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Our
principal Sunday service is at 10:30am - Choral Eucharist - with
the beautiful music, traditional liturgy, thoughtful preaching and
poetic prayers for which the Church of England is known throughout
the world.
The service opens and closes with organ voluntaries, we sing hymns
accompanied by the organ and choir. One of our choirs sings the
"Ordinary" parts of the service, to settings by
composers as varied as Palestrina, Mozart or Stravinsky, as well
as an offertory anthem - their |
talents are duly offered to God.
Our clergy, their assistants, and the choir wear traditional
vestments (robes), and incense is often used.
The service follows the "Order One in Traditional Language"
liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer, with two readings from
scripture (as appointed in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer)
followed by a sermon. There is time for prayer and quiet, times to
stand and sing, and a shared Eucharist (Communion) each
week.
The tenor of the service will vary with the seasons and the
schedule of scriptural lessons. The mood is friendly and warm,
quiet and contemplative, and also exuberant and uplifting,
sometimes all in one service.
If you are familiar with the Church of England, you will find
something of the timeless and traditional in this service - our
Eastward facing celebration focuses us all on God, rather than
looking in on our own community. If you are unfamiliar with
Anglican worship, you will find the service a subtle mix of Roman
Catholic and Protestant practice. Many find it to be a very
satisfying balance, ancient ceremony and prayer reaching back to
the earliest Christians, aimed at a very personal understanding
and relationship with a very much "living" God.
If you are visiting us you are welcome to participate in the
service as much as you feel comfortable. As you will see, there is
some variety in the way different individuals at All Saints
worship; some make the sign of the cross, others don't, some
prefer to kneel when praying, others prefer to sit. You will not
be conspicuous or embarrassed, and if you have questions or are
unsure what to do, please ask a neighbour. |