.

 “May children take communion?”

Baptized children are welcome to receive communion in the Episcopal Church, and parents are encouraged to allow them to receive.  As loving parents, we feed our children at our tables long before they understand nutrition.  We also need to provide ways to nurture their spiritual life: praying together, telling stories of God’s people, worshiping together and feasting together at the Lord’s Table.

“May I come to the rail without actually taking communion?”

Yes. Any unbaptised adult or child, or anyone not yet ready to receive communion for whatever reason is welcomed and encouraged to come to the altar rail for a blessing by a member of the clergy. To indicate that you prefer a blessing rather than communion, simply come to the rail, stand or kneel, and cross your arms across your chest. A member of the clergy will administer a short blessing.

“I am confused about kneeling.”

Generally speaking, in the Episcopal Church, tradition is that we kneel to pray, sit to listen, and stand to praise.  You will notice, however, that people follow many individual customs in this matter, and unless the clergy (or the instructions in the BCP) direct otherwise you may make your own decision.