EPISCOPAL WORSHIP • GLENDALE, OHIO

Worship Ministries & Serving in Liturgy at
Christ Church Glendale

“Continue in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.” Christ Church Glendale is an active, welcoming Episcopal parish serving individuals and families across Glendale, northern Cincinnati, and Hamilton County. Rooted in the Anglican liturgical tradition, our community gathers for Sunday Holy Eucharist, sacred choral music, and shared prayer. Whether you are visiting for the first time, singing in the choirs, or called to serve as a lector, acolyte, or usher, our liturgical life offers meaningful ways to deepen your faith. All are welcome, and training and mentorship are provided for every ministry.

A young chorister wearing a white surplice and red cassock reads from the liturgical text at the wooden lectern inside the church sanctuary.

Every service is a communal offering. Explore the lay ministries that welcome newcomers, proclaim scripture, lead music, and assist at the altar during Sunday Holy Eucharist at Christ Church Glendale.

Find Your Place: Lay Worship Ministries at Christ Church Glendale

Acolyte Ministry & Altar Serving

Parish crucifer leading Episcopal Sunday liturgy before the historic high altar at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

Acolytes play a vital, visible role in the liturgical life of Christ Church Glendale. Wearing traditional vestments, acolytes lead liturgical processions, carry the processional cross and torches, and assist clergy at the altar during Sunday Holy Eucharist (9:00 AM and 11:00 AM) and festival feast days. Open to youth (grades 4 and up), teens, and adults, this hands-on ministry offers full training and mentorship for every new server.

Altar Guild

Christ Church Glendale Altar Guild volunteer arranging yellow and white flowers on a brass stand for Sunday worship in Glendale, Ohio.

The Altar Guild is a quiet ministry of sacred hospitality and devotion at Christ Church Glendale. Serving on rotating teams, members gather Saturday mornings around 8:30 AM for about an hour to care for our historic sanctuary, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, sacred vessels, fair linens, and seasonal vestments. This hands-on ministry offers a peaceful, flexible way to care for God’s table, with full guidance and warm fellowship for every new member.

Eucharistic Bread Baking Ministry

Home-baked artisan sourdough bread cooling by a window; representative of the freshly made bread prepared for Sunday Eucharist.

At Christ Church Glendale, the bread broken at the holy table is a tangible offering from our community. Volunteer bakers prepare fresh, gluten-free Eucharistic loaves from home on a rotating monthly schedule for our 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, ensuring all can share communion safely. Simple recipes, approved guidelines, and full instructions are provided for every baker.

Music Ministry & Sacred Choirs

Organist playing the multi-manual pipe organ with illuminated sheet music during Sunday worship at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

Sacred music enriches worship at Christ Church Glendale through Anglican choral tradition, hymnody, and English handbells. Anchored by four Choral Scholars and our pipe organs, the Parish Choir (high school through adult) sings at the 11:00 AM Choral Eucharist and seasonal Choral Evensong, rehearsing Wednesday evenings (7:00–8:30 PM) with no formal audition required. Young choristers (ages 6–13) receive tuition-free vocal training through the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in our Youth Choir, while our Handbell Choir welcomes ringers age 14 and up.

Eucharistic Visitors & Pastoral Care Ministry

Deacon Anne Reed handing a Eucharistic visitor kit to a lay minister before the altar at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

We extend the communion table beyond our church walls so every parishioner remains connected to the heart of worship. Commissioned directly following Sunday Holy Eucharist, licensed Eucharistic Visitors carry the consecrated sacrament, scripture readings, and shared prayers to members across Glendale and Greater Cincinnati who cannot attend in person due to illness or mobility challenges. Full pastoral training and diocesan licensing guidance are provided for all volunteers.

Sunday Nursery Ministry

Toddler climbing on a rainbow Pikler triangle and slide in the children's formation classroom at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

Our nursery provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for infants and toddlers during both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday services. Serving alongside our childcare staff, volunteers guide creative play in our developmental zones, giving parents peace of mind to fully participate in worship. To ensure a secure sanctuary for every child, all nursery workers and volunteers complete formal background checks and Diocesan Safe Church training before serving. Flexible, rotations are available. You can contact The Rev. Cameron O’Riley for more information.

The Lectern & Lector Ministry

Lector reading scripture from the carved wooden eagle lectern during Sunday service at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

In the Anglican tradition, the lectern stands as a dedicated liturgical focal point for the proclamation of sacred Scripture. It is the sacred desk where lay readers and lectors share the Old and New Testament readings with the congregation during Sunday worship. At Christ Church Glendale, it connects worshipers directly to the living story of faith proclaimed at our morning services. 

Chalice Bearers

(Eucharistic Ministers)

Chalice bearer and Eucharistic Minister serving communion wine alongside clergy at the altar rail in Christ Church Glendale.

Chalice Bearers (Lay Eucharistic Ministers) play a sacred role in our worship by administering the consecrated wine from the common cup during Sunday Holy Eucharist and holy day festival liturgies. Serving alongside clergy at the altar across our Sunday morning services, this reverent ministry of sacramental hospitality is open to confirmed communicants. Full hands-on instruction and diocesan licensing guidance through the Diocese of Southern Ohio are provided.

Worship Leadership:

Clergy, Music, & Staff

Father David Pfaff proclaiming the Holy Gospel from the red Gospel Book during Sunday Eucharist at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

Worship at Christ Church Glendale is prayerfully guided by our Rector, clergy, Director of Music, and parish staff. Together with our lay leaders, our team weaves sacred scripture, Anglican choral tradition, and inclusive hospitality into every Sunday service and pastoral milestone. Explore our staff directory to connect with clergy for pastoral care, baptism, confirmation, or questions about parish life.

Prayer intercessor

Prayer Intercessors holding hands in shared prayer before a stained glass window at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

In the Anglican tradition, intercessory prayer is an act of communal love and pastoral care, standing in the gap to bring the joys, sorrows, and burdens of others directly before God. At Christ Church Glendale, trained prayer intercessors are available to pray with you confidentially during our Sunday morning worship at both the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services. Whether you are carrying a quiet personal need, celebrating a milestone, or seeking comfort during a difficult season, our intercessors welcome the sacred privilege of praying alongside you. 

Altar Flower Fund & Dedications

Altar floral arrangement of yellow daisies, peach carnations, and red berries for Sunday worship at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

The Altar Flower Fund brings living beauty to Sunday worship in both our Historic Church and All Saints Hall, as well as festive arrangements for Christmas, Easter, and holy day celebrations. Following the 11:00 AM service, arrangements are delivered to homebound parishioners or those celebrating milestones. Parishioners are invited to donate flowers in memory of loved ones, in honor of celebrations, or in thanksgiving, with all dedications acknowledged in our Sunday worship bulletin.

Ushers & Greeters:
Sunday Hospitality Ministry

Ushers presenting offering plates at the chancel steps during Sunday worship at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

Be the first welcoming smile someone sees on Sunday morning at Christ Church Glendale. Serving as an usher or greeter is one of the easiest ways to volunteer in our Episcopal parish, helping newcomers feel at home while handing out service bulletins and collecting the offering. We serve in pairs across our morning services, making it a wonderful ministry to share with a spouse, friend, or pew neighbor. Sign up in the book outside the chapel or email cameron.oriley@christchurchglendale.org to get involved. 

Glowing votives and altar rail candles before stained glass during evening worship at Christ Church Glendale, Ohio.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

— Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)

Get Involved in Worship

Whether you feel called to read scripture, welcome guests at the door, or offer prayer, let us know below how you would like to participate in Sunday services.