Worship
At the heart of our church life is the beautiful worship tradition of the Episcopal Church, as part of the world-wide Anglican communion. Sunday worship services are held at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. We hope that you will be fed, nurtured, and sustained by our liturgy.
In-Person Worship
Christ Church has resumed in-person, outdoor worship services as part of the next phase of its regathering plan. Masks and social distancing are required, and only communion wafers are distributed.
Join us at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. for celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Worship services are held in the parking lot behind the church. Children's Church is provided during the 10:00 a.m. service.
All adults must sign the Diocesan-required Covenant for Regathering in Worship form to attend worship services. Please sign the form and return it to staff@cecrockville.org by the Friday before the service, or bring the signed form with you to the service on Sunday.
Online Worship
The National Cathedral offers an online celebration of the Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Watch live at www.cathedral.org or on the Cathedral's Facebook page or YouTube channel. You can also download a service leaflet to follow along.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m., Christ Church parishioners lead a short Evening Prayer service via Zoom conferencing. Come spend a few minutes with us, online or by phone, as we gather virtually to offer the prayers and readings to the glory and honor of God in this time of required physical separation. Details on how to participate are provided weekly by email. (Sign up for our email list.)
Worship Tradition
The Episcopal Church is sometimes called a “bridge” church, because of our strong affinities with both Roman Catholic and other Protestant churches and our respect for all faith traditions. Our worship consists of music, prayers, readings from Scripture, and a sermon, followed by what we call the celebration of Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion, a sacred act of remembering and reliving Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. All who seek Christ are welcome to receive Holy Communion.
Our worship is traditional in many ways and quite innovative in others. It is that combination of tradition and innovation that gives the Episcopal Church its distinct feel.
Worship Services
Christ Church offers a variety of worship services to best serve our parishioners’ needs and schedules. Please check the church’s website calendar for specific dates and times, especially during Holy Week, the Christmas season, and at the transitions between the winter and summer schedules.
Sunday services are held at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.; both feature celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. Our 10:00 a.m. service is welcoming to both families and children as well as those drawn to traditional worship. It includes a sermon, service music, hymns and anthems, with music by our Adult Choir and Children's Choristers. At 8:00 a.m., we offer a quiet, reflective service without music.
During the 10:00 a.m. service, we offer nursery care for children aged 6 months to 4 years with silent pagers available. Children’s Church is available during the 10:00 a.m. service for children in pre-school through third grade. The services use music and a storytelling format to communicate the same lesson as the adult sermon. Children join their parents upstairs at the Peace.
Every Wednesday at 12:10 p.m., a small, informal service is held in the Chapel, including a short homily and a healing rite.
Assisted listening devices are available if needed. Please speak with an usher if you have any special needs.
Worship Music
Christ Church has a rich musical tradition embodied in our Adult Choir and Children's Choristers. We sing a challenging, traditional repertoire that draws on a range of styles and historical periods.
Lay Participation in Worship
The laity participates in leading worship. At the Sunday Eucharist, members of the congregation bring the bread and wine to the Altar at the offertory and serve as lectors for the reading of the lessons. Laity also serve as Acolytes, Lectors, Lay Liturgical Eucharistic Ministers, and Ushers. Frequently, a healing ministry takes place at a side Altar during the distribution of Communion.