How do Episcopalians worship?

If you are familiar with Roman Catholic or Lutheran services, you will find Episcopal services remarkably similar. The central rite is the Service of Holy Eucharist (aka "Communion," or "The Lord's Supper"), analogous to the Roman Catholic Mass (and referred to as "Mass" by some Episcopalians).  The first part of the liturgy ("The Liturgy of the Word") consists of prayers, scripture readings and a sermon or homily. This is followed an Affirmation of Faith (The Nicene Creed), the Prayers of the People, Confession of Sin, Absolution, and the Exchange of Peace. The second part of the liturgy ("The Liturgy of the Table or Eucharist") begins with the offerings of the congregation, and then proceeds with the Eucharistic Prayer, Consecration of the Elements (bread and wine), Communion, the Post-Communion Prayer, Blessing and Dismissal. Two Eucharistic Rites are commonly used by the Episcopal Church: Rite II, with its more contemporary language, is used most of the year by many churches, with the more traditional and formal Rite I being used during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent. At St. Andrews, we use Rite I year-round at the 8:00 a.m. service on Sunday morning, which also has no music.