In corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments.
At St. Mary’s we find our center when gather we for worship each Sunday. The service is called the Eucharist, from the Greek word for thanksgiving. In the Eucharist we share bread and wine in the way Jesus taught us at the Last Supper. Celebrating the Eucharist together we find a connection with God and with a community, both those present and with Christians around the world. We are also intimately connected with Jesus who we believe is truly present in the bread and wine.
Our worship unites, transforms, and renews us as beloved children of God: We are united in our prayer, praise, and thanks to God; transformed by the power of God’s Word; and renewed through the grace of Holy Communion. We are more than spectators at worship—we become living members of the Body of Christ and heirs of God’s eternal kingdom.
Each of us is on a spiritual journey seeking the path to a sustaining relationship with God and with others. We at St. Mary’s are pilgrims like you and have chosen to journey with one another here. We have become part of a living tradition which speaks to us profoundly and challenges us to grow into a deeper faith.
If you are looking for a faith community, we invite you to journey with us. Our services are open to all, and we will welcome you again when you choose to return. In the meantime, if you would like information about participating in the life of the parish or have questions or needs to which we may respond, please contact us.
Assist at Worship
St. Mary’s welcomes adult and youth volunteers (grade five and above) to assist at worship services:
- Ushers greet arriving worshipers, help them feel welcome, and bring the offerings to the Altar.
- Lectors read the lessons appointed and lead the psalm at each service.
- Assisting Ministers offer the Prayers of the People and help serve Communion at the Altar.
- Acolytes light the candles, carry the cross in processions and assist the priest and deacon with Communion preparations at the Altar. (If no acolyte is scheduled, the Assisting Minister helps with these duties.)
- Sacristans prepare the bread and wine for Holy Eucharist and set out the appropriate linens and Communion vessels.
Anyone interested in learning more about assisting at worship services is encouraged to speak with Fr. Scott or any of the current lay ministers.
The Book of Common Prayer
The official book of worship of the Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) provides liturgical forms, prayers, and instructions so that all members and orders of the Episcopal Church may appropriately share in common worship. Anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the Prayer Book tradition since the publication of the first English Prayer Book in 1549. The first American BCP was ratified by the first General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1789 with the most recent edition published in 1979.
The BCP includes the calendar of the church year, and it provides forms for the Daily Office, the Great Litany, the Collects, Proper Liturgies for Special Days, Holy Baptism, the Holy Eucharist, Pastoral Offices, and Episcopal Services. In addition to many forms for corporate worship, the BCP also provides forms for Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (pp. 136-140). The BCP includes both contemporary language (Rite 2) and traditional language (Rite 1) versions of the forms for Morning and Evening Prayer, the Collects, the Eucharist, and the Burial of the Dead. The BCP also includes the Psalter, or Psalms of David; Prayers and Thanksgivings; An Outline of the Faith, or Catechism; Historical Documents of the Church (including the Articles of Religion); Tables for Finding the Date of Easter and other Holy Days; and lectionaries for the Holy Eucharist and the Daily Office.