What to Expect in Episcopal Worship

We’ll Welcome You!

We are glad you are here, and we invite you to enter fully into worship. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here. We are a church rooted in Christian tradition, and open to new ideas, committed to service in community and world as part of the world-wide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. The work of worship is shared by all, and we invite you to participate in the said and spoken responses as you are able.

Worship Spaces to Inspire Prayer and Praise
The Altar is central in Episcopal Churches, drawing our thoughts toward the encounter with God that can happen in worship. Flickering candles symbolize Christ as the “Light of the World.” Music and flowers reflect the beauty of God’s creation. In the main church behind the Altar, a large ornamental screen symbolizes creation (the hand of God in the small blue window), redemption (the cross) and the work of the Spirit (the dove and the apostles), creating communities of compassion, justice and mutual support. In All Saints’ Chapel, the window behind the altar represents the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Entering and Leaving
Beauty, order and dignity are hallmarks of “liturgical” worship, which is both God-centered and yet mindful of the nature and needs of human beings. The Book of Common Prayer provides a treasure-trove of prayers both traditional and contemporary. Most worshipers reverence (bow) to the altar upon entering and leaving their pew as an act of reverence for Christ. Most worshipers kneel to say a prayer of personal preparation. You can follow the service in the Prayer Book, and The Hymnal 1982 found in the pew racks.

We ordinarily stand to sing, sit to listen, and stand or kneel for prayer. The Spirit can speak to open ears and hearts as the Scriptures are read and we hear them applied to our lives in the Sermon. We remember Christ and are nourished by his living presence in Holy Communion, and all baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s Table. The Blessing and Dismissal send us out to serve God in the world. At the end of the service, some persons kneel for a final private prayer, while others may sit to listen to the closing voluntary on the organ. We continue our nourishment in the Coffee Hour that follows, where you can meet and greet parishioners who will tell you more about the parish and its mission in the community.

Learning More About the Church
Should you wish to know more about St. Peter’s Church or how to become an Episcopalian, we will gladly answer questions and suggest the way to membership. Speak to the Rector, Fr. Nate, or call or email the office for an appointment. Confirmation classes for both early teens and adults are held periodically.