Episcopal Worship
St. Peter's is here for you the every-day and at the important moments of your life.
If you are welcoming a new child of God in baptism, committing to your partner in Holy Matrimony or mourning a loved one who has entered into eternal rest, we will help you plan ways to mark these important milestones. In any phase or season of life, we look forward to talking about ways St. Peter's can walk with you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Scheduling with us
St. Peter's wants to walk with you in those powerful moments of Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals. Logistical costs for such arrangements depend on your need. From space rentals, clergy services, hospitality & catering cooridnation, to printing costs, we commit to working within your budget. Costs differ for members and non-members of the parish.
Connect with a clergy so we can best serve you.
a denomination that is both protestant & catholic
Formed as a “Middle Way”, the Episcopal Church combines the best of the Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, ensuring consistency of structure and worship, but allowing for individual conscience. Over the years, the middle way has become a way of being as a denomination, helping us to open wide to people of all walks of life. Know that whoever you are, you are beautifully and wonderfully made.
the Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.
the impact of the Oxford Movement
The word “catholic” comes from a Greek word meaning “universal” and originally referred to essential beliefs held by all Christians. As a result of various schisms and the consequences of the Protestant Reformation, it has come to identify Christians who hold a specific set of theological and sacramental views. Today, “Anglo-Catholic” describes the beliefs and practices of Episcopalians (Anglicans) who follow the ideas and practices born from the Oxford Movement.
The Oxford Movement, which began in the 1830s when several Church of England clergy started a renewal in reaction to what they perceived as laxity and spiritual lifelessness in their churches. They advocated for a restoration to the pattern of Catholic worship, devotion, and spirituality, which originated in ancient times but was lost during the Reformation.
what to expect / plan your visit
Please Come As You Are
We have a wide range of attire, from blue jeans and t-shirts to dresses, coats, and ties. We want you to come however you are comfortable.
Accessibility
Easy and close free-parking is available. All of our services are held on the first floor of our building. We also have restrooms available in the parish hall, just outside the nave (our worship space).
A Warm Welcome
Ushers and other parish members welcome you as you enter the building, with a smile and a full-text bulletin.
Young Children
Children are always welcome in worship, no matter their age! A Kiddie Corner is located in the main sanctuary during services. There is also a nursery with toys and books available at all times. We love and encourage children in worship.
The Worship Service
While a full-text bulletin is provided, as an Episcopal parish, the pattern of our celebration of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) and of Morning Prayer come from the Book of Common Prayer. If you are new to the Episcopal faith tradition we invite you to learn more about us: here
After Service Socializing
Immediately following our 10am Sunday Service we invite you to coffee hour, where we join in fellowship to enjoy coffee, snacks, and treats in the joy of each other's company.
May you depart, nourished and fed, knowing God loves you, no exceptions. May you be empowered to serve God, near and far. We hope to see you again soon!
We hope to give you a sense of enthusiasm and comfort when you choose to worship with us for the first time.
Episcopal Worship
Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. We call our principal weekly worship service Holy Eucharist, which is also known as the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or Mass. In most Episcopal churches, worship is accompanied by the singing of hymns, and in some churches, much of the service is sung.
Episcopalians worship in many different styles, from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with lots of singing, music and incense, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based on the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel no matter where you go.
Liturgy & Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is “liturgical,” meaning that the congregation follows service forms and prays from texts that don’t change greatly from week to week during a season of the year. This sameness gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to people.
For the first-time visitor, liturgy may be exhilarating. . .or confusing. Stand. Sit. Kneel. Stand. Sit (or is it Kneel?). Participatory elements may provide a challenge, but don’t worry. At St. Peter's some people stand, some people kneel, some people sit — you can’t really get it wrong.
Liturgical worship can be compared to a dance. Once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance again and again as the music changes.
Morning Prayer & Holy Communion
St Peter's is in constellation with St James, Arlington, meaning that we are able to provide Holy Eucharist on the 2nd and 4th Sundays and on feast days.
In addition to Holy Eucharist, the Book of Common Prayer provides with a beautiful liturgy of Morning Prayer. We offer this type of worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.
Celtic Candlelit Mass
Beginning in July, on the 1st Saturday evenings of the month, we offer a candlelit Celtic service alongside Holy Eucharist.
what are the sacraments?
The Sacraments are used by God to transform our hearts and minds.
Baptism
Through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, one is fully initiated into the Christian church and joined mystically to Jesus Christ and fellow Christians.
We believe baptism is an act of community, and the baptismal candidates and/or their families are encouraged to connect with our community prior to seeking baptism with us.
Contact a member of the clergy for further information. See also the BCP Catechism, 858-859.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is an outward commitment to the faith and to what God is doing in the hearts of the confirmands. Because we believe confirmation is connected to a personal and informed discernment, the minimum age for someone to be confirmed at St. Peter's is 15 years-old. Please speak with clergy if you are interested in being confirmed. See also the BCP Catechism, 860.
Communion
The taking in of God's essence is a sacred moment of faith inviting the Lord into you. We invite everyone forward to the altar to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion or for a blessing. You do not need to be baptized specially in the Episcopal Church to receive baptism. Any person who has been baptized is highly encouraged to receive the bread and wine. Please call the church office to set up an appointment for consultation and instruction. See also the BCP Catechism, 859-860.
Anointing
Sacramental anointing with oil may accompany prayers for healing and the laying on of hands. The Wednesday noon Mass is complemented by anointing with oil. This is an outward sign of God’s active presence for healing, initiation, or ordination. The newly baptized may use oil while signing with the cross to signify they are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. See also the BCP Catechism, 861.
Reconciliation
Christians are called to a discipline of regular repentance, and the church exhorts the faithful to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation to assure us of the absolution of our sins and the continual consolation of the Holy Spirit. See also the BCP Catechism, 861.
Matrimony
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony allows for individual spiritual growth as a result of a couple’s deliberate life together as Christians. Regular Sunday attendance is an expectation of all who wish their marriage solemnized at St. Peter's.
The canons of the Episcopal Church require that any couple seeking to be married in the church must have gone through some form of counseling. The couple may work with our clergy or seek outside support from a trained professional or clergy.
Contact a member of the clergy for more information. See also the BCP Catechism, 861.
Holy Orders
Ordained ministries include bishops, priests, and deacons. Candidates for these ministries are “admitted to these sacred orders by solemn prayer and the laying on of episcopal hands” (BCP 510). See also the BCP Catechism, 860-861.