St. Mary's Episcopal Church Evangelism Commitee

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

In the Village of Barnstable, MA 02630

Contact us: 508-362-3977

3055 Main Street P.O. Box 395

stmary@cape.com

Evangelism

Visitors, Seekers and Newcomers
Welcome to St. Mary's Episcopal Church! Whether you are visiting the Cape and looking for a church to attend, seeking a faith community or wanting to know more about St. Mary's and the Episcopal Church, you are most welcome here. The people of St. Mary's come from many different places, faith traditions, backgrounds and lifestyles. We welcome diversity and seek to be a church for all God's people. Together, we are trying to figure out how to grow closer to God and we invite you to join us.

We know that visiting a church for the first time can be an awkward or even an intimidating experience. This might be especially so you're coming from a different denomination or if you haven't attended a church service in a while or maybe ever. It is our hope that this introduction will help you to feel more comfortable as you consider worshipping with us.

What to expect when attending a service for the first time:
We are located on Route 6A in Barnstable Village about a quarter mile east of the village center and 2.5 miles west of the intersection of Route 132 and 6A. Park in the lot next to and behind the Church. You can enter directly into the Church worship area (Sanctuary) via two Church entrances on 6A, one with step and one with a ramp, or through the doors by the U-shaped driveway. If attending the 10am Sunday service, you will be welcomed by a Greeter at those entrances. Please ask the Greeter for directions to the Sanctuary if you are entering by the U-shaped driveway.

Once in the Sanctuary, an Usher will give you a service bulletin. Please let the Greeter or Usher know if you are new. They will be very glad to help you find a seat and answer any questions.

The Service
If you're new to the Episcopal Church, you'll find that our liturgical worship style is very participatory. "Liturgical" means that we use the same service and prays from texts that don't change very much from week to week, which and gives the worship service a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar. We use a service bulletin and the "Book of Common Prayer" as our guides for worship and the hymnal for singing. Both books are located in the pew rack. Also in the pew rack on the aisle side are Visitor Cards. If you would like us to contact you for any reason, please fill out the card and place it in the offertory basket or give it to an Usher. We would be delighted to call and welcome you and answer any questions you might have.

Stand, Sit or Kneel?
Throughout the service, we stand, sit and kneel to assist in the physical act of worship. The service bulletin will note when to stand or kneel. If you're new to the Episcopal Church, just follow the folks around you. Practices vary, but at St. Mary's we:
Stand for singing, affirming the Creed, the reading of the Gospel and during certain prayers.
Sit during the reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament letter, the sermon and the choir anthem.
Kneel during certain prayers or as an act of humility before God.

If you can't kneel or choose not to, don't be concerned, you'll have company and no one will give it a thought. Just enjoy the beauty of worship at St. Mary's and don't worry too much about the details; the flow of it will become very familiar and welcome after several visits.

Holy Communion: We celebrate Holy Communion (Eucharist) at every service. All baptized Christians, regardless of denomination or age, are invited to receive Communion (eating the bread and drinking the wine) with the congregation. To receive Communion, follow the other parishioners in your pew to the altar rail at the front of the Sanctuary. You may kneel or stand to receive Communion. The priest will give you the Communion wafer. You may consume the wafer then or wait to dip it in the wine (intinct). A chalice bearer will follow the priest and lower the cup so you can intinct or will raise it to your lips. You are encouraged to hold the bottom of the chalice and help the bearer guide it to your lips. If you do not wish to receive the wine, cross your arms on your chest. If you do not wish to take Communion in either form, but would like to receive a blessing from a priest at the altar rail, please cross your arms over your chest.

After the Service: Communion will be followed by a prayer, a blessing and a hymn. Following the hymn, we leave the sanctuary from the side door at the front of the Sanctuary on the street side or by the door at the rear where the Interim Rector, Fr. Bill Eddy will be greeting everyone. Please introduce yourself to Fr. Eddy after the service; he will enjoy meeting you. Also, sign our Guest Book so that we can follow-up with you during the week. Most of us gather over coffee, juice and a snack for conversation. This is a chance to get to know everyone and we hope that you will join us. The Parish Hall is downstairs, past the Library and though a short hallway or you can just follow the crowd. We look forward to this opportunity to offer you our hospitality, answer your questions and just chat.

Addressing our Clergy:
There are three main types of Episcopal clergy: bishop, priest and deacon. Bishops are addressed as "Bishop"; priests are addressed as "Father" or by their first name; deacons are addressed as "Deacon" or by their first name, if preferred.

St. Mary's has one priest, and one deacon, who minister to our congregation, the Rev. Bill Eddy, our Interim Rector and the Rev. Elizabeth Whitmore, our Deacon. St. Mary's is also blessed with several retired clergy who occasionally preach and fill-in for Fr. Eddy.