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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: Where do I park my car? A: There is parking in front of the church. If this lot is full, there is parking along the dirt road just past the entrance to the church that leads to the cemetery in back of the church. Q: What do I do when I get there? A: Proceed through the front door of the church. You will be greeted by an usher who will hand you a bulletin for the service and assist you with any questions or needs that you might have. If you have children and are attending the 11:00 a.m. service, the usher will direct you to the Sunday School where your children are welcome to attend during the service. Q: Is the service easy to follow? A: The bulletin will have the order of service with page references to our prayer book and Hymnal. If you are not familiar with the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, ask the usher for the booklet, "The order of Services for St. Charles Anglican Parish: Historic St. Paul's Chapel." The hymns used in the service are found in the 1940 Hymnal found in the book racks in each pew along with the prayer book. Page references for the hymns may be found in the bulletin or on the sign in the front of the church which will have the processional, sermon and recessional hymns and the Psalms appointed for that Sunday. Q: How long does each worship service last? A: The services last about fifty minutes to an hour, but may last slightly longer if there is a baptism or other special occasion. Q: Will I be allowed to take Holy Communion? A: Yes! If you are a baptized Christian and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are welcome to take Holy Communion with us. Q: What is the procedure for taking Holy Communion? A: The usher will come to your pew when it is time for you to go up to the altar. Walk to the communion rail and kneel on the cushions at the rail when a place becomes available. You may make the sign of the cross before communion by touching your forehead, then your stomach, then your left breast and finally your right breast with your fingers (optional). When the priest comes in front of you, hold your right hand on top of your left hand to receive the wafer or bread. The APA believes in intinction (dipping the Host, or wafer, in the wine rather than sipping the wine from the chalice). When the wafer is placed in your hand, please just hold it until the priest takes it and dips it in the wine and places it in your mouth. The reason being that one does not and cannot minister a sacrament, any sacrament, unto one's self. If you do not want to drink the wine, cross your arms across your chest in the form of an X and the chalicist will pass by you without offering the cup. Q: Will I be singled out as a visitor? A: No, but we encourage you to sign our guest book in the back of the church so that we may get to know you and add you to our mailing list, if you would like us to do so. The rector greets the congregation at the door as they leave the church at the end of the service. You may ask the rector, the usher or any member of the church and they will try to answer your questions. Also, you are welcome and encouraged to attend the coffee hour after each service in the rector's office next to the church where you can meet some of the parishioners. Q: If I would like to be a member of St. Paul's, what should I do? A: Ask the rector for an application for membership, fill it out, and turn it into the rector when completed. If you are not baptized or confirmed in the church, and wish to do so, let the rector know and he will tell you about the procedures for these holy sacraments. We periodically offer inquirers and confirmation classes.
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