Worship

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
806 13^th Street
Altoona, PA 16602
(814) 942-1372

Click here for a map to locate St. Luke’s

info@stlukesaltoona.org


		Worship Times and Schedule (Click Here) Worship is at the center of our community life at St. Luke's, and we welcome visitors to any of St. Luke’s services. We worship according to the customs of the Episcopal Church, following the seasons of the Church Year from Advent through Pentecost. The Holy Eucharist, or service of Holy Communion, is at the heart of our worship life with other liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer providing a breadth of expression. People of all ages are involved as ushers, acolytes, lectors, chalice administrators, choir members, Eucharistic Visitors, and members of the Altar Guild. We welcome children and encourage their participation in services throughout the year. We value worship that actively involves everyone, engages all of our senses, honors our traditions, and is welcoming to everyone. Gathering regularly and faithfully, we meet the risen Christ in worship that expresses our joy and gratitude.

	Worship Services Sundays Early risers and people looking for a quieter worship experience may prefer our 8:00 AM service - a spoken Eucharist with a sermon. The historic language of Rite I is used during the seasons of Advent and Lent. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:30 (from September through May). The youngest children remain in class through the first half of the service, before joining the congregation for Holy Communion.




				Worship on Sunday





					Worship at the Church Picnic

The 10:15 AM liturgy, Holy Eucharist using contemporary language, is a welcoming service for both adults and children. At this later service, we enjoy a strong tradition of music-organ, choir, and congregational singing. Our musical style includes ancient hymns, old favorites and contemporary works.

Wednesdays Holy Eucharist is celebrated at 10:00 AM, and at this service we offer the ancient tradition of anointing with oil and praying for healing of body, mind, or spirit. Most Wednesdays, this service is offered in a chapel in the Old Rectory building.

Thursdays Evening Prayer is said in the church at 6:30 PM. We pray the Collects (prayers) and read the Holy Scriptures appointed for the day, Anglicans believe that praying shapes our belief; therefore, we mark beginning and ending of the day with prayer and scripture reading. Evening Prayer is one of the Daily Offices.

We worship using all the resources of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal, and the supplemental Episcopal hymnals, Wonder, Love & Praise and Lift Every Voice, and, occasionally, prayers and music from other churches in the Anglican Communion. Our service generally includes readings from four portions of scripture, a sermon which tries to relate the Biblical message to our practical lives, prayers and Holy Communion. As in every Eucharistic celebration at St. Luke's, all baptized Christians are welcome and urged to come forward to receive the bread and wine of the Holy Communion.


	Seasonal Worship During the liturgical season of Lent, the parish prays the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings. We also offer a healing service during Advent to offer comfort to those who find Advent and Christmas to be a difficult time. The times and dates will be announced in the parish newsletter.


	Worship Ministries St. Luke’s varied worship life is supported by a range of ministries. The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for worship, Acolytes lead the processions and serve the clergy during worship, and the Flower Guild provides beautiful decoration for Sundays and Feast Days. Vestry members deliver these flowers to parishioners and friends after Sunday services. Worship Leaders, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and the Choir are instrumental in the leadership of worship. Ushers and Greeters offer hospitality and assistance to worshippers. Nursery caregivers take care of infants and young children during worship. Hospitality volunteers provide refreshments after each Sunday service.

		Baptism The sacrament of Holy Baptism is a defining element of our community’s life together in Christ. Baptisms of adults and children take place four to six times a year during the Sunday Eucharist. Parents, Godparents, and sponsors, as well as adults who have not been baptized, receive instruction in the Christian faith. For a Baptism Information Document - Click Here Weddings The Blessing and Celebration of a Marriage is a sacramental rite conducted within the Episcopal Church. This ceremony is a public recognition of the bond of Christian marriage which both individuals pledge to each other. The gathered congregation also makes a pledge – to support the newly-married couple in their marriage.




			Worship aided by Acolytes



		The Service of Holy Baptism

We welcome conducting weddings for members of St. Luke’s and will consider conducting weddings for people not affiliated with our parish. When couples marry in the parish, it is on the basis of an understanding that they intend to form a Christian marriage and that they will have an ongoing relationship with the parish for at least one year after their marriage. Premarital counseling is required by the canons of the Episcopal Church. In the case of a divorced person who wishes to remarry, permission from the Bishop is required. Contact the Rector for more information. For our Marriage Guidelines Document - Click Here

Funerals
Christian burial is a service of blessing for the deceased and of thanksgiving to God for that person's life. As Christians, we believe that death marks not the end of life, but a new beginning as we move from earthly life to a greater Life with God. A Christian is properly buried or cremated from the Church; it is desirable that the service include a requiem Eucharist. The parish office has resource material to assist in the making of a will (including a Living Will) and information regarding funeral planning. Parish clergy are available for consultation and pastoral care in times of need.


	This web page was created by Paul C. Stauffer III, graphic artist and media designer. or information about media and design services please visit www.ideamover.net Paul C. Stauffer III is not responsible for the content on these web pages. All content responsibility lies with the client who commissioned the creation of the web page content.