|
 We
are a committed and welcoming parish — a worshipping community
involved in Christian Living in Paramus. Everyone is welcome to
join us for worship. The Bible is the center of our understanding
of the Christian Faith. Bibles may be found in each pew and are
often used for Bible Study or during sermons on Sunday morning.
If
you have never worshipped in an Episcopal Church before,
you will notice that we use two books — the Hymnal and the
Book of Common prayer — and the Sunday Bulletin which gives
helpful page references. If you find this confusing, please ask
your neighbor for help or feel free just to listen. You will soon
appreciate how the prayers, music, readings and activities at the
altar aid us in our approach to God.
The
Hymnal
As you sit in the church pew, the blue book in the shelf in front
of you is our hymnal. The hymns to be sung are listed in the bulletin
and on the hymnboard in front of the church. The service music
for the Gloria Excelsis and the Sanctus comes first in the hymnal
and is listed in the bulletin with an "S" number. We like to sing
hymns and often insert hymns into the Sunday Bulletin.
The
Book of Common Prayer
The red book in the shelf is our Prayer book. It is the treasure
of the Episcopal Church containing all of the Church's services
together with additional prayers and devotions for private use.
The
Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper,
is the principal service in our church. It is divided into two
parts: The Word of God and the Holy Communion.
The
Word of God
During this first part
you will hear prayers, readings from the Bible, a sermon and the congregation
will read a psalm. We will also reaffirm our faith by joining
in the Creed and we will sing hymns corresponding to the season
of
the Christian Year or the theme of the day. The Word of God
concludes with the exchange of Peace at which time we greet those
around
us. We then offer to God our monetary gifts as tangible symbols
of our life and labor, together with the gifts of bread and
wine.
The
Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving follows with the consecration of the bread
and wine and the congregation receiving the Sacrament of Holy
Communion. Christianity has celebrated this rite since the Last
Supper on the night before Jesus' crucifixion.
The
altar is the Lord's, not ours. All are invited to come to the altar
rail to receive Holy Communion. Please follow the direction of
the ushers.
After
the Service
After the Blessing and final hymn, the Eucharist concludes with
a dismissal and the response, "Thanks be to God!" We invite
you to join us for coffee in the Parish Hall following the service.
CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
WE
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