What to Expect During Our Worship
When you visit St. Anne's Episcopal Church, we warmly welcome you as our esteemed guest. You are invited to share in the worship of God with us. We'd like to share this brief introduction to the Episcopal Church and its practices.
Should you wish to know more about St. Anne's Episcopal Church or how to become a member, our clergy will gladly answer your questions and suggest the way to membership.
The Place of Worship
When you walk into our church, you’ll notice a peaceful atmosphere. Your attention is naturally drawn to the front, where you’ll see a holy table, the altar, and the cross. These symbols remind us that this is a place centered on Jesus Christ and the presence of God.
On the altar, you’ll often see candles, which symbolize that Jesus is the Light of the World. There are usually flowers too, adding beauty to the space and reminding us of Jesus’ resurrection.
At the front of the church, you’ll notice two stands. On the right is the pulpit, where the pastor or speaker gives the sermon. On the left is the lectern, where Bible passages are read aloud during the service.
The Act of Worship
In the pews, you’ll find the Book of Common Prayer, which helps everyone take part in the service. The larger print contains the main prayers and readings, while the smaller print gives directions to those leading the service.
You may wonder when to stand, sit, or kneel—there’s some variation, even among Episcopalians. Generally, we stand to sing hymns (found in the Hymnal) and other songs called canticles or chants. We also stand for the Gospel reading and the Nicene Creed. We sit for most readings, the sermon, and choir anthems. Prayer is usually done standing or kneeling, as a sign of gratitude or humility before God.
Worship Services
Our principal service is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, held at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday with music. A nursery is available during this service for children 4 and under and Children’s Church is offered for elementary-age children. They’ll begin worship with their families and leave after the Opening Collect, returning in time for Communion.
While some parts of the service remain the same each week, others—such as Bible readings, psalms, and prayers—change to reflect the church calendar. Page numbers for prayers or hymns in the Book of Common Prayer are typically announced or printed in the service leaflet.
If you’re unsure where to turn, feel free to ask someone nearby—they’ll be happy to help.
Episcopal services are known for their beauty, reverence, and thoughtful balance between tradition and the needs of everyday people.
Before & After Services
Upon entering the church, it is customary to kneel in your pew for a moment of personal prayer in preparation for worship. Some people also bow toward the altar when arriving and leaving, as a sign of reverence for Christ. Episcopalians often use the quiet time before the service begins for personal reflection and devotion. At the close of the service, many choose to kneel again for a brief prayer before departing.
Receiving Holy Eucharist
At St. Anne’s, all baptized Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion. When it’s time, an usher will guide you to the altar rail, where you may kneel or stand. If you’re unable to come forward, simply let an usher know and the priest will gladly bring Communion to your pew.
To receive the bread, cup your hands and the priest will place it there. You may then either eat the bread and sip from the cup, or carefully dip the bread into the wine (a practice called intinction).
If you prefer to receive a blessing instead of Communion, just cross your arms over your chest when you come forward.
Your Arrival & Welcome
Ushers will greet you at the entrance and are happy to escort you to a seat. They are also available to answer any questions about the service, nursery locations, or anything else you might need.
If you’re new to St. Anne’s, we invite you to fill out a 'Welcome to St. Anne’s' postcard, found in the pews. Simply place it in the offering plate when it’s passed. This helps us follow up with a warm welcome and provide any information you may be seeking.
In Episcopal churches, pews are typically unreserved, except during special services like weddings, baptisms, or funerals.
At the end of the service, our clergy will be at the door to greet you personally—we’d love to meet you!
