What To Expect at
St. James’ Church
We’re a small, friendly and welcoming church. But the welcome won’t overwhelm you. If you are looking for somewhere approachable but with some reverence in worship you’ll feel right at home. We are rooted in our reading and preaching of the bible and the action of receiving communion each week.
If you have any particular questions, please drop us a note using the form at the bottom of the page.
Worship in the Episcopal Church (from The Episcopal Church website)
Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. The principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or Mass. In most Episcopal churches, worship is accompanied by the singing of liturgical, meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prays from texts that don’t change greatly from week to week during a season of the year. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers.
For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating or confusing. Services may involve standing, sitting, kneeling, sung or spoken responses, and other participatory elements that may provide a challenge for the first-time visitor. However, liturgical worship can be compared with a dance: once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance, again and again, as the music changes.
All Are Welcome
All baptized Christians’ no matter age or denomination are welcome to receive communion. Episcopalians invite all baptized people to receive, not because we take the Eucharist lightly, but because we take our baptism so seriously.
Visitors who are not baptized Christians are welcome to come forward during the Communion to receive a blessing from the presider.
At the end of the Eucharist, the congregation prays once more in thanksgiving and then is dismissed to continue the life of service to God and to the World.
If we didn’t cover your question above, please include it on the form to the right and we will get back as soon as we can.
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