Christ the King Episcopal Church
Lakeland, Florida
WHAT TO EXPECT
ON SUNDAY
We are glad you are here!
We love to meet new people and share our journey of faith.
First Things
We worship according to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) - the red book found in the sanctuary chairs. When you arrive on Sunday, you will meet a greeter who will give you a service bulletin which will help you navigate through the service. Additionallhy, most of the service will be projected on Sanctuary screens, with the weekly bible lessons inserted into the bulletin.
Someone will show you into the sanctuary so that you can find a seat. We don't have any reserved seats so you don't need to worry about that. Restrooms are just around the corner in the Hall. A special place for children, called the Children's Corner, has been set aside in the Sanctuary with books and quiet toys where kids can sit to participate at their pace and comfort-level. Most Sundays, we also have Children's Church for children pre-k through 5th grade. They meet at 10 am in children's room - a greeter would be happy to show you the way. Service begins at 10 am with a song of praise. Announcements are generally made a few minutes before 10 am. Blessings for birthdays, anniversaries, and travel, as well as prayers for the sick, are made during the prayer of the people (after the sermon and Creed).
The Work of the People
In the Anglican tradition (of which The Episcopal Church is part), worship is also called Liturgy, meaning “work of the people,” an expression of our understanding that worship is the shared activity of the entire congregation. Prescribed as it is in the Book of Common Prayer, the liturgy demonstrates our corporate identity and mission.
The principal act of worship for Episcopalians is the Sunday celebration of Holy Eucharist, also called “Holy Communion,” “The Lord’s Supper,” or “The Mass.” On the one hand, the liturgy has roots in the ancient Church. Following Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of me,” the first Christians gathered for prayer, Scripture study, offering and a shared meal. These elements continue to form the foundation of our Sunday worship. At the same time, however, there is a great deal of flexibility for adaptation to customs, style, needs ,and expression of a particular community. So, with 2000 years of history and formation but with the adaptability of contemporary expression, the wisdom of the ages speaks to modern life.
Episcopal liturgy is a multi-sensory experience with song, movement, and active participation. As well, there will be fancy clothes (called vestments), furnishings (called paraments), incense, and bells. At Christ the King, we try to incorporate a variety of worship styles and we hold the tension between the very ancient and the more contemporary. This mingling of the ancient and the contemporary helps to tell the a sacred story that is truly universal, spanning both time and place.
The Parts of the Service
We follow a similar order of service each week, consisting of two main parts: The Word of God (The Liturgy of the Word) and The Holy Communion (The Liturgy of the Eucharist).
The Word of God - Introductory praise and prayers are offered. We then proclaim the scriptures (assigned from the Revised Common Lectionary) - lessons from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels. The proclamation is followed by a homily or sermon, the Nicene Creed, and prayers.
The Holy Communion - After the offertory, the priest leads the community in making Eucharist - that is, the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. After the prayers, Communion is distributed. The service ends with concluding prayers, a hymn, and a dismissal.
Receiving Communion - In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians (no matter their congregational affiliation) are invited to receive Holy Communion. To receive communion: Come to the sanctuary rail at the usher's direction. There, you may kneel or stand at your discretion. The priest will offer you the body of Christ in the form of a host with the words, "The body of Christ, the bread of heaven." Place your hands palm up in front of you (one hand atop the other). The priest will place the host in your hands and you may consume the host. Another minister will offer you the blood of Christ in the chalice (cup) of wine with the words, "The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation." The minister will assist you in drinking from the cup. After receiving the body and blood of Christ, you may return to your seat. If desired, you may choose to receive the host only.
Music
Music at Christ The King consists of a blend of traditional Episcopal hymnody (primarily from The Hymnal 1982) and more contemporary praise music. All lyrics are projected on the sanctuary screens. If you so desire, The Hymnal 1982 is the blue book found in the sanctuary chairs.