Come Worship with Us!

All are welcome to the services at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Services at Trinity

6:00 P.M., Solemn High Mass

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: Morning Prayer in the Chapel at 9:00 A.M.

Thursday: 6:00 P.M. Evening Prayer at Presbyterian Manor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the 6 PM Solemn High Mass

Q. How long is the service? A. A little over one hour.

Q. Is childcare provided? A. Yes, childcare is provided in the nursery from 30 minutes before the service until 30 minutes after it concludes.

Q. Is there a reception or meal before or after? A. There is a meal in the parish hall after the service. Everyone is invited to join us.

Q. What style of service is provided? A. The service is sometimes called Solemn High Mass which is a celebration of the Eucharist(Lord's Supper or Holy Communion) that has a rich offering of ritual including singing, chanting, and incense.

Q. Who is welcome at this service? A. Everyone is welcome but college students are especially invited. The time of the service also intentionally provides an opportunity for those unable to attend church on Sunday mornings. This who might find an evening service more compatible with their schedule include some health care workers, fire fighters, police officers, real estate agents, those traveling or those who like to sleep late on Sunday mornings. We have also discovered that many are attracted to a more traditional form of worship. As far as we know, this is the only service of its type offered in the area. We expect all "sorts and conditions" to be a part of this community.

Q. What style of music does the service offer? A. Our Mission in Music: The Solemn High Mass has resulted in the formation of a new liturgical choir at Trinity Church under the direction of Henry Heller Smith, our Associate Music Director and doctoral candidate in choral conducting at the University of Kansas. The singers are students at the University. The choir's hymnody, psalmody, plainsong, Gregorian chant, and anthems repreent the finest tradition in the church's repertoire of ancient and modern sacred music. The celebration of Solemn High Mass reminds us that liturgy, music, and ceremony are woven together from a common catholic thread. Individual performance is not the essence of what is taking place. Rather, individual efforts are shaped and formed into a sacramental whole, a mystical unity, transcending place and time, which focuses the utmost devotion and prayerful attention to the worship of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is, indeed, an offering of worship in the solemnity and beauty of holiness.

Q. Why aren't we doing a contemporary service if one of our primary purposes is to reach college students? A. Many churches in Lawrence, including St. Margaret's, already offer contemporary worship on both Sunday morning and evening. They also do this very well. It is not our strong point and those who desire a contemporary experience have ample opportunities to do so. There are, however, no churches in the area that offer anything like we do. Not every college student, or person of any age for that matter, is attracted to a contemporary form of worship. We offer an alternative for those in the city who seek to connect the concerns of daily life in the 21st century with our ancient faith.

Q. Where can I park? A. In front of the church on Vermont Street, on 10th or 11th Streets, in the public lot across from the church, in Trinity's parking lot just south of the church building or in the public lot at the corner of 10th and Vermont just north of the church.

Q. Do I need to be familiar with the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal to participate? A. The service should be familiar to those who attend Sunday mornings but we also have the entire service printed out in a booklet so one need not juggle books.

Q. How can I be involved? A. Come and worship. Bring friends. We also have many leadership opportunities: Musicians, readers, prayer leaders, ushers, hosts(greeters), nursery workers, chalice bearers, acolytes, Altar Guild and even an audio technician to record the sermon.

ACOLYTES: Being an Acolyte is an opportunity for children 3rd - 12th grade to serve the whole church. An Acolyte is an integral part of the worship service. They act as guides during Communion and aid the Deacon and Priest in preparing the table for Communion. Trinity uses 8 Acolytes on Sunday. There is a place for every youth in our parish.

ALTAR FLOWERS: This ministry arranges flowers for the altar each Sunday in the church year except during Advent and Lent.

ALTAR GUILD: The Trinity Altar Guild is comprised of three teams that serve at all church services.

LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: These people visit the homebound or hospitalized and take communion to them.

LECTORS, INTERCESSORS AND CHALICE BEARERS: All of these people are a very important part of worship at Trinity. The Lectors read the Old and New Testament lessons and lead the Psalms. We have lectors from ages 8-80. The Intercessors bring the concerns of the congregation and the church before God in the Prayers of the People. Chalice Bearers distribute the consecrated wine and assist the priest and deacons at the altar.

MUSIC AT TRINITY: The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM from September through May and is a vital part of the worship at Trinity. The Interim Music Director is Henry Heller Smith and the organist is Elizabeth Stephens. Henry Heller Smith also conducts the Trinity Consort on Sunday evenings. They rehearse on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM during the academic year. Susan Ralston is the Youth Music Director and the Trinity Choristers sing periodically in the services under her direction. The Choristers group is open to all children from 3rd - 6th grade.

TRINITY CONSORT: The Solemn High Mass has resulted in the formation of the Trinity Consort under the direction of Henry Heller Smith, our Interim Music Director and doctoral candidate in choral conducting at the University of Kansas. Most of the singers are students at the University. The choir’s hymnody, psalmody, plainsong, Gregorian chant, Anglican chant, and anthems represent the finest tradition in the church’s repertoire of ancient and modern sacred music. The celebration of Solemn High Mass reminds us that liturgy, music, and ceremony are woven together from a common catholic thread. Individual performance is not the essence of what is taking place. Rather, individual efforts are shaped and formed into a sacramental whole, a mystical unity, transcending place and time, which focuses the utmost devotion and prayerful attention to the worship of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is, indeed, an offering of worship in the solemnity and beauty of holiness.

PASTORAL CARE TEAM: The ministry of the Pastoral Care Team is to bring the church to our parishioners who are no longer able to attend services on a long-term basis. Team members provide support and companionship and listen to the concerns of those living alone. On occasion, they also make hospital visits.

PRAYER CHAIN: The Prayer chain is a group of individuals who pray daily for the special needs of others.