All Are Welcome in Episcopal Worship
We are glad you are here. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome at St. Peter's. We are a church rooted in Christian tradition, open to new ideas, and committed to service in our community and the world. The work of worship is shared by all, and we invite you to participate in the said and sung responses as you are able.
Worship Spaces to Inspire Prayer and Praise
The Altar is central in Episcopal Churches, drawing our thoughts toward the encounter with God that can happen in worship. Lighted candles symbolize Christ as the "Light of the World." Music and flowers reflect the beauty of God's creation. In the Sanctuary (the space behind the communion rail in the main church) behind the Altar, a Reredos (a large ornamental screen) symbolizes creation (the hand of God in the small blue window above the Altar given in memory of H. Carl Paul), redemption (the cross), and the work of the Spirit (the dove and the apostles), creating communities of compassion, justice, and mutual support. Our Reredos was designed by George diRis of Lamb Studios and installed in 1965. In All Saints' Chapel, the window behind the Altar in the Sanctuary represents the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Entering and Leaving
Beauty, order, and dignity are hallmarks of liturgical worship, which is both God-centered and mindful of the nature and needs of human beings. The Book of Common Prayer provides a treasure-trove of prayers. Most worshipers bow to the altar upon entering and leaving their pew as an act of reverence for Christ and kneel to say a prayer of personal preparation. You can follow the service in the Prayer Book and The Hymnal 1982 found in the pew racks.
We ordinarily stand to sing, sit to listen, and stand or kneel for prayer. The Spirit can speak to open ears and hearts as the Scriptures are read and we hear them applied to our lives in the Sermon. We remember Christ and are nourished by his living presence in Holy Communion, and all baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord's Table. The Blessing and Dismissal send us out to serve God in the world. At the end of the service, some people kneel for a final private prayer, while others may sit to listen to the closing voluntary on the organ. We continue our nourishment in the Coffee Hour that follows, where we meet and greet other parishioners.
We ordinarily stand to sing, sit to listen, and stand or kneel for prayer. The Spirit can speak to open ears and hearts as the Scriptures are read and we hear them applied to our lives in the Sermon. We remember Christ and are nourished by his living presence in Holy Communion, and all baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord's Table. The Blessing and Dismissal send us out to serve God in the world. At the end of the service, some people kneel for a final private prayer, while others may sit to listen to the closing voluntary on the organ. We continue our nourishment in the Coffee Hour that follows, where we meet and greet other parishioners.
For More Information
Should you wish to learn more about St. Peter's Church or how to become an Episcopalian, please contact Father Nate.
