Worship Schedule & SeasonsAll are invited and welcome at God's Table. No exceptions.
Weekly
Sundays
10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist featuring music in Church (livestream) 10:00 a.m. - Children's Chapel (twice monthly - see dates in leaflet) 11:15 a.m. - Coffee & Conversation (once monthly - see dates in leaflet) Wednesdays 6:15 a.m. - Morning Prayer (livestream only) 10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist in All Saints Chapel (spoken; in person only)
Christmas Worship
Come worship with us during the 12 Days of Christmas to celebrate the coming of Christ in the nativity and Christ's coming again in power and great glory. All are welcomed at the manger. Christmas Eve - December 24 4:00pm Family Service with Holy Eucharist and Carols 8:30pm Prelude of Carols 9:00pm Holy Eucharist (featuring music) Christmas Day - December 25 9:00am Holy Eucharist (spoken service) 12:00pm Bell Ringing in Narthex First Sunday of Christmas 10:00am Lessons & Carols with Holy Eucharist Ash Wednesday - Lent
We will begin our observance of a holy Lent on Ash Wednesday You are invited to wear your ashes, to claim repentance, grace and deep relationship with God for the challenges of your daily life. Join us for any of the following worship opportunities: 10:00 a.m. - Imposition of Ashes; Eucharist in Chapel (spoken & in person only) 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Ashes to Go on Church steps 7:00 p.m. - Imposition of Ashes; Eucharist w/music in Church (livestream) Tuesdays in Lent 5:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross in Church (in person only) See other opportunities to grow in Lent Holy Week & Easter
Journey through Holy Week
Services are in-person in the Church and live streamed to YouTube Palm Sunday at 10:00 a.m. This service recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem through music and Holy Eucharist. Please note this liturgy is different from traditional Palm Sunday liturgies, in that the Passion Gospel is not read until Good Friday. Holy Monday at 7:00 p.m. This contemplative service of worship in the Taize tradition includes sung and chanted prayer, brief readings, and silence for meditation. Holy Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. A healing service where the community is invited to gather together to offer healing, hope, and thanksgiving. Holy Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. This service of sung Compline features soothing prayers for the soul at the end of the day. Maundy Thursday at 7:00 p.m. This service features music, the ceremony of the foot washing, anointing oil, a celebration of the institution of the Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar. Good Friday at 7:00 p.m. This service commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, and includes a reading of the Passion gospel, music, and solemn prayers. Easter Vigil at 7:00 p.m. This service is the primary celebration of Easter, beginning in darkness. The worship features the kindling of new fire, lighting the Paschal candle, the Exsultet, music, readings from the Hebrew Scriptures, the renewal of our baptismal vows, and the Eucharist. Easter Sunday 6:45 a.m. - Easter Sunrise Hike and Devotional Celebrate that "He is Risen" by rising and shining for a sunrise hike. Meet Erin Donnally Drake and Erica Burns at the Poet's Seat parking lot at 6:00 am for a hike up to Poet's Seat. At the top, we will hold a brief morning devotional. Those who wish to simply join us at the top without the hike, should plan to drive up to the top by 6:45 am. We will walk down the road after we conclude. Questions? Contact us. 10:00 a.m. - Easter Sunday Worship A celebration of Christ’s resurrection with music and Holy Eucharist. Following the service, join the youth group for an egg hunt in the side yard. Kids 0 - 11 are welcome to join. What is Holy Week? From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshiped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus' earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection. The BCP provides special liturgies for each of these days, and here at James and Andrew we have expanded upon those by integrating Taize (Monday), Healing (Tuesday), and Tenebrae (Wednesday) services. In our diocese, the diocesan clergy will make a reaffirmation of ordination vows in the context of a eucharist on Holy Tuesday. The three holy days, or Triduum, of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are at the heart of the Holy Week observance. In many Episcopal parishes, the liturgical color for Holy Week from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday is red. Holy Week ends at sundown on the Saturday before Easter, or with the celebration of the Easter Vigil. We encourage you to partake in all of our Holy Week services as life allows. Pentecost & Spring Festival Sunday
Pentecost Sunday 10 a.m. - Pentecost Lessons & Carols (livestream) We will welcome newcomers and celebrate the church's birthday with a special service of Pentecost Lessons & Carols. You are invited to wear red, a color that symbolizes the Holy Spirit in our liturgy. Immediately following worship we will welcome Morris and Molly Dancers, who will offer a demonstration of two forms of traditional English folk dancing that were often performed on Pentecost. This will take place on the lawn, followed by a special Coffee & Conversation in the Whiteman Room & Cloisters. Simpler Summer Worship
During the months of June, July, and August we simplify our worship. We will generally speak the song of praise (Kyrie or Trisagion); speak the psalm; use the Apostles’ Creed (which is typically used in Morning and Evening Prayer) as our primary creed; and use simpler versions of the Prayers of the People. We recognize our sanctuary can get quite warm in the summer, and that generally folks are looking for a simpler rhythm in the summer months. In September, we’ll resume our regular worship patterns as we transition into the Season of Creation. Creation Season
September 1 - October 4 Sundays at 10 a.m. During the Season of Creation, we join with Christians around the world to celebrate in prayer and action our Gospel calling to protect the Earth that God entrusted to our care. The season culminates with our annual blessing of the animals following worship on the Community Labyrinth. We supplement our regular liturgical resources with Season for Creation: A Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes. This resource was created for use within the Diocese of Western Massachusetts and has been embraced by the wider Episcopal Church. The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognized climate change as “an all-encompassing social crisis and moral emergency that impacts and interconnects every aspect of pastoral concern including health, poverty, employment, racism, social justice, and family life and that can only be addressed by a Great Work involving every sector of society, including the Church.” Advent
