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At
Trinity, worship stands at the center of who we are and who we are becoming as
Christian people. Worship is the primary means by which our hearts and minds find
both unity and personal uniqueness. The core pattern of worship in the Episcopal
Church's tradition is threefold. In the HOLY EUCHARIST we are
fed the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation so that we may become the Body
of Christ for the life of the world. This is the Church's primary act of worship
on Sundays and other Feast Days. We also say the DAILY OFFICE,
the daily prayer of the Church that includes readings and prayers. Finally, we
engage in PERSONAL DEVOTIONS, the private prayers of each person
expressing his or her unique relationship with God. Some are drawn to intercession,
others to contemplation or meditation, still others to adoration. 
"Eucharist"
means thanksgiving. The Eucharist is the event in which Christians become grounded
each week in a fundamentally grateful approach to life. In the Holy Eucharist
we come together, share a meal and experience our deepest selves in community
with others and with a loving God in the person of Jesus. Through the Eucharist
we gain strength for our lives and participate in the pattern of all Christian
life-letting go and turning our lives over to God to be used in service to the
world. Baptized Christians of all ages or denominations are welcome to participate
in and receive communion at Trinity. We celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday at 9:00
a.m. throughout the year. During the summer we add a second celebration of the
Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.
The
Daily Office is the Church's daily act of prayer. Whether said in a group in a
parish church or as an individual with morning coffee, the Office is our participation
in the Church's daily praise of God. Different psalms, readings and prayers are
appointed for each day. At Trinity Church we encourage and train members to make
use of some form of the Daily Office as part of their prayer life. The Office
is also used at the beginning or end of meetings and educational events. For a
web resource in observing the discipline of saying the Daily Office, go to: http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html
God
has a unique relationship with each of us. While that uniqueness is developed
as part of a community, Christians also need ways that are specific to their own
individual and personal style to express their relationship with God. Personal
devotions are a way to do this. Through personal devotions, a person can experiment
with forms of prayer that deepen intimacy with God and further illuminate experience
in the light of faith. Some will make use of contemplation or meditation; others
will be attracted to intercession or praise; still others will be drawn to adoration
or dialogue with God. At Trinity Church we occasionally offer "schools of
prayer" to introduce members to various forms of personal devotions and to
help them explore these forms.
Other
rites
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