The worship of God is a joy-filled practice. We have two worship services on Sundays and one on Thursday morning.
The 8:00 a.m. Sunday service is quiet and meditative, without music, using what is called, "Rite 1" including the language more typical of the King James Bible.
The 10:00 a.m. Sunday service is lively with music from our Joyful Voices Choir (ages 6 and up), with contemporary language and music, family-friendly approach, and a children's sermon in the main liturgy. The children are in church for the 10:00 a.m. service until they take Holy Communion and go to Sunday School.
The Thursday 9:00 a.m. worship service is contemporary language without music. Typically, we explore the lives of a saint on Thursday morning.
The Episcopal Church has two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Eucharist (also called The Lord's Supper or Holy Communion). We also recognize Confirmation, The Rite of Reconciliation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Unction (for those at the end of life).
All baptized Christians are welcome and invited to take Holy Communion, regardless of the denomination in which you were baptized (e.g., Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregational, Baptists, etc).
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Sunday Services
- 8:00am - Rite I / Meditation Service
- 10:00am - Rite II / Family Service (Child Care and Sunday School available)
The 10:00am Services are followed by a coffee hour where everyone can engage in fellowship over coffee, tea, and treats. Please join us!
Regular Church Events
- Sunday School 10:45am -11:20 am (children are in worship until receiving Holy Communion)
- Nursery 9:45am -11:15 am (staffed by an adult with CPR certification
- Coffee Hour - Sunday after the service (11:00am)
- Children’s Choir (ages 8+) - Rehearse Sunday 11:45am
- Children’s Bell Choir - Rehearse Sunday 11:30am
- Joyful Voices - Rehearse Thursdays 7:00pm & Sundays 9:00am (sometimes the rehearsal date and time needs to change - please contact Dottie Cameron, Music Director, for this week's rehearsal times
- Adult Bell Choir - Rehearse Wednesday 6:45pm
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Letter from the Interim Rector |
New Order of Service - Fall 2011 |
Baptism
It is customary for the priest to meet with baptismal candidates and their parents (if baptismal candidate is a child) for instruction and discussion prior to the baptism. It is with joy that the Christ Church community makes vows and promises to God and to the baptismal candidate to help raise him/her in this Christian community. Since we are making this vow and promise before God and each other, it is very important that families considering baptism be a regular part of our worshiping community. Therefore, we encourage families to attend the parish on a regular basis for at least six months before a baptism.
We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism on the days designated by the Church in the Book of Common Prayer: Easter Vigil or Easter Day, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, and the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. On rare occasions, pastoral concerns make it necessary to offer the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on another Sunday in the church's calendar.
Marriage
All marriages are solemnized in conformance with the canons of the Episcopal Church. The celebration and blessing of a marriage in our Book of Common Prayer is used at all marriages. Input from the couple always welcomed and encouraged. Flowers and tasteful decoration of the church are permitted as approved by the rector. All music must first be approved by the parish organist and the rector.
First Holy Communion
It has been the practice of Christ Church to welcome all baptized Christians to the Lord’s table. Thus children receive communion when they demonstrate a receptivity to being included in this festive meal of holy mystery. Since the General Convention of 1970 voted to admit children to communion before confirmation, children have been receiving communion at increasingly younger ages. Currently communion instruction is offered once or twice a year to accommodate the needs of children who reach a level of intellectual readiness and desire to explore the concepts related to Holy Communion. Some of the secondary school children have been receiving communion and thus are already learning about this sacrament experience socially and emotionally.
Confirmation
Once a year either a bishop visits the parish for the purpose of confirming candidates, or the candidates gather with those of other parishes at the cathedral for confirmation. A series of classes is offered each year in preparation for this sacrament of commitment to the Christian faith. Other people are encouraged to attend these classes, such as newcomers, those desiring reception, those desiring reaffirmation and those interested in their own faith development.
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For more information about the Episcopal Church, our communities, and faith, you can also visit:
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Christ Church has an active and vibrant group of parishioners who are involved in a number of different ministries. We are proud to offer several groups to which our parishioners can contribute their time and talents. These are just a few of the groups that help to continually make Christ Church a wonderful place to worship.
Ministry groups for all ages include:
- Altar Guild
- Lay Readers
- Acolytes
- Lay Eucharistic Ministers - bring Holy Communion to shut-ins
- St. Luke's Healing Ministry
- Joyful Voices Music Program & Bell Choir
- Outreach Commission
- Visiting Committee
- Christ Episcopal Church's weekly community meal to the needy (sponsored by the Stratford Clergy Association and hosted at Christ Church)
- St. John's Soup Kitchen Volunteers
- Spooner House
- Bethlehem House
- The Golden Rooster Shoppe - our consignment and thrift store at 2019 Main St.
- Teen Ministry & Youth Group
- and much more.....
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