Where do I find the words and music for today's service?

The Sunday bulletin is your basic guide to the worship service. In each pew you will find a smaller Book of Common Prayer (BCP), a larger Hymnal 1982. Hymn numbers are listed in the left hand margin of your bulletin, and on the hymn boards at the front on either side of the church. Note that some numbers have an “S” in front of them. The “S” indicates parts of the service that we sing. The text is in the BCP. The music is found in the front section of the Hymnal. Page numbers from the BCP are printed in the right hand margin of the bulletin.

Do I sit, stand or kneel?

At St. John’s we respect a variety of worship practices and customs. During the service some people may make the sign of the cross or bow at various points, while others do not. You should do what is comfortable for you. There are, however, some practices, which are common at St. John’s:

•  Generally, people stand to sing the hymns and to listen to the reading of the Gospel.

• We usually kneel for the Prayers of the People, the Confession of Sin and for the Eucharistic Prayer (after the "Holy, holy, holy..."). For a variety of reasons, however, some people either stand or sit at these points in the service. We especially encourage you to stand or sit if you find kneeling difficult.

May I receive Communion?

Although this is an Episcopal Church, it is not an "Episcopal" table. We believe that Communion is God's meal for God's people and eagerly invite all baptized followers of Christ to join us in receiving the Holy Communion. The ushers will guide you when it is your turn to go to the communion rail and we fill the rail from right to left.

Kneeling or standing at the rail, raise your crossed hands, palm up, to receive the bread. You may eat the bread and then take a sip from the chalice (cup) when it is brought to you. Or you may hold the bread and dip it in the wine when the chalice is brought to you. When drinking from the chalice, please grasp its base with one thumb and forefinger and guide it to your lips. If for any reason you don't wish to receive either the bread or the wine, simply cross your arms across your chest.

Baptized children of any age are welcome to receive Communion under their parents' guidance. If children are not to receive, they, too, should cross their arms over their chests. The priest will give them a blessing.

After receiving Communion, please return to your pew by way of the door to your right. There will be ushers and other worshipers to help you find your way.