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In-Person & Livestreaming Worship
​Sundays @ 10 a.m.

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Worshiping in the COVID-19 Era

 Saints James and Andrew has adopted a Flexible Masking Policy in which changes are based on CDC recommendation and other local factors. When you arrive at SsJA, you will see the current mask recommendation posted at our doors, either Masks Required, Masks Recommended, or Masks Respected.  Our masking level may change at any time. Individual programs and events will communicate their masking level ahead of time. 

About Worship

We hope you will experience God's peace, joy, and hope while worshipping with us. When you join us for worship, you will receive a user-friendly worship leaflet that draws upon the prayers and worship of  the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Enriching Our Worship 1 & 2. We also frequently make use of other approved worship resources from elsewhere within the Anglican Communion, such as the Church of England, Anglican Church of Canada, and the Anglican Church in New Zealand. We believe that the use of fresh language provides us the opportunity to broaden and deepen our relationship with God. Our worship often emphasizes our calling to engage in the work of caring for creation, anti-racism, and proclaiming God's dream for this world. Our music is drawn primarily from the Hymnal 1982; Wonder, Love, and Praise; Lift Every Voice and Sing II; and other approved hymnals.

The first half of our worship features readings from the Bible, a reflection from one of our preachers, prayers for the church and the world, and the passing of peace.  The second half of our worship is a prayer of thanksgiving, referred to as "The Great Thanksgiving", where bread and wine are consecrated and then given to everyone who wishes to come forward and receive the bread and wine, or a blessing. The purpose of our worship is to offer God our praise and thanksgiving; to be spiritually fed and encouraged in the readings, reflections, prayers and breaking of the bread; and to be empowered to help transform the world through a life of service. 

Special Liturgies

  • We frequently offer special liturgies within our worship.
  • Some are annual, others are seasonal, and some are monthly.
  • During the months of July and August we simplify our worship.
  • On the first Sunday of the month, we celebrate the birthdays and anniversaries of worshippers.
  • On the Second Sunday of the month, for those interested we offer healing prayers and anointing.
  • On the last Sunday of the month, we begin our service with Ringing for Remembrance.  We see this new initiative as one small step in responding to the public health crisis of gun violence.  Our services begin with the clergy sharing the number of people who have died from gun violence in the last month. The congregation will then remember, grieve, and pray as the church bell is rung in remembrance of all who have died. Our data is collected from the Gun Violence Archive. We invite other congregations to join in this initiative, and ring your bells with us. 
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Children in Worship

Children of all ages are always welcome and encouraged to attend all of our worship services.  We seek to make it as meaningful an experience for them as possible, and we encourage their participation throughout the service.

Learning about the liturgy helps establish lifelong habits that will help children develop a strong faith of their own.  For a closer look, children are invited to sit on the cushions in front of the pews. We also invite little ones to explore our little’s corner in the back of the church. There they will find drawing and coloring materials, quiet toys, books, a blanket to crawl on, and comfortable chairs. For older children we have bags with coloring materials at the church entry (Narthex).

All children are welcome at God’s Table.  It is the choice of parents to allow children to receive bread and wine at communion, in what way and at what age. Children who do not receive may receive a blessing from the priest. This is a short prayer made for the child. 

Music

We see music as one of the primary elements of worship. As a great writer of the early Church put it, “To sing is to pray twice.”   We draw from several different hymnals, all approved for use in worship by the Episcopal Church. We use a variety of instruments in worship, including woodwind, brass, and stringed instruments.  

Our primary instruments are a Steinway Piano and a Moeller Church Organ (circa 1958). The role of our Parish Musician, choir, and of choral music is to prompt and sustain the singing of the congregation. ​ We welcome interested vocalists and instrumentalists to contact our Parish Musician.