What to Expect on Sunday Morning
Welcome to St. Thomas Parish. We know that stepping into a new church for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with our traditions. We want to remove the guesswork so you can simply come as you are, rest, and be present.
Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect from the moment you walk through our sanctuary doors to the end of the service, all of which typically lasts about an hour.
Arriving and Getting Settled
A Warm Welcome: As you enter, you will be greeted by our ushers and handed a bulletin. The ushers are here to help you feel at home and answer any immediate questions you might have.
The Worship Bulletin: This is your complete guide for the service. It contains all the prayers, responses, and page numbers you will need to fully participate in the service. On the back, you will find announcements about parish life at St. Thomas.
Finding a Seat: You are welcome to sit wherever you feel most comfortable. In each pew, you will find The Book of Common Prayer and a hymnal. While your bulletin contains everything you need, you are always welcome to follow along in the books if you prefer.
The Rhythm of Worship: If this is your first time in an Episcopal church, you may notice a variety of movement, whether it is sitting, standing, kneeling, bowing, or people crossing themselves throughout the service. All of these movements can be understood as a way to help us pray with our entire body, mind, and spirit.
Standing - for active participation. Typically we stand for hymns, prayers, the gospel reading, and for the exchanging of the Peace.
Sitting - for listening. We sit for the readings and sermon.
Kneeling - to acknowledge something greater than ourselves.Many choose to kneel for certain prayers such as the Confession and Thanksgiving, and before and after receiving communion.
Bowing - to show respect and gratitude. Some people bow as the cross passes during the beginning and ending of service, during certain phrases during prayers, passing in front of the altar, or even before taking a seat.
Making a sign of the cross - for remembrance that we are marked with the love of Christ. Some people might make a sign of the cross by touching their hand to their forehead, abdomen, left shoulder, then right shoulder. Many choose to do this in response to certain prayers, when the priest makes the sign of the cross, before and after receiving communion, or before they take their seat.
If you choose to participate and are unsure, simply follow the lead of those around you—but please know that you are welcome to adopt whatever posture and movement (or none at all) that is most comfortable for you.
Part One: The Liturgy of the Word
Our service is divided into two main parts. The first is called the "Liturgy of the Word," which centers on listening to Scripture and applying it to our lives.
Processional Hymn: The processional hymn is a way for everyone who helps with the service to move to their places. They process in a line from the front entrance down the center aisle while we all sing a hymn. Additionally, the hymn is based upon the theme for the day, thus setting the tone and mood for our service. You will find hymn numbers in our bulletin and listed in order on the hanging boards in the front of the church.
The Readings: We listen to as many as four passages from the Bible, typically including the Old Testament, a Psalm (which we recite every other line together as a congregation), a New Testament letter, and a reading from the Gospels (the teachings of Jesus).
The Sermon: A priest will offer a sermon that thoughtfully interprets the day's readings, connecting ancient scripture to our modern lives, struggles, and hopes.
The Nicene Creed: Together, we recite the Nicene Creed. Written in the fourth century, this is the historic statement of what the Christian church believes.
Prayers of the People: We pray together for the Church, the world, the sick, and those who have passed away. We also offer thanks for the blessings in our lives.
Confession and Absolution: At this point in our service, we kneel if comfortable and silently confess our wrongdoings. The priest then pronounces an absolution, reminding us of the profound truth that God's grace and forgiveness are always available to us.
The Peace: The priest will say, "The peace of the Lord be always with you." The congregation responds, "And also with you," and we take a few moments to greet one another. You can simply shake hands or offer a brief nod to those nearest you and say, "Peace be with you." We at St. Thomas particularly love this part of our service and many use it to mingle about and offer hugs to one another as well as greet any visitors. Please do not feel obligated to leave your place in the pew if you do not feel comfortable doing so and know that you will never be singled out or called upon to announce yourself as a visitor.
The Offertory
Before we transition to the second half of the service, an offering plate is passed. This is a time for our regular members to support the work of the church. As a visitor, please do not feel any obligation to put money in the plate. Your presence is gift enough. However, please consider filling out the “I’m New” and “Pray” cards located in your pew and place them in the offering plate. We would love to get to know you and offer any prayers for you, should you request them.
Part Two: The Liturgy of the Table
The second half of our service is Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper). We shift our focus to the altar, the “table” where we gather to share the sacred meal of bread and wine.
The Eucharistic Prayer: The priest blesses the bread and wine, recounting the story of God's unconditional love for humanity, from creation to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Lord's Prayer: We join our voices to pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.
Breaking the Bread: The priest breaks the bread and invites everyone forward, saying, "The Gifts of God for the People of God."
How to Receive Communion
Here at St. Thomas, we practice radical hospitality. This is God's table, not ours, and all baptized Christians, regardless of age or denomination, are welcome to receive Communion. Please feel free to remain in your pew if you are not comfortable receiving communion.
Coming Forward: Ushers will guide the congregation, row by row, to the front. You may either kneel or stand around the altar rail.
Receiving the Bread: To receive the bread (a wafer), hold out your hands with your palms up, one on top of the other. The priest will place the bread in your palm and say "The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven".
Receiving the Wine: You have a few choices when the wine is offered - you may choose to sip from one (called the common cup) or dip your bread in the other. If you choose to use the common chalice, gently help guide it to your lips for a sip, or you may hold on to your bread and dip it lightly into the second chalice of wine set aside for dipping (a practice called intinction).
Receiving Only One: Please know that receiving only the bread or only the wine is considered full and sufficient participation in the sacrament.
Receiving a Blessing Instead: If you are not baptized, or if you simply prefer not to receive Communion, you are still warmly invited to the altar. Simply cross your arms over your chest as the priest comes by. This signals the priest that you would like to receive a prayer of blessing instead.
*Gluten-free wafers are available upon request. When you arrive, please let an usher know if you would like this option.
The Dismissal
Following Communion, we offer a brief prayer of thanksgiving. The priest then blesses the congregation, and we are dismissed to carry God's love and peace out into the world. The service concludes with a closing hymn (called the recessional) during which the clergy and worship leaders process down the center aisle and back out toward the entrance of the sanctuary.
After the service concludes, we hope you won't rush off! Please feel free to meet some of the people you just worshipped with, and learn more about our shared life together. We are truly glad you are here.
Still have questions? Please contact us.
We’re happy to help!