How Do I Get to St. Francis?
How's the Parking?
St. Francis has a parking lot in the front of the church to the left, as well as behind the church near the Children's Ministry Entrance. Handicap Parking is available in the parking lot as well as along the sidewalk at the front entrance. A Wheelchair Ramp and Entrance is located in the front of the church, to the left of the main entry doors.
How will I be greeted?
You will be welcomed warmly by our greeters who will shake your hand at the front door. Our Welcome Center is located in the narthex, inside the double sets of doors in the front of the church. It is staffed to welcome and support all visitors and they will be pleased to answer any questions and direct you to the Sanctuary or childcare. Feel free to take any of the handouts or other informational materials.
How will I know where to go?
Once you enter the front doors, the sanctuary is straight ahead through the narthex. Just past the handshakers stand the Ushers who will hand you a copy of the Sunday Leaflet or bulletin. You can sit anywhere in the Sanctuary. If you arrive late, the Ushers may direct you to enter through the sides. They may delay your entrance into the worship space until a least disrupting time. Please find your seats as quickly as possible.
During Worship
How do people dress for church?
Folks at St. Francis generally dress up for worship during the 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 services, but we welcome you to come however you feel comfortable. At our 11:15 a.m. service you will most likely see folks in casual dress.
When and how long are the services?
Regular Sunday services are typically an hour long and each service offers Holy Eucharist. Our service hours are as follows:
8:00 a.m. are services with no music and are held in the Sanctuary.
9:00 a.m. services are held in the Sanctuary with our choir performing. We also offer our Praise & Worship Chapel for our younger members and the Nursery Ministry opens at 8:45 a.m. and remains open until the end of all services.
11:00 a.m. services are held in the Sanctuary and offer music.
11:15 a.m. is our Casual Service with contemporary music provided by the Field Hands and those attending are in casual dress. It is held in Graves Hall, which is located to the right as you enter through the main doors.
We also offer 10:00 a.m. Sunday School for all Ages including Adult Education, Youth Education, Children's Sunday School.
What can my kids do during worship?
By all means, bring your family! If you have children from infants through 4 years of age, the greeters can guide you to the nursery in the Children's Ministry Area on the Lower Level. If you'd prefer, your children can accompany you into the sanctuary. The Williamson Room is a "Crying Room" and is located to the left as you come outside the sanctuary and down the steps. The sermon is piped in through the speaker and there is a private bathroom with a changing table.
If your children are ages 4 through 12, they can attend Children's Chapel, which begins just about 10 minutes into the service. The priest will make an announcement when it is time and they can follow the Children's Ministry Team to the Davenport Chapel, which is through the set of doors in the left trancept.
What kinds of disability assistance is available?
In addition to Handicap Parking, there is a Wheelchair Ramp entrance in the front of the church, to the left of the main entry doors. A ramp is also available outside of the Davenport Chapel and the Lower Level Entrance is accessible with an Elevator to the Main Level. In the Sanctuary, the Ushers can provide Hearing Assistance Devices. If you require any other assistance, just ask a Greeter or Usher.
How will I know how to follow the service?
The Ushers will provide you with a Service Leaflet as you enter the Sanctuary. For the 9:00 Service during the school year and 10:00 during the summer, the enire Liturgy is printed in the Leaflet, so you do not have to use a Prayer Book, though all the page numbers are noted in the Leaflet. The Leaflet is your step by step map through the service. ...see Sample Leaflet
What kinds of music will I hear?
The church has a strong commitment to traditional hymns and classical music. St. Francis is in the relatively rare position of having the resources to offer traditionally approached, classically based repertoire. Our 11:15 service in Graves Hall offers contemporary music led by our Field Hands Band. Visit our Music Ministry page to find out more.
What kinds of sermons will I hear?
Sermons are scripture-based, focus on practical application to daily life, and usually run around 20 minutes in length. Go to our Recordings Page to access recent recordings.
What version of the Bible is used?
While many versions may be heard, in general we use the New Revised Standard translation of the Bible.
How many people will be attending with me?
The sanctuary seats about 600, and during most Sundays we average about 300 in attendance. During special services, (e.g. Christmas and Easter) we often have standing room only.
When, and how, is Communion celebrated?
We celebrate Communion every Sunday. Communion is open to all who have been baptized and is celebrated with wafers and wine. The ushers will direct each row to the altar rail. If you are not baptized or do not wish to receive communion, you are invited to come for a blessing; you may indicate you are not receiving communion by crossing your arms across your chest. Those desiring baptism are encouraged to speak to one of our priests.
Do folks raise their hands during worship?
Worshipers at St. Francis come from many different traditions. While varying expressions of faith are celebrated and encouraged, most attendees of our traditional services at St. Francis do not raise their hands during worship. However, you may see some attendees of our contemporary worship service in Graves Hall do so.
After the Service
How do services end?
At the end of the service there is usually a recessional hymn and the priests, choir and worship team members will exit to the Narthex. Many people stay to enjoy the informal conversation and refreshments. During the school year folks move over to Graves Hall for the adult education hour at 10:00 while children and youth attend Sunday School. ..more
Can I meet with the priests and staff?
The priests and many of the staff are available in the Narthex after the service, so feel free to come up and say hello.
Can I just be a "quiet visitor"?
Sure! When you visit St. Francis, you can initiate as much, or as little, contact with others according to your own comfort level. We do not require visitors to identify themselves; however, we do want to encourage you to make yourself known when the time is right for you. You may do so by filling out one of our welcome cards in the pew racks, or by visiting the Welcome Center or feel free to fill out our Welcome Card online HERE.
Do I have to become a member to attend regularly?
No, membership is not required to attend St. Francis. If you eventually wish to explore membership, there are different small groups and classes scheduled several times throughout the year. Welcome to St. Francis, The Alpha Course, and Confirmation Class are some of the classes to which newcomers are drawn.
For further information be sure to stop by the Welcome Center, located in the narthex, inside the double sets of doors in the front of the church or contact the parish office at 502-228-1176.
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