Our Services

Calvary’s worship services combine traditional liturgy and music with a theology that is relevant to today’s world. Our services are composed of lessons from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament, reading of the Gospel, a sermon, prayers, and celebration of the Peace and of Holy Eucharist. Rite I services use traditional language, and Rite II services use the wording from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

Except in the summer, we have two worship services every Sunday. During the summer we typically switch to a one service schedule. Please check our worship schedule for specifics. Special seasonal services occur during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. Festival services are accompanied by organ, tympani, and brass.

Parking may be found at the metered spots for street parking and in public and Mayo ramps for an hourly rate. Weekdays after 5:00 pm and on weekends parking is free.

Our sanctuary is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 am-4:00 pm for all who seek silent prayer and reflection.

Our 8:30 am service is a quiet and intimate service that follows the Rite I liturgy with Holy Eucharist. The first Sunday of every month, Calvary offers A Service of Morning Prayer, the traditional way of greeting the day in our Episcopal tradition.

Our 10:30 am service follows the Rite II liturgy with Holy Eucharist and music from the adult Motet Choir.

Every Monday at 5:15 pm, we offer a Healing service with the option of anointing with oil. Those attending this 30-minute service sit in the choir stalls near the altar. We welcome local residents as well as visitors coming to Rochester seeking health care.

Tuesdays at 8:30 pm, we offer the service of Compline, the last of the daily offices, descended from the night prayers said before bed at the end of the monastic round of daily prayer. Participate live on the Calvary Facebook Page.

Morning Prayer, part of the ancient prayer tradition of the Church, takes place online at  7:00 am every Wednesday. Led by a rotation of parishioners, all are welcome. E-mail the office at office@calvary-rochester.org for more information.

Offered several times a year at Calvary, this form of contemplative worship originated in the French village of Taizé during the Second World War. It was offered to refugees of all faiths passing through the village. At Calvary, participants sit in a circle in candlelight. Open to all and led by piano and cello or flute, the service consists of brief readings and short, simply worded songs, which, as they are repeated, enter into the whole being and become a means of communal listening and prayer.