Newcomers

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Sundays

8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite I

9:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Child care for children 2 and under
Godly Play classes for 3-year-olds through 3rd graders
Children older than 8 years old attend church with their families.

10:00 AM
Child care for children 2 and under
Special fellowship programs for 3-year-olds through 3rd graders
Children's Ministry for 4th and 5th graders
Youth Ministry for 6th through 12th graders

11:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite II - first, third, and fifth Sundays
Choral Matins - second Sundays
Morning Prayer - fourth Sundays
Child care for infants through 5-year-olds

2nd & 4th Saturdays

5:00 PM
Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, featuring musicians from Willowdale Chapel

Ascension Day Service - May 10

Ascension Day is one of the principal feasts of the Church and is traditionally celebrated on the fortieth day of Easter. Please join us on Thursday, May 10 at 7 PM in the Church for a special celebration to commemorate the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven.

Weekday

Daily (Monday-Sunday):
5:00 PM Evening Prayer in the Church

Weekday (Monday-Friday):
8:00 AM Morning Prayer in the Church

Wednesdays:
12:00 PM Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

Thursdays:
6:30 AM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, followed by breakfast and Bible study

Summer Sundays

8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite I

10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Child care for children 2 and under
Children's Program for 3-year-olds through 3rd graders

As you drive up Buck Road, you will make a few right turns until you see the Church straight ahead of you. We are happy to welcome you to Christ Church and want you to feel blessed by your time with us. With more than 1800 members, you are sure to find someone like you among us. There are a few parking spots reserved right in front of the Church for newcomers or people with special needs, but park where you are comfortable. Come and join us.

Our worship on Sunday is usually held in the Church. The midweek services take place in the Chapel which is a part of the Parish Center. Programs of learning for all ages, fellowship, and service take place throughout the Parish Center. You are welcome to take part in our life of worship, fellowship, and service. Expect to be greeted warmly and invited to return. We want you to feel our love for God and neighbor, finding our hospitality generous and the blessing of sanctuary and peace so that you feel safe here.

Let’s start with what to wear. While there is no dress code to worship God, people generally spruce up a bit to demonstrate that this is a special time. We encourage you to be comfortable, whether Sunday best or summer shorts and sneakers. The church is God's house. We show our respect by our reverence there and by our love for one another.

Except for our midweek services in the Chapel, you will find a Bulletin or service sheet to guide you through the service. You are welcome to sit where you are most comfortable. While some folks believe they have an assigned seat, they will welcome you and make room for you. In the pews you will find two books. The red Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is used throughout the Episcopal Church. It contains all the different forms of worship that we do as Christians along life's journey and through the weekly and yearly cycles. The second book is the blue Hymnal 1982, which is divided into two sections. The first is music for the parts of the service that may be sung and are listed with "S" before the number; the second section is the hymns, organized by themes. Even if you are not a great singer or are unfamiliar with the prayers, it is good to join your voice with others. You become a part of the assembly, a part of the whole as the Holy Spirit unites us.

You may wonder when to stand or kneel. We give you hints in the Bulletin so that you can participate. The general rule is to stand for the Gospel during the Holy Eucharist service, to say our affirmation of faith, the Creed, and to sing and to sit during readings from the Old or New Testament Letters, the sermon, and choir anthems. We stand or kneel for prayer to show our gratitude and humility before God.

At celebrations of the Eucharist, all baptized Christians are welcome to make a Holy Communion. If you are not baptized and you want to participate, speak with a member of the clergy staff and we can guide you to the right practice. Walk up the center aisle to the altar rail and kneel or stand. A minister will place a wafer or piece of bread into your cupped hands saying words such as, "The body of Christ, the bread of heaven." Another minister will bring the cup of wine with the words, "The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation." You may either drink from the cup or you may dip the bread into the wine. If you do not wish to receive communion, you may still come to the altar for a blessing. Simply cross your hands over your chest, and the minister will know that you would like to be blessed. Our usual practice is for all the baptized to receive, no matter how young. After receiving communion, leave the altar rail by the side aisles and return to your pew. Many people kneel in silent prayer after receiving the Eucharist. You can also join in singing the hymn that's listed in the Bulletin.

At the beginning of the service we have announcements about opportunities for ministry; some events happen right after worship, and you are welcome to participate. You might choose to sit and listen to the organ postlude, but most people make their way to the exits and on to the next part of their day, either at the church or leaving our grounds. We hope that you will return to join us again.

HOW ARE THE SUNDAY SERVICES DIFFERENT?
The 8 AM service is a Rite I Eucharist (Communion) without music (most traditional service).

The 9 AM service is a Rite II Eucharist with music.
     - Nursery care for infants and toddlers
     - Godly Play classes for 3-year-olds through 3rd graders
     - Children older than 8 years old attend church with their families

The 11 AM service alternates between Eucharist and said or sung Morning Prayer.
- Child care for infants through 5-year-olds

WHAT IS HOLY EUCHARIST?
You might know it as the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or Mass. It is the sacrament commanded by Jesus Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection. The symbols in the Eucharist are bread and wine.

