Worship
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill is a joyful Christian community in the Episcopal tradition, striving to be in a relationship with God and each other as Christ has taught us, to sense and to serve God’s plan with great love. We are inspired by Mark 16:15, “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel.”
Worship is central to the Immanuel community, and we celebrate the diversity of our spiritual backgrounds by offering a variety of worship experiences guided by the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. Formal or informal, corporate or personal, spoken or musical, worship enables us to express our common prayers and thanksgiving while reminding us that we can experience God in different ways.
Worship is central to the Immanuel community, and we celebrate the diversity of our spiritual backgrounds by offering a variety of worship experiences guided by the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. Formal or informal, corporate or personal, spoken or musical, worship enables us to express our common prayers and thanksgiving while reminding us that we can experience God in different ways.
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Please join Immanuel Church-on-the Hill for worship: SUNDAYS 8:00 am, Holy Eucharist Rite I Zabriskie Chapel, 3606 Seminary Rd, Alexandria (on the corner of Quaker Lane and Seminary Road) also livestreamed via YouTube 9:00 am, Rite II Joy Mass Family Service a very short and simple instructed Eucharist for small children and families Zabriskie Chapel 10:30 am, Holy Eucharist Rite II With Godly Play for 3-7 year olds Immanuel Chapel, 3737 Seminary Rd, Alexandria (on the campus of the Virginia Theological Seminary) also livestreamed via YouTube WEDNESDAYS 6:30 pm: Holy Eucharist Rite II Zabriskie Chapel, address above FRIDAYS 8:30 pm: Compline Via Zoom call Zoom link emailed and posted on Facebook or may be requested at office@icoh.net HOLY DAYS Seasonally, we worship on the Principal and Major Feasts celebrated throughout the Anglican Communion Immanuel has a seasonal schedule for worship services, so please be sure to check the current calendar to confirm service times (you can access the current calendar here). |
We are one church worshipping in two Chapels:
Zabriskie Chapel, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria
(on the corner of Seminary Road and Quaker Lane) 
Immanuel Chapel, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria
(on the Virginia Theological Seminary campus) |
MUSIC
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Music abounds at Immanuel! With inspired direction, the choirs are active and talented, regularly uplifting Sunday worship. A smaller group of musicians (the “Shrinemonters,” named after our Diocesan retreat center in the Shenandoah Mountains) lead more modern music at outdoor masses and fellowship events. The Bell Choir is open to anyone who understands rhythm, performing for Christmas and Easter services. A children’s choir sings periodically at services.
Immanuel Choir
The choir is open to anyone age 14 and up. The choir sings at Sunday services and rehearses from 7-9 PM on Thursdays beginning in September after Labor Day and concluding rehearsals mid-May. The choir sings at all special services and presents concerts of major choral works. Immanuel Bell Choir The Bell Choir is open to anyone who understands the principles of rhythm. It meets on Thursdays in the Zabriskie Chapel from 6-6:45 beginning four weeks before Christmas and Easter and play at the special services for these days. Immanuel's Angels Immanuel's Angels is a children's choir for ages 3 through 8. They sing about once per month from September through May and at special services for Easter and Christmas. The young singers have pizza and snacks from 6-6:30 pm and rehearse from 6:30 until 7:15pm. Contact Dr. Jane Tavernier if you are interested in any of these opportunities. |
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Immanuel Choir on the Web
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Blessing of the PetsIn what has become a favorite Immanuel autumn tradition, we gather near the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4), in remembrance of his love of all creatures, to bless the animals who bring us joy.
All creatures are welcome to receive the blessing (in baskets, containers, or on leashes as needed to protect them from other nearby animals). “All praise to you, O Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” |
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
For additional information about these ministries, please contact the Vestry Steward for Worship, unless otherwise noted.
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Altar Guild
The Altar Guild prepares the Altar for Worship services. We welcome both men and women to participate in this ministry. Altar Guild members care for the sacred vessels, the bread and the wine, the fair linens and hangings, the candles and torches and much more. The Altar Guild prepares all things for the Altar "properly and in good order." There is training, mentoring, and an accessible book of pictures and descriptions to assist those preparing the Altar. The time commitment for an assigned Sunday service includes both setting up before the service and cleaning up after the service. Flower Guild The Flower Guild shares their artistic talent and love of beauty by providing floral decorations for the Chapel. Flower Guild members mentor and guide those new to flower arranging. SEE EXAMPLES OF THE FLOWER GUILD'S WORK AT RIGHT: |
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Ushers
Ushers are an integral part of each worship service. They greet those coming to worship, distribute Sunday bulletins, assist with seating, count those in attendance, take bread and wine to the Altar on behalf of those gathered, pass alms plates, and direct communicants forward to receive Communion. This is a perfect opportunity for teamwork with a spouse, partner, and/or family members. Click here to read and/or download instructions for ushers.
Acolytes
Acolytes assist the clergy at the Altar. They lead processions in and out of worship, light and extinguish candles, and assist with the setting of the Altar. This ministry is open to both youth and adults. Our clergy and Acolyte Coordinator hold training sessions to explain the procedures of how acolytes assist the clergy during the Eucharist.
Contact: Francine Wargo
Lectors
Immanuel welcomes both adults and youth as readers of the Old and New Testaments and the Psalms during Sunday services. There is a training session for new and experienced readers on the mechanics of reading. We can work with you on protocols, projecting your voice, pronunciation of Biblical names, and more!
Chalicists
Chalicists assist the clergy during communion by administering the cup of wine to members of the congregation. Chalice Bearers must be confirmed and 16 years of age or older to serve; they receive training on administering the chalice and become licensed.
Intercessors
The Prayers of the People are an integral part of the Worship service and are prepared by the clergy. We encourage adults and youth to consider serving as intercessors who lead the prayers during Worship services.
Ushers are an integral part of each worship service. They greet those coming to worship, distribute Sunday bulletins, assist with seating, count those in attendance, take bread and wine to the Altar on behalf of those gathered, pass alms plates, and direct communicants forward to receive Communion. This is a perfect opportunity for teamwork with a spouse, partner, and/or family members. Click here to read and/or download instructions for ushers.
Acolytes
Acolytes assist the clergy at the Altar. They lead processions in and out of worship, light and extinguish candles, and assist with the setting of the Altar. This ministry is open to both youth and adults. Our clergy and Acolyte Coordinator hold training sessions to explain the procedures of how acolytes assist the clergy during the Eucharist.
Contact: Francine Wargo
Lectors
Immanuel welcomes both adults and youth as readers of the Old and New Testaments and the Psalms during Sunday services. There is a training session for new and experienced readers on the mechanics of reading. We can work with you on protocols, projecting your voice, pronunciation of Biblical names, and more!
Chalicists
Chalicists assist the clergy during communion by administering the cup of wine to members of the congregation. Chalice Bearers must be confirmed and 16 years of age or older to serve; they receive training on administering the chalice and become licensed.
Intercessors
The Prayers of the People are an integral part of the Worship service and are prepared by the clergy. We encourage adults and youth to consider serving as intercessors who lead the prayers during Worship services.