Greetings

We welcome you to worship with us any Sunday morning, or at any scheduled service. In addition, the church may be open during the week for prayer, rest, and meditation. Come whenever you feel the need for spiritual refreshment.

We try to be a friendly church. If you are a stranger, do not hesitate to join us in our worship of almighty God. Please make yourself known, before or after the service, to the ushers or the clergy, if you care to do so. And if we can be of any special assistance to you, let us know that also. We want to make you feel at home in our church, and to help you in any way we can; but we do not want to intrude if you prefer just to worship quietly and go away without giving us your name.

If you have special needs -- baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc. -- or if you wish to consult a priest, please do not hesitate or make your needs known by calling the church office at 813-689-3130.

The Episcopal Church

This is an Episcopal Church, a part of the Anglican Communion throughout the world. We claim to be both Catholic--that is, true to the historic Christian Faith--and Protestant--that is, truly reformed and evangelical. We have no required confession of Faith, except the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, which we share with many other Christian bodies. Our central act of worship is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or Lord’s Supper.

We worship in accordance with The Book of Common Prayer, and sing hymns from The Hymnal. These books have been set forth by authority of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

Our ministry is the historic threefold one of bishops, priests, and deacons. Our lay people are members by virtue of their baptism, for we believe that the Church is "the Body of which Jesus Christ is the Head and of which all baptized persons are members"

Our Services

You will find Prayer Books and Hymnals in the pews. If you are unfamiliar with our services, you will find these helpful in following them. The hymn numbers are listed in the bulletin; if you belong to any Christian Church, you will find many of them familiar.

The most commonly used services are found on the following pages in the Prayer Books:

The Holy Eucharist

Rite Two. Beginning on page 355 and continuing to page 366. Alternative forms of the Great Thanksgiving (pages 367-376) and the Prayers of the People (pages 383-393) are provided. The Psalms, when used, are printed in the service leaflet. They are found by number in the Prayer Book Psalter, beginning on page 585.

All of these services have some alternatives or variable parts, and (if there is music) are interspersed with hymns. Do not hesitate to ask your neighbor to help you find your place.

Postures in Church

With some exceptions, congregational participation in the worship of the Church is expressed in such actions as standing or kneeling for prayer, sitting for instruction, and standing for praise. The best rule, if the service is unfamiliar, is to follow the congregation; but you are not required to observe any particular customs and need not feel conspicuous if you follow those of your own Church.

To Become a Member

If you are a resident of this community with no other church home, and wish to become a member of this parish, or to take instructions for baptism, confirmation, or reception, please make that fact known to the Rector.

The usual requirements for membership are as follows:

1. If you are an Episcopalian, a letter of transfer from your previous parish, indicating that you are a baptized member, a communicant, and whether you have been confirmed or received by a bishop.

2. If you are a baptized member of another Christian Church, your certificate of Baptism (if possible). However, to be enrolled as a member, you will be asked to take instructions, and (as appropriate) to be confirmed or received into communion by a bishop of this Church.

3. If you have not been baptized with water in the name of the Holy Trinity, you will be asked to take instructions, leading to Baptism and Holy Communion.

In any event, we are happy to have you worship with us, whether as a visitor or as a prospective member.