Contents
- We Pray
- Anglican Prayer and Worship
- Frequently Asked Questions From Those Who Are Curious And/Or New
- Q: What happens during the services?
- Q: What do you call the clergy?
- Q: I am not an Episcopalian, can I receive Communion?
- Q: I used to be a Catholic, but haven’t been to church in many years. Do you have restrictions on membership?
- Q: I’m single. How comfortable is St. Andrew’s for single people?
- Q: I have a disability. How challenging is attending services and other events at St. Andrew’s?
- Q: Do I have to be a member to come to church at St. Andrew’s?
- Q: Do I have to give money to come to church services at St. Andrew’s?
- Q: What do I wear to church?
We Pray
. . . he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
Above all else, St. Andrew’s is a community of prayer. Prayer is the undergirding of all that we do throughout the various ministries found on this website.
Anglican Prayer and Worship
The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, a world-wide body of Christians with roots in the Church of England.
Our worship is guided by the Book of Common Prayer, which provides the instructions and rites for Episcopal Christians to worship together. Our faith is based on the “three-legged stool” of scripture, tradition, and reason. We acknowledge the Bible as containing the Word of God and all that we need for our salvation, but at the same time we realize that the Bible speaks to us in our own time and place. We respect the past two thousand years of experience of God and Christ by the body of faithful people called the Church as a connection among all believers—and a starting point for our own understanding. We also believe that God continues to reveal Godself to us in our own lives and experiences, and that we can understand this revelation through the exercise of our God-given reason (or intellect).
As Anglicans we are united not by a common theology or set of doctrines but by prayer. In worshipping together week after week, month after month and year after year, we become the Body of Christ. Praying shapes our believing. We are formed as we worship and pray.
As we gather together weekly to praise and thank God and to hear God’s word and to pray for ourselves and others, we are reminded of who we are and who God is. Our services tell a story and act it out. Our altar is our family table and we gather around it to share the bread and wine, to celebrate Jesus’ risen presence and to be renewed and strengthened for the work God has given us to do.
The word liturgy means “work of the people.” It takes all of us lay and ordained, male and female, young and old, to create our worship. Members of the parish read the lessons, bid the intercessions, assist the celebrating priest at the altar, administer the chalice (wine), care for the altar, arrange the flowers and lead the congregation in singing.
8 AM Sunday Morning: Rite I Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Music
Containing more traditional language, this service is perfect for early risers and for those who love the beauty of the language of the King James Bible. Together we sing, pray and share the bread and the wine as we celebrate the risen Christ. All are welcome to receive communion.
10 AM Sunday Morning: Rite II Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Music and Choir
This service follows the more contemporary version of the Celebration of Holy Eucharist found in the Book of Common Prayer. This service is filled with the beautiful sound of our choir singing selections of moving sacred music. Together we sing, pray and share the bread and wine as we celebrate the risen Christ. All are welcome to receive communion.
10 AM Wednesdays: Healing Prayer Service with the Holy Eucharist
This is a warm and loving service of prayer, anointing and laying on of hands for healing. You may ask for prayers for yourselves or loved ones. This is an informal service that follows the Rite II Celebration of Holy Eucharist as found in the Book of Common Prayer.
COVID-19 Update
Currently (as of 11/2/2020) the Bishop of Maine has suspended all in-person indoor worship in order to care for our communities and slow the spread of COVID. This does not mean that we as a church are closed or that we are not worshipping.
At 8 AM on Sunday mornings we are livestreaming a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We are alternating between Rite I and Rite II. You can watch this on our Facebook Page at 8 AM or at another time on Facebook or on our YouTube Channel.
At 10 AM on Sunday mornings we are praying the service of Morning Prayer Rite II together through Zoom. Worshippers may join the actual Zoom Meeting (please contact the office for more information—stasnew@tidewater.net) or watch via Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions From Those Who Are Curious And/Or New
Q: What happens during the services?
The Episcopal Church uses the Book of Common Prayer for its worship. It contains the service of Holy Communion as well as the offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer; the Pastoral offices and other services that we use. The Book of Common Prayer is the red book in the pew rack. In addition, we have a Hymnal, which is the blue book in the pew rack. The Order of Worship is found in the bulletin you receive as you enter the church. It contains page numbers where the various parts of the service may be found.
For the most part, the hymn numbers may be found on our hymn board hanging on the pillars. Generally, we stand to sing, pray, praise and hear the Gospel; sit to hear the lessons, sermon and announcements; and kneel for confession and the final post-Communion prayer, all as we are physically able.
Q: What do you call the clergy?
St. Andrew’s clergy are addressed by their first names, without any titles. The correct way to address a letter to a priest or deacon is to use the title, The Reverend. If the person has a doctorate you would address him/her as The Rev. Dr. If the priest is a dean of a deanery, he/she is addressed as The Very Reverend. Reverend may be abbreviated.
Q: I am not an Episcopalian, can I receive Communion?
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. Any baptized person one is welcome to receive Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation is not a requirement for receiving Communion. Those who simply do not wish to receive Communion, are invited to receive a blessing instead.
Q: I used to be a Catholic, but haven’t been to church in many years. Do you have restrictions on membership?
We have no restrictions on membership. Regardless of your religious heritage, you are welcome. If you decide you’d like to formally join the Episcopal Church
denomination, there is a confirmation/reception process which you are welcome to join.
Q: I’m single. How comfortable is St. Andrew’s for single people?
There are many single people who are active members of St. Andrew’s. Many take an active, lively role in the church, and there are no distinctions made between families and individuals.
Q: I have a disability. How challenging is attending services and other events at St. Andrew’s?
We have an accessible bathroom. Stair-free access to the main floor of the church is from the circular driveway located off Glidden Street. Please feel free to park in this driveway if mobility is an issue for you. There is access to the lower level (the Undercroft) and the Rector’s office via elevator. We do our best to accommodate parishioners and visitors of limited mobility, and we’re happy to assist you to the best of our ability. And yes, service dogs are welcome at all times!
Q: Do I have to be a member to come to church at St. Andrew’s?
No, you do not have to be a member. In the long run, if you find yourself at home with us, you may want to become a member and be able to vote at Parish meetings.
Q: Do I have to give money to come to church services at St. Andrew’s?
No, you do not have to give money to attend services. When people begin to become involved with church life, they are asked to make an annual pledge, in an amount that fits their budget, to support the life of the church.
Q: What do I wear to church?
Members of St. Andrew’s dress formally, casually and everything in between. In other words, wear what is most comfortable to you.