You’ll Be Welcome

       We are delighted to have guests, so we are grateful for your presence. Just let us know how we can help you to be comfortable here.

How We Worship

       Visitors from Catholic, Lutheran, or high Methodist backgrounds will feel at home immediately. Others sometimes worry about whether they are doing the right thing at the right time. It’s not a problem. There are no rules, just some customs – and we don’t all follow the same ones. You’ll see different people doing different things. So just don’t worry about it. Do more or less what your neighbors are doing and you’ll be fine.

       At 11:00, we use a service booklet which makes the service fairly easy to follow. At earlier services, a service leaflet will direct you to different pages of the Book of Common Prayer. If you lose your place in the service, just float along. It’s ok. Generally, we stand to sing, say the Creed and hear the Gospel lesson. We kneel for the Confession and Absolution. (Some people kneel at other times – but it isn’t necessary). We sit for the Bible readings and sermon.

       We celebrate Holy Communion most Sundays. You don’t have to be an Episcopalian to receive Communion. All baptized Christians are invited to receive the bread and wine. Don’t worry about how to do that either. Just go to the altar rail with the others in your pew and do more or less what they do. If you don’t want to receive Communion, there is no pressure to do so. You can stay in your pew for prayer. If you have taken your children to the nursery, you may want to go get them during the Announcements so they can receive Communion or a blessing. But it’s up to you. Some of us do; some don’t.

       If you would feel more comfortable with some help, tell the ushers you are new and they’ll seat you with someone who’ll guide you through the service.

Before And After Worship

       We like to mingle in a casual way before and after worship. Favorite gathering spots are the porches, the Fellowship Hall, and the Bookstore. So come early or stay late and join us for coffee and munchies. You may also want to check out an Adult Education class or visit the nursery or a children’s class. You’re welcome to visit any of our activities. We want you to know who we are, so don’t be shy about asking questions.

We Don’t Embarrass Our Guests

       You won’t be singled out in the worship service, asked to stand up, invited to come forward or any of those things. We want to welcome our guests, not embarrass them, so you’ll be able to come and go as anonymously as you choose.