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Central to our identity as Christians is the worship God in the context of community. There is a place for you and your presence will add to our praise of God and community life. Each service is around an hour long. Please see the “What to Expect” section to learn more about our way of worship.
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The Church of Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg
9:15 a.m. on Sundays |
The Church of the Epiphany, Urbana
11 a.m. on Sundays |
What to expect
How Do you worship?
Our worship is characterized by joy and incorporates a number of ways for us to worship God including congregational singing, other musical offerings, prayer, a children’s message, a sermon, silence, and the celebration of Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper. We sit, stand, kneel and make the sign of the cross at times; however, you will not see everyone doing these things – we believe these are optional and are to be done if it helps connect one to God.
Although our worship is not stuffy, we do follow an ancient pattern of worship connecting us to the early Christians and throughout the ages—the first half focuses on hearing, reflecting on and responding to Scripture and the second component focuses on the celebration of Holy Communion. Our pattern unites us with other Christians including Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Orthodox Christians.
Although our worship is not stuffy, we do follow an ancient pattern of worship connecting us to the early Christians and throughout the ages—the first half focuses on hearing, reflecting on and responding to Scripture and the second component focuses on the celebration of Holy Communion. Our pattern unites us with other Christians including Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Orthodox Christians.
What is your music style?
Our two congregations greatly enjoy singing a variety of hymns and songs to praise God. Our music style, like our worship in general, is eclectic. We sing traditional and contemporary hymns and songs accompanied mainly by the organ and by guitar and piano from time to time.
What do i wear?
We don’t have a dress code! Most people are in casual or business casual attire. Some will dress up at least occasionally.
How long is a worship service?
Typically, a Sunday worship service is around an hour in length.
Are you kid friendly?
Yes! We gladly welcome all generations and affirm the gifts and characteristics of each generation. Children and youth help the priest and other worship leaders lead worship by participating in the processions, setting the Altar for Holy Communion, and more. Participation is strictly based on the comfort level of the kids and their parents, however. After the children’s message, children are welcome to go to Sunday School for around 20 minutes. Activity bags are available for kids to enjoy throughout the service and Epiphany has a “Pray Ground” with books and quiet activities in one corner.
Life Passages
At Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg and Epiphany, Urbana, we commit to being with people throughout the span of life by providing pastoral care and offering the sacramental rites of Holy Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Matrimony as well as funerals/memorials/celebrations of life. Please find below a general description of our life passages. To inquire further, please contact Amy Boeck, the Office Administrator (937.653.3497 or [email protected]).
Holy Baptism
Baptism initiates people, by water and the Holy Spirit, into the Body of Christ. We baptize adults, children and infants. We regard the sacrament of baptism as a Holy Mystery, which means we can understand the meaning of the act without ever fully fathoming the depths of its significance. As part of the baptismal rite, we make promises to God and the Body of Christ – these are outlined in the Baptismal Covenant.
Baptismal Covenant
Typically, Holy Baptism takes place in the context of Sunday morning worship at the baptismal font where water is poured onto the head of the baptismal candidate. Other times and forms of baptism such as sprinkling or full immersion are possible. Such details will be discussed as part of the required instruction with a member of the clergy.
For young children and infants, the parent(s) select at least one Godparent. For older children, youth and adults, they select at least one sponsor.
Although Baptism can be celebrated on most Sundays, our two churches join the wider church in preferring specific feast days or Seasons to celebrate this sacrament:
Baptismal Covenant
Typically, Holy Baptism takes place in the context of Sunday morning worship at the baptismal font where water is poured onto the head of the baptismal candidate. Other times and forms of baptism such as sprinkling or full immersion are possible. Such details will be discussed as part of the required instruction with a member of the clergy.
For young children and infants, the parent(s) select at least one Godparent. For older children, youth and adults, they select at least one sponsor.
Although Baptism can be celebrated on most Sundays, our two churches join the wider church in preferring specific feast days or Seasons to celebrate this sacrament:
- The Feast of Our Lord’s Baptism (January)
- Easter Season (the Sunday after Easter Day is a preferred time)
- The Feast of Pentecost (May or June)
- All Saints’ Sunday (the first Sunday in November)
Weddings
Through the sacramental rite of Holy Matrimony, we celebrate the gift of love for those who are called to enter a lifelong commitment. Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg and Epiphany, Urbana welcome members and non-members to have a wedding ceremony according to the rites of The Episcopal Church with us. Our two churches offer a beautiful and reverent space ideal for a wedding. Epiphany, Urbana can comfortably seat 100 people and Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg can comfortably seat 75 people. Typically, the Priest-in-Charge or someone approved by the Priest-in-Charge officiates the ceremony.
Prior to the ceremony, the couple meets with the Priest-in-Charge and/or a designee for premarital counseling. In addition to planning the service, the purpose of the counseling is to deepen the couple’s relationship through conversations about commitment, communication, personality, forgiveness, values and finances.
For additional information and/or to schedule a time to meet with a member of the clergy, please contact Amy Boeck, Office Administrator (937.653.3497 or [email protected]).
Prior to the ceremony, the couple meets with the Priest-in-Charge and/or a designee for premarital counseling. In addition to planning the service, the purpose of the counseling is to deepen the couple’s relationship through conversations about commitment, communication, personality, forgiveness, values and finances.
For additional information and/or to schedule a time to meet with a member of the clergy, please contact Amy Boeck, Office Administrator (937.653.3497 or [email protected]).
Funerals
We are here to support family members and friends as they grieve the loss of a loved one. Please contact the Office (937.653.3497 or [email protected]) if you wish to meet with a member of the clergy to discuss grief. Please use the same information if you wish to plan a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life.
Funerals are typically held at the church and occasionally at a funeral home. It is possible for the church to host the visitation as well. In addition, space is available for a post-service reception.
The funeral service is rooted in Easter. It finds all meaning in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised. The service, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." This joy, however, does not deny the reality of grief and sorrow. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
Funerals are typically held at the church and occasionally at a funeral home. It is possible for the church to host the visitation as well. In addition, space is available for a post-service reception.
The funeral service is rooted in Easter. It finds all meaning in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised. The service, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." This joy, however, does not deny the reality of grief and sorrow. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
