Worship

At St Mary's the worship of God is the centre of our parish life. Each Sunday we come together to celebrate and share God's gift to us of Holy Communion/ Visitors and newcomers are always welcome, and all who wish to are invited to share in communion.

There are two Sunday services, at 8am and 10am. Both follow the Second Order of Holy Communion from A Prayer Book for Australia (1995).

The 8am service draws a gathering of worshippers who meet in the Mary Chapel. Regular participants have developed a close bond and from time to time share breakfast together after the service. The 8am service lasts around 45 minutes.

The 10 am service is a choral Eucharist reflecting a relaxed Anglo-Catholic style of worship. We use music, movement and colour, as well as incense, bells and candles to help lift our hearts, minds and senses toward God, rather than relying on words alone to express the mysteries of our faith and worship.

The gospel reading occurs not at the lectern, as do other Bible readings, but in the heart of the congregation, to signify the centrality of Jesus' life and teaching to our faith.

Incense is used to symbolise the raising of our prayers to God. Bells are rung to draw our attention in particular to God's presence in the Eucharist. Candles remind us of God's light in our lives.

The colours of vestments used signify the seasons of the Christian year. They are: red for Pentecost and saints' days, gold for festival celebrations, Christmas and Easter, purple for Advent and Lent (the times of preparation for Christmas and Easter celebrations), and green for ordinary times of the year.

On an ordinary Sunday the 10am service lasts for about 1 hour. When there are baptisms or if it is a festival the service may last a little longer.

Children are very important to the life of our parish and our worship and their contributions to and participation in worship are valued.

There are two play spaces with toys and learning activities suitable for preschool and primary school aged children, and activities that children may take to their seats if they prefer to stay with their family. Sunday school is offered fortnightly in the school year during and takes place during the readings and sermon. This allows children to alternately share together, as well as the opportunity to remain in church and participate with us in the entire service. Secondary school aged students may join a discussion group facilitated by clergy or other members of the parish on the same schedule as Sunday School.

The service if followed by morning tea in the Church Hall - a time to enjoy each others company and welcome people who are new to St Mary's.

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email info@stmarys.org.au
last updated : 02-Feb-2006
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