What is the Anglican Church?
What do the colors, symbols, and postures represent?​
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The colors we use, the clothes participants wear, and the reason we sit, stand or kneel all point to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, during Advent, we use the color purple because purple is the color of Kings and we are celebrating the coming of the One true King. Candles remind us of our Jewish heritage, of candles lit on Sabbath and on the Passover. They also remind us that not only is Christ the light of the world and present among us, but that we are called to be the light of Christ to the world. (Matt 5: 14). The clergy and other participants wear white robes to remind everyone (most especially their spouses, parents and children!) that it is not their own goodness that makes them worthy to serve but the righteousness of Christ (Ephesians 4:24). We kneel to display our outward submission and humility before the Great King who is worthy of all honor. We stand to honor the One who has come among us by His Holy Spirit. Please ask if you have a question about our symbols or actions!
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What is Anglican worship like?​
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Worship is a verb. Anglican worship is centered around the active participation of hearing and responding to God’s Word through worship, prayer, confession, and fellowship with Christ in Holy Communion. Worship at St. Francis is biblically-based and shaped by the Book of Common Prayer and the Church Year (a calendar based upon the life of Christ). The Liturgical Calendar is divided into six major seasons: Advent (Christ’s Coming), Christmas (Christ’s birth), Epiphany (Christ for the whole world), Lent (a time for reflection, repentance and grace in preparation for Easter), Easter (Christ’s resurrection from the dead), and Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of Christ’s Church on earth) followed by “normal time” (growing together as the Body of Christ and His witnesses in the world).​
Why do Anglicans use liturgy in their worship?​
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Liturgy is the structural form that any church uses to facilitate worship. Historically, Anglicans have believed that a balance of traditional and more informal liturgy can be helpful to facilitate worship for a variety of different people. Here is why: A steady Liturgy transcends the ever-changing realities in our daily lives, and so we can count on it to bring us back to things that are true, constant and eternal. Also, Anglican liturgy teaches us how to pray scripture, as it was written by biblically grounded theologians who crafted and taught Christian prayer based on certain scriptures. Also, Anglican liturgy connects us with millions of other Christians (from all over the world and throughout time) who have said the same prayers to the same God for generations.
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But can’t someone just ‘fake it’ through liturgy and simply go through the motions? Sure. Though you can pretty much ‘fake it’ through any style of worship, whether formal or informal. We think that if you engage your mind and heart, and give this style of worship a chance (that is, stick around for a bit), you’ll begin to love the depth and beauty if offers!
Who can receive communion at St. Francis?​
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All baptized Christians who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcomed to receive the Sacrament, regardless of denomination or church background.
I grew up Catholic, will I be comfortable in an Anglican service?​
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We certainly think so. While our beliefs are Biblical, orthodox, and reflect the theology of the Protestant Reformation, Anglicans retain some liturgies along with helpful traditions from the early Church that Roman Catholics would find familiar. So, both groups would feel very much at home.