Sunday Morning Eucharist/Prayer Service: Worship Service is at 10:00 a.m. each week in our historic sanctuary. We are presently meeting both online only on Zoom and in person. You are welcome to join us either online or in person. 

What to Expect: In the pews you will find the Book of Common Prayer, the 1982 Hymnal, and a smaller green songbook called Wonder, Love and Praise. The morning bulletin as well as the two Hymn Boards in the front help you to follow along easily. Our worship style is liturgical and sacramental, keeping connections to some of the very ancient worship practices of Christianity. 

We are an open and affirming congregation. All of God's children are welcome.

The Liturgy of the Word: The first part of our worship service includes prayers, songs of praise, scripture readings from the Old Testament, Gospels and New Testament letters according to the common lectionary. A short sermon or homily is based on the scriptures for the day, and there follows a congregational open confession.

The Eucharist: The