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The Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James is an inclusive community centered in the Eucharist and grounded in baptism.
Visitors are invited to participate in the service as fully as they are able. Some join in the worship enthusiastically, and others prefer to worship in silence—listening to those around them praise God in word and song.
The Eucharist is celebrated (Rite 2) at both the 8:30 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning services. We believe that the Eucharistic meal we share together—the bread and the wine of the Lord’s Supper—is “holy food of new and unending life in Jesus Christ.”
Our worship services are both solemn and joyful. We are intentional in having periods of silence within each service, even as we celebrate festivals with grand exuberance. We strive to offer opportunities for both adults and children to explore the mysteries of faith.
We read scripture, following the Revised Common Lectionary as authorized by our bishops. We follow the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and other liturgies authorized by The Episcopal Church USA. We sing a variety of music from three Episcopal hymnals: The Hymnal 1982; Lift Every Voice and Sing II; and Wonder, Love, and Praise, and from other special music from time to time.
| 57 Olive Street (Corner of Olive and Chapel Streets) New Haven, CT 06511 (203)562-2143 |
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Worship and PrayerWe pray for each other and the whole world. During the Prayers of the People, spoken and unspoken hopes, concerns, and thanksgivings are invited. Prayer requests can also be added to the written list or by offering them during the time of prayer. We remind ourselves of the breadth of God’s love by using language inclusive of both genders; by using a variety of the many names for God; and by including the music of many cultures in our worship. And at the sharing of the Peace, we spill out of the pews to greet each other in God’s name! Our majestic Victorian gothic worship space (St. Paul & St. James may be the second-oldest Gothic Revival structure in the world), with its stained-glass windows, invites us to rejoice in God’s grandeur. Our altar, on a spacious “stage” reaching well out to the front of the choir area, allows us to gather as a family around God’s table. Our space allows for processions, pageants and dance, and for intimate gatherings in our lovely chapel. One Sunday each month—usually the second Sunday—a rite of healing is incorporated into the 10:30 a.m. worship. Participants are invited to receive anointing of oil by a priest and a time of private prayer and laying on of hands by a lay or clergy member of the healing team. In worship we are fed with Christ’s love and reminded of Christ’s call to “go forth to love and serve the Lord.” Come and see!    Flute and recorder trio. Rocking chair for infants and parents. Quiet play area at front of church. Links to: Advent Christmas Epiphany Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday Absalom Jones Sunday Ash Wednesday and Lent Palm Sunday and Holy Week Easter Earth Day Pentecost Healing Ministry Intercessors Group |
Picture: Procession 2003.