We use Rite I at our 8:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist (Holy Communion) and Rite II at 10:30 a.m.  We have a Holy Eucharist service on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon.  Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. and adjourns at 10:15 a.m.   Our worship style at Christ Church is middle church, traditional, and non-charismatic.  There is an overwhelming desire to retain this style of worship.

A mid-week Eucharist service is held at King’s Grant Retirement Community on the third Wednesday of each month.  Christ Church members join residents in the service, which is followed by coffee and fellowship.  The priest may also use this opportunity to visit with residents who are unable to attend our regular services.

Serving as an Acolyte offers our young people the opportunity to take an active part in a significant and meaningful way in our worship services.  All youth in the congregation are encouraged to participate.  An annual meeting and general training session is conducted in the early fall by our Acolyte Master in order to induct and train new Acolytes, as well as to refresh the skill of experienced ones. Other training is scheduled as needed.The Acolyte Program at Christ Church is strong and continues to grow.  

 

The tradition of organ and choral music began at Christ Church well over 100 years ago when Mr. C.A. Moore was hired to organize a vested choir.  Today, our Music Program has grown to include choristers from age five to senior adulthood and is affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in America.  Choristers have sung at the National Cathedral, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, local civic events, and at RSCM Summer Training Courses in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC.  Over the years, the nave has been a place where the community has gathered for the chanting of The Order for Compline, services of Choral Evensong, organ and harpsichord recitals, and numerous choral concerts.  Indeed, Christ Church is committed to providing a first-class music program in the Anglican Tradition.  We are also proud to be the stewards of a mechanical-action pipe organ, three tower bells, a Flemish-style harpsichord, and two octaves of handbells.

The purpose of the Choirs at Christ Church is to learn to sing joyfully to the Glory of God, to support congregational song, and to enhance worship with anthems selected from the great repertoire of the Church: from plainsong to Mozart, Howells, and Britten, and composers such as Grayston Ives and Calvin Hampton.  The program consists of four choirs.  The St. Nicholas (Primary) Choir is open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through second grade. These novices explore the fundamentals of music through the introduction of clef reading, beginning music theory, rhythm, and age-appropriate choral training. This ensemble vests in only the blue cassock, as the cotta is presented at a whiting ceremony upon graduation into the St. Francis Choir.  Open to girls in grades 3-6 and to boys from 3rd grade until the voice changes, the St. Francis (Junior) Choir sings often at Sunday's 10:30 a.m. Rite II service, as well as at other appointed times throughout the year.  The St. Gregory (Senior Girls) Choir is open to young women in grades 7-12, and focuses on more advanced repertoire, musicality, and theory. The Senior Girls sing for 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Compline, and Choral Evensong.  The St. Christopher (Adult) Choir sings weekly at the 10:30 a.m. Rite II service on Sundays (except in July), as well as other appointed times throughout the year. The St. Christopher Choir also gathers frequently for fellowship and relaxation, helping to build the strong sense of community which is an integral part of our worship.