Our Worship

As you enter, you will notice an atmostphere of worship and reverence.  Episcopal churches are built in many architectual 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 and behind 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 and to recall the resurrection of Jesus.

On one side at the front of the church, there is a lectern or stand; here the Scriptures are read.  Ther is also a separate stand, the pulpit, where the Gospel may be read and the sermon may be preached.

Episcopal Church services are participatory.  You may wonder when to stand or kneel.  The general rule is to stand to sing.  We stand, too, for the reading of the Gospel and to say our affirmation of faith, the Nicene Creed.  We sit during readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament letters, the Sermon and the anthems.  We stand or kneel for the people's prayers and for the great prayer-the Eucharistic Prayer.

The principal service is the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion).   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.

When you visit St. John's Episcopal Church, you are our respected and welcome guest.  Copies of our current monthly parish newsletter and a brochure are available for you to take home. 

Should you wish to know more about the Episcopal Church or how to beome and Episcopalian, the Rector, the Ushers, or any member will gladly answer your questions, or tell you more the St. John's, it's people, and our town.