What can I expect when I visit?

The first thing you’ll notice about our worship is how active it is. A lot of people will be doing a lot of different things. Some people will kneel during part of the service. Some will stand. Some will bow towards the front of the church. Some will make the sign of the cross. Others will close their eyes and raise their hands in worship. Anglicanism allows for a wide variety of expression. This is part of our understanding of what it means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12.1)  Ours is a liturgical tradition. That means we follow a set order of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP).  On one hand it may seem like a lot of busy-ness. On the other, everything we do in our worship has an important meaning and a rich symbolism. There is no one right way to worship God – so don’t worry about doing something “wrong”!

Our music is a blend of the best of modern songs and the traditional hymns of the past. The service of The Point contains more contemporary songs done in an “un-plugged” style. Many of our prayers (such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father) will be written-out in the BCP while others will not. 

Both the priest and all those assisting with the services with be wearing different “vestments”. Vestments are traditional garments and robes worn by clergy for centuries. The color of the vestments and cloths that decorate the church building (such as the Altar and the lecterns) change according to the season of the year.

Other traditions that we use in varying degrees during our services include grand processions following a cross and candles. Sometimes we will use incense; this is simply another way to engage our senses in worship and is a visible sign of the prayers of the saints ascending to heaven. And especially during high holy days – such as Christmas and Easter – we have more ways of expressing our thanksgiving to God for what he has done through Jesus’ death, life, and resurrection by the use of special liturgies and prayers.

Thad will deliver a highly relevant 20-25 minute sermon expounding upon one or more of the four passages of the Bible that are read aloud during the service. You’ll definitely leave feeling encouraged and equipped to go back into the world and live out the rest of the week.

Finally, the 8 and 10.15 services have Holy Communion (Eucharist).  All baptized Christians from any tradition are welcome to come to the Lord’s Table. We receive the Body and Blood of our Lord by walking forward to the front of the church and kneeling (or standing) at the Altar rail. We extend our hands to receive the bread (a small, round wafer) and, once eaten, receive the wine in a common cup. A blessing may be received at the Altar instead of Communion by crossing one’s arms across one’s chest. 

Is Zion a Protestant or a Catholic church?
The answer is Yes. The Anglican tradition was given birth in the days of the Reformation (AD 1500’s) when the Church of England separated itself from Roman Catholicism. It retained much of the rich liturgy and symbolism thrown out by other Protestant/Reformation churches while clarifying theology reflecting a return to more biblical roots. We also retain an unbroken line of apostolic succession. That simply means that our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons trace their ordinations directly to beginning days of the Church. We are part of what we profess to be the one holy catholic and apostolic church. Within Anglicanism is the full spectrum of people whose practice of Christianity is on one side “Anglo-Catholic” all the way over to Evangelical and/or Charismatic on the other. Zion is a true mix of having in its congregation people from these categories and everything in between! Both a common commitment to following Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and worship from the BCP bind us together in harmony.