Christ Church Anglican Billings

mailing address:

Christ Church Anglican-Billings

P.O. Box 30302

Billings, Montana 59107

or contact us at:

webmaster@billingsanglican.org

CCA-Billings had its fourth annual meeting on Sunday, January 17, 2010.  The officers elected were:  Jamie Carter as Senior Warden; Libby Carter as Junior Warden; members at large are Betty Morris, Carla Tilton and Virginia Bolstad.  Carla Tilton was appointed Treasurer.

Christ Church Anglican-Billings is a Christ centered, Bible based mission fellowship, who’s worship is in the orthodox anglican liturgical tradition.  Worship services alternate between Holy Eucharist or Communion and Morning Prayer.

Please feel free to come and worship Jesus with us every Sunday morning!

An Anglican Service at Christ Church Anglican:

How worship is held:

Anglican churches usually have a few things in common. One is the use of an altar to either remember or celebrate communion. The second is the use of candles to remind us of Christ as the ‘light of the world’. The third is the presence of a cross to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Usually there is a location where the service is led and the Scriptures read.

How worship is conducted:

Most Anglican churches use a Book of Common Prayer to help guide and conduct the service. This book and the writing contained in it is called ‘the liturgy’ and different liturgies are used for different times of the year. Usually a service with be led by an officiant (leader) with congregational responses. Larger writing is usually the officiant and either bold or italic writing is for the congregation. This style of worship was begun to ensure the congregation could corporately response to worship.
Standing, kneeling, and the act of raising hands in worship vary from church to church. At our church, standing is usually done during the processional and recessional hymn - during praise and worship, the peace, the reading of the gospel, offertory - doxology, creeds and during Eucharist.

Current worship services:

Currently, we have two different services at Christ Church Anglican. One is Holy Eucharist celebrated the 4th Sunday of every month with either Fr. Brian Miller or Deacon Nan Joyce of Christ Church Anglican-Butte.

All baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s Table for Holy Eucharist.

The second is Morning Prayer, where we use a different liturgy without Holy Eucharist. Sometimes a testimony or homily is given instead of the sermon.
This service is lead by lay people of the congregation.Liturgies will vary with the Church Calendar.
Many Anglicans feel led to meditate and pray before church service has begun.

What priests, readers and other leaders may wear:

Currently, unless we have visiting clergy or a deacon is leading, leaders of a service will not wear any special robes. This is because we are not in a permanent location or have a priest currently in residence.
However, in time our lay readers and others will wear an alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles. An Anglican priest will wear this, as well as a stole, a narrow band of colored fabric. Deacons wear the stole over one shoulder, priests and bishops over both shoulders. During Holy Eucharist an Anglican priest might wear a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. The deacon’s corresponding vestment has sleeves and is called a dalmatic. If we are ever blessed by a visit from our overseeing bishop, he may wear a special headcovering called a mitre.

The Church Year

Christ Church Anglican observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6).   Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.  

In addition, we also have prayer teams available after one participates in Eucharist to pray with those who may feel in need to healing or encouragement.
We also pray a blessing over our church family for birthdays and anniversaries, and special days.

Lastly, the “Passing the Peace’ portion of the church service is filled with talking, shaking hands, and hugging. If you are uncomfortable with any of this, just give people your hand and they’ll take the hint.