Get Acquainted

Let’s Get Acquainted

Whether you’re just curious about Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall or looking for a new spiritual home, we’re so glad you’re here! The Episcopal Church is a big family with deep roots in history, united by a tradition of faith, love, and inclusivity.

We embrace what we refer to as the “three-legged stool” of scripture, tradition, and reason. While Trinity is part of the larger Episcopal church, we bring our own unique flavor to worship and community life here in Marshall, Texas. 

Below, we answer common questions first-time visitors usually have, whether you’re new to the Epsicopalian tradition, or just new to Trinity.

How We Worship

When we worship, we follow the Book of Common Prayer, which guides our service. Each week, our greeters provide everyone with handouts containing the liturgy, prayers, and more for that week when they arrive.

What to do during service can feel confusing, so don’t sweat it if you’re wondering which book to pick up next or wanting “to do everything right.” Every Episcopal church, and even every individual Episcopalian, practices a little differently. If you need help, ask the person next to you. We’ve all been newcomers at some point.

You may see people kneeling and praying before service or making the sign of the cross during service. Some people kneel to pray and some people stand. Some even bow or kneel before entering the pews or heading up to the altar rail for Communion. These are all gestures of worship, and each person does what feels right for them – and we encourage you to only do what feels right and comfortable for you too!

A Typical Sunday Service

When you arrive, you will be greeted by members of the church. You will receive a service booklet containing our liturgy, the Scriptures, hymns, and general church announcements.

A typical service will start with the procession, led by an acolyte carrying the processional cross and followed by the choir, and clergy. You may notice that the bishop enters last in the procession when visiting a parish. On most Sundays, the priest does as well. In our tradition, the bishop or priest does not lead the procession—the cross does. Christ leads the Church, and all of us, clergy and laity alike, follow behind.

During service, we do a call and response with the clergy and lay readers. We will sing hymns, pray, the clergy will preach, and we will take communion.

Some of our prayers (like the Lord’s Prayer and the Nicene Creed) may already be familiar to you! It is also the normal practice of Trinity Episcopal Church to celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday.