New to the Episcopal Church?
Worship that holds you
St. John’s is an Episcopal church in the Anglican tradition. If you’ve never been to a liturgical service, here’s what to expect. You don’t have to understand it all to belong.
What is liturgy?
Words we didn’t have to come up with
Liturgy is the shared shape of our worship: prayers, songs, and scripture that Christians have prayed for centuries. We pray it together from the Book of Common Prayer. On the weeks you come in tired, distracted, or not sure what you believe, the words are already there for you. The point isn’t performance. It’s receiving what God gives.
1
We gather
A hymn, an opening prayer, and a song of praise. Sit, stand, or simply watch: there’s no wrong way to begin.
2
We hear the Word
Readings from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the letters of the New Testament, and the Gospel, then a sermon that preaches the good news of Jesus.
3
We pray and make peace
We say the Nicene Creed, pray for the world and for one another, confess our sins, hear God’s forgiveness, and share the peace.
4
We share Communion
Bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ, given for you. Then we’re sent back out into the world.
You’re welcome here
Whatever tradition you come from
From an evangelical church
You’ll hear a lot of the Bible, read aloud and preached, and the gospel at the center: Jesus came for sinners, and that means you. The liturgy is simply scripture prayed together.
From a Catholic parish
Much will feel familiar: the shape of the service, the creed, the seasons of the church year, and Communion every Sunday.
New to church
Everything you need is in the bulletin, every word and every song. Follow along, or just sit and listen. No one expects you to know what to do, and you won’t be singled out.
Good to know
Common questions
What does “Episcopal” mean? Is it the same as Anglican?
The Episcopal Church is the American member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a family of churches that grew from the Church of England. “Episcopal” comes from the Greek word for bishop: we’re led by bishops, and St. John’s belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. So yes: we’re Episcopalians, and we’re Anglicans.
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
It’s the prayer book Anglicans have worshiped from since 1549, now in its American edition. The whole service is printed in our bulletin, so you won’t need to juggle books.
Can I receive Communion?
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion at St. John’s. If you’re not baptized, or would rather not receive, you’re welcome to come forward for a blessing (cross your arms over your chest) or to stay in your seat. Either is fine.
Do I have to believe it all to come?
No. Come with your questions. Plenty of us are still working things out. Christianity is good news for people who don’t have it all together, and that includes us.
Come and see
Sundays at 10 AM
Holy Eucharist with music, about an hour and fifteen minutes, then coffee hour. We’d love to meet you.