Newcomers Information
What to expect when you come to a
worship service at St. John’s Church...
A number of people are available to offer
assistance to you.
Greeters welcome people
into the church and Sidespeople will hand you a prayer book and
leaflet that outlines the order of the worship service, enabling you to
participate in the service. They will assist you in locating the
washrooms and cloakroom. They also collect the financial and food
bank offerings during the service and invite people to approach the
sanctuary to receive Holy Communion at the appropriate time.
St. John’s supports the CMS Food Bank,
and a basket for food donations is available at the entrance of the
church every Sunday.
The Anglican service includes a lot of
movement. We stand for singing, the reading of the Gospel, and the Creed.
When we are called to pray together we stand, sit or kneel, following the
direction of the priest and the ability of each participant. At the
9:15 service when we share the Peace of Christ we do so
by shaking other’s hands, warmly greeting each other, saying, “Peace
be with you.”
When do the children go to Sunday School?
Children remain with their families for the first
part of the 9:15 service before they are called to the front of the
church for a prayer and a blessing. Children remain in Sunday School
for the first half of the service, returning to their parents in time
for Holy Communion.
Who is welcome to receive Holy Communion?
All who seek God are welcome to the Lord’s
Table to receive the Bread and the Wine. Even if you are not sure that
you seek God you are still welcome because God seeks you. Come and hold
in your hand and taste on your lips the love which we cannot comprehend.
Please approach the altar rail and kneel or stand. If you prefer to
receive a blessing instead, cross your arms across your chest and
the priest will know you wish to receive a blessing. Due to health
concerns, the practice of “intinction” (dipping the bread/wafer into
the wine) is no longer an accepted practice for public worship in
this diocese. It is also perfectly acceptable to receive communion in one
kind only.
If you would like to learn more about Holy Communion please speak to the
Rector.
How do I financially support St. John’s
During the offertory hymn a collection
plate is passed among the pews. Visitors wanting to give a financial gift
to the church are welcome to use the offering envelopes in the pew in front
of them, and tax receipts will be issued at the end of the year for amounts
exceeding $25 providing that you include your name, mailing address and the
amount given on the envelope. If you decide you would like to become
a member of St. John’s Church please ask a Sidesperson for a
Welcoming Booklet, which contains additional information about who we
are, how we can care for you, and how you can be part of our family of faith.
Sunday Worship Services
8:00 a.m. A traditional service of Holy
Communion using The Book of Common Prayer – quiet and contemplative.
9:15 a.m. A contemporary service of Holy
Communion with music and Sunday School using The Book of Alternative Services
– lively and engaging. This service strives to meet the needs of families with
young children or adolescents.
11:00 a.m. A traditional service of Holy
Communion using The Book of Common Prayer, with vocal support from the
choir.
During the church season of Ordinary Time
the 11am service alternates between a service of Holy Communion and
Morning Prayer – a prayer service from The Book of Common Prayer.
If a month contains a 5th Sunday, the 9:15 and
11 a.m. services are combined for a special 10 a.m. service, with
its’ focus on mission and outreach to local, national or
international aid agencies.
Why two prayer books?
The Book of Common Prayer was published
in the 16th century, and reflects the
language and theology of that time in our history.
The Book of Alternative Services was published in 1985.
Its’ contemporary language and prayers draw from a broad range of
resources within the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Our Ten Commitments to You
- We will make you welcome.
- We are family friendly.
- We are accessible.
- We will be practical and relevant.
- We will help you explore answers to your deepest questions.
- We will offer you time to stop, think and pray in your busy life.
- We will help you make sense of the Bible and who Jesus is.
- We will make sure your worship at St. John’s is nurturing, enriching and challenging.
- We will help you discover for yourself God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness.
- We will offer you the chance to make a new start.
If you would like further
information or to join this ministry
please click here to Contact Us!
