Worship at Saint Bernard's Church

Worship @ St. Bernard's

“In corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments” (BCP, p. 857). Each Sunday at 10 am, we gather as an intergenerational Christian community to celebrate Holy Eucharist and lift our voices in songs of praise and thanksgiving. Our services are from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and our music drawn from The Hymnal 1982 of the Episcopal Church, as well as the wider English choral tradition. Everyone in attendance is invited and welcome to receive Holy Communion.

From September through June, refreshments follow the 10 am service in the Parish Hall, and Christian Formation for adults and children is offered through various series during the year.

We believe in the ministry of the laity. St. Bernard’s Church encouraged the active participation of all its people in gathered worship. This includes children of all ages, persons of all abilities. Many different kinds of tasks and roles are available for those who wish to contribute to our worship of God. We encourage you to explore ways in which you feel called to serve in worship. Parishioners can volunteer to read during services, be an usher, Chalicist, serve on the Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Prayer Shawl ministry, or be a member of the Vestry, the Stewardship team, Education volunteer with our Outreach ministries, and more!

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild welcomes as its members any lay persons interested in serving by preparing the altar and the sanctuary for worship. We traditionally use a wide array of altar hangings, linens, banners, veils, burses, silver plate and vestments to do so. Members are scheduled on a monthly basis to set out the bread, the wine, and Eucharistic items. They are also responsible for the cleaning and storage of these after the services. The Altar Guild cares for and oversees altar linens, clerical vestments, and all the other needs of worship. All are welcome to join this ministry. The Altar Guild Director is Sue Smith, whose contact information is available through the Parish Office.

Chalicists

During our services of Holy Eucharist, Chalice Bearers, or Chalicists, share the Eucharistic cup with those receiving the sacrament of the Blood of Christ. Chalicists vest in albs and rope cinctures, are a part of the procession, and sit in the sanctuary by the altar. Currently, our Chalicists also function in the acolyte role, receiving the gifts and assisting the clergy at the altar as the table is prepared. Chalicists are trained by the clergy and licensed by the Diocese to participate in the public worship of the Church. To inquire about becoming a Chalicist, please speak with Mary Kempen, the Chalicist Director, or Pastor Beth. Young people are also welcome to volunteer as Acolytes as well.

Ushers

Ushers greet you as you enter our services of worship, providing you with a worship bulletin. They distribute Sunday service leaflets and any other hand-outs of the day designed to guide worshippers in prayer. Ushers also gather and bring up the offering the gifts of the people to God. They assist during Communion by guiding worshippers as they rise to receive the sacrament or a blessing. To inquire about becoming an Usher, please contact the Parish Office.

JOY! Service

Families with young children (infants and up) are welcome to join us for our monthly JOY! service, held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 9 am from September through June. This 25 minute service welcomes children into our liturgical tradition in informal, participatory, and fun ways.

Readers

Readers, also known traditionally as lectors, volunteer to read from the Holy Scriptures and to lead The Prayers of the People in our worship. Two lectors volunteer each Sunday for the 10 a.m. service. The first one reads the First Lesson, drawn from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Prayers of the People. The second lector reads the Second Lesson, drawn from the New Testament. We use the New Revised Standard Version (NSRV) of the Holy Bible in worship. Basic instruction and guidance is provided for new readers by the clergy. To sign up go to be a reader go to www.SignUp.com

Acolytes

We believe in the spiritual formation of our children. The Acolyte Corps is essential to the realization of this faith commitment. Acolytes are children and youth who serve at altar with the priest and chalicists. They work directly with the celebrant in making our worship experience all it is intended to be. In so doing they learn what it means to be at the center of the action in a Eucharistic community of faith. Young people of the parish, ages 10 years old through college age, are invited to serve in all our services of Holy Eucharist. Acolytes are scheduled for each Sunday service, as well as for special liturgies of the Church Year. All vest in albs, rope cinctures, and crosses. The Crucifer leads the Acolyte procession bearing the celebrant’s cross. Two Torch Bearers carry the candles. The Gospel Bearer presents the Gospel Book. Acolytes follow in procession behind the choir in services of Holy Eucharist and are seated near the celebrant and chalicists. They enact a special procession for the reading of the Gospel in the midst of the people. One Acolyte at each service is designated to serve at altar with the celebrant, to receive the gifts and offerings of the people and to help set and clear the table. Briefly put, our Acolytes are active in every part of the liturgy. To inquire about joining the Acolyte Corps, please contact the Parish Office.

Refreshment

Volunteers

Gathering together and building our relationships over refreshments after worship helps us welcome newcomers and visitors, renew friendships, and strengthen and enjoy our community at St. Bernard’s. We invite you to join us for refreshments in Parish Hall following the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist. Parishioners sign up on a sheet in the Hall to host and provide weekly refreshments. Families enjoy serving together, as well as teams of parishioners and friends. We hope that you will make this time part of your Sunday routine when you worship with us. For more details about our Refreshments ministry, please speak with Valerie McEntee, our coordinator.