Our Front Door Is Really Our Back!
While the big red doors (at the west end) facing the road are open on Sundays and other times, the main entrance is found by going around the building and is off of the main parking lot.  Once you enter, you can find the nursery (for infants to 3-year-olds) upstairs and to the right.  Preschool through fifth grade classes are downstairs – just follow the signs.  The main worship space is upstairs and to the left; where the doors open more or less in the middle of the “nave”.  Thus, if you enter after the service begins, it is kind of noticeable – but nobody really cares!  You can always go around to the west doors if you are sheepish.  For any other questions, grab an usher or a greeter or anybody else who seems to know where they are going! 

Our Worship Is Active
The first thing you’ll notice about our worship is how active it is. A lot of people will be doing a lot of different things. Some people will kneel during part of the service. Some will stand. Some will bow towards the front of the church. Some will make the sign of the cross. Others will close their eyes and raise their hands in worship. Anglicanism allows for a wide variety of expression. This is part of our understanding of what it means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God (Romans 12.1). Ours is a liturgical tradition. That means we follow a set order of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) which is reprinted in your bulletin for the sake of simplicity. On one hand it may seem like a lot of busy-ness. On the other, everything we do in our worship has an important meaning and a rich symbolism. There is no one right way to worship God – so don’t worry about doing something “wrong”!

Both the priest and all those assisting with the services with be wearing different “vestments”. Vestments are traditional garments and robes worn by clergy for centuries. The color of the vestments and cloths that decorate the church building (such as the Altar and the lecterns) change according to the season of the year.

Other traditions that we use in varying degrees during our services include grand processions following a cross and candles. Sometimes we will use incense; this is simply another way to engage our senses in worship and is a visible sign of the prayers of the saints ascending to heaven. And especially during high holy days – such as Christmas, Easter, and Michaelmas – we have more ways of expressing our thanksgiving to God for what he has done through Jesus’ death, life, and resurrection by the use of special liturgies and prayers.

Terry, our Rector, or Scott, our Assistant Rector, will deliver a highly relevant sermon expounding upon one or more of the four passages of the Bible that are read aloud during the service. You’ll definitely leave feeling encouraged and equipped to go back into the world and live out the rest of the week.

Finally, the 7.30, 9.00, and 10.30 services have Holy Communion (Eucharist). All baptized Christians from any tradition are welcome to come to the Lord’s Table. We receive the Body and Blood of our Lord by walking forward to the front of the church and kneeling (or standing) at the Altar rail. We extend our hands to receive the bread (a small, round wafer) and, once eaten, receive the wine in a common cup. A blessing may be received at the Altar instead of Communion by crossing one’s arms across one’s chest. 

You’ll Need Your Bulletin
We have tried to keep book juggling down to a bare minimum for you.  The bulletin contains the order of the service as well as any spoken responses by the congregation.  It also contains the words to any contemporary songs we are using that morning.  Just start at the beginning and follow along!  You will still need, however, the blue hymnal in the pew rack in front of you.  Any hymn number beginning with an “S” (for Service music) is found towards the front, while all other hymns are found towards the back.