What happens on Sunday?
Expect to be welcomed. Expect to be loved. Expect to feel holy ground, whether in the worship service within the church, walking the labyrinth out in the courtyard or in the hospitality of our family inside Bourne Hall afterwards.
Getting Here
From the I-5 freeway, take the El Toro exit and go west. Go north on Avenida de la Carlota. The Church is on the right hand side.
Parking
Parking is available in the immediate and adjacent parking lots. As a first time visitor, please look for the convenient spaces set aside just for you.
Restrooms
There are two easily accessible public restrooms: 1) near the church door; and 2) in our Parish Hall, Bourne Hall. Please be aware that the restrooms in the administration building are reserved for children only, no adults please.
Sunday School
Sunday school is under the supervision of Jeff Rockey. Children meet in Hammond Hall. They will be brought into church and join their families just before the distribution of bread and wine (Holy Communion).
The Church Building
As you enter the church building you will be greeted by an usher who can answer any question you may have. They will provide you with a service bulletin.
In the center aisle you will see a wooden baptismal font. It is filled with Holy Water. This is to remind us of God’s grace, our Baptism, the forgiveness of sins, and membership into the Body of Jesus Christ. You are invited to touch the water. If you wish, you may dip your fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross by touching your forehead, chest, and shoulders.
Find a seat, anywhere. Some like to be close so they can see the “action.” Many like to be in the back so they can be the first in line for coffee. Some like to be in the middle and surrounded by people. No matter where you sit for whatever reason, know that that spot has been reserved for you.
As you enter a bench (pew), you may wish to pause and bow slightly to reverence the cross. It is a way to help us focus on and literally orient ourselves to Jesus Christ as we prepare for worship. Before worship begins you may notice people praying, looking around at decorations, reading the bulletin, browsing the announcement page, reading a prayer book, hymnal or Bible, simply meditating, or listening to the choir. Please do what best suits you as you get ready for the worship service.
The Service: Singing, Responding, Praying (About 1 hour)
Our worship service is about re-connecting with the presence of God in Jesus Christ. In worship we amplify this presence through prayer, singing, listening, silence, art, fellowship, alms-giving, Scripture, Bread and Wine.
The service officially begins with the opening hymn and the procession of the cross, choir, and other ministers. Traditionally we stand to sing, sit to listen and kneel to pray. While there is some variation and blending of these distinctions, the service bulletin and ministers will be clear with directions.
Our service is highly interactive and we invite you to participate in the service as you feel comfortable. You will notice that in the bulletin the people’s responses are printed in boldface type.
Posture and Gestures
There is no one right way to do anything. Be comfortable. Try something new. Let others do what they need to do as you do what you need to do.
Receiving the Bread and Wine
You’ll hear us say these words again and again: where ever you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome at the holy table. Just approach the altar rail and stand or kneel, cup your hands together and extend them. The priest will offer you a communion wafer. A lay server will offer you wine. you can take one or the other or both. If you still aren’t sure you can also cross your arms in front of your chest and ask the priest for a blessing.
More on Receiving Bread and Wine
Please come forward to the Altar rail to receive the Bread and Wine. Otherwise, please be seated.
The bread and wine are the most powerful signs the church has to express the presence of God in the world and our lives. A special meal between friends, an everyday activity, food prepared with crushing and fermenting, Body and Blood – all add to our understanding of God’s presence. Please know that all are welcome to receive communion.
If you wish to receive the body of Christ please come to the Altar rail and hold out your hand to take the wafer of bread. You may eat the bread immediately, or you may wait and receive it with the wine. If you wish to receive the blood of Christ from the chalice please assist the chalice to your lips for a sip of wine, or you may leave the wafer in your hand and the Eucharistic Minister will dip it in the wine for you. You may also dip the wafer yourself. If you wish to receive the bread only, please know it is the historic position of the Church that receiving one of the elements is sufficient to complete communion. If you do not wish to take the bread and wine, you are invited to come to the Altar rail and receive a blessing. Indicate this by folding your arms over your chest and placing your hands near your shoulders.
After the Service
The service from beginning to end usually takes one hour.
Following the service you are invited to greet the clergy at the door and then join us in Bourne Hall for “Coffee Hour.” It is a time to enjoy some complimentary refreshment, introduce yourself to others, ask questions, and meet people.
