How do you care for children?
We love for families to worship together, and we also want children to receive age-appropriate Bible teaching. During the sermon and prayers, we have a nursery class for children 0 - 2 years old, and classes for preschool age, early elementary (K-2nd), and upper elementary (3rd-5th grades). Children attending these classes will be dismissed after a children’s message by the rector and will return just before communion. We follow a curriculum that guides the children through the Scriptures by focusing on God’s redemptive movements in Israel, through Jesus, and in the life of the Church. Kids of any age are also very welcome to remain with their parents throughout the service.
African drum? Baskets? Rwanda?
Yes, we started as a mission congregation of the Church of Rwanda in 2011, and our pastor is a missionary priest of the Rwandan Church. Twenty years ago, the Rwandan Church saw how the American Episcopal Church was rejected biblical authority. More broadly, they also saw a growing need for churches in the U.S. that would have a high view of the Bible and evangelism while also following the worship of the ancient Church and being connected to the global Church. So, in 2000 the Rwandan Church began planting mission congregations in America. That’s our heritage, and we continue vital relationship with the Rwandan Church, as well as maintaining the original ethos of the mission. We signal this relationship in our African-derived call to worship, along with a few other aesthetic elements you might notice.
What is Liturgy and how can I participate?
In worshiping God, we don’t want to slip into a mindset of being entertained. A remedy for this consumerism comes from the pattern of worship in the ancient church, which follows a “liturgy.” This Greek-derived word means “a community work” and has always been used to describe what Christians do when we worship together. Everyone is actively involved — standing, singing, speaking prayers, and even moving towards the Table together. Most people in our church were new to these set patterns of liturgical worship when they joined us, so embrace the awkward first steps; we understand. The course of the service, as well as the songs and prayers said together, will be projected on the screen. They are also available in print form on the table beside the entry.
What’s the Nicene Creed?
Why does it refer to the “catholic” church? Creed comes from the Latin credo, meaning “I believe,” and the Nicene Creed is a statement from the early Church of what all Christians believe. It’s been in constant use since 325AD and is used around the world today. The word “catholic” does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church; instead, it means the universal or worldwide faith, delivered once for all by the apostles and prophets through the Scriptures.
Why written prayers?
While we have space for unscripted prayers during the Prayers of the People, many of our prayers have been written down and prayed for hundreds of years. We don’t think sincerity is measured by spontaneity. And while we love extemporaneous prayer, especially in small groups, written prayers for the service bring the benefits of matured theological reflection and precise wording.
How do I join in Communion?
The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is part of every Sunday gathering, so when we start sharing “Peace,” don’t leave yet! This memorial sharing of bread and wine is for all who are in Christ, so if you’ve been baptized and trust in the grace of Jesus for your salvation, please join in the Communion by coming forward when the invitation is made. If you’ve not accepted a place in Christ’s kingdom through baptism, or you’re not sure about the way we do things, you are welcome to come forward for a simple blessing. Just place your arm across your chest, and the pastor will pray a blessing on you. The signal for receiving Communion is a hand held out flat. While the custom of the Church is to see Communion as a rational sacrament, for those able to understand that bread is a sign, we recognize that genuine Christians have different convictions about the participation of children, so we leave that to the discretion of parents. Parents can help indicate a child’s way of participating — for receiving bread or a blessing — by guiding them to make the appropriate signal.