Our Mission
“Blessed by God’s love and grace, Saint Peter’s Church is God’s hands to grow, nurture and sustain God’s people."
Our Commitment
St. Peter’s Church, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, is a place where people are drawn to worship and empowered to live the Gospel. We are committed to:
The Body of Christ A foundation of prayer Living in the Spirit The Book of Common Prayer and liturgical worship offered in a variety of styles Scriptural preaching and teaching which incorporates reason, experience and tradition The recognition of all persons as valuable
1. We are delighted you're here, and want you to come back.
2. We suspect you may have some questions. Everybody you see was a newcomer at one time or another, and we've all had question - probably the very same ones. So, don't hesitate to ask a question!
3. We want you to be comfortable so you can worship God and enjoy your visit. You can't do that if you're wondering which book to pick up next or trying "to do everything right," which usually means doing the same things everybody else is doing.
The first rule is: When you're worshipping God, you can't get it wrong!
The second rule is: If you need help, ask the person next to you. We like people here at St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
The last rule is: Regardless of what anybody else is doing, don't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
You can do whatever makes you feel comfortable. You shouldn't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Oh, and there's something we want to handle right up front. If you're wondering, "Am I allowed to take communion here?" the answer is not only "YES," but also "WE HOPE YOU WILL."
What are these books in front of me?
The smaller red one is the Book of Common Prayer. The entire service as well as a lot of other stuff is contained in it.
The larger blue book is the Hymnal 1982. The songs we sing are indicated in the bulletin the usher gave you and on the hymn board on the wall in front. We have a wonderful music program here and the 10:30 AM service features our organ and adult choir. If you're at the 8:00 AM service, there won't be any singing. It's Really Quite in Here!
It's an Episcopal thing. We take time before the service to say hello to God, to prepare for communion (and, by the way, everyone is invited to come to the altar rail for communion) and perhaps to go over the readings or other information printed on the inserts in the bulletin.
This all looks long and pretty complicated. The major parts of the service are in the bulletin - if you want to follow the service word for word, this sheet directs you to the page numbers in The Book of Common Prayer. Also indicated in the "stuff" are the announcements of upcoming events, schedule of worship services, a list of members of the ministry teams (people who serve in specific ways in today's service) and a "Who's Who" at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (our worship leaders).
The insert with the day's lessons usually has a colored top and a title for this particular day in the church calendar. The first prayer is the Collect. It also includes the first and second lessons (readings from the Old and New Testaments), and the Psalm, and the Gospel reading.
The prayer list is included, too. This is just what it sounds like - a list of people for whom we offer special prayers. If you would like to add someone's name to the prayer list, just call the church office or send us a note. They'll be included in our prayers for several weeks. There's an awful lot of stuff in this building.
That's very true. The Episcopal way of worshipping exercises all the senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. We like to think of it as involving every part of us in worship. Which, by the way, gives God a lot of ways to reach us Why are some people bowing and some kneeling before they sit down, and others don't do anything at all?
What you're noticing is called "reverencing" and some people have different ways of doing it. Some bow in the direction of the altar, some "genuflect" (touch their knee to the floor), others reverence silently or without gesture. It's like we said, do whatever helps you to worship; don't do anything to hinder that.
Why do some people touch themselves on the forehead and the shoulders? Again, this is personal worship style. This is called making the sign of the cross. Some people do it out of habit, others because it reminds them of the price Jesus paid to enable us to respond to God's love; still others because it's their way of "taking up their own cross" and following him. You will see them doing this at times during the service, too. But you don't have to cross yourself just because others do.
Is this a Roman Catholic Church? No. Yes. Well, that's a hard one to answer in a booklet like this. Although the ancient Church from which the Episcopal Church sprang was Roman Catholic, the present-day Episcopal Church has practices and beliefs that are distinctly different from those of the Roman Catholic Church. The important thing, however, is our worship of God. Hey! Is anybody going to make me stand up and give my name or anything like that?
No. Not because we don't care; in fact, you will find we care very much. We just don't want to embarrass you or make you uncomfortable. But we hope you will sign our guest book, and fill out one of the "Visitor" cards in front of you - just put it in the offetory plate. So, what's going to happen today?
As you wait for the service to start, the first thing you'll probably hear will be the Opening Voluntary, usually an organ solo. You may see Altar Guild volunteers placing linens and arranging things around the altar and the lecterns. Sometimes acolytes (usually wearing white robes) will light candles on the altar. One thing you can do before the actual service starts is familiarize yourself with the bulletin and the hymnal Who are the people who are all dressed up?
Not much of a fashion statement is it? You will see acolytes wearing red and white and carrying a cross (watch people bow as they pass them) and candles. If you're at the 10:30 AM service, the choir comes next - they wear white vestments with colored stoles (neck bands) that indicate the liturgical season. The color of their stoles reflects the color of the seasons in the church calendar. What about Communion? How does it work here?
All worshipers are invited and encouraged to participate in communion. Communion is received at the main altar. You may kneel or stand to receive communion. Just put your right hand, palm up, in your left hand and a priest will put a wafer or piece of bread in your hand saying, "The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven." Simply raise your hand to your mouth and eat the bread or wafer. Or you may wait and dip the bread in the wine if you prefer.
Next comes the wine. We use real wine, not grape juice, and a common cup. When the chalice bearer comes to you, help guide the cup to your lips and take a sip. If you do not wish to consume wine, just cross your arms over your chest as the chalice bearer approaches you. If you want wine, but don't want to drink from the cup, dip the bread in the cup and put it in your mouth. As the chalice bearer gives you wine, he/she will say, "The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation."
If you have a child who you do not wish to take communion, just have your child cross his or her arms across his or her chest. The priest will say a blessing. (This is true for adults, too.) Please remember that all who love God, most especially children are welcome at the Lord's table. In the very earliest churches, most people could neither read or write. So, it became necessary to invent ways to teach people about religious matters and let them know what was going on especially since all services and prayers were in Latin! Many of those traditions still exist - like different vestment colors to denote various seasons of the church year, stained glass windows to tell biblical stories, Sanctus bells to indicate the most solemn moments of Holy Communion (listen for the chimes to ring three times), incense to indicate prayers (during Christmas at St. Peter's). These subtle reminders enhance the beauty of our tradition and enrich our worship services.
Now that the service has started, let's hold the rest of the questions until afterward when you can join us for some refreshments and fellowship time which begins after the Rite II, 10:30 AM service.
During the school year, we'd love to have you join us for Christian Eudcation - Sunday School for children and the Adult forum (between the Rite I and Rite II services, 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM). Until then, just use your service bulletin, Book of Common Prayer and the hymnal to follow the service. Remember, do what makes you feel comfortable. Okay, here we go....
A Short History of St. Peter's
More than a century ago, in April, 1882, Bishop Thomas Hubbard Vail lent $150.00 to St. Peter's to begin construction of the first church, at Seventh and Elm Streets. The first service was held on September 10, 1882, accompanied by a reed organ delivered by horse and wagon. In 1889 the first full-time priest arrived. Construction on our present site began on May 1, 1890. the mission became a parish later that year. the church building was consecrated on December 16, 1894. The educational wing/parlor was added in the 1950's. St. Peter's underwent extensive remodeling, with installation of the Great Window and other enhancements, in 1964. The most recent major remodeling was undertaken in 1999 following a fire in the Fall of 1998. The work included installation of a new Johannus Masterpiece Rembrandt organ, to help give voice to a new era of service to parish and community. The sanctuary is warmed by many notable stained glass windows. Services are based upon the Holy Bible and the traditional Anglican conduit for its thoughts, the Book of Common Prayer. In addition to our worship, the members of St. peter's parish participate in numerous activities within the congregation, as well as in the community. - St. Peter's Church is home to small groups of meetings; Habitat for Humanity and Alcoholic's Anonymous (AA)
- St. Peter's Memorial Garden dedicated to deceased youth of the parish currently is under construction and will be open to the general public.
- You may see St. Peter's people, young and old alike, in the annual City of Pittsburg Christmas Parade.
- You will see many of us feeding pancakes and sausage to the Pittsburg community at the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake feed.
- You will see us serving breakfast every Tuesday from the Follow Me Inn Cafe to any and all who come, to those at the family crisis center, to those at the Knights of Columbus Towers, and to others as their need is made known to us.
- You will hear us singing Christmas Carols at the many adult care homes, and in front of homes of those unable to get out to enjoy the holiday season.
- You will witness St. Peter's Episcopal Church pay its tithe from the proceeds of its activities to those projects and programs that most closely reflect the mission of our congregation.
We are an inclusive congregation that appreciates and celebrates the diversity among God's people. All are welcome at St. Peter's and at the Lord's Table. When you visit, please sign the register; and let us know if we can be of any assistance. The family of St. Peter's hopes you will join us; for either a quiet hour or an active lifetime.
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