Sundays

7:10am Morning Prayer

7:30am Low Mass

9:30am Sung Mass

11:15am Bible Study/Special Programs - see calendar for schedule.

We have two options for Sunday services here at St. Mary’s.

If you are interested in a quiet and contemplative service, our early service, beginning at 7:30am would be a good option. Its format is called Low Mass because its ceremonial is quiet and austere.

If you like to sing, then our principal service would be your best choice — Sung Mass, beginning at 9:30am. This service is usually double in size compared to the attendance at early Mass and for most people is the best introduction to our church. It is called a Sung Mass as we chant parts of the service. We sing hymns before, during, and concluding the service. We also ring bells and use incense. It is a beautiful expression of Anglo-Catholic worship.

What you can expect in worshiping with us.

Our approach to worship is characterized by beauty and reverence. Our worship follows the 1928 Book of Common Prayer with additions according to the American Missal. We have Mass booklets in the entryway to make it easy to follow along with exactly what is going on in our liturgy. Our worship is Christ-centered and Gospel-oriented while preserving continuity with the liturgical traditions by which Christians have worshiped since the days of the Early Church.

Click on our Plan Your Visit page to learn more.

Why Liturgy?

(From our Bishop, the Right Reverend Stephen Scarlett)

The word "liturgy" comes from a Greek word that means "work of the people." It refers to fixed forms of worship that enable congregational participation. The church worshiped liturgically from the beginning. It inherited liturgical forms from synagogue and temple worship and developed these forms in the light of the revelation of God in Christ.

Those unfamiliar with liturgical worship often object that it is repetitive and, thus, devoid of the spontaneity they desire. But repetition is precisely the point of liturgy. C. S. Lewis wrote:

"Every service is a structure of acts and words through which we receive a sacrament, or repent, or supplicate, or adore. And it enables us to do these things best--if you like, it "works" best--when, through long familiarity, we don't have to think about it. As long as you notice, and have to count the steps, you are not yet dancing but only learning to dance. A good shoe is a shoe you don't notice. Good reading becomes possible when you need not consciously think about eyes, or light, or print, or spelling. The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God." (Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer)

As we learn the words and actions of the liturgy and come to understand what they mean, we develop the ability to pray the liturgy from the heart.