Worship at Incarnation

A young John the Baptist, sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The figure is the central feature in the baptismal font of Church of the Incarnation.

The central activity that unites us at Incarnation is the worship of God through prayer, music, Scripture and sharing of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). All persons, of whatever faith, are cordially invited to each of our public services and all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion. Worship services are held twice on Sunday mornings, at 8:30am and 11:00am, and at 5:00pm Sunday evenings. The 8:30am service takes place in the Chapel of the Nativity with a brief homily (sermon) during the service. The 11:00am service is an hour-long service that includes a Choral Eucharist on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month and on major feast days. The second and fourth Sundays usually offer a choral service of Morning Prayer. All 11:00am services include a sermon and are followed by a coffee hour in our Parish House. When the Holy Eucharist is not a part of the 11:00am service, it is provided at noon. The 5:00pm service is a Contemplative Candlelight Communion (from mid-September to mid-June), with quiet meditative chanting and periods of silence for reflection and contemplation, that utilizes candlelight, water, greenery and music from the Taizé community in Burgundy, France. During the week, Eucharists are held Wednesdays at 12:15pm and 6:30pm and Friday at 12:15pm in the main church. The Wednesday evening service is in contemporary language and includes a homily followed by a reception. Friday services provide a Healing Service with the laying on of hands by the priest. The form of our worship is stipulated in the Book of Common Prayer and other authorized rites, both ancient and modern: The Sunday 8:30am service follows the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; The Sunday 11:00am service follows Rite I; The Sunday 5:00pm Contemplative Candlelight Communion (from mid-September to mid-June) uses Enriching Our Worship, an authorized liturgy of the Episcopal Church; The weekday services are either Rite I or Rite II. Members of the congregation also assist in conducting worship services: Acolytes, who include junior members of our congregation, lead the procession to worship. The Altar Guild cares for the silver and linens, prepares the altars and secures communion supplies. Chalice Bearers assist in serving the Eucharist. Lay Readers read Scripture during services. Ushers greet visitors, seat worshippers, distribute worship bulletins, collect the offering and invite parishioners to our coffee hour following the service. SUNDAY SERVICES 8:30am Holy Eucharist 11:00am Holy Eucharist 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 11:00am Morning Prayer 2nd and 4th Sundays with Choir followed by Holy Eucharist at 12:00 noon 5:00pm Contemplative Candlelight Communion (mid-September to mid-June) WEEKDAY EUCHARISTS Wednesdays 12:15pm and 6:30pm The 6:30pm service includes a homily with a reception following the service. Fridays 12:15pm Includes a Healing Service

The Reverend J. Douglas Ousley Rector The Church of the Incarnation 209 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 telephone: 212-689-6350 fax: 212-689-7311 e-mail: info@churchoftheincarnation.org

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