Arriving and Entering

Each Sunday, the service begins at 10:00am and goes until about 11:30am. You may enter through the parking lot doors, go up the stairs, and continue to the sanctuary. We also have a barrier free entrance with an elevator located to the right of the main parking lot entrance.

You can also enter the back of the sanctuary through the doors at the circle drive — we ask that you do not park in the circle drive; please only drop people off or walk there from the parking lot.

Worship

When you enter the church, ushers will greet you and hand you a worship bulletin. You may find a seat anywhere you’d like in the sanctuary. Most of the liturgy (the order of worship, or what we “do” during worship) as well as scripture readings are printed in the worship bulletin, though you can also follow along in the blue Book of Common Prayer. Our music is typically led by our organist and choir, and hymns are found in the red books in the pews.

We follow service forms from the Book of Common Prayer. Although particular readings change from week to week, the “shape” of the service is typically the same. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar. However, if you’re unfamiliar with a liturgical (structured) style of worship, the liturgy may be exhilarating or confusing. Services may include times of standing, sitting, or kneeling, sung or spoken responses, and other participatory elements that may be overwhelming for the first-time visitor. If you’re having difficulty “keeping up” with the liturgy, we invite you to take a deep breath and simply take in what’s happening during the service. Over time, it becomes familiar, like a dance: once you learn the steps, you come to appreciate the rhythm, and it becomes satisfying to dance, again and again, as the music changes.

Children

We have nursery/childcare for infants, toddlers, and children through age 5 each week, which is located downstairs. During the school year, Children’s Chapel is offered during the service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month for children ages 4 through 3rd grade. Children participating in Children’s Chapel meet the leaders in the back of the sanctuary as the service begins, then rejoin their parents for the Eucharist. Whether or not your child goes to the nursery or Children’s Chapel, children are always welcome to be a part of our service!

Communion

We recognize all persons who have been baptized as fellow members of the body of Christ. We therefore welcome all baptized Christians, including infants and children, to receive communion (the Eucharist). If you have not been baptized, you are still welcome to participate and receive a blessing. More information about receiving communion can be found in the worship bulletin.

After the Service

Coffee hour after the service is a time of getting to know one another. Enjoy some snacks, and of course coffee in our fellowship hall, which is located between the parking lot and sanctuary. Depending on the season, we occasionally offer discipleship formation for adults and children after coffee hour to explore various topics and grow together.

We welcome you with open arms. If you have any questions, would like more information about the Grace Church community, or are interested in becoming a member or being baptized, confirmed, or received into the Episcopal Church, contact us here.

You may also sign up for our newsletter here to receive a weekly email with updates from our parish.