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As a newcomer, you might have a few questions about what happens during the worship service and what is expected of you.
What Should I Wear to Church? There is no dress code at St. Bartholomew's. You will find that some parishioners dress up for Sunday services while others attend in jeans and t-shirts. Be comfortable and be yourself. What Happens When I Get To Church? On any given Sunday, you should expect the following to happen… You arrive and enter through our front or back doors. Someone will smile and greet you — possibly holding the door for you if you need assistance. You can hang up your coat, mingle in the lower hall and visit the Sunday School classroom where children will begin their lesson, before entering the Sanctuary. As you enter the sanctuary, a “sidesperson” will hand you a bulletin and then you can find a seat in a pew. We do not have assigned seating, so feel free to sit anywhere. When you sit down, you can glance in your bulletin – it provides the order of the service so you know what is coming next, what page to be on, which prayer or hymn book to use, and who is speaking. It also mentions announcements for the week. If you have any questions, please ask anyone sitting near you. The service will start with the clergy welcoming all, outlining where the service will begin. Special life events, e.g., birthdays, are celebrated at the end of the service. If you are attending the 10:00 service, the children will join us at the offertory hymn. To Kneel or to Stand? At St Bartholomew's, we are pretty relaxed about personal worship preferences. If you prefer to kneel during a prayer, feel free to do so. Or stand if that is what you feel like doing. If you prefer to sit or are unable to kneel/stand, that is fine, too - please do what you feel is comfortable. Pews with kneelers (small fold-down benches to kneel on) are located in front of pews. The Collection or Offering At the 10 am service, collection baskets are placed at both entrances to the sanctuary. If you would like to make an offering, please place it in the basket. At the 8:00 am service, baskets will remain at the rail. Offerings are used to pay church expenses and to provide resources and ministries. On the desk at the back of the church, you’ll notice envelopes. If you put your donation in one of these envelopes and fill out your name and address you will receive an income tax receipt for your donation. If you become a member of St. Bartholomew's, you can receive a boxed set of envelopes to take home and use when you come to church or you may want to give electronically; either way, please make your preference known to one of the sidepersons' at the back of the church. If you wish to give your offering to a specific ministry, indicate it on your envelope; otherwise it will be used as most needed. Communion or the Eucharist It is our understanding that any baptized person is welcome to join us at Communion in receiving the Body (bread) and Blood (wine) of Christ. If you would like to participate but are not comfortable with Communion, please come forward and ask for a blessing from the person administering the bread. Just follow the person ahead of you to the front rail to receive communion. You may eat your wafer of flat bread and then sip your wine, or eat the bread alone and/or touch the base of the chalice when the wine is offered -- it is your choice -- but the practice of some Christians of dipping the bread in the wine is discouraged for sanitary reasons. Coffee Hour Join us for fellowship and refreshments in the lower parish hall following the 10:00 am service. A Secluded Area If you need to have a secluded area to worship in – perhaps you have a child that needs a more comfortable place or you just want a few minutes alone – please feel free to use our sitting area at the back of the church. Large Print Books Large print versions of the Book of Alternative Services (green prayer book) are available. Just ask a sidesperson handing out the bulletins for one. Special Ceremonies Please speak with Fr Raymond Hodgson if you have any questions or concerns about St. Bartholomew's worship services. He will also be happy to discuss Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmations, Weddings, Renewal of Vows, Funerals, etc. |
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The Church of St. Bartholomew
718 Cathcart Blvd Sarnia, ON N7V 2N5 Church Office Hours Tuesday-Friday 12:00 pm-4:00 pm 519-383-6933 Email Fr Raymond Hodgson Email the Church Office
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