why worship with us?

Worship helps us form a relationship with God - as well as the spiritual part of ourselves - thus beginning a great journey of self-discovery.

We are all of us on a journey through life. What sustains you on your journey? Inspires you? No matter where you find yourself on your journey of faith, we invite you to come and share your story with us and be refreshed.

Jesus likened intimacy with God to a source of "living water" that never runs dry: help for the journey indeed. Worship can be the first step in this kind of relationship with God.

at first you may feel awkward
Like any of life's routines, worship may feel awkward at first but becomes familiar over time. You will find you look forward to it and sometimes are even hungry for it.

Don't feel hesitant to come not knowing what to do. People will welcome you. Don't worry about bringing small children with you to our worship services. Children are an integral part of our worshiping community, and we value highly the many gifts they bring to us.

the gifts of worship to each person
Worship nourishes the best part of us. The mix of readings and music is designed to stir the soul, as is the beauty of the church itself and the sacred objects it contains. Simply having time to be quiet and listen to our hearts may open up new levels of ourselves.

the gifts of worship to family life
As a family, attending regular worship is a little like having a mini-Christmas every week. There is music, and meaningful ritual. You are surrounded by extended family. No cell phone calls or other disturbances intrude: this is family time. Worship gives your family a way to frame your life together on a higher plane, where love and forgiveness are cultivated and all are valued.

worship creates an extended family
Last but not least of worship's many gifts to us is community. Members of our clergy lead us. Their sermons often touch issues of concern in our lives. We know they will be there at the crucial times of our lives, in illness or death, in the celebration of birth or marriage.

Sitting all around us are imperfect, messy, wonderful people on the same path as we are. They, too, are trying to make sense of life and to be better people. They want to be challenged to grow and to make the world a better place. You will find friends of the heart to travel with over years of dinners and walks and family cookouts.

how worship can change the world
If you persist, you may find the living water of God to feed your soul, to bring you peace, to bless your family and friends, to be a source of joy in deep sorrow. And you will go forth to share what you have found with a thirsty world.

Come worship with us and journey with God's creative love as your guide. Who knows where you will be led?

First, we encourage you to come to our family (10:00 am) service on the third Sunday of the month. During this service we offer a special worship service for school-aged children as well as professional nursery care for infants and preschoolers. Some parents bring their infants and toddlers with them to the service; others use Nursery care. We want you to do what works best for your family on a given day.
learn more about Children’s Worship.
                                    read about our nursery

preparing ahead of time

Here are some ideas for getting ready before you come.

• Make a special church toy bag of quiet, soft toys and books (we also offer paper and crayons and books as you enter).
• As you both become familiar with the service, begin to teach your child some of the simple prayers we do every week. Young children love to participate and will listen for their parts. Young readers should get their own leaflet. Some examples of prayers can be found in The Book of Common Prayer
  • >> Sanctus p 362
  • >> Lord’s Prayer p 364
  
• Just like restaurants, movies, and grandmother’s house, church has its own set of manners that are asked of us all. At home, teach your children about church manners: why we use quiet voices when we talk to each other (like in a movie), and why we bring only soft or quiet toys. It’s less stressful on you both to tell your child the kinds of behavior you will expect from him or her ahead of time rather than laying down rules during the service. “Remember, Church manners!”
• Come regularly so that your child can begin to feel comfortable and make friends.
• Talk to your child about prayer: that we can talk with God. We can pray anywhere, any time. In church we pray together by reading prayers out loud. We can each pray silently to God, too, about anything that is on our hearts.
• Talk to your child also about the bread and wine and why it is holy for us. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave us this family meal to remember him. He said he would be there for us in the bread and the wine, and that is why we treat it so carefully and with such reverence.
• Some time when the church is empty, feel free to come and explore it together. You can both discover the many wonderful things in the building and learn their names and functions.

your child and Holy Communion

We encourage you to bring infants and children up to the communion table to receive the bread and wine. At Our Saviour we don’t want children to remember a time when they did not share in the bread and wine of Christ Jesus. If you are not familiar with this more contemporary teaching of the church, come talk with our clergy or lay staff about this practice.

tips during the service

• Look for paper and crayons at the entrances to the church. We also keep book baskets. We have found children still listen while they are focused on these activities – sometimes even more closely.
• Sit near the front so that your child can see and feel part of the action. Show your children what is happening during the service – it’s OK to whisper quietly with them to keep them involved. Tell them the names of the readers, acolytes, and priests that day, and what they are doing.
• Children wiggle and make noise! At Church of Our Saviour we view occasional noise and interruptions as a routine part of worship. If your younger child is increasingly restless and noisy, don't be embarassed, it's only natural for kids to get restless. Feel free to take them outside briefly. Get a drink, take a quiet walk, and get ready to come back fresh. To keep children enjoying church, this should not be framed as a punishment or a time-out but as a much-needed break to get ready to worship again.

We hope these ideas and tips help you and your family feel inspired to worship together!

Sunday services 

7:45 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I
This short early morning service uses formal, traditional language and has an overall tone of contrition, penitence, and repentance.

9:00 am Forum and Breakfast(alternating Sundays) (Cleaver Hall) (all are welcome)

9:00 am Children's Service in Grace Chapel

10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II
This service uses more contemporary language. Choral music offered by our adult, youth and children's choirs is an important part of this service.

9:00 am, Jr. High & Sr. High Forums

11:45 am Holy Eucharist in Chinese

 ** Childcare for infants, toddlers and preschoolers is available from 8:45 am through to the end of the 10:00 service.

Wednesday service

11:30 am Holy Eucharist and healing service
This midweek, traditional communion service includes the laying on of hands for the healing of oneself, loved ones, and the world. The names of our community who have requested prayer are also read aloud.

We are an Episcopal church, which means we find God's presence in liturgy and sacrament. Explore our faith and practice in the links below.

What is the Episcopal Church about?
www.ecusa.anglican.org/

Learn about our Anglican tradition
anglicansonline.org/

The Book of Common Prayer
justus.anglican.org/

The Nicene Creed
anglicansonline.org/

The Apostles' Creed
anglicansonline.org/