What to expect when you visit St

What to expect when you visit St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

You'll be welcome

We extend a cordial welcome to you to worship with us, and offer this document as a brief introduction to the Church and its ways.

The Place of Worship

As you enter, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence.

Episcopal churches are built in many architectural styles; but whether the church be small or large, elaborate or plain, your eye is carried to the altar, or holy table, and to the cross. So our thoughts are taken at once to Christ and to God whose house the church is.

On the altar there are candles to remind us that Christ is the “Light of the world” (John 8:12). Often there are flowers, to beautify God's house and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.

On the right side at the front of the church, there is a lectern from which the Scriptures are read and on the left side is a pulpit from which the sermon is preached.

The Act of Worship

Episcopal church services are congregational. In the pews you will find the Book of Common Prayer, the use of which enables the congregation to share fully in every service. The large print is the actual service. The smaller print gives directions to ministers and people for conduct of the service.

You may wonder when to stand, sit or kneel. The general rule is to stand to sing, to say our affirmation of faith, the Creed, and for the reading of the Gospel in the Holy Eucharist. We sit during readings from the Old Testament or New Testament Letters, the sermon, and the choir anthems. We generally kneel for prayer.

The Regular Services

The principal service is the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). On Sundays at 8:00 AM and Wednesdays at 10:30 AM it is celebrated quite simply and without music. When celebrated at 10:00 AM on Sundays, there is music and choir. A time of fellowship follows downstairs.

While some parts of the Holy Eucharist are always the same, others change. For example, two or three Bible selections are read. These change each Sunday. So do the psalms. Certain of the prayers also change, in order to provide variety. Page numbers for parts of the service printed elsewhere in the Book are usually announced or given in the service leaflet. But do not be embarrassed to ask your neighbor for the page number.

You will find the services of the Episcopal Church beautiful in their ordered dignity, God-centered, and yet mindful of the nature and needs of human beings.

Before and After Services

It is the custom upon entering church to kneel in one's pew for a prayer of personal preparation for worship. It is also the custom to bow to the altar on entering and leaving the church as an act of reverence for Christ.

Episcopalians do not talk in church before a service but use this time for personal meditation and devotions. At the end of the service some persons kneel for a private prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the organ postlude.

Vestments

To add to the beauty and festivity of the services, and to signify their special ministries, the clergy and other ministers wear vestments. Choir vestments consist of a blue undergown called a cassock and a white, gathered overgown called a surplice. The Acholyte, who assists the Priest at the altar, wears a red cossock and a white surplice.

Another familiar vestment worn by licensed Lay Readers and the priest is the alb, a white tunic with sleeves that covers the body from neck to ankles.

At the Holy Eucharist the Celebrant wears a stole (a narrow band of colored fabric over the alb) and a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb.

Stoles and chasubles, as well as altar coverings, are usually made of rich fabrics. Their color changes with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colors are white, red, violet, and green.

The Church Year

The Episcopal Church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6).

Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.

During these times the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. During the rest of the year---the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays)---the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings.

Coming and Going

If there are ushers they will greet you, and may escort you to a pew. If you desire, they will answer your questions about the service. Pews are unreserved.

Following the service the Rector greets the people as they leave.

You Will Not Be Embarrassed

When you visit St. Peter’s, you will be our respected and welcome guest. You will not be singled out in an embarrassing way, nor asked to stand before the congregation nor to come forward. You will worship God with us.

Should you wish to know more about St. Peter’s, the Episcopal Church or how one becomes an Episcopalian, the Rector will gladly answer your questions and suggest the way to membership.

Adapted from an article prepared for the Office of Communication, the Episcopal Church Center, written by Br. Thomas Bushnell, n/BSG / thomas@gnu.ai.mit.edu

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Opportunities for Service, Study, and fellowship at St. Peter's

WORSHIP & MUSIC

Ushers greet people, distribute bulletins and other announcements, and present the offering.

Call: Charmaine Kerr 836-6773

Acolytes are boys and girls, men and women, who assist the Rector during Worship.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Lay Readers are appointed by the Rector to read lessons during worship.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Chalice Bearers are appointed by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop to serve during worship.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Choir Members & Organist enhance the music of the 10:00 service each Sunday and at special services. Choir rehearsals are held periodically on Sundays.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Eucharistic Lay Ministers bring the Eucharist from the Sunday celebration to members who were unable to attend the service.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Midi operators provide service music at 10 AM

Call: The Rector 836-2233

THE ALTAR GUILD/FLOWERS

The Altar Guild strives to create in the sanctuary a setting that honors God and invites reverence and worship. Its members place and maintain all vessels, linens, vestments, paraments, candles, flowers, and books required for the liturgy.

Call: Charmaine Kerr 836-6773

Flowers are placed on the altar each Sunday (except during Advent and Lent) through parishioner sponsorship. A sign-up sheet for the entire year is available. The sharing of dates is encouraged.

Call: Charmaine Kerr 836-6773

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Christian Education classes for children meets Sunday mornings from 10:00 until the passing of the peace.

Call: Dorothy Shaw 836-2049

PRAYER CHAIN

St. Peter’s has a telephone prayer chain to pass along prayers for those in need during times of crisis.

Call: Georgette Piper 836-4930

WEDNESDAY STUDY GROUP

Following the Wednesday 10:30 AM Eucharist, the Rector leads a study group. Recent topics have included the: Books of the Bible; Book of Common Prayer; spiritual gifts workshop, sacraments, and putting our faith in action today.

SCREEN DOOR MINISTRY

First time visitors to St. Peter’s are welcomed by a brief “screen door” visit by a parishioner and a loaf of Banana Nut Bread.

Call: the Rector

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Mommy Camp is a weekend retreat held annually to give parishioner and non-parishioner mothers and grandmothers a much needed break from parenting, employment, housekeeping and/or wifery.

Call: Jane Nurse 836-6691

Angel Tree Prson Ministry helps the families of prisoners at Christmas. Parishioners purchase gifts for the children of those incarcerated.

Call: Elaine Corey 965-2380

Lay Chaplains from St. Peter’s and other churches visit new patients at Tyler Memorial Hospital, notify local clergy that parishioners have been admitted, and minister to staff and patients as needed.

Call: Elaine Corey 965-2380

INREACH MINISTRIES

Share ‘N’ Care provides flowers, cards, food, money, clothing and other items to the sick, shut-ins of the parish, and others in need.

Call: Dorothy Shaw 836-2049

Authors for the Apostle write parish related articles for publication, such as book reviews of volumes in the parish library or up-coming events.

Call: The Rector 836-2233

Coffee Hour helpers prepare food and a friendly reception for newcomers and parishioners after the 10 AM service.

Call: Mary Martin 333-4007