Refreshment Time:
Come in and grab a drink and maybe a snack, visit with friends or meet someone new! This is a chance to settle in and mingle a little.
Announcements:
We'll let you know what sort of things happen during the week here at St. James. There's typically a lot going on and a lot to get involved with if you're interested in finding some community!
Phos Hilaron:
This is an ancient Christian song, in fact it's the earliest written song outside of the bible that we still use today. We don't sing it, but instead say it as a way to prepare us for the rest of our service. It helps to orient our hearts and minds, to focus us on the reason we are here in this place: to praise God!
Worship In Song:
Now comes the singing. We love to take time each week to worship the Lord in song. Songs can help us to express aspects of our faith that we may have a hard time articulating, they can also draw us into a place where we feel free to express what we have been feeling during the week. Elsewhere on our Vespers info page we have a posted setlist that will tell you all of the songs we are currently singing at our services.
Proclamation of The Word:
At this point in our service someone will read a passage from the bible. This will either be chosen specifically for whatever topic will be discussed in the teaching time, or it will follow the Anglican Lectionary, which is a tool used by churches to read through the whole bible over the course of 3 years. The lectionary helps the church to make sure we capture everything the Word of God says, not just our favourite parts!
You'll also see that we adjust our colours and readings at certain times of the year. The Anglican Church uses seasons: times of the year where our focus is on a particular part of Christian life. It starts with Easter, then moves to Pentecost, then to Ordinary Time, then to Advent, then to Christmas, then Ordinary time again until Lent, preparing the way for Easter again. If you have specific questions about what we do in each of the seasons, please speak with your table lead or one of the Hosts or Speakers!
Teaching
In this time someone will lead us through the passage we read previously and share something that can help us to learn more about God. Sometimes this will look like a sermon, and the speaker will share some wisdom from the front for us to listen to and take in. Other times the speaker may share briefly and then give each table some questions to discuss in a small group setting (you don't need to say anything if you don't feel comfortable, but also know that no qualifications are necessary to participate!). We may also see times of testimony sharing, where people from our church can share times in their lives when they have seen God move and work. Ultimately this is a time for us to learn and grow, in an environment without pressure, where you can come as you are!
Prayers
We use this time to talk to God as a group. Someone may lead us through some church-wide prayers from the front, usually with one specific area of focus. We may also have a lead at each table pray for the needs of those sitting there. Please don't feel any pressure to have to pray yourself, but also feel free to join in if you desire! Prayer is a way in which we can talk to God and ask for the things we need, to ask for forgiveness, and to be thankful. It is part of being in relationship with Him, and we as Christians believe that when we pray, He listens to us and responds!
Ending Song
Here we worship one more time in song, giving us another opportunity to express our gratitude, praise, and whatever else we might need to offer up!
Creed
Historically the Church has needed a way to make sure that all Christians understand the basic beliefs of our faith. The creeds were written in the first few hundred years of Christianity, in a time where the faith was spreading rapidly and some people were changing things to suit their own agenda. The governing body decided to make a list of the things that all Christians should believe, and from that we got the creeds. We say them every week as a reminder of what it is that we hold to be true.
Dismissal