Worship & Ministries
We are a liturgical church with a strong commitment to guide and support your spiritual journey.
Worship Services:
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7:30 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I, Spoken
The Rite I Holy Communion retains the beauty and dignity of the liturgical style and Elizabethan English found in earlier versions of the Prayer Book. This service is ideal for those who enjoy early worship with opening and closing organ music.
9:00 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Celebration Musicians & Children's SermonThis is our Holy Communion (Rite II) service with contemporary music and hymns from our Hymnal. The music is easy to both sing and understand while reinforcing the message of worship. The liturgy and order of service is the same at both the 9:00 and the 11:00 service. This is a great place for the children to learn about and experience “formal” worship as well as a wonderful place for adults to worship together with their children. The service is held at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the Church year-round.
11:00 am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Liturgical Music with Organ & Choir
The 11:00 Holy Communion uses Rite II of the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. This service is more traditional as congregants use both the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal (1982).This service features hymnody and special music led by the Christ Church Choir with organ. Our organ is one of the finest in the nation and is a worthy accompaniment to the dignity and holiness of this service.
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6:00 pm - Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Wednesday Eucharist is at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
*Please note: We will not have Wednesday Evening Eucharist on July 15th or July 22nd.
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12:15 pm -Holy Eucharist on the 1st Friday of every month
This service is held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
*Please note: we will not have First Friday services during the Summer months.
Bulletins & Announcements
Music Ministry
Music is central to the worship life of Christ Church. The music program at Christ Church is varied and presently includes traditional organ and choral music, a handbell choir, a contemporary music ensemble, and a concert series featuring our Létourneau pipe organ.
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This family service is led by our Assistant Organist and features contemporary music worship styles in line with a relaxed, family-style worship. The Celebration Musicians are made up of unauditioned volunteer singers and instrumentalists who are called to lead in the ministry. Rehearsals are 7:45am on each Sunday in the Upper Room prior to the 9:00am church service. For more information, call the church office.
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Christ Church Choir is a volunteer four-part choir with professional Section Leaders. It rehearses on Thursday evenings 7-9PM and Sunday mornings at 9:50 a.m. in the dedicated choir room. It sings at the 11:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist each Sunday, September through Trinity (May/June), and offers both regular Choral Evensongs and other liturgical music throughout the year (see the current MUSIC SCHEDULE). The choir sings music from a rich 600-year period of sacred musical history, from plainchant, through Palestrina and Byrd, to Bairstow, Stanford and modern Anglo-American music. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Jeremy Filsell, our Director of Music: jfilsell@cecb.church.
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The 3-manual, 68-stop, 75-rank, 4173-pipe Létourneau organ, Op. 96 was built in 2007, and is widely acknowledged as the finest and most versatile instrument in southwest Florida. It adorns our weekly worship at Christ Church and the great masterworks of organ literature, from Bach to Messiaen are offered on it week by week. The organ is at the core of Christ Church’s ambitious music program and concert series. Specifications can be found here https://www.letourneauorgans.com/organs/opus-96. The chapel at Christ Church houses a 1-manual and pedal mechanical action organ, Op. 18A, built in 1992 by Dan Jaeckel of Duluth, MN.
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The Jubilate Bell Choir began in 1989 with the gift of three octaves of Schulmerich handbells by the parishioner, Dr. Betty G. Odell. Shortly thereafter, a three-octave set of choir chimes was purchased, providing additional color and variety to our musical offerings. The handbell choir rehearses weekly, September through May, and performs at the 11:00 a.m. service on the first Sunday of each month. Special music for Christmas Eve and Easter and other festival services is also provided. New ringers are always welcome–teenagers to adults. No experience is necessary, although it is helpful if you can read simple musical rhythms. For information contact Cecilia McEnaney by calling the church office.
Formation & Education
We refer to formal paths encouraging spiritual growth as Christian formation. This term identifies a life-long process of maturing in faith. From Godly Play to Adult Bible Studies, it is more than Christian education. Through Christian formation, we explore beliefs, engage scripture, and develop our understanding of their role within the Church and the broader world.
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Sunday Morning Bible Study
This group meets from 10:00am-10:50 in Meeting Room 1. The Sunday Morning Bible Study is our Adult Formation for Sundays. It is led by Ken and Kathy Young. All are welcome!
Men's Bible Study (Thursday mornings)
On Thursday mornings at 7:00 a.m. a group of men of all ages meet at Christ Church in Meeting Room 1 for fellowship and study. We always welcome all men. Contact: Dave Leslie.
Women's Bible Studies (Wednesday Mornings)
On Wednesday mornings at various times women of all ages meet at Christ Church in Meeting Room 1 for fellowship and scripture study. All are welcome. Contact: Susan Knowles or Kathy Young.
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10:00-10:45 am Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: A Montessori Method of Christian Education.
This class is for ages 3-6 years old.
10:00-10:45 am Godly Play
For 2nd through 5th grade students.
10:00-10:45 am Youth Group
For Middle and High School children.
Outreach
In the example of the Good Samaritan, Christ Episcopal Church chooses to pattern our outreach ministry in the service of others. Each of us represents the hands and feet of our Lord, serving Christ in and through Outreach with our time, talent, and treasure.
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The Lord's Pantry serves a cross-section of applicants ranging from the homeless to those who just need some help on that week. They come to us at 313 42nd Street West in Bradenton by referrals from other agencies. They come on foot, on bikes, share rides and even on the bus. We try to provide enough food to cover a period of 3 to 4 days. The Pantry is open on Thursdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Our applicant base has been increasing steadily over the past few years and we continuously need both volunteers and donations. If you would like to donate to the Pantry, please check the bulletin for the items we need the most!
Volunteers Needed
The team of volunteers at The Lord’s Pantry is dedicated to this outreach ministry. The atmosphere is convivial and welcoming and the experience fulfilling. If you are able, please help us fill this urgent need.Please contact:
Anne Douglass or Carlton Marshall via the Christ Church Office: 941-747-3709. -
The Christ Episcopal Church Thrift Shop is a project of the Outreach Committee. It is located at 313 42nd Street West, in Bradenton. This is a ministry that offers gently used items at a nominal cost. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Thrift Shop is staffed solely by volunteers. Donations are gratefully accepted any day. Please stop in and say hello!
