We welcome you to Saint Nicholas and want your first Mass here to feel comfortable and meaningful. We celebrate Christ with a unique blend of solemnity and joy. If you are unfamiliar with Anglo-Catholic liturgy, you might feel a little intimidated, but we provide programs to help you follow along.
When you arrive for Mass, you can park in our lot and enter either through the red doors on the east side of the church (or the door closest to the handicapped parking in front of the office). From there, you can obtain a program on the table to your left, bless yourself with holy water, and get a good view of the sanctuary.
You are welcome to ask questions of anybody you encounter; we are a very friendly community and will do our best to help you. If you need any special accommodations, please ask. There is wheelchair access on the south side of the church (past the red doors to the right), and from the southwest side of the church near the rector's office. Choose your pew, grab a seat cushion if you need it, and feel free to kneel in prayer or sit in silent reflection.
When Mass begins, the priest will process toward the altar from the rear of the church. You will rise and sing along with the hymn for the day (you'll be given the words and music) -- then the liturgy begins.
A typical Mass starts with introductory remarks by the priest about today's Gospel, a general confession (don't worry; the words are printed and we won't make you stand up in front of everybody to testify), and a prayer. If you've brought your children, they are then led out to Sunday School.
We then typically hear readings, sing the psalm together, and hear the Gospel read by the priest. We stand for the Gospel. Afterwards, the priest gives a brief and engaging homily/sermon. We then say the Nicene Creed together, although during certain times of the year, we say the Apostles' Creed. We then hear the prayers of the people. There is a list just beyond the red doors to add people to next week's prayer list, or you can contact us beforehand.
We then give each other the sign of the Lord's peace, which is a chance to shake hands with parishioners and clergy. Those of us who know each other frequently hug; it's okay if you're not a hugger. We then prepare for the Eucharist with an offertory (donation that keeps the church running), and provide envelopes in the pews for your gift. The bread and wine are brought to the altar from the rear of the church by two parishioners while a hymn is sung.
The priest blesses all these gifts, then consecrates the bread and wine in preparation for communion. You'll see in the program that you are invited to kneel, but you can stand if kneeling is too difficult. Many people do; you will see a mixture of both.
Please see our information on the Eucharist if you are unfamiliar with the meaning of this sacrament. A hymn is sung while baptized Christians come up to receive the bread and wine; others are welcome to come up for a blessing.
After this most holy sacrament, a prayer is offered, the priest makes announcements about goings on in the parish, and the people are blessed and dismissed. We sing a hymn as the priest and altar party recess. You can meet with the priest after Mass near the red doors.
That doesn't sound so scary, does it? Now that you know what will happen, come join us. If you still feel nervous after you get here, there is usually always someone who is happy to invite you near and help lead the way.
When you arrive for Mass, you can park in our lot and enter either through the red doors on the east side of the church (or the door closest to the handicapped parking in front of the office). From there, you can obtain a program on the table to your left, bless yourself with holy water, and get a good view of the sanctuary.
You are welcome to ask questions of anybody you encounter; we are a very friendly community and will do our best to help you. If you need any special accommodations, please ask. There is wheelchair access on the south side of the church (past the red doors to the right), and from the southwest side of the church near the rector's office. Choose your pew, grab a seat cushion if you need it, and feel free to kneel in prayer or sit in silent reflection.
When Mass begins, the priest will process toward the altar from the rear of the church. You will rise and sing along with the hymn for the day (you'll be given the words and music) -- then the liturgy begins.
A typical Mass starts with introductory remarks by the priest about today's Gospel, a general confession (don't worry; the words are printed and we won't make you stand up in front of everybody to testify), and a prayer. If you've brought your children, they are then led out to Sunday School.
We then typically hear readings, sing the psalm together, and hear the Gospel read by the priest. We stand for the Gospel. Afterwards, the priest gives a brief and engaging homily/sermon. We then say the Nicene Creed together, although during certain times of the year, we say the Apostles' Creed. We then hear the prayers of the people. There is a list just beyond the red doors to add people to next week's prayer list, or you can contact us beforehand.
We then give each other the sign of the Lord's peace, which is a chance to shake hands with parishioners and clergy. Those of us who know each other frequently hug; it's okay if you're not a hugger. We then prepare for the Eucharist with an offertory (donation that keeps the church running), and provide envelopes in the pews for your gift. The bread and wine are brought to the altar from the rear of the church by two parishioners while a hymn is sung.
The priest blesses all these gifts, then consecrates the bread and wine in preparation for communion. You'll see in the program that you are invited to kneel, but you can stand if kneeling is too difficult. Many people do; you will see a mixture of both.
Please see our information on the Eucharist if you are unfamiliar with the meaning of this sacrament. A hymn is sung while baptized Christians come up to receive the bread and wine; others are welcome to come up for a blessing.
After this most holy sacrament, a prayer is offered, the priest makes announcements about goings on in the parish, and the people are blessed and dismissed. We sing a hymn as the priest and altar party recess. You can meet with the priest after Mass near the red doors.
That doesn't sound so scary, does it? Now that you know what will happen, come join us. If you still feel nervous after you get here, there is usually always someone who is happy to invite you near and help lead the way.