ST. MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Fayette, Alabama

Sundays at St. Michael's

Sunday worship takes place at 10 am, followed by light refreshments and an hour of Christian Education. Worship is the foundation of our community life. All services are conducted according to The Book of Common Prayer. As a liturgical church, the Holy Eucharist (sometimes called Mass or Holy Communion) is our principal act of worship on the Lord's Day and other major feasts. In our liturgy we come together to hear and proclaim the Word of God, and to give thanks over gifts of bread and wine for God's goodness in all of creation. In common with Christians in every place and in every age, we remember God's saving acts in history, especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We proclaim Christ's liberating presence among us now, and we look forward to the coming of God's kingdom of justice and peace. As we share the food and drink of new life in Christ, our union with Him and with one another is strengthened, and we are given a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits us in His reign. At the end of the liturgy we are sent out into the world to pray, work, and give for the spread of God's kingdom, and to represent Christ in all we do and say.

Feasts and Holy Days

Holy Days and special celebrations are also observed throughout the year, including the Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve. Michaelmas, our Patronal Feast of St. Michael & All Angles, is celebrated annually on the Sunday nearest September 29.

Morning Prayer on Thursdays

Morning Prayer takes place every Thursday morning, at 11 am, led by the Daughters of the King, a community of women dedicated to prayer, service, and evangelism.

The Daily Office may be read online here, or may be listened to online:

Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families may be read online here, or may be read in the Book of Common Prayer beginning at page 136.

Lenten Wednesdays & Morning Prayer Sundays

Compline is conducted by Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) members on Wednesday evenings in Lent, and the Office of Morning Prayer is read on the approximately eight Sundays a year when the rector is away.

Baptism & Other Sacramental Rites

Besides the Holy Eucharist, other sacramental rites include Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent, and Unction (Healing of the Sick). These are observed from time to time as appropriate. A public service of Holy Unction is held in conjunction with the Liturgy on the fifth Sunday of every month that has five Sundays. Of these rites, Holy Baptism is the most important. It has been called the first sacrament, the door of the Church, the foundation of Christian life. By baptism we are born again of water and the Holy Spirit, receive a new and spiritual life, and rise to the dignity of children of God and heirs of God's eternal Kingdom. What is required of us at Baptism is that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Liturgy - the Work of All People

Worship at St. Michael's is the work of everyone. Many of our young people in grades K-12 serve as acolytes and oblationers, and all persons are encouraged to participate as lay readers, intercessors, choir members, and musicians.

Acolytes

Our acolyte officers for 2009-2010 are Head Acolyte J.C. Killingsworth (5), Assistant Head Acolyte Daryenne McClure (6), and Acolyte Emeritus Taylor Kors Webb (12). Other acolytes include Brian Charles Hoff (8), Morgan Hoff (7), Holly Moore (5), Meredith Hawkeye Fousek (4), Cheyenne McClure (4), Taylor Trank (3), Sara Stafford (2), Julyenne McClure (2),and Branyon Berry (2). Toni Smith Robertson ("Miss Toni") is our Acolyte Sponsor. Numbers in parentheses after each name indicate years of service.

Acolytes and acolyte officers for 2009-2010 were commissioned on Sunday August 16, 2009.

Oblationers

Young persons up through the sixth grade are invited to the ministry of oblationer. Oblationers for the current year include Sarah Moore, Ann Berry, John Branyon McClure, and Joshua Murphy.