WHAT DO I WEAR TO SUNDAY SERVICES?
We care more that you come than what you wear. You will find people in suits and those much more casual. Children tend to wear school clothes.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO TAKE COMMUNION?
At Christ Church we welcome all to communion, including children. We teach that baptism and communion are connected rituals, so children may start receiving as soon as they are baptized. If you don't want your child to receive, it is as easy as shaking your head or having your child cross her arms over her chest for a blessing.

HOW DO I TAKE COMMUNION?
Think follow the leader. When the people in the pew in front of you go, you should stand and follow. If you are able to kneel at the rail, that is the tradition, but you may stand as well. Hold your hands together and the priest will put the wafer or morsel of bread in your hand. You may eat the bread or wait and dip it into the wine when the server brings it to you. Both are completely acceptable.

WHAT IF I AM NOT READY TO TAKE COMMUNION?
You may remain in your pew or come to the rail for a blessing. To receive a blessing, simply cross your arms over your chest.

DOES THE WINE CONTAIN ALCOHOL?
Yes, but you don't have to partake. Take the wafer and cross your arms over your chest when the wine is served, and the server will skip you.

DOES THE WAFER CONTAIN GLUTEN?
Yes, but the priest will have a gluten-free wafer with him or her, so just ask for one.

IS THERE A SUGGESTED AMOUNT TO PUT IN THE OFFERING?
As a visitor, please make a free will gift. If you become a regular worshipper, we ask that you prayerfully consider an annual pledge that supports the work that we do and demonstrates the value the church provides to you.

WHERE IS THE ROOM TO TAKE CRYING BABIES OR CHILDREN?
We don’t have one. Children are welcome at all services. Our nursery is staffed by professionals and is in the lower level of the Parish Center (behind the Church). It is available during the 9 and 11 AM services during the academic year and at the 10 AM service during the summer.

IS THERE SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH?
- Sunday School for children and youth is held between services at 10 AM, lasting approximately 45 minutes.
- Children's Ministries for 3-year-olds through 3rd graders is held during the 9 AM service, with Enrichment opportunities at 10 AM.
- All classes are held in the Parish Center or Annex. Please ask an usher to direct you.

WHAT DO I CALL THE CLERGY?
Generally adults call members of the clergy by their first name and children use Reverend.

HOW DO PEOPLE JOIN ONE OF THE CHOIRS?
Please contact the Director of Music if you are interested in sharing your time and talent. Click here to visit our Choirs page.

HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRIST CHURCH?
Please fill out a welcome card in the pew, complete this contact form, or introduce yourself to a clergy person at a service to set up a meeting.

HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH?
The clergy will be glad to help you learn more, and there are leaflets at the entrance to the church that may answer some of your questions. Throughout the year, we offer "Life at Christ Church" classes for those who would like to learn more about the Church and for those who want to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

Our congregation's roots are watered by the Brandywine River. Christ Church is one of four congregations that began in the Brandywine Manufacturer's Sunday School, supported by the leaders of industry early in the 19th century. The school combined basic education and Christian worship for the river's mill workers and their children. From these roots the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware grew a new congregation to serve those who lived near the river, whether tenants or landowners, many of whom were members of the du Pont family. As Wilmington's industry grew beside the river, so did Christ Church. The parish was often referred to as the church of the du Ponts or the DuPont Company church. Their practice of quiet generosity built the church and established its primary ministry in the holiness of worship, the education of children, and the care of those in need.

Now our members come from far and wide: Wilmington, North Wilmington, West Chester, Kennett Square, Hockessin, Newark, and closer to home in Greenville. They bring a richly diverse set of gifts and talents. Today Christ Church demonstrates the fruitful ministry of a congregation planted to serve others and draws them close in the knowledge and love of the Lord. We understand our mission to be followers of Christ who share the beauty and power of God's transforming love through worship, fellowship, and service in the world. Our preschool, founded in 2006, carries one element from our early roots to a new generation, gathering children for education and sharing with them the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ.

Like the rings that mark the growth of a tree and the new branches that spread shade ever more widely, the next generation of members in ministry will contribute to our stability and will spread the serenity of God's peace here beside the river and out into the larger world.

Christ Church is located at 505 E. Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. Please note that some GPS devices refer to Buck Road as Christ Church Road.

For driving directions from your specific location, click here

FROM THE NORTH
Take I-95 South to Route 202 North/Concord Pike exit 8B toward West Chester. Keep right at the fork in the ramp to Route 261 South/Foulk Road and turn left onto Foulk Road. Foulk Road becomes Powder Mill Road/Route 141 South. Follow Route 141 South for 2 miles and turn right onto the Tyler-McConnell Bridge. Shortly after crossing the bridge, turn right onto Route 100 North. Proceed one mile and turn right at the light at Buck Road East. At the first stop sign, turn right. Go a quarter of a mile to the next stop sign and turn right. Proceed another quarter of a mile to the Church parking lot.

FROM THE SOUTH
Take I-95 North to the I-295 exit toward New Jersey Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge/NJ-NY. Merge onto Route 141 North toward Newport. Follow Route 141 North for approximately 7 miles to Route 100 North. Turn left and follow directions above.

We welcome you to contact us with questions about Christ Church.

Christ Church wants your first visit to be a pleasant one.

Sundays

2nd & 4th Saturdays

Ascension Day Service - May 10

Weekday

Summer Sundays