Worship
|
SERVICES:
|
 |
The nursery, available for the 11:00 AM service (10:00 AM service in summer), is staffed by trained, loving caregivers as well as volunteers. Pagers are available for parents attending worship services who want to stay in touch with the nursery staff. The nursery has been carefully set up to be a friendly, safe space with age appropriate toys, and there's a separate area for infants and toddlers. Small bags containing paper, crayons, stickers, and pipe cleaners are available for children during the worship service. Beside one of the rocking chairs in our sanctuary, there is a basket containing baby blankets and quiet toys for infants as well.
Worship services at Church of the Servant use:
 |
Book of Common Prayer 1984 Hymnal Wonder, Love, and Praise Book of Occasional Services |
All are published by the Episcopal Church US. Sometimes materials from other sources, such as Taize, Celtic prayer, and Intercessions for Christian People are included. Our liturgy draws on the rich resources of our tradition, providing a beauty and dignity appropriate for the worship of God so there is a certain formality in structure and language which may be familiar to you from other liturgical churches.
Click here to access the RCL readings for the Holy Eucharist in a calendar format.
| Church of the Servant is decidedly informal and
welcoming in spirit, dress, and furnishings. People wear whatever clothes they wish, from shorts to suits. Children are always welcome and participate in the service. The worship space is accessible to all persons. There are no fixed pews. There are rocking chairs. The lively acoustics of the room encourage singing. |
 |
The primary weekly service is Eucharist, or Holy Communion, celebrated on Sundays at 8:30 and 11:00 am (10:00 am in the summer). All services use Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and prayers appointed for the day. The 10:00 or 11:00 service has music, including organ selections, congregational hymns, and choral anthems or special instrumental music. There is usually no music at the 8:30 service.
Special services occur throughout the year, as part of the liturgical calendar. Christmas and Easter particularly offer opportunities for glorious celebrations, including the Great Easter Vigil at Wrightsville Beach. The Episcopal Church recognizes all Christian baptisms of any denomination. Persons desiring baptism for themselves or their children are invited to speak with the rector. The Bishop usually makes a visitation annually to confirm and receive new members into the Episcopal Church.
Adult Christian education during Lent has been exploring answers to the question "What do we say about death?". In light of that exploration, here are funeral readings from the prayer book. Additionally, our rector has created this document to help plan a funeral, either your own or someone else's.
The rector is the officiant at Sunday services, assisted by deacons and other service ministers. There are also many opportunities for laypersons to be involved in the liturgical life of the parish. These include: Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Choir for various ages, Altar Guild, and Acolytes. The Liturgy Committee liaison is Carl Salisbury.
 |
The Altar Guild, Church of the Servant (Photo by John Bauerlein) To see photos of the Spring 2009 confirmation worship service, click here. |
Palm Sunday 2009
 |
 |
 |
Click here to see pictures of the banners and procession that kicked off our Christian Education year in Fall 2009.