We joyfully welcome you in this House of Prayer and Service!
As you enter, you pass by our Baptismal Font. This receptacle contains water used to wash candidates in the ceremony of Christian initiation called Holy Baptism. The font is located outside of the principle worship space to reflect the ancient Christian practice of welcoming the newly baptized into the family of God.
Once seated, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence. While Anglican/Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles; ours is typical in one major respect, we focus our worship toward the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to God in Christ whose house the church is.
On the altar there are candles to remind us that Jesus is the "Light of the world'' (John 8:12). Behind the altar there are flowers to beautify God's house and to recall new life in the Resurrection of Jesus.
To the side at the front of the church is the lectern-pulpit for the proclamation of the Word; here some of the Scriptures are read and the sermon is preached. The Gospel story is read by a member of the clergy in the middle of the people to reflect the particular ministry of the clergy to proclaim the Good News in Christ to the people of the world.
The core of Anglican/Episcopal worship is Holy Communion (Also known as the Holy Eucharist or the Mass). This is a ceremony derived from an ancient Jewish ritual meal which Jesus held with his disciples on the night before his arrest and crucifixion. Christians believe that this ceremony creates a special sort of contact with God and each other in order to strengthen us spiritually.
We use the rites found within the Book of Common Prayer to assist us in our worship.
Sunday
The 8:00 am service is very similar in style to our 10:30 am service but without music.
The 10:30 am service is our primary parish service. There is usually a large number of families with children at this service. A Children’s Chapel is provided for those ages 4 – 8 during the first part of the service (readings, sermon and prayers). A nursery for those under four years of age is provided for this service.
All are invited to gather downstairs following the 10:30 am service for coffee, tea, and snacks. We believe that Christian discipleship calls us to become friends and this is a marvelous time to do just that.
Wednesday
The 12:00 noon service follows a contemplative form of worship punctuated by holy silence. The service typically lasts about 30 minutes.
If you would like to know more about our parish community please contact a member of the clergy or a lay leader, or call the Parish Administrator, Tara Cowen in the Church Office at 770-271-4067 or use the contact us form to e-mail us.