As we enter a new year of the church calendar, anticipating the coming of Christ both in Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and in the Coming that is yet-to-be, we introduce both traditional and contemporary elements into the liturgies we have used throughout Ordinary Time. We begin our worship by lighting the Advent Wreath, focusing ourselves on our Advent theme of expectation and readiness for the entrance of Christ’s light into the world. Epiphany
During the Epiphanytide, the liturgical season that runs from the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6 until the beginning Lent on Ash Wednesday, we reflect on the unfolding revelation of Jesus' identity as the Anointed One: the word epiphany, itself, comes from Koine Greek, epiphaneia, meaning manifestation or appearance. In addition to celebrating the visit of the Magi to the newborn Jesus at Bethlehem, during Epiphanytide we hear stories of Jesus' baptism, the call of the disciples, and his early ministry. The season is a good time to ask ourselves where we recognize Jesus the Christ in our own lives. |
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Tell us more about worship at Saints James and Andrew...
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. Our liturgy is drawn primarily from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer; Enriching Our Worship 1 & 2; other approved worship resources from elsewhere within the Anglican Communion; as well as Eucharistic Prayers and Prayers of the People which correlate to the Revised Common Lectionary. We believe that the use of fresh language provides us the opportunity to broaden and deepen our relationship with God. Our music is drawn primarily from the Hymnal 1982; Wonder, Love, and Praise; Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and other approved hymnals. All materials are printed with permission using RiteSeries. Please note that our worship is live-streamed to YouTube.
The first half of our worship features readings from the Bible, a reflection from one of our preachers (which include three priests and nine lay 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.
The first half of our worship features readings from the Bible, a reflection from one of our preachers (which include three priests and nine lay 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.
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, play eucharist sets, 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.
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, play eucharist sets, 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.
Children's Chapel
We are excited to share we now offer a twice monthly children's chapel. Young children will be invited to a time of fun and formation during our Sunday Liturgies during the school year on the dates listed in our announcements. A rotating host of parents will be facilitating the Children's Chapel in the Meeting Room during the first half of the service. Contact us to reach out to Coordinator Cara Hins if your kiddo intends to join so we can be sure to have enough craft materials. Please note all volunteers comply with our safeguarding children and youth training. Learn more here.
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 Model A 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.
Our parish has many talented professional musicians, and throughout the year they will play during worship or during our Bach's Lunch events. These are free mid-week concerts offered about six times a year featuring local and/or musicians within the parish on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. See our Upcoming Events to learn when the next Bach's Lunch will take place.
We also have a relatively new bell choir that is actively recruiting ringers. Contact us if you're interested in learning more.
Our parish has many talented professional musicians, and throughout the year they will play during worship or during our Bach's Lunch events. These are free mid-week concerts offered about six times a year featuring local and/or musicians within the parish on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. See our Upcoming Events to learn when the next Bach's Lunch will take place.
We also have a relatively new bell choir that is actively recruiting ringers. Contact us if you're interested in learning more.
Sermons
While our Rector is the primary preacher, we also have two Priest Associates, nine Lay Preachers, and special one time guests that offer sermons throughout the year. We believe this creates a rich variety of perspectives as we explore the day's scripture readings. Sermons are regularly posted here on our website, and we also have several Teaching Sermons covering a wide variety of topics that may be found here.
Masking in WORShip
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.
Coffee & Conversation
Join us after worship for coffee and conversation in the church during cold weather, and the Whiteman Room and Cloisters in warmer weather. We gather typically on the first Sunday of the month during the school year on the dates listed in our announcements.
There is also a coffee hour following the Wednesday 10 a.m. Eucharist that takes place in the office.
There is also a coffee hour following the Wednesday 10 a.m. Eucharist that takes place in the office.
Mission
We believe God is calling us to cultivate a community of love, joy, hope, and healing. Jesus is our model for a life of faith, compassion, hospitality, and service. We strive to be affirming and accessible, welcoming and inclusive; we seek to promote reconciliation, exercise responsible stewardship, and embrace ancient traditions for modern lives.
Office HoursTuesday, Thursday, Friday
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Our gardens and grounds are open from dawn to dusk for the community to pray, rest, be. Please help us take care of this sacred space by following the outdoor ethic & principle of “leave no trace.” |
Contact Information
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Worship Times10 a.m. In-Person Worship & Livestreamed
View worship services. We would love to have you join us soon! |