Saint
James
Our Beliefs
We receive and submit to the Bible as the record of God’s saving acts in history and as the guide for daily living, whose truth transcends and judges every human culture and structure.
We receive and submit to the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, which articulate the two primary mysteries of our faith: There is one God, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity); and Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is both fully divine and fully human (the Incarnation).
We are members of the one, holy catholic and apostolic Church (the Body of Christ), and we claim our membership within the Worldwide Anglican Communion.
Our primary purpose is the worship and service of God (“Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17). In this context, we seek to build up the Body of Christ, assisting our members in growth in holiness of life and in sharing the Good News of Christ in prayer, word and deed.
What Can a First-Time Visitor Expect During Sunday Mass?
God-focused Worship : We “face East” for prayer, which is the deepest Christian tradition. Also, we use traditional language that is designed to lift our hearts and minds towards God.
Corporate Worship : Every worshiper participates in offering the Liturgy; there is no “audience”. We offer ourselves personally in the prayers of the Body of Christ, rather than in individual statements, praying with “angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven”.
Catholic Worship, Gospel Preaching :We use the ancient and central act of Christian Worship: the Holy Eucharist, also called the Mass, the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion, and the Divine Liturgy. In it, the faithful offer and receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Also, the preacher is answering the call to “tell God’s story in Scripture and make sure the worshipers are in it.”
Formal Worship and Informal People : Although we are formal in our form of worship and the traditions of the Anglican Church, we are very informal in our fellowship with each other and “expected” dress within the church.