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YOU ARE WELCOME AT ST. JOSEPH'S
I was glad when they said unto me, "let us go to the house of the Lord"
PSALMS 122:1
We welcome you to worship with us any Sunday morning, or at any scheduled service. Each Sunday Holy Eucharist is offered at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Sunday school is conducted at 9:30 AM September through May for adults and children. On Wednesday evening a Healing Service with Holy Eucharist is held at 6:30 PM followed by a potluch supper at 7:15.
We try to be a friendly church. If you are a stranger, do not hesitate to make yourself known, before or after the service, to the ushers or the clergy, if you care to do so. And if we can be of any special assistance to you, let us know that also. We want to make you feel at home in our church, and to help you in any way we can; but we do not want to intrude if you prefer just to worship quietly and go away without giving us your name.
If you have special needs - baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc. - of if you wish to consult a priest, please do not hesitate to make your needs known to the Rector
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This is an Episcopal Church, a part of the Anglican Communion throughout the world. We claim to be both Catholic - that is, true to the historic Christian Faith - and Protestant - that is, truly reformed and evangelical. We have no required confession of Faith, except the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds, which we share with many other Christian bodies. Our central act of worship is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper.
We worship in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer, and sing hymns from The Hymnal. These books have been set forth by authority of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
Our ministry is the historic threefold one of bishops, priests, and deacons. Our lay people are members by virtue of their baptism, for we believe that the Church is "the Body of which Jesus Christ is the Head and of which all baptized persons are members".
OUR SERVICES
You will find Prayer Books and Hymnals in the pews. If you are unfamiliar with our services, you will find these helpful in following them. The hymn numbers are posted or announced; if you belong to any Christian Church, you will find many of them familiar.
The most commonly used services are found in the Prayer Book: The Holy Eucharist, Morning Prayer, or Evening Prayer.
The Psalms, when used, will be announced or printed in the service leaflet. They are found by number in the Prayer Book Psalter.
All of these services have some alternatives or variable parts, and (if there is music) they are interspersed with hymns. Do not hesitate to ask your neighbor to help you find your place.
Other special services include Holy Baptism, Confirmation, The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, and The Burial of the Dead.
POSTURES IN CHURCH
With some exceptions, congregational participation in the worship of the Church is expressed in such actions as standing or kneeling for prayer, sitting for instruction, and standing for praise. The best rule, if the service is unfamiliar, is to follow the congregation; but you are not required to observe any particular customs and need not feel conspicuous if you follow those of your own Church.
YOUR CHILDREN
Church is for people of all ages, and your children are welcome to attend any service with you.If you want a child to be baptized, admitted as a communicant, instructed for confirmation, or enrolled in the Church School, please consult the Rector.Inquire also about programs for young people, and other organizations and activities for special groups.The children are a very important part of our parish family, and we welcome them as well as their parents.
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