WHAT TO EXPECT IN DIVINE SERVICE
Heaven on Earth
The night before his death, Jesus told his friends, “I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27) Jesus didn’t stop serving his friends when he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He continues serving us today, gathering us around his Word and Sacraments to give us what we need most: forgiveness of sins, life in himself, and rescue from evil. We call this time when heaven meets earth “Divine Service.”
At Saint James, what happens during the Divine Service reflects this union of earth and heaven. If you attend a Service, you’ll find yourself wrapped in scripture from beginning to end. Its structure reflects the pattern used by Christian churches for two thousand years, even as it draws on some of the greatest prayers, poetry, and music from every century of Christian history. In a word, what you’ll experience is timeless.
That also means it might be strange or even intimidating—especially if you’ve never experienced anything like it before. “Why do we say this here and repeat that there? What’s with all the singing? Why the kneeling, standing, and sitting?” Rest assured, everything is intentional. We hope you’ll take time to become familiar with it. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Visitors &
The Lord’s Supper
One part of the Divine Service that visitors need to know about is the Lord’s Supper (a.k.a. Communion, the Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Altar). It’s a small meal with tremendous importance.
The Lord’s Supper is an intimate moment when our congregation comes together, first and foremost, to eat bread and drink wine which are also Jesus’ body and blood. It is no mere metaphor, but an incalculable and holy treasure. With our mouths, we receive and are united with the body and blood of the One who was sacrificed and raised for our forgiveness, life, and salvation: Jesus.
The Sacrament is also a time when we receive and unite with one another, expressing, confirming, and celebrating our congregation’s unity: that we share the same, full and public confession of faith; that we agree what it means to live as followers of Jesus and are striving to do so together; and that we recognize how important we are to God and each other as members of Christ’s body.
Given the content and purpose of this holy meal, we ask that visitors desiring to share in it with us first speak with one of our pastors outside the Divine Service. Otherwise, you may come up for a blessing—signaled by crossing your arms over your chest—or remain seated to sing, pray, and reflect during the distribution.
Please speak with one of the pastors if you have any questions or if you are interested in communing at Saint James.
Meditations on The Lord’s Supper
“The hour of the mysteries opens heaven, the choir of angels is present, the lowest things are joined with the highest, earthly things are joined with heavenly, and the visible and the invisible are made one.”
- Gregory the Great, “Dialogus 4,” ch.58
“Christ ascended, not only to the visible heaven above but to the very highest throne; there He conveyed His body, this very body which He gives to us to take and to eat, because of His great love. This mystery makes for you a heaven on earth.”
- Chrysostom, “Homily 24,” on 1 Corinthians
“Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbor, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ… is truly hidden.”
- C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”