What are your services like?
- The Book of Common Prayer
Our services follow the format in the red prayer book (The Book of Common Prayer). On Sundays, Rite 1 is used at the 8 0'clock service, and Rite 2 is used at the 9:45 Service. The general difference between these two is that Rite 1 is more traditional, and Rite 2 is more contemporary.
You will be given a bulletin when you enter the church for services. The bulletin will outline the order of the service, list the hymns that will be sung, and contain the Bible readings and announcements.
The 8 o'clock service does not have music. The 9:45 service has organ music and singing. Sometimes we are blessed with a performance by Broken Oaks, a contemporary Christian group (Celtic-style music).
Each service will have prayer, Old and New Testament Readings, a Psalm, and a sermon. However, the highlight of both services is the Holy Eucharist (Communion).
The services last about an hour. Passing the Peace takes up about 10 minutes of that hour! We are like a big family and we love to greet each other! New people are a blessing to us, so we hope you'll join us.
What are your worship practices during the Services?
The Book of Common Prayer will generally tell you when you should speak as part of the congregation and what to say. It will also tell you when to stand or sit, but you can just as easily "go with the flow."
Things like genuflecting or crossing yourself are optional. If you are accustomed to doing those things during your worship, then it is fine to do it here. If you prefer not to, that is okay, too.
At Communion time, any baptized Christian who wishes to receive Communion may do so. When the ushers indicate that your row may take its turn, you follow the line up to the communion rail and kneel or stand at the rail (whichever is your preference).
To receive the Host or the Body of Christ (the Bread), we hold our hands out, and the wafer is placed in the palm of our hands. You may also receive the Host on your tongue, if you prefer. If you don't want to drink out of the Communion cup, hold onto the wafer until the cup reaches you and dip the wafer in the wine before placing it in your mouth.
To receive the Blood of Christ (the wine), a chalice bearer will come to you. If you are holding the bread, they will offer the cup to you, and you can dip the bread in and place it in your mouth. If you are sipping from the cup, the bearer will help guide it to your mouth, but it is helpful if you also hold onto the bottom of the cup to help.
If you do not wish to receive communion, you may come up to the altar rail for a blessing. Kneel and cross your arms over your chest and The priest will bless you. You may simply stay seated in your pew, if you prefer. Our clergy will be glad to speak with you about receiving communion if you just ask.
What is the general 'feel' of your parish?
We are a welcoming parish to newcomers. We will be glad to see you, and we will invite you to coffee hour, but we will not smother or pressure you.
You can feel comfortable coming in casual clothes, or you may wear your "Sunday Best." We do not care what you look like, just that you have come.
We are all types of people...old, young, new at Christianity or "experienced" Christians, people of means or people who struggle, healthy or sick, single, married, widowed, etc. You get the idea...all are welcome here. Each one of us brings something different to the parish.
Families with children are always welcome. Children may cry or fuss during the service...we consider that to be a blessing. Child care is also available - just contact the church office at 374-8391 or by e-mail at standrewscotia(at)yahoo.com .
We take our worship very seriously but many of our ministries are quite social and lots of fun, too!
We are very involved in ministry - locally, regionally and even worldwide (through mission trips). We are very enthusiastic about sharing the Gospel with others. In addition to parishioners having gone on mission trips, our parish has produced several deacons, and we are very involved at the Diocesan level.
You can also click on "What We Believe" to read about our specific beliefs.
We hope you will join us!
Where can I park?
We have a small lot on Third Street. We prefer to leave that available for the elderly or those who are disabled but only one of those spaces is officially designated for handicapped use.
We have on-street parking on Third and Fourth Street or across Sacandaga Road (Route 147) on Eagle Street. Also, we have use of the Schenectady Christian School's Parking lot (they have been generous in offering that to us).
There are entrances into the Church on the Third and Fourth Street sides, as well as a main entrance on the Sacandaga Road side. For handicapped accessibility, the Third Street entrance should be used. There is an elevator in the sacristy (the second door on the left) that goes between the Church and Parish Hall levels.
Our Services
- Sundays - Eucharist: 8:00 AM & 9:45 AM (with music)
- Tuesdays (2nd & 4th) - Eucharist: 7:30 AM followed by breakfast
- Wednesdays -
- Morning Prayer: 9:00 AM - followed by Bible study
- Eucharist: 11:00 AM
- Eucharist: 5:30 PM - with dinner and Bible study
- Saturdays - Eucharist: 5:00 PM
- Healing Service - 4th Sunday of the month - 6 PM
