Communion
Children
Description of the 3 services
Saturday Service
Sunday 8 a.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.
An Instructed Eucharist
At St. Augustine's we use two books in worship, both found in the pew racks: The Book of Common Prayer (red book) and The Hymnal 1982 (blue book).
Posture during worship is a matter of individual preference. Generally, we sit to hear the word of God, stand to hear the Gospel, kneel to confess our sins, and stand to sing.
Communion
All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ, including children, are welcome to receive
communion at St. Augustine's.
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Children
Please know that we welcome both you and your children at worship. RELAX! God put the wiggle in
children. May we suggest that you sit toward the front where it's easier for the children to see
and hear. Sing the hymns, pray, voice the responses. Children learn liturgical behavior by
copying yours. If you feel your child is being disruptive and needs to leave the Service, please
feel free to leave, and come back when you can. There is childcare for infants and toddlers
through the Parish Hall in the room adjacent to our kitchen. Always remember that the way
children are welcomed to Church directly affects the way they respond to Church, God and Christ.
Help them know that they are at home in this liturgy of praise and thanksgiving.
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Description of Services at St. A’s
St. A’s offers three weekly worship services, each with its own unique character. Although the services differ somewhat stylistically, all follow the liturgy set forth in our Book of Common Prayer. During the first part of the service, we listen to a reading from the Old Testament, a reading from the New Testament, and a reading from the Gospel. The sermon helps us understand the lesson(s) we’ve learned through the readings, after which we pray for our own needs and the needs of others, and greet each other in peace. During the second part of the service, we share in the Holy Communion through the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s life and sacrifice for us.
There are two Episcopal Rites of Service – I and II. Rite I is the older form of service as set forth in the 1928 Prayer Book. It uses traditional language (e.g., “thee” and “thy” in many of the prayers). Rite II is the newer form of service, introduced in 1979. It uses modern language, and is less formal than Rite I.
Each of St. A’s services has something to recommend it – peaceful contemplation at dusk, starting a new day with the beautiful language of old prayers, and the joy of song and fellowship. And, while many of us consider ourselves “regulars” at one or another of the services, there is much to be learned about each other and our church by occasionally attending a different service. We urge you to consider “mixing it up” once in a while – and experiencing the many facets of worship that St. A’s offers.
Below are brief descriptions of the various services, as celebrated at St. A’s.
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Saturday, 5:00 p.m.Holy Eucharist, Rite II. This service is the most recent addition to our worship schedule, and has proved popular among parishioners who may not be able to make it to either of the Sunday services. Parishioners who have attended this service have remarked on its warmth and conviviality. It is attended primarily by adults without children, and teens. There is no music at this service, and usually lasts about 45 minutes.
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Sunday, 8:00 a.m.Holy Eucharist, Rite I. This is the “old school” traditional service, and is notable for its quiet, contemplative atmosphere. Parishioners who attend this service tend to appreciate the solemn beauty of the older language. It is attended primarily by adults without children, although sometimes parents with newborns find its tranquility a welcome way to start the day. There is no music at this service, and it usually lasts about 45 minutes. There is a fellowship/coffee hour after 8:00 a.m. service on every third Sunday of the month.
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Sunday, 10:00 a.m.Holy Eucharist, Rite II. This is the main, best-attended service, and includes music (organ and choir), primarily traditional hymns. People of all ages attend this service, and it usually lasts just about one hour. Childcare is available in the nursery (beginning at 9:45 a.m.). Sunday School is offered for children during the school year (September through May). Parishioners who attend this service enjoy the strong sense of community that comes from friends and families worshipping together. Music plays a large part in this service, and “10 o’clockers” are famous for making much “joyful noise.”
At the 10 AM service, Deacon Keith offers a regular ministry of healing during Holy Communion. As Communion begins, Deacon Keith moves to the space by the Baptismal Font. Parishioners wishing to receive healing are asked to go to him there after receiving communion. As each person comes forward there is a laying-on of hands, a healing prayer and a blessing with oil. It is certainly permissible to ask for relief of a specific pain, of the body or of the heart, but that is optional.
Fellowship/coffee hour follows every 10:00 a.m. service.
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An Instructed EucharistThe Rev. Betsy Johns Roadman conducted a special teaching service during which there were periodic pauses to explain the "what and why" of each service component. The entire service can be downloaded here:
An Instructed Eucharist
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