I’m new. What should I expect on Sunday?
Worshiping at St. John’s is relaxed and welcoming. Come a few minutes early and park in the parking lot next to the church or on the street.
Wear what you feel comfortable in – some will be in dresses and suits, most will be more casual, and several might even be in shorts and tees.
At this time, masks are optional but recommended. Please wear a mask if you have any symptoms or a recent exposure. We will increase precautions if infection rates warrant.
When you enter, take a worship bulletin and any music and reading inserts offered from the Welcome Table (if an usher is on duty, these will be handed to you). You may sit in any pew.
Our liturgy (form of our service), from the Book of Common Prayer, is printed the bulletin or found in the red prayer book in the pew rack. The four bible readings heard during the service are either printed in the bulletin or provided as a separate insert. You do not need to bring your own bible.
Hymns are noted on the hymn board at the front of the church. Most hymns are found in the blue hymnal in the pew racks, but some are in the green hymnal supplement called “Wonder, Love and Praise,” found at the end of the pews. Hymn numbers preceded by the letter “S” (service music) are found at the beginning of the blue hymnal. Please join in singing.
The priest chooses from the assigned lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (proscribed readings for each day, used by the Episcopal and other churches) and offers a sermon that lasts around 10-12 minutes.
When we hear the word of God, we believe that we can be transformed, inspired and strengthened in much the same way that receiving the sacrament transformed, inspires and strengthens us.
Everyone may come to the communion rail. If you have been baptized, you are invited to enjoy the bread and the wine regardless of age, denomination, sexual/gender identity or marital/divorce status. If you’ve not been baptized, we invite you to receive a benediction, a personal blessing from the priest.
To receive communion, approach with your row. Hold your right hand over your left. The priest will place a consecrated wafer in your hand which you may consumer there or carry to your seat where you can slip it under your mask, if you choose to wear one.
We offer the wine, but understand that you may choose not to drink from the cup, and that is fine. Know that receiving the bread alone constitutes full communion. If you do you choose to drink from the chalice, move to the chalice bearer once you have received the bread. As a sanitary measure, the cup is wiped thoroughly between each communicant. At this time, there is no intinction (dipping of the wafer into the wine) by either the communicant or the chalice bearer.
To receive a blessing, approach the rail with your row. Cross your arms over your chest. This will tell the priest to offer a blessing.
When all have received, a short post-communion prayer is offered then a hymn is sung. The priest offers a dismissal and stands at the back of the church to greet you in person.
The service is followed by Coffee Hour in our Parish House across the street from the church. We encourage all visitors to join us for refreshments and to get to know each other.
People try new (or first) churches for a lot of very important reasons. Some are searching for meaning, for hope, for support, for a fresh start. Whatever your reasons, we hope St. John’s is a place that feels right to you and that this will become your new church home.
We’re glad you’re here.
Worshiping at St. John’s is relaxed and welcoming. Come a few minutes early and park in the parking lot next to the church or on the street.
Wear what you feel comfortable in – some will be in dresses and suits, most will be more casual, and several might even be in shorts and tees.
At this time, masks are optional but recommended. Please wear a mask if you have any symptoms or a recent exposure. We will increase precautions if infection rates warrant.
When you enter, take a worship bulletin and any music and reading inserts offered from the Welcome Table (if an usher is on duty, these will be handed to you). You may sit in any pew.
Our liturgy (form of our service), from the Book of Common Prayer, is printed the bulletin or found in the red prayer book in the pew rack. The four bible readings heard during the service are either printed in the bulletin or provided as a separate insert. You do not need to bring your own bible.
Hymns are noted on the hymn board at the front of the church. Most hymns are found in the blue hymnal in the pew racks, but some are in the green hymnal supplement called “Wonder, Love and Praise,” found at the end of the pews. Hymn numbers preceded by the letter “S” (service music) are found at the beginning of the blue hymnal. Please join in singing.
The priest chooses from the assigned lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (proscribed readings for each day, used by the Episcopal and other churches) and offers a sermon that lasts around 10-12 minutes.
When we hear the word of God, we believe that we can be transformed, inspired and strengthened in much the same way that receiving the sacrament transformed, inspires and strengthens us.
Everyone may come to the communion rail. If you have been baptized, you are invited to enjoy the bread and the wine regardless of age, denomination, sexual/gender identity or marital/divorce status. If you’ve not been baptized, we invite you to receive a benediction, a personal blessing from the priest.
To receive communion, approach with your row. Hold your right hand over your left. The priest will place a consecrated wafer in your hand which you may consumer there or carry to your seat where you can slip it under your mask, if you choose to wear one.
We offer the wine, but understand that you may choose not to drink from the cup, and that is fine. Know that receiving the bread alone constitutes full communion. If you do you choose to drink from the chalice, move to the chalice bearer once you have received the bread. As a sanitary measure, the cup is wiped thoroughly between each communicant. At this time, there is no intinction (dipping of the wafer into the wine) by either the communicant or the chalice bearer.
To receive a blessing, approach the rail with your row. Cross your arms over your chest. This will tell the priest to offer a blessing.
When all have received, a short post-communion prayer is offered then a hymn is sung. The priest offers a dismissal and stands at the back of the church to greet you in person.
The service is followed by Coffee Hour in our Parish House across the street from the church. We encourage all visitors to join us for refreshments and to get to know each other.
People try new (or first) churches for a lot of very important reasons. Some are searching for meaning, for hope, for support, for a fresh start. Whatever your reasons, we hope St. John’s is a place that feels right to you and that this will become your new church home.
We’re glad you’re here.
