We are sincerely delighted for you to join us at any of our churches. We understand that it’s easy to feel out of place when you may not know many members or are unfamiliar with Anglican worship. Maybe you haven’t worshipped much recently and it’s hard to get started. If you are a newcomer to Anglican worship or you have not been to an Anglican church for many years, we would be pleased to help you become familiar and comfortable with our service in any way that we can. We are sensitive to your situation and will do all we can to help you have a positive experience. Please speak to one of the greeters at the door when you come in if you would like someone to sit with you.

 

Anglican worship is a structured liturgy (service) with an expectation of major participation by the congregation. Most of our services are from The Book of Alternative Services (1985) and occasionally from The Book of Common Prayer (1962). To get you started, we recommend you keep your pew bulletin (given to you when you arrive) open and ready for use at all times. It contains “cues” about what comes next, prayers and bible readings. Our priest will also guide the worshipping community by announcing page numbers in our prayer books and the hymn numbers in our hymnals.

 

In general, Anglicans stand to sing, hear the Gospel and recite the Creed; they sit, kneel or stand for prayers, includingd through much of the communion prayers, and they sit for most other parts of the worship service. Throughout the service you may see the priest and/or some of the parishioners use various gestures such as crossing oneself, bowing as the Cross passes their pew row, genuflecting (kneeling), raising one’s hands in praise, etc. These gestures are intended to enhance worship and do not serve as a mark of piety. Use of any or all gestures during worship is based on personal choice and comfort; none are mandatory.

 

Holy Eucharist, also referred to by some as Holy Communion, is generally offered every Sunday by one of our priests. Following the traditions of the Anglican Church, on the occasional Sundays when a priest is not available, a service of Morning Prayer will be held and led by one of the members of the congregation.

 

All baptized Christians, including children, are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. In parishes that have altar rails, you may choose to either kneel or stand at the rail to receive Communion. In parishes that do not have an altar rail, please follow the directions of the sides person on duty on when and where to come forward to receive communion.

 

To receive the Bread, cup your hands together, palms open and lifted. If you require a gluten-free wafer, let the priest or deacon know when you are offered the bread. To receive the Wine, assist the server in guiding the chalice to your lips. If you do not wish to receive the wine from the chalice (a common cup is used) because you have a cold or the flu, please be assured that you have fully received communion if you only take the bread. Anyone not wishing to receive the Sacrament is welcome to come forward to receive a blessing instead; please indicate that intent by crossing your arms over your chest or by holding a prayer book.

 

If you do not wish to receive Communion or a blessing, you may remain in the pew until the communion is completed.

 

 Many people in our parishes are not Anglicans from birth, having chosen this tradition as adults. We hope that you, as they have before you, find our services to be a deeply satisfying way to offer your worship to God.