It is our hope that as soon as you enter the property you will feel the warm welcome of this parish family. Listed below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive:
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Is there a dress code?
No. St. Patrick’s is a diverse church in so many ways and what we wear each Sunday is one of those ways! Above all we want you to be comfortable. You will find that some people will wear their Sunday Best while others will be dressed more casually. In the summer months, it is not uncommon to see shorts, but if a suit and tie is your style you will fit in as well! (Word of warning… rumor has it the front two rows are the coolest, so some will bring a light sweater while others will relish the A/C).
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
Parking
There is ample parking and none of the spaces are very far from the front door. Visitors are welcome to use the special spaces designated for Visitors near the building, but feel free to park anywhere along the fence, building or beside the playground. Handicap parking spaces are available as well. The circular driveway in front of the church is available for drop off and pickup only.
Ushers/Greeters Will Welcome You
We don’t pounce, but we do want you to feel welcome. Our ushers will offer you a service bulletin and are ready to answer any questions you may have. If new, you will be invited to sign our guest book.
Location of Nursery, Offices, Restrooms
As you enter the building, the church offices are first doors you will see. The nursery is located on the left, and restrooms will be on your right. Take a minute to look at our “Watch Our Children Grow” Measuring Board next to the nursery. Grab a pencil and mark your child’s height if you’d like. Through the double doors you will enter our small fellowship area and then into the worship space (all one large space).
Where do I sit?
Choose where you feel most comfortable to sit. It is here you will notice our diverse parish family, as some will be happily greeting and catching up with each other while some will be sitting quietly and praying. Before the service begins, we invite the congregation to prepare their hearts for worship.
Worship
We follow the rich liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer and we sing our hymns from the Hymnal (1982) or the yellow Alleluia III Songbook. All three books will be under the chair in front of you and your service bulletin will guide you through the entire service. If you are not familiar with a liturgical style of worship, we believe you will find it meaningful as everything we do or say has purpose and the service flows from one piece to the next in a rhythm that becomes very familiar. There will be times when we sit and times we stand or kneel, if able. If you need guidance there will always be a friendly face nearby to point the way for you. Just ask! If you cannot stand or kneel, feel free to sit… just no sleeping unless you are an infant! After the reading of the daily lessons, we will exchange The Peace (“peace of the the Lord be with you”) with one another. Some may think we are done for the day at this point, but it’s not over, the best is yet to come! Followed by brief announcements we will proceed to the Eucharist.
We Celebrate the Eucharist Every Sunday
At the center of who were are as a parish family is our celebration and receiving of the Holy Eucharist, also known as The Lord’s Supper or Communion. It is our tradition that all are welcome at God’s altar and those who are baptized are invited to receive Communion. The Ushers direct us when it is our turn to come to the altar. Some will kneel at the altar rail and some will stand. You will be offered both bread and wine. To receive the bread, simply place one hand on top of the other, palms open and up and the bread will be placed on your top hand. To receive the wine, you may drink from the cup or dip your bread slightly into the wine. If you prefer not to receive one or both simply cross your arms in front of you. This will indicate that you prefer a blessing, which the priest will offer. After you receive, you will return to your seat for the post-communion prayer, blessing and dismissal.
AFTER THE SERVICE
After the service ends, we sometimes enjoy light refreshments together. We hope you will want to stay for a few minutes, but if you need to be on your way, we certainly understand. We are just glad you have joined us.
Please be mindful of our young ones as you drive off the property — they are precious to us!