Welcome to Sunday: An Introduction to Worship in the Episcopal Church

by Christopher L. Webber

The perfect book for newcomers who are often confused by the worship service, Welcome to Sunday is also an excellent book for those who have been sitting in the pews without fully understanding what happens on Sunday morning. Episcopal priest Christopher Webber takes the reader from the sidewalk outside the church, guides them through the service, and sends them out again when the service has ended. Webber explains the postures, the Christian year, the colors we use during various seasons, and all the elements in the Service of the Eucharist. As in Webber's very popular Welcome to the Episcopal Church, the tone of the easy-to-read book is conversational, making it useful for parish study. Christopher L. Webber is an Episcopal priest who has served inner-city, suburban, rural, and overseas parishes. He is the author of many best-selling books, including The Vestry Handbook, Welcome to the Episcopal Church, Planning Your Marriage Service, and others. These, and his first children's book, Praise the Lord, My Soul, are all available from Morehouse Publishing.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Spirituality, Theology, Nonfiction, Church

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2002

About the author

"Priest, poet, and farmer" is the short summary. After many years of ministry in inner city, overseas (Tokyo), suburban, and rural locations I lived for twenty years in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Twenty acres of woods, garden, and orchard provided an excellent balance to writing. There's no better cure for writer's block than splitting some more firewood. Less than two years ago, however, I moved to San Francisco and am enjoying life in the city with its conveniences and cultural opportunities. Two books have been published in recent months and although my next book deadline is February 15, I'm doing what I can to promote "Dear Friends: Letters from St. Paul to Christians in America" and "Give Me Liberty: Seeches and Speakers that Shaped America."
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Reviews

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My spiritual director loaned me this book. It is a thin volume that takes a thorough approach to worship.

Even after 20 years, I am still puzzled about what to do and when to do it when serving on the altar. The author outlines the Episcopal approach to worship, along with the seasons of the church. The language is plain and understandable, but the meaning is stirring and inspiring. There are plenty of simple explanations: we sit to listen, we stand to praise, we kneel to pray. But there are passages that speak to the heart of belief.

"One of the unique characteristics of the Christian faith is the belief that every member is called to ministry. Priesthood in Judaism was inherited, but at baptism all Christians become members of the body of Christ and, therefore, are given a share in his ministry."

"In an Episcopal church, ceremonies are not there simply to impress us, much less to confuse us, but to involve us and speak to us."

"If you look at the Catechism on pages 855-856 of the Prayer Book, you will see how remarkably similar the definitions of the lay ministry are to those of bishops, priests, and deacons"

He takes on the aspects of what we have come to call, "high church." Different congregations have different styles. One might love bells and incense. Another wants a plain approach to worship

I like Weber's defense of ceremony. "And yet, most churches today employ much more ceremony than most churches did in their parents’ and grandparents time. We live in a visual age, and a church that fails to make some appeal to our eyes as well as our ears will fail to hold our attention."

He has great insight in the call for ministry to all. "Nor are the wise men a bit of exotic trimming on the Christmas tale; they symbolize the coming of all nations to worship Christ."

He gives his perspective on the deepest mystery of all — the Eucharist.
"Christians often argued about exactly how the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. It might be interesting to know that, but it is somewhat like worrying about how the members of the congregation came to be present at the service.
"If Jesus is present in the bread and wine, then, no matter how it comes about, we cn be given the fits of life.
"It has often been our tradition to speak of the Real Presence, and we are free to explain that presence in whatever teams make sense to us."

[Dan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 20+ years of growing as a Christian in a more Charismatic, non-denominational church environment, I find myself moving towards the liturgical worship of the Episcopal church. I've always felt that there was a simplicity and beauty to the liturgy, but this book has given me a deeper understanding of these practices. I'm sure it could go deeper, but this is a fantastic overview of the worship service. It has given me a better understanding of the deep, rich history behind these practices. And I think I'm even more in love with the liturgy and this form of worship now that I see the intent and purpose behind each element.

[Joan Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro, but also a good read for practicing Episcopal I and, to.understand better, the worship process,the meaning of its elements, and to make it more personal..


A good intro, but also good for practicing Episcopalians to better understand the worship process, the meaning of its elements, why we do what we do, how it a came about, th y s making the rituals more person

[Maryan Gosselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information

Great learning tool for a lay person. Information I didn’t know and how it is really put together and why.

[Mary Narkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent over view.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book on the whats and whys of the Episcopal church and its services. Webber explains a lot of the customs (and variations on those customs) that a new member or visitor will encounter when going to a service as well as an explanation of the liturgical year. I finally have a better understanding of what all that standing and kneeling is all about!

It doesn't and can't explain everything that happens in a service, but is a good primer for those wondering if this denomination is right for them.

[Merys Kelleher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nicely balanced introduction to Episcopal worship gives relevant and detailed descriptions af what is happening and why while avoiding information overload. When I'd finished the last page, I felt ready to walk into an Episcopal church with not only a basic understanding of what to expect but also that I'd been given the tools to truly connect with the service as a full participant despite the fact that I haven't been in a church of any kind for over 30 years. Well done!

[Susan Becraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study for pre-confirmation

I was asked to read this book and two others before being confirmed in the Episcopal church. This book clearly explains the worship service and the meaning behind each step. For anyone who is unclear of what takes place in an Episcopal service, I highly recommend this book.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So THAT's why we do that!

This book taught me quite a bit about how the Sunday service is structured and how many of the rituals came about. Because of this book, I have even been able to explain parts of the service to some of the "cradle Episcopalians" at my church.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not from a Catholic or Episcopal background and this answers my questions well enough as not to come across as being offensive or out of step with the service.
The whys and hows.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read guide to the worship practice of the Episcopal Church.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best resource I've ever come across for newcomers to the Episcopal Church, or for those looking for a bit of a primer.

[Jonathan Frazier]

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