St. Augustine of Canterbury

We gather in Christ to strengthen and to serve.

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What to expect when you visit

Worship in the Episcopal Church

Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. The principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as: the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or Mass. In most Episcopal churches, worship is accompanied by the singing of hymns, and in some churches, much of the service is sung.

Worship Styles

Episcopalians worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with lots of singing, music, fancy clothes (called vestments), and incense, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel, no matter where you go.

Our life as a Church is centered on our regular times of worship when we come before God in praise, humility and thanksgiving. The liturgy, or order of worship, we use is derived from a long history of the Church in many times and cultures. So as we pray, not only are we united to all Anglicans around the world who use some form of the Book of Common Prayer, but we engage in an unceasing strain of prayer that has been voiced in all corners of the world and through the past twenty centuries.

In order to be as accessible as we can to those not familiar with our pattern of worship we print the whole service, including hymns, in the Sunday bulletin. And if you have any questions please feel free to ask anyone; we are more than happy to answer them. You will notice that our service has a fair bit of motion within it: we stand, sit, kneel, make the sign of the cross, etc. Most of the directions are provided within our service leaflet, but if standing or kneeling are difficult for you, please feel free to sit throughout the service.

The Episcopal liturgy is based on two components: the Word of God and the Eucharistic Feast. First we hear three readings of Scripture and participate in the voicing of a Psalm. The short sermon or homily is generally based on the Scriptures of the day and is intended to explore their meanings for us. Next we gather for a communal feast which celebrates the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and our place in his Gospel of redemption. All those who seek God are welcomed at the altar for a blessing or Holy Communion. Baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, are welcome to receive the bread and wine. If you desire to receive a blessing instead, simply cross your arms in front of you and you will receive a pray and brief blessing. The service is concluded by a call to, having been fed in our faith, go forth and actively live the Gospel of Jesus.

Lay Ministers: The word “liturgy” literally means “the work of the people”. Indeed, our liturgy involves all the gathered people in the work of worship through its participatory nature, but there are also special roles that need to be filled to let this liturgy function. Lay people are involved through the reading of the Scripture passages, serving as ushers, acolytes and chalice bearers. Our collective experience of worship is often enhanced through the generous participation of those in our congregation with special musical gifts. Members also take the prayers of the people and the presence of Christ in Holy Communion to others who cannot join us for our Sunday celebrations.

Prayers for healing are significant signs of love for each other and concern for the whole health of each parishioner. If you are in need of a special prayer for healing after the Sunday service or at other times, please contact Fr. Jay, Fr. Ron, or Dn. Pat.

A prayer list is provided each Sunday in the bulletin, and we pray for those on the list by name every Sunday. To add a name to the list, simply record it in the blue notebook in the narthex or call the office at 289-4058.

Vistations are made to thse who cannot attend church or face a special need by either clergy or laypersons, and may include Eucharist from the reserved Sacrament if you wish. Please contact Fr. Jay or Dn. Pat if you wish to have some from the church visit you during your time of need.

Our Health Ministry program is coordinated by our Parish Nurse and serves the parish through education and guidance regarding various aspects of personal health. Please contact the Parish Office for further information.

All Are Welcome

All baptized Christians—no matter age or denomination—are welcome to “receive communion.” Episcopalians invite all baptized people to receive, not because we take the Eucharist lightly, but because we take our baptism so seriously.

Visitors who are not baptized Christians are welcome to come forward during the Communion to receive a blessing from the presider.

Millennium Development Goals

The MDGs represent a global partnership that has grown from the commitments and targets established at the world summits of the 1990s. Responding to the world's main development challenges and to the calls of civil society, the MDGs promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, gender equality, and aim at combating child mortality, AIDS and other diseases.