One of daunting aspects of being new to an Episcopal Church is feeling like you don't know when to stand or sit or kneel.  At Saint Matthew's we find that it is more important that you feel comfortable and your experience is uplifting.  A general guidelne would be stand to sing and when the Gospel is read by the Priest during Holy Eucharist.  Kneel to pray,  sit all the rest of the time.  but we can't stress enough that you should not feel required to move with the congregation as a choreographed troupe.

WORSHIP AT ST. MATTHEW’S-BY-THE-BRIDGE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

Sunday morning worship services are a large part of the life of this faith community. While the services follow a prescribed form that is contained in The Book of Common Prayer, and are formal in content, the feeling is not one of rigidity, or thoughtless recitation of prescribed formulas. Dress is “come as you are,” which for some is shirt and tie, or dress, ° and for others is jeans or slacks and sport shirt. The  important thing is one’s presence.

Two Sundays of the month, we celebrate Holy Communion which is led by one of the two priests that are closely associated with St. Matthew’s. O alternate Sundays, we worship with Morning Prayer, which is led by lay members of the congregation. Both services include three readings, one each from the Old Testament, the Epistles, and Gospels. Both services also include music for congregational participation and meditation music provided by the organ, instrumentalists or a vocal soloist. Please look at the schedule of services to know which service is happening on any given Sunday

HOLY COMMUNION, OR EUCHARIST 

This service is very similar to the same service as practiced by our Roman Catholic, and Lutheran brothers and sisters. The order of the service dates back to the early Christian era and contains portions and words which remain exactly the same from week to week, known as the Ordinary, and portions which change from week to week and season to season known as the . The first part of the service is derived from the ancient Hebrew teaching service and contains readings from The Bible, and a sermon based upon these readings. A time of prayer follows, and then the communion portion itself is celebrated which is culminated by the distribution of bread and wine at the altar rail. Some of these proceedings are set to music and are sung by the congregation, and sometimes the music is simply played quietly in the background providing an aid to meditation. While there are prescribed times to stand, sit, and kneel, it is perfectly acceptable for both visitors and long time members to sit In quiet reflection if they so choose. All baptized Christians are invited to receive Communion; however, those not receiving Communion are invited to come to the altar to receive a blessing. 

MORNING PRAYER 

Morning Prayer contains the recitation of Psalms and Canticles, the reading of scripture from the three portions of The Bible, a sermon, and prayers. Many of the psalms and canticles are set  to music, and there are hymns. This service compilation morning “Office” services that first originated in ancient monasteries with Saint Benedict, which themselves were based on the Jewish synagogue services. The eternal longing of the human spirit for a connection with God a a make this ancient service both timeless and evernew.