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Welcome to St. James’!
Before visiting a new church, people usually like to know what they’re getting themselves into…
St. James’ is a parish in the Diocese of California, part of the Episcopal Church, USA and a member of the Anglican Communion.
What are the people of St. James' like?
- We aren’t afraid to try new things or explore new ideas.
- We value our heritage as an ancient Church while responding to the needs and realities of today’s world.
- We speak our minds.
- You will find that our lay people are everywhere - If they are not lending their time to one of our parish and diocesan outreach programs, they are singing in the choir, preparing the altar, teaching Sunday school or adult education, keeping our buildings and grounds in good order, serving as Eucharistic ministers, or mentoring youth. See our list of Ministries.
What to expect when you visit
You can always expect to be greeted with genuine joy and hospitality! We try to remember to wear our name tags so visitors can identify us. You can expect to enjoy refreshments and fine conversation after each service in our Parish Hall. You can expect your children to be welcomed into our Sunday School classes, Godly Play. You can expect to be handed and easy-to-follow program for the service you attend. You can expect to both laugh and be touched by our sermons and worship. At St. James’ we offer three different services each Sunday. Although each service has its own unique “flavor” and personality, all services follow the same basic structure:
- We begin by praising God through song and prayer, and then listen to several readings from the Bible.
- Next, a sermon interpreting or applying the scripture readings is given by one of our priests, and sometimes by a guest speaker. The congregation then recites a creed, or statement of faith. The congregation prays together—for the Church, the World, and those in need. We thank God for all the good things in our lives, we pray for the sick and for all those who have requested our prayers. The congregation then greets one another.
- Communion (or, the Eucharist which means thanksgiving): Next, the altar party of priests and lay persons stands at the altar, which has been set with a cup of wine and a plate of bread or wafers. The priest raises his or her hands, and greets the congregation again by saying “The Lord be With You.” Now begins the Eucharistic Prayer, in which we hear the story of our faith, from the beginning of Creation, through the choosing of Israel to be God’s people, through our continual turning away from God, and God’s calling us to return. Finally, we remember together the story of Jesus Christ and how on the night before his death he instituted the Eucharistic meal (communion) as a continual remembrance of him. We ask God's blessing on the bread and wine, and together recite the Lord’s Prayer. Finally, the priest breaks the bread and offers it to the congregation, as the “gifts of God for the People of God.” The congregation then shares the consecrated bread and the wine in thankfulness for God's love and Christ's presence in our midst through this community's feast of praise and thanksgiving.
At St. James’, all are welcome. We welcome everyone to our communion table. If you come from a tradition where you do not take wine, you are welcome to come forward for the bread. If you do not wish to take communion but would like a blessing, come forward and cross your hands over your heart, and you will receive a blessing. If you choose to stay in your seat, that’s o.k. too! We are not fans of either guilt-trips or pressure.
At the end of the Eucharist, the congregation prays once more in thanksgiving, and then is dismissed to continue their life of service to God and to the World.
(The above was adapted from The Visitors' Center of the national church home page)
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