What to Expect

IN A NUTSHELL

(just the highlights)

What should I wear?

Whatever will help you worship best! You’ll see that some folks are in their Sunday best and others are in jeans and flip flops.

How will I know what to do?

If you’re new to Episcopal worship, we’ll give you some pointers and help you find a seat with someone who can guide you during the service, if you wish. 

What is worship like?

Worship starts out with scripture, prayers and a sermon - what Episcopalians call “the Liturgy of the Word.”  Then the second half is called “The Liturgy of the Table,” which means Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper.  You’re welcome to participate in all of this.  Music is diverse, lively, and usually played on the organ.

We will sit, stand, and kneel at various times but do what helps you worship; there’s no wrong way to worship here.  Children are SO welcome in worship, so expect some kid noises and wiggles.  If you’d like to check out our nursery for your little one, children under 4 are welcome there. 

What happens after worship?

After church, we’ll meet you in the gathering area to answer any questions.  If you’d like to, you can sign our guestbook and leave your contact information. Someone from the church will follow up with you about your visit!

ALL THE NUTS AND BOLTS

(for those who love details)

When you arrive at St. Peter’s, you’ll find we have plenty of parking.  Handicapped spots are available along the circle drive near the front door. 

When you enter the church, you will see our friendly greeters near the front doors.

Some people come in their “Sunday best” to St. Peter’s and others wear jeans and flip-flops.  At Christmas and Easter, folks generally dress up but we’re pretty much a “come as you are” sort of place. 

Our prayer book’s worship is based on scripture and ancient texts of the early Christian church.  The high point of the worship is Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, as opposed to the sermon being the high point.  Sermons are only about 10 minutes long. 

If you have young children, there is a Children’s Nook in the “narthex,” or gathering area/lobby, with quiet activities and a sensory basket full of tactile objects for children.  Children are SO very welcome in worship at St. Peter’s, so expect some kid noises and wiggles.   

If you have small children, we have a children’s nursery for children up to age 4.  One of our greeters can walk you over to our nursery.  Our nursery is staffed with loving and a trained individual who is here week after week so your child can be in a familiar space.  However, ALL children are welcome in worship at St. Peter’s, so if you’re not comfortable with your child going to the nursery, that is totally fine. All workers in the nursery must go through a program called Safeguarding God’s People.

You’ll receive an information card to complete which asks for some basic contact info.  We’ll use this information to follow up with you and (if you want) send you our once-a-week email newsletter.  If you’d rather not share any information, that is okay, too.  The greeter who gives you the card will meet up with you after worship to collect the card and check in with you.

We’ll likely ask you if you’re familiar with Episcopal worship so that we can give you some pointers if this is new for you.  The Episcopal Church is a liturgical church, which means we have a set order for worship. That order is found in our prayer book - that’s the little red book you’ll see in the pews.

But you don’t need to worry about navigating that book! The greeter will give you a “worship booklet” or bulletin that will tell you what’s going to happen during the service.  Although we have a QR reader (so bring your tablet!) to get the bulletin and we Facebook Live our service (on our priest's page), we’re pretty old school during worship so there aren’t any projection screens.   Expect diverse music from ancient Latin chants and familiar old hymns to African spirituals and everything in between.  The music changes with the seasons of the church year.   

The greeter will help you find a seat and help you during worship if you’re new to the Episcopal Church.  We pray with words and with our posture.  Directions in the worship booklet will suggest that you stand, sit or kneel but these postures are only helpful if you are able and wish to do so.  God welcomes your prayers no matter what your posture.  We promise to help you so you can worship fully.

Since the altar is God’s table and not ours, all are welcome to receive Communion. The usher will tell you when it is your turn.  If it is not your custom to receive Communion, simply cross your arms across your chest at the altar and the priest will pray a blessing for you.  You don’t need to be a member of St. Peter’s to partake in this sacrament. 

You may receive the wine by drinking from the chalice (cup) or you may intinct, that is, carefully dip your bread into the wine. The gold chalice contains alcoholic wine. The crystal chalice contains non-alcoholic wine. Please take care that your bread and not your fingers touch the wine.  Parents, you may need to assist your children.  Our bread contains wheat, but soy-dairy-wheat free wafers are available at all services. Please let the clergy know if you need a wafer. 

After our final prayer, we sing our last hymn or song and we are “dismissed” into the world or sent to do God’s work.  Our priest is there as you leave the sanctuary and likes to say hello to everyone. Feel free to stay and clap for our organist at the conclusion of her playing.   

After the service, your greeter will meet you back in the narthex (welcome area/lobby) to answer any questions you may have.  After the service, there is also a table with snacks and you are always welcome to stay and visit.  It gets a little loud and animated, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. 

Our promise to you:  whether you’re a cradle Episcopalian or new to the Christian faith, we promise to welcome you as if Christ just walked in our door.  We welcome all people without exception.