Please note that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some of the information below may not be accurate. See 3 Ways to Worship with Us for more information.
8:30am and 10:30am Worship
On most Sundays we offer worship services at both 8:30am and 10:30am. (Check this week’s service times on our “Calendar” page.) Our 8:30am service is a contemplative prayer service in traditional language from the Book of Common Prayer, with no music, and lasts less than an hour. Our 10:30am service offers Sunday School, has musical accompaniment, and usually follows the contemporary language from the Book of Alternative Services. This service is about one hour, twenty minutes in length, and is usually followed by coffee hour in the church hall for those who would like to stay and socialize. We recommend those new to the Anglican tradition attend the 10:30 service for their first time worshipping with us.
Parking
Parking can be found on the streets and parking lots surrounding the church. There are no parking restrictions in the area on Sunday.
Arriving
It is good to arrive five or ten minutes early to get settled into a prayerful place before the service begins. (However, if you arrive after the service has already started, feel free to sneak in and find a seat!) When you walk into the 10:30 service, you will be greeted by one or two “sidespeople.” They will offer you a bulletin that will help you to follow along in the service. They are also happy to assist you with seating, if you would like. For those who are hard of hearing, there are hearing-assist devices available to borrow from the sound desk at the back of the church. Those who are mobility-impaired are invited to use the accessible chairs and wheelchair space marked at the back of the church.
Processional
The service begins with the Processional Hymn, during which the choir and other liturgical leaders enter the church and take their places at the front. Then, the worship leader opens with some prayers and invites the scripture reader to the front to share the day’s readings.
Scripture Readings
The Anglican liturgy (an ancient word for the order of our service) is filled with many different readings from holy scripture. Some are special favourites said almost every week, but we also read an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament epistle reading, and a Gospel reading from a schedule of readings called the Revised Common Lectionary. This lectionary is shared by many denominations, and so week-by-week we are reading the same readings alongside many of our fellow Christians from around the world.
Children and Youth
After the Gospel reading, children are invited to the front for the children’s talk. This moment in the service is cherished by our adult members, but if your child is uncomfortable leaving your side feel free to keep them in the pew with you. Following the children’s talk, the children are then invited to follow the Sunday School leaders to the hall. Parents and teenage siblings are welcome to tag along. The Sunday School returns later in the service to share communion.
Sermon and Prayers
After the children leave for Sunday School, we have the sermon which is usually about 10-12 minutes long. The focus of the sermon is to help youth and adults to grow deeper in their love of God and their neighbour through reflecting on the scripture readings appointed for the day.
Eucharist/Communion
At the time of the Eucharist, our greeters will signal row by row when it is time to go up to the front to receive. When directed, you can walk up the middle aisle and kneel or stand at the altar rail. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion. If you are not baptized or would otherwise prefer, you may cross your hands over your chest to receive a blessing. Gluten-free communion wafers are available, just ask the communion server. Our practice in the Anglican church is to share a common cup. If you would prefer not to share the cup, just fold your hands over your chest after receiving the bread; receiving only the bread is a full communion. After having received communion or a blessing, you may return to your seat by walking down the side aisle. Communion servers will bring the bread and wine, or a blessing, to the back of the church for the mobility-impaired.
Recessional
A recessional hymn is sung at the end of the service, during which the worship leaders exit. When they get to the back of the church, the people are dismissed, and the service concludes with postlude instrumental music. Feel free to take the bulletin home with you to make note of the announcements and to pray for the prayer requests on the back cover throughout the week. Alternatively, it can be handed back to the sidesperson. The priest will then greet you in the foyer. If you would like to speak with the clergy at length, or would like them to pray for you, you are invited to wait until the end of the greeting line so that they can give you their full attention.
Coffee Hour
After the 10:30am service each Sunday, all are welcome to join in the parish hall for coffee, snacks and visiting.
