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Worship In Person

Worship

 

Centering Prayer

Mondays at 1:30 p.m. and Fridays at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom

Please join us for Centering Prayer, a means of Christian meditation that uses a single word for us to rest our attention while we come before the presence of God. This will include a brief check-in, an opening prayer, brief instruction, 20 minutes of silence and then a brief closing prayer. Holy Comforter now offers two sessions per week on Zoom.

Mondays at 1.30 p.m. (Led by the Rev Jon Strand) Join the Zoom call HERE.

Fridays at 2:00 p.m. (Led by James Wall) Join the Zoom call HERE.

Got Kids?

Sunday School happens Sundays, 11:10 a.m. to Noon.

Pre-K–6th Grade Learn more.

7th–12th Grade Learn more.

Learn more about our Children’s Ministries HERE. Learn more about our Youth Ministries HERE.

Flower Donations for the Sanctuary and Chapel

We welcome the gift of flowers at the Sanctuary altar for weekly services. The cost is $50, tax deductible, as a gift to the church. After services, the flowers are delivered to home-bound parishioners. Download and fill out the form HERE. Submit to the Church Office two weeks prior to your requested date, along with your check. You may also drop your envelope in the offering plate. Questions? Please contact Lolly Mixter.

1st Saturday Social

First Saturday of the Month, following the 5:00 p.m. Service

The 1st Saturday Social is a casual way to get to know fellow parishioners after the 5 p.m. service. It is held on the first Saturday of each month and features both wine and non-alcoholic beverages as well as several different cheeses and crackers to nibble on. It’s a wonderful way to find out more about the church and also the lives of fellow parishioners, and is also a way for people to make a connection with the church outside of the traditional Sunday services and activities. All are welcome.

Sunday Education & Fellowship:

Sunday Forums following the 10:00 a.m. service

Sunday Forums happen some Sundays at 11:15 a.m. in the Community Hall. Forums address a wide variety of subjects—all intended to deepen our relationships with one another and with God.

Follow our Special Events page to see upcoming Sunday Forums.

Coffee and Fellowship Hour following the 10:00 a.m. service

Join us in the church Narthex for coffee and conversation. All are welcome for an informal fellowship hour—a chance to see one another and chat.

Worship is at the heart of our community. Our experience of God creates a sacred life which changes the way we live, treating ourselves and others with dignity. Fed at Christ’s table, we take that deep nourishment out into the world, recognizing Christ’s presence everywhere. All of our ministries are a response to the love of God we experience around the table. It is a profound claim on our hearts, minds and bodies.

Tuesday Education & Fellowship:

Men’s Bible Study 6:45–7:45 a.m. on Zoom

Join us on Zoom early for coffee followed by our Bible study. Please contact the Rev. Jon Strand or Ray Wadlow to RSVP. We are using the Bible study guide from St. Stephen’s Richmond—found below—to start out. We will generally meet weekly, taking breaks for holidays and the summer.

Bible Study Guide

Women’s Bible Study 6:45–7:45 a.m. on Zoom

Bible women, especially those who speak, are surprisingly bold! Join us as we explore their voices, many of whom have been silenced or forgotten. Please contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie for the Zoom link.

Learn More

Music

Learn More

Baptisms

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Weddings

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Funerals

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Worship Ministry

Helping our community prepare for and celebrate all the services of our liturgical life.

Acolytes & Vergers:

All youth in grades 7 through 12 are encouraged to serve in the Acolyte Ministry. Acolytes not only grow spiritually by playing an active, meaningful role in the liturgies, but also develop tremendous leadership skills as they grow from being a young torch bearer to captain of their own team. School volunteer hours can also be earned. Vergers are committed lay people who assist the clergy in the conduct of public worship. Their varied tasks include recruiting, training and directing the acolytes, physical preparation of the worship space, coordination of lay ministers, ordering and marshaling of processions, as well as general safekeeping of the church building. Vergers are selected by the rector.

Digital Ministry:

Run the audio and video for services in the Sanctuary and help live stream and record services—which involves monitoring the sound and video systems to ensure proper volumes, camera coverage, recording and troubleshooting and possible video editing for recorded services. An important part of the ministry is facilitating holiday services which expand the audio and video capabilities throughout the church building to accommodate the increased number of parishioners attending those services.

Eucharistic Ministers:

As Eucharistic Minister, you will serve the chalice of consecrated wine at the altar during Holy Eucharist at Sunday and special services. Lead Eucharistic Ministers assist the Priest in the preparation and serving of the Holy Eucharist, lead the procession, and perform other duties during Saturday services.

Greeters:

Greet people as they arrive at the services and assist any newcomers to find what they might need after the service—an excellent way to help with a person’s journey of faith. All that is needed is a welcoming attitude and every other talent and essential knowledge will develop on its own.

Lectors & Intercessors:

Read the lessons and/or psalm for the day and offer the prayers of the people as assigned for each service.

Music Ministry:

The Adult Choir and Choristers serve on Sunday mornings and at other special services or events. The Chorister program uses the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) training curriculum called Voice for Life.

St. Mary’s Altar Guild:

Members prepare the worship spaces for the gatherings of God’s people: Holy Eucharist, Evensong, Baptism, Weddings, Funerals, Taize, and special liturgies. We take care of the sacred vessels, linens, and vestments working in teams that rotate weekly. At Christmas and Easter we decorate the church in celebration of our lives together in Christ. The Altar Guild is open to all parishioners ages 14 and up. We will train you!

Ushers:

Provide assistance in seating, handing out bulletins, and other logistics for services.