Do I need to give money?
No, it’s free.
Giving to the church is a result of a person’s response to God’s presence in their life. No one is required to put money in the plate. Giving is an act of thanksgiving. It is a way of honoring the role of livelihood and work in our lives. It is not an obligation or requirement.
How do I make a pledge?
Pledges are part of our response to all that God is doing for us.
To make a pledge and receive weekly pledge envelopes please contact the church office at 949-837-4530, ext. 222.
You may also make your pledge by credit card.
Your pledge makes it possible for the church to plan its programs for the year.
Here at St. George’s giving is anonymous; that is, the priest and other members of the church will not know who gives how much. Our financial administrator keeps this information confidential.
Can I help serve on Sunday?
Acolytes
From a Greek word meaning, "to follow." Acolytes are lay volunteers who follow the Cross in the procession and recession and assist the priest in worship. An acolyte lights and sometimes carries candles, and helps in the preparation of communion.
Altar Guild
A special, usually lay, group in a church charged with the maintenance and preparation of the altar and its furnishings in a church; altar guilds may also supervise church decorations and flowers.
Choir
The choir leads our principal Sunday worship service, blending a tradition of excellence with challenging and diverse musical selections to the praise and glory of God. Under the direction of Rich Cook on organ and piano, they also offer special Evensong and other events. More Info >
Flower Guild members help to beautify the altar and sanctuary for Sunday, and make special festivals and occasions memorable with unique and decorative arrangements.
The Hospitality/Welcome Ministry involves greeting visitors at a welcome table with a gift bag, filled with all sorts of goodies, including one of Fr. Norm’s musical offerings on DVD, information on St. George’s and how to connect as family. It also includes providing refreshments for our "coffee hour" fellowship after the service.
On any given Sunday, Lay Eucharistic Visitors go in pairs to lead worship services and offer home communion to residents of local retirement communities. Every third Thursday a service of home communion followed by lunch is held at Rossmoor Towers. All are welcome.
Sunday School Teachers help focus children and youth on how to live the questions of faith. Young people gather on Sunday mornings during service times and also during the contemporary Journey service.
Readers/Lectors
Any non-ordained person who participates in reading part of a church service. Lay readers sometimes serve as chalice-bearers at a Eucharist.
Intercessors
Those who pray on behalf of another or others. An intercessor is one who prays an intercessory prayer. The term may indicate one who leads the prayers of the people.
Eucharistic Ministers
Lay persons licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go from a Sunday eucharist or other principal celebrations of the eucharist to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. Prior to the current lay ministry canons, specially licensed lay readers administered the chalice at the eucharist and were known as "chalice bearers."
Ushers
A lay person who greets and assists people as they enter the church. Ushers may hand out service bulletins, answer questions of visitors and newcomers, count the number of people in the congregation, collect and present the offering at the offertory, assist parishioners during the administration of communion, and clean the pews and church building after the service. In some churches, ushers may bring the people's offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant at the presentation of the gifts.
Oblation bearers
Those who bring forward the people's offerings of bread and wine are presented to the deacon or celebrant and placed on the altar for consecration.
Worship Services
St. George's provides a service format for all the varying taste of its congregations, ranging from the traditional worship service Rite I, to the family choral service Rite II.
Sunday Services
8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
10:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Rite I
Joseph Gelineau once said that good liturgy creates a space in which people can pray. Steeped in the works of the sixteenth century prayer book, Rite I creates such a holy space. It is the Anglican equivalent of the Latin mass.
The timeless language of the initial years of the Anglican Church combines with the gentle music from the sixteenth century to create a wonderful transcendent ambiance on Sunday mornings.
Rite II
"This place sounds like church!" is often the reaction of newcomers who, after a long journey searching for a spiritual home, discover the Rite II service at St. George's.
Using uplifting and inspiring words and music, the congregation is taken through reflection on scriptures, an engaging sermon and a time for prayer and refocus. An open invitationis extended to everyone, regardless of where they may be on their journey of faith, to share Holy Communion.
Rite II is a way to experience worship through all the senses, and with all the pomp and majesty of the best we can offer to God. Sunday mornings.