I’m new. What should I expect on Sunday?
Worshiping at St. John’s is relaxed and welcoming. You can get to church about 10-15 minutes early and find a place to park in our parking lot next to the church, or on the streets surrounding the church.
Wear what you feel comfortable in – some will be in dresses and suits, most will be more casual, and several might even be in jeans, shorts, etc. Be sure to wear your mask, but if you have forgotten, we have extras.
When you come in, take a worship bulletin from the table in the back. You can sit in any pew.
Our liturgy, from the “Book of Common Prayer,” is printed the bulletin or found in the Book of Common Prayer in the pew rack. The four bible readings heard during the service are either contained within the bulletin or provided as a separate insert. Hymns are noted on the hymn board at the front of the church. Most hymns can be found in the blue hymnal in the pew racks, but some hymns are found in the green hymnal supplement called "Wonder, Love and Praise," copies of which are at the end of the pews.
In our church. we hear nearly the entire bible every three years because we use the Revised Common Lectionary to read a portion of the Old Testament, the Psalter (the psalms), the Epistles (the letters from Paul, James, John, etc.) and the Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
The priest chooses from the assigned lessons of the Revised Common Lectionary and offers a sermon that lasts around 10-12 minutes. We do this because we think we need to hear all the bible – not just the parts that we agree with, feel comfortable with or support our own agenda.
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. If you’ve not been baptized, we invite you to receive a benediction, a personal blessing from the priest at the altar rail.
To receive communion, come to the rail with your pew, starting from the front. Put your right hand over your left and hold it out. The priest will place a consecrated wafer in your hand. In order to maintain safety, please return to your seat with your wafer and slip it under your mask when you are seated. At this time, we are offering communion in one kind – the bread only.
To receive a blessing, go to the rail with others from your pew. When the priest brings the bread, just cross your arms over your chest. This will tell the priest that you wish to receive a blessing and not the bread.
When all have received, a post-communion prayer is offered. The priest offers a dismissal and stands at the back of the church to greet you in person and hear about your hopes and needs.
We are missing our tradition of Coffee Hour across the street following the service, but look forward to a time where we will once again be able to gather.
People try new churches (or first churches) for a lot of very important reasons. Some people 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 is your new church home.
We’re glad you’re here.
Worshiping at St. John’s is relaxed and welcoming. You can get to church about 10-15 minutes early and find a place to park in our parking lot next to the church, or on the streets surrounding the church.
Wear what you feel comfortable in – some will be in dresses and suits, most will be more casual, and several might even be in jeans, shorts, etc. Be sure to wear your mask, but if you have forgotten, we have extras.
When you come in, take a worship bulletin from the table in the back. You can sit in any pew.
Our liturgy, from the “Book of Common Prayer,” is printed the bulletin or found in the Book of Common Prayer in the pew rack. The four bible readings heard during the service are either contained within the bulletin or provided as a separate insert. Hymns are noted on the hymn board at the front of the church. Most hymns can be found in the blue hymnal in the pew racks, but some hymns are found in the green hymnal supplement called "Wonder, Love and Praise," copies of which are at the end of the pews.
In our church. we hear nearly the entire bible every three years because we use the Revised Common Lectionary to read a portion of the Old Testament, the Psalter (the psalms), the Epistles (the letters from Paul, James, John, etc.) and the Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
The priest chooses from the assigned lessons of the Revised Common Lectionary and offers a sermon that lasts around 10-12 minutes. We do this because we think we need to hear all the bible – not just the parts that we agree with, feel comfortable with or support our own agenda.
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. If you’ve not been baptized, we invite you to receive a benediction, a personal blessing from the priest at the altar rail.
To receive communion, come to the rail with your pew, starting from the front. Put your right hand over your left and hold it out. The priest will place a consecrated wafer in your hand. In order to maintain safety, please return to your seat with your wafer and slip it under your mask when you are seated. At this time, we are offering communion in one kind – the bread only.
To receive a blessing, go to the rail with others from your pew. When the priest brings the bread, just cross your arms over your chest. This will tell the priest that you wish to receive a blessing and not the bread.
When all have received, a post-communion prayer is offered. The priest offers a dismissal and stands at the back of the church to greet you in person and hear about your hopes and needs.
We are missing our tradition of Coffee Hour across the street following the service, but look forward to a time where we will once again be able to gather.
People try new churches (or first churches) for a lot of very important reasons. Some people 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 is your new church home.
We’re glad you’re here.
