Saint James Episcopal Church

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Traditional, innovative and inclusive

Where faith, hope, and love have been growing in the heart of downtown Lancaster for over 270 years. Traditional and innovative, inter-generational and diverse, our worship inspires us to reach out and look within as we grow in faith and fellowship.

We are a community of:

Joyful worship
Contemplative prayer
Generous living
Holy dying

We are a community that:

Respects the dignity, worth, and difference every person makes in the world.
Is an ecumenical and open church welcoming believers from many different faith traditions.
Celebrates Holy Communion with all the other Sacraments of the Church, given to us by Christ and the early Church.
Deepens our spirituality through contemplative prayer and practices, including Christian meditation.
Grows as disciples of Jesus Christ by asking questions and seeking answers through life-long learning
Serves the community through man

Worship times

Saturday

5:00 pm

English

These masses offer something new and surprising each week to inspire or challenge you in your journey. A broad array of live music features favorite artists from the past, contemporary artists and contemplative themes while being integrated into Livestream Logotraditional Episcopal liturgy.

Sunday

8:30 am

English

This early service is smaller, quieter and more traditional. If you are an early riser, this is the ideal service for you. Join us for a few hymns, a shorter sermon and Holy Communion. Children are always welcome!

Sunday

10:30 am

English

Our largest service of worship with a full choir and Holy Communion. Both formal and friendly, this is modern worship in all its traditional glory. Children are invited to join Children’s Chapel during this service, and nursery care is available for children up to the age of four.

Children’s full participation is welcome during the entirety of the service. For those families who desire it, we provide chapel as a worship experience for Saint James’ younger parishioners following the general flow of the lessons, as found in the Book of Common Prayer, and following the practices of the Godly Play Foundation® for Livestream Logostorytelling and wondering about sacred texts.

Sunday

5:00 pm

English

Our contemplative mass meets in the Saint James Chapel and is a quiet, reflective service that draws from the great spiritual wisdom of Jesus in the gospels. Explore with us holy teaching and sacred music of other faith traditions, too. Come as you are, adopt the posture that’s most comfortable (yoga mats are welcome; chairs are available) and allow yourself to enter into a very different experience of God and Holy Communion.

Thursday

12:05 pm

English

Holy Eucharist with healing: This intimate, shorter midday service is held in the quietness of our chapel and combines the service of holy communion with an opportunity to also offer prayer for healing. This is the perfect refuge during a lunch break and a way to reconnect with God during a busy week.

First Friday

9:00 pm

English

Compline: Held on First Friday during a city-wide celebration of the arts, this short meditative service is sung by candlelight in the beautifully lit sanctuary and is the perfect way to end this Friday night.