What to expect on Sunday mornings
What is the purpose of a Sunday gathering at St. John's Richmond?
We believe that God gathers us, in order to meet with us. The purpose of the service is to help us hear the word of God, to praise him, to pray and to love one another, and to equip us to live our whole lives as worship. In the Biblical way of understanding, we gather around the word of God in order to be sent out to worship Him in our daily circumstances.
What does a Sunday service look like at St. John's Richmond?
Our Sunday morning service begins at 9:00am with either a Morning Prayer Service or a Communion Service. The pattern we follow each Sunday includes Bible readings, hymns, prayers, and a sermon. The liturgies that we use, from the Anglican Prayer Book, include English versions of prayers that have been prayed by the church since it was founded by Jesus in the first century AD. Explanatory materials are available if you want to learn more about those liturgies.
How long is a typical Sunday service at St. John’s Richmond?
The services last about 70 minutes.
What denomination is St. John's Richmond?
St. John's Richmond is a Christian church worshiping in the Anglican tradition. Our Sunday morning service is liturgical, meaning that we follow a set order of service in the Anglican tradition, using the Book of Common Prayer. St. John's Richmond is a part of the Anglican Network in Canada.
What should I do before the service?
When you arrive you will be met at the door by a person who will greet you and hand you a sheet which will guide you through the service.
What do I do with my children during the service?
Children and Junior Youth remain in the service until about 9:15 when there is a brief prayer and they move into their designated age appropriate groups for Children’s Church. In their smaller groups they will have an organized and interactive age-appropriate service with singing, teaching, prayer and activities. Little Ones will be served a small healthy snack each week. If you are visiting, please make any allergy concerns known before class.
Little Ones (0-4 yrs old) Nursery
Primary Kids (K – Grade 3) Blue Room
Intermediate Kids (Grade 4-5) Yellow Room
Junior Youth (Grade 6-7) Youth Room from 9:10-10:30
Senior Youth (Grade 8-12) Youth Room at 10:45-12:00
Children up to Grade 3 must be picked up by their parents after the service. If you have any questions about your child or the children’s ministry, please connect with your children’s teachers at this time.
Senior Youth are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Morning Service or serve in an assigned ministry area during this time. Our youth are currently serving with the music ministry, with the children's ministry, with the Junior Youth or participating in the Morning Service by serving communion, offering prayers, greeting and taking up the offering. For details on this aspect of our Senior Youth please contact our Youth Minister Clint Werezak.
How do I follow along during a service?
The service sheet will guide you through the service.
How does Holy Communion work at St. John's Richmond?
Holy Communion is open to any baptized Christian. Communion is provided at the front of the church, and you may kneel or stand to participate. If you do not wish to receive communion you can either come to the front with the others for prayer (cross your hands over your chest to indicate that you wish prayer only) or simply remain seated during this time in the service. If you are unable to come to the front for any reason, but still wish to partake in communion, please let a greeter know before the service begins so that we can serve communion at your seat.
Communion for children is at their parents’ discretion. Teachers will return your children to you prior to distribution of communion. Please instruct your child to hold their hands out to receive communion or cross their hands over their chest to indicate that they are to receive a blessing.
What happens after the service?
Please stay for coffee immediately after the service to meet others. Take a moment to fill out a Welcome Card at the information table to tell us a little about yourself and so that we can keep in touch. You can get more information about St John’s Richmond and our weekly activities here on our website, at our information table, or in person on Sunday mornings.
If you have children, juice and snacks are available at the coffee table.
