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Christ Church Frederica, St. Simons Island, GA
Christ Church Frederica

Service Schedule

Christ Church offers daily, weekly, and seasonal opportunities for worship:

Holy Communion (Eucharist):

Saturday Evenings

5:30 pm – St. Ignatius Chapel (Demere Rd.)- Holy Eucharist, Rite II - In-person worship in St. Ignatius. 
 Sunday Mornings

8:00 am – Christ Church (Frederica Rd.) - Holy Eucharist, 1928 BCP - In-person worship in Christ Church.                     

 

9:10 am - Christ Church Parish Hall (Frederica Rd.) - Children's Chapel - In-person, child appropriate worship in the Parish Hall. Children join their parents for Eucharist in the church. 

9:15 am – Christ Church (Frederica Rd.) - Holy Eucharist, Rite II - In-person worship in Christ Church. Worship is also livestreamed on Facebook & You Tube.

   11:15 am – Christ Church (Frederica Rd.) - Holy Eucharist Rite I  - In-person worship in Christ Church. 

  

What to Expect at a Service

What is a Rite, and how are the services different?

Rite I and Rite II designate the style of the worship service (liturgy). Episcopalians worship according to outlines laid out in our Book of Common Prayer. There have been various revisions of our Prayer Book since the original, which was published in 1549. While we follow an outline, we do have some ability to offer different components based on the season and the day.

Each of our Sunday liturgies is a little bit different. Our 1928 liturgy is the oldest, and in most Episcopal Churches was replaced by Rite I and Rite II in the 1970’s. The 1928 and the Rite I liturgy use “Elizabethan English”, which will sound like what you may have read in the King James Bible. Rite II is the same structure service, but in modern English.

An example of how this looks and sounds in practice:

At most of our services, the priest will say: “The Lord be with you.”

In Rite I the people respond: “And with thy Spirit.”

In Rite II the people respond: “And also with you.”

All of our services are made up of two parts: word and sacrament. The ‘word’ part of the services is made up of prayers, readings from the bible, and the sermon. The ‘sacrament’ refers to the part of the service where we receive holy communion.

About the Sunday services:

8:00 am – This service is our most traditional and most formal service. It is a quiet service without music, with very traditional language and phrasing. There are only two scripture readings instead of the typical four. If you have been to other Episcopal services, chances are they weren’t 1928 BCP (Book of Common Prayer) services, so the format will be slightly different. This service changes very little from week to week apart from the readings and the sermon.

9:15 am – This is our most popular, and therefore most crowded service. We alternate between use of the more traditional Rite I language and the modern Rite II language. Our choir sings at this service, offering music that can range from soulful gospel to sacred hymns that are hundreds of years old. This is one of the services that is popular with families. Coffee Hour and Sunday School follow this service in our parish hall.

11:15 am – This service is our second largest service. It also has music every week, usually with a small ensemble of singers and occasionally with the full choir or visiting musicians. Some Sundays we start the service using Morning Prayer, an ancient form of daily prayer in the morning, before moving into Holy Communion. This service also alternates between Rite I and Rite II language.

About Services at St. Ignatius Chapel

On Saturdays at 5:30 pm we offer communion services in our chapel on the south end of the island. These services are generally relaxed, and offered in a more intimate setting, as the chapel is a smaller space. Saturday is usually comfortably full while Sunday may only have a couple of dozen people. These services are full services, and rarely include music.

What do people wear to Church?

At Christ Church you’re liable to see just about anything! Because this is a beach community it is not uncommon to see people dressed very casually. It is also not uncommon to see men wearing a jacket and tie. Ultimately, we want our worshippers to wear what makes them comfortable and allows them to worship fully.

Will I be lost as I try to follow the service?

All of our services now have bulletins that contain all the things you’ll need to participate fully in worship. If you are at a service that includes hymns, you may need to find the hymns in the hymnals that are in the pews, but they’re listed in the bulletin and at the front of the church.

Where do I park?

Christ Church is blessed with many things, but a large parking lot is not one of them. When Christ Church was built there wasn’t the need for parking like there is today! People would just tie their horses up in the churchyard. Today, when coming to Christ Church, many people park in the graveled area on Frederica Rd. just across from the church. There is parking in front of the parish house, and on the point of land as Frederica Rd. curves around to the right. A word of caution as you cross the street and when you leave after church– be sure to look for traffic. St. Ignatius has a parking lot right next to the chapel.

Where do I go on Sunday morning?

When you are at Christ Church you’ll notice two buildings. The historic church building sits in the midst of the churchyard, with a wide lawn in front of it. There is a long brick sidewalk that leads from the Litch Gate along Frederica Rd. right to the front door of the church. That’s where you’ll want to go for services. The other building, which sits closer to the road is where we gather for Coffee Hour, Sunday School, and where our nursery is located. Water and restrooms are available in both buildings. At St. Ignatius, the door to enter the church is just off the front sidewalk along Demere Rd.

Do I need to bring anything with me to a service?

All you ultimately need is a desire to meet God. If you want to bring a prayer book or a bible, you are welcome to, however, everything you need for the service will be provided for you.

What about my young children?

Kids of all ages are welcome to worship with their parents. We do have a professionally staffed nursery for kids 5 and under, located in the parish house. We expect that kids will make some noise in church, so parents need not be overly worried that everyone is watching them or thinking unkind thoughts about their children if they are not “perfect little angels.” We really do welcome children, and are used to their activity and their chorus. If it ever become necessary, parents are always welcome to step out with a child and come back in when they need to. Kids are kids in church just like anywhere else. If we don’t give them an opportunity to be in church, however, they won’t ever learn the value of the church family and the importance of worship.

It has nothing to do with the sermon, but I could use a cup of coffee...

We offer a coffee hour between the 9:15 and 11:15 am Sunday services. There are snack foods for all ages and usually water, iced tea, or lemonade in addition to the coffee. Coffee hour takes place in the parish hall, which is the building next to the church in the churchyard. As you face the church the Parish Hall is on the right.

Daily Office:

   
Daily Evening Prayer Thurs-Sun 5:00 pm (online HERE.)

Music at Christ Church Frederica

Easter The Choir 2014Building upon a long-standing Anglican tradition of excellence in music and liturgy, we provide musical opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Sharing God’s gift of music is an integral way Christ Church Frederica seeks to enrich the spiritual lives of our parishioners and the diverse population of our Golden Isles community. 

Under the direction of Organist and Choirmaster Kathleen Turner, our parish’s music ministry consists of several Ensembles: the Christ Church Choir of Men and Women, the XChoir, the Christ Church Choristers, the Christ Church Trebles, the Christ Church Handbell Choir, Joyful Noise Ensembles (small group ensembles incorporating eclectic instrumentations and repertoire), and the St. Cecilia Series.

Christ Church Choir of Men and Women

Membership is open to anyone willing to dedicate weekly rehearsal time and participate in various liturgies in our parish. The Christ Church Choir of Men and Women sings for the Sunday morning 9:15 Eucharist in addition to a full range of festival services and Evensong offerings. Our repertoire thrives on a diverse selection of music.

The Christ Church Trebles

The Christ Church Trebles are ministers of music. We aspire to teach, to learn, to inspire and to assist in the varied liturgies of Christ Church and St. Ignatius Chapel. Membership in this choir is by invitation of the Organist and Choirmaster.

Christ Church Choristers

LIGHTS! (Liturgy in God's House Through Singing) The Christ Church Chorister program is where music ministry begins for young children. We play, we learn, and we begin to experience music and liturgy in God's house. No audition is required. We have serious fun with music.

Christ Church Handbell Choir

The Christ Church Handbell Choir offers ringing in all our Liturgies. Our rehearsals combine musical finesse with a sense of humor. As a result of the COVID pandemic we created smaller Joyful Noise Ensembles, so membership is open to anyone interested in this ministry. Please contact the Organist and Choirmaster to fill your spot.

Joyful Noise Ensembles

Created out of the need for small non-singing groups during the COVID Pandemic the Joyful Noise Ensembles prepare sacred music offerings incorporating world drumming, Orff Schulwerk orchestrations, and handbell/tonechime combinations. These ensembles are  intergenerational and open to everyone.

St. Cecilia Series 

Outstanding music and art are an integral part of Christ Church, Frederica. Blessed by both the beauty of our historic church and the acoustical resonance of our Parish House, our occasional St. Cecilia Series performances are exquisite. These musical offerings depend on the generosity of our parish and friends to help support this ministry. We welcome your interest and would be pleased to discuss ways in which you might be a partner in our work by offering an unrestricted gift or sponsoring a concert or event. Donations, memorials, and attending our events are always welcome.

Contact our Interim Organist and Choirmaster

Tess Nielsen

912-638-8683

Baptism

Baptism is the primary sacrament in the Church across Christian denominations. It defines our membership in the Body of Christ and calls us to a certain way of life. Baptism is offered to all persons from infancy through adulthood. Typically, baptism is offered on several days throughout the year, days the wider Church has established as being particularly appropriate for baptism:

  • All Saints Day (or the Sunday after), typically around November 1
  • Baptism of our Lord Sunday, typically the Sunday after January 6
  • Easter Vigil or Easter Day, which fall in March or April depending upon the year
  • Pentecost, which is 50 days after Easter, and often in June or late May
  • Whenever the Bishop visits
  • Other dates for good cause and in collaboration with parish clergy
  • Baptisms are not offered during the season of Lent

There is some preparation for the baptismal candidate or their parents (in the case of young children). If you are interested in baptism, please speak to a member of the clergy.

The Baptismal Service and Baptismal Covenant

More on Baptism

“Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (BCP, pp. 298, 858). In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry.

Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. Sponsors (godparents) speak on behalf of candidates for baptism who are infants or younger children and cannot speak for themselves at the Presentation and Examination of the Candidates. During the baptismal rite the members of the congregation promise to do all they can to support the candidates for baptism in their life in Christ. They join with the candidates by renewing the baptismal covenant.

The water of baptism may be administered by immersion or affusion (pouring) (BCP, p. 307). Candidates are baptized "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," and then marked on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Chrism may be used for this marking. The newly baptized is "sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." When all baptisms have been completed, the celebrant and congregation welcome the newly administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or another feast.

The Catechism notes that "Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God." The baptismal promises are made for infants by their parents or sponsors, "who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him" (BCP, pp. 858-859). Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, the Day of Pentecost, All Saint's Day or the Sunday following, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany).” Source: “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, a User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.

Weddings at Christ Church, Frederica

CCFWedding1The marriage of two people is a holy union. It begins with your desire to form a lasting, lifelong partnership with another person in God's love, and continues throughout your lives as an unfolding process of intentional living and growing together. In a marriage, each of you as an individual and together as a couple, gradually transform and mature in God's presence and image. A wedding, then, is a sacred ritual that acknowledges and celebrates your desire to enter a lifelong relationship. It symbolizes the ending of former ways of life and other future possibilities, and establishes a particular pathway into the future – one that you promise to travel together.

By uniting within the context of a faith community, you recognize that God is active in the love you feel for one another, and you place your relationship in God's care. You make your vows before God and the gathered community of family, friends and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help you fulfill your vows. Your marriage is a sacrament – an outward and visible sign of God's grace bringing you together and nurturing your love.

Who May Be Married at Christ Church, Frederica?

Members may be married at Christ Church, although non-members may be married under certain circumstances as described in our Wedding Guide. Priority for the scheduling of weddings is always given to anyone who is a member of Christ Church, Frederica (CCF). For a definition of membership, please see our Wedding Guide.

Scheduling Weddings

Weddings may be scheduled throughout the Church year except during Holy Week, the first week of Easter, the final week of Advent, and on any major secular holiday weekend. Weddings are rarely celebrated during the penitential season of Lent.

We are able to schedule weddings with at least six months’ notice and no more than 18 months in advance. Premarital counseling is required of all couples.

Getting Started on Your Wedding

Please download this helpful guide to Weddings at Christ Church, as well as our Building Use Policy document, and  contact our Wedding Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to begin your marriage journey with us.

Funerals

The death of a loved one can be one of the most stressful and traumatic times in our lives. At Christ Church we seek to be a source of comfort and strength during those times. All members at Christ Church have the ability to have their funeral service here. Under certain circumstances, non members may have a funeral service for a loved one. We have developed this guide that may assist you in the planning of a funeral service at Christ Church. The first step in your planning should be to reach out to our Cemetery Superintendent, Harrison Branch. You may reach him by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone, at 912-638-8683, Ext. 105.

Summer Programs - VBS 2022

Vacation Bible School 2023
 
 
Information coming this spring!
 
If you have any questions, please contact Mother Katie at 912-638-8683.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Christ Church Frederica
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Christ Church, Frederica
6329 Frederica Rd.
St. Simons Island, GA 31522

(912) 638-8683