Grace Church Bainbridge Island

Liturgy

 

There is a sense that parishioners make church happen, stemming from our founding when a small group asked the Bishop of Olympia in 1992 to establish a new Episcopal mission on Bainbridge Island. From that day forward we have worshipped in the round and invested our services with strong lay participation. Parishioners write the Prayers of the People, bake the bread, read the lessons, and assume most of the functions of a traditional altar guild. A robust cadre of Licensed Eucharistic Ministers assists.

 

On the first Sunday of each month, our children and youth contribute to the service by reading and singing. But that’s not all: The celebrant gathers the children on the floor by the altar for a short kid-centered homily. The kids then go to Godly Play and Godly Journey and the celebrant continues the homily.

 

The homilies of both our Rector and Associate, whether for children or adults, are praised for connecting the lessons to our real lives. They talk with us rather than preach at us. They give us something we can take into the world.

 

Worship at Grace is enriched by the participation of several retired Episcopal priests and a retired Presbyterian minister who are invited to preach several times throughout the year.

 

When we gather together, we celebrate the Eucharist. There are two regularly scheduled Sunday morning services, at 8 and 9:30, plus a Wednesday morning Eucharist and Bible study.

 

Communion is open to anyone who wishes to partake, offered as a gift from God rather than being tied to membership or doctrine.