Service Guide

CTR is located on Rt 62 (Elliott Street) right on the Beverly/Danvers line, about half a mile from exit 43 off Rt. 128.

Parking

We have ample parking on the right side of our building. The accessible spaces are located along the one-way section of the driveway in the front of the building.

When to Arrive

Our music minister begins the prelude about five minutes before the service begins. You’ll often find most of us in our seats around 9:55 for our 10:00 am service.

What to Wear

Please come as you are. You’ll find some of us in a traditional “Sunday best” and others in jeans.

Children

Children are welcome with their families in the sanctuary. If needed, nursery care for children ages 0–3 years old is available through the left side door (the organ side).

At Christ the Redeemer, we are happy to see families and parishioners of all ages sitting together in church. Wiggling, babbling, playing in the pews, and yes, even a moderate amount of crying is welcomed (from children, that is!). We thank you, parents, for being here with your families, and you are encouraged to sit with your children in the front where they can see.

A retreat room is available for parents and caregivers in the back of the sanctuary to provide a little more privacy while still being able to view the service.

The Sunday morning service is taken from The Book of Common Prayer (2019) of the Anglican Church in North America. You can find our service starting on page 105. We also use The Hymnal 1982 and scripture readings are taken from the English Standard Version. A bulletin is provided every Sunday morning with everything you need to follow along. We choose to enter this consecrated place with reverence, quietly preparing ourselves to meet Almighty God.

Stand, sit, or kneel?

During the service the congregation sits and stands as able as noted in the weekly bulletin. Physical acts of worship are optional during the service. You will see these notated in the bulletin as follows: crossing †, bowing ↓, kneeling, standing. During the Gospel reading it is customary to face the Gospel Book and reader, which represent Christ coming among us as truth and light.

Offering

During the anthem, ushers will come by with offertory plates. Visitors are not expected to contribute; we welcome guests without expecting anything in return. The opportunity to give online is also available–many of us use that option. Following this, the ushers will bring forth gifts of bread, wine, and money — our offering back to God the fruit of our labor and the means by which we live.

Communion

All baptized Christians, including children, are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the altar rail. We kneel, if possible, as a sign of humility and gratitude for Christ’s gift of himself to us. To receive the Host, cup your hands together, palms open and lifted. To receive the Chalice, assist the server in guiding it to your lips, or retain the Host and dip it into the Chalice. Anyone not receiving the Sacrament is welcome to come forward and receive a blessing; please indicate this intention by crossing your arms over your chest. Those not able to come forward may notify an usher of their need to be served in the pew. Gluten-free wafers are available at the left end of the altar rail.

Closing & Fellowship

The closing acts of worship following the final prayers and benediction are the extinguishing of candles and the Postlude, for which the people may kneel or sit (or leave quietly). No applause is necessary following the Postlude.

Following the service, please join us in the Parish Hall for fellowship, coffee, and tea. Our hospitality ministry hosts a lunch following the service, which typically takes place the first Sunday of the month. Check our calendar for more information.