What to expect on Sundays

Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. The principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as: the Lord’s Supper, the Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion, or Mass. Eucharist is simply the Greek word for 'thanksgiving'. The 11:00 service lasts about an hour. Learn more about the structure of the Eucharist.   For a schedule of which service will take place each Sunday, please click here. 
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| Worship Styles
Episcopalians worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites filled with fine music, prayers, and beautifully arrayed vestments and Altar paraments. However, all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer.

| Liturgy and Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be liturgical, meaning that the structure of our worship and the prayers that we pray don’t change greatly from week to week. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers. Our worship also follows patterns that have been used in Christian worship for centuries, and in countless places, so our worship anchors us to an ancient faith.

The first time you join us, this liturgy may be exhilarating, but it might be confusing. We sit and stand and kneel, we sing and say responses, we sing music that you may not recognize. It can take a little while to "settle in" to the rhythms and patterns of our worship, so give yourself permission to simply be with us. 

If you have any questions at all, please contact us and ask!

      Frequently asked questions:

• Will you be asking me for money? The decision to give of your finances to support and aid the ministry and outreach of St. Mary's Church is yours alone to make. Visitors and Guests are never obliged to give of their finances. The ministry and outreach of St. Mary's Church relies upon the many generous gifts of its members and friends.  An offering is taken in the middle of Sunday Services. This discipline of stewardship, known as the Offertory, is the free will gift of the congregation to support the ministry and vision of the parish.
• May I receive Communion? All are most welcome at the altar. All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion. Participation in the Eucharist and receiving communion after prayerful and thoughtful preparation is one of the basic disciplines of the Christian Life. If you are from another faith or wish not to receive communion, you are cordially invited to come forward for a blessing. Please signal this by crossing your arms on your chest. If you would like to consider being baptized, please speak with Father Peter after the service.  You may stand or kneel at the altar rail. To receive the Bread, extend palms, crossed and upward; when offered the Chalice, please assist in guiding it.

• Do you have childcare? Yes! Read more here.
• Where do I park?  On the south side of the church is Middlesboro's city parking lot. You can park there, or by City Hall and the health clinic. Really there's plenty of parking. On Edgewood (north of the church) there are two parking spaces for those with disabilities.