What to Expect at St. Peter’s Church

Worship services occur in two different church buildings. Whichever site and time you choose, you will find people of all ages and social identities, and at all stages of life,  who have come together in love and peace to worship a God who loves them unconditionally, regardless of their socio-economic status, skin color, or sexual orientation.

• We welcome all baptized Christians, of any age, to receive the bread and wine at communion which is offered during all Sunday services.
• Our clergy, both male and female, preside over worship and are assisted by lay readers and intercessors and by acolytes and lay person chalice bearers.
• A choir and organist accompany all services, except the 8:00 a.m. service.
• Worship services are typically one hour long.
• Learn more about the larger church community of which we are a part – the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania – by visiting https://www.diopa.org. You will find many resources and information about outreach programs, as well as the diocesan programs we embrace here at St. Peter’s that include support of the LGBTQIA+ community and racial justice and repair.

What to Expect at an Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church views itself as both Reformed/Protestant and Catholic and as part of God’s one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. It is part of the larger worldwide Anglican Communion of thirty-eight autonomous and regional churches, finding a common source of unity with the Diocese of Canterbury, England, and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Most Sunday services follow a distinct, traditional pattern that is set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

• The first half of the service, the liturgy of the Word, includes scripture readings, a sermon, prayers appropriate for the day offered by both the clergy and the people, the Nicene Creed (expresses our basic beliefs about God), and hymns and sung responses.
• After the sharing of the Peace, the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins, in which we approach the altar to receive the bread and wine – holy Communion or Eucharist – in thanksgiving for the gift of God’s son.

Learn more about the traditions of the Episcopal Church at https://www.episcopalchurch.org.