From the Rector

This Sunday, November 14^th, at both the 8:00 and 10:30 services we will hold an “Instructed Eucharist”.  That is, we will take time to comment on our service as a whole, and on the various parts of the service so that our understanding might deepen.

If you grew up in a non-liturgical church, you may not quite understand why we do what we do each Sunday.  The truth is even if you did grow up in a liturgical church you still may not know.  My hope is to give the tradition behind what we do as well as a theological explanation for   what we do.

Perhaps, you have attended an “Instructed Eucharist” in another parish.   There are a number of them going around.  The one we will do this Sunday is a bit different because it is one that I have written over the past few years.  In fact, you might call it a “work in progress”.  Therefore, please let me know if the explanations I give are unclear or incomplete.  In addition, if there are parts of the service that I do not address that you would like addressed, let me know that as well.

This would be a good Sunday to invite those friends and relatives who are not familiar with our service.  Perhaps, the explanation will help them feel more comfortable worshipping with us.

Ultimately, of course, our service of Holy Eucharist is “Mystery”.  So, trying to explain it may be both futile and counter productive.  But, if the instruction can point us toward that “Mystery”, perhaps our experience   of God will be enhanced.  We will see.

JCH