Emmanuel's Chancel on Easter Morning
Palm Sunday Procession
Outdoor worship on the Wakefield Common
An Easter-tide Baptism
Worship
Our worship life is rich and varied. Our style is probably best described as traditional, although not rigid. While respecting ritual, we are willing to try new things, like worshipping outdoors on the Wakefield Common and holding a “Blessing of Animals” on our front lawn.
Come and see. Come and hear. Come and grow with us!
Emmanuel offers services of Holy Eucharist, Rite I, without music at 8 a.m. and Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with organ music and Choir accompaniment at 10 a.m. During the summer months, we combine these into one 9 a.m. service, alternating between Rites I and II. We also offer Services of Morning Prayer several times each year. Every week, our Rector—or on occasion a guest preacher or celebrant—offers a thoughtful sermon that enriches our worship and helps us grow as Christians.
Children are an important part of our congregation. They are invited to sit with their families through the opening hymn of the 10:00 Choral Eucharist, after which they process to the parish hall for a 40 minute children's chapel service. Following the chapel service, the children join the rest of the congregation for Holy Communion each Sunday. Professionally staffed child care for children under age 3 years of age is available beginning at 9:30 a.m. Even these youngest members join us for Communion or a blessing every week.
Beginning in September 2010, an informal service of Evening Prayer will be held in the Church every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Following the service, a community supper is held at 6:30, to which whole congregation is invited. Education for all ages is held Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Music is an essential part of our worship, and under the direction of Mike Salvatore, our Choir inspires us with a broad range of music—everything from traditional hymns to spirituals. The Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:15 p.m. and on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. There are no auditions—everyone is welcome to join! A Junior Choir featuring our Church School students performs on occasion, sometimes in conjunction with the parish Choir.
Emmanuel is blessed with a talented, musical congregation, so we often enjoy special selections from members of our Choir and "guest" instrumentalists or soloists on occasion. For Christmas and Easter services, the Choir prepares a more extensive program of music. Often other parishioners who cannot commit to singing on a weekly basis join the Choir, filling our Sanctuary with the joyful noise of these special seasons. We regularly host evening concerts, such as a recent performance of Renaissance choral music by the vocal octet, Ars et Amici, and some of our choir members are featured in the auditioned choir Magnificat!, which performs the Service of Evensong at a different church in our diocese each month.