Visiting a new church for the first time can be an intimidating experience, but we want you to know that you are welcome to participate in as much or as little of the service as you feel comfortable. If you get lost in the service, just allow yourself to be carried along by others!
We continue to offer our worship service via Zoom:
We have a single-camera system set up and our audio is drawn from our sound system, so there may be occasions when it is hard to hear. We are working on improving this aspect of our outreach and appreciate your patience. The Zoom link may be found in our electronic newsletter, the ePISTLE, which you may subscribe to by clicking here.
When you join us in person for worship, here is what you can expect:
When you arrive you will be greeted by ushers, volunteers who will give you a service bulletin, answer any questions, guide you to our guest book, and encourage you to sit where ever you feel most comfortable. Our organist will play several minutes of music (called a prelude) shortly before the service begins, so you know it’s time to get comfortable and settled.
In the pew in front of you, there will be a few different books. The one you will want to acquaint yourself with is the blue “Hymnal 1982.” The hymns being sung that day are listed in your bulletin by hymn number, and you will find them in that book unless otherwise noted. The rest of the service is written out for you in the service bulletin. When we are ready to start, a bell will ring, the organ will play more loudly, and everyone will stand to sing the first hymn while our priest, deacon, lay ministers, and anyone else involved in the service enter from the back and walk to the altar. There service will now begin.
If you get lost, or aren’t sure what you should be doing, just copy your neighbor! The first half of the service consists of lessons and prayers, with a 10 to 15 minute sermon, and ending with an invitation to greet one another with “the peace of the Lord.” The second half of the service is the Holy Eucharist, in which we share communion. Please participate if you would like, the Episcopal Church has no restrictions as to who may receive communion, and ALL are welcome at God’s table. We do use real wine, so if you need to abstain for any reason you can cross your arms over your chest and receive a blessing instead.
See our Resources page under “MORE” for links to service resources!