
Christ the King Episcopal Church
Lakeland, Florida

WORSHIP
ABOUT EPISCOPAL WORSHIP
For the First-Time Visitor
For the first-time visitor, Episcopal liturgy can be exhilarating; but, it can also be confusing. Typical services involve standing, sitting, and kneeling, sung and spoken parts, and other participatory elements that may challenging. Unique furnishings and participants with odd-sounding names might add to the confusion. However, do not by dismayed! Liturgical worship is like theater, once you learn the parts, you will come to appreciate the drama that unfolds as you play your part in the narrative.
The Heart of Christian Life
Gathering together for Christian worship is the heart of Christian life. At Christ the King, we gather on Sundays at 10 am. In this corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others, just as the first Christians did, to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. Then, as we break bread, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are made the body of Christ sent forth to live the Way of Love.
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. Indeed, the Anglican tradition finds its identity in what its members do together in prayer and worship, rather than in its doctrine. The way we talk to God determines how we talk about God.
The Principal Act
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.
A Multi-Sensory Experience
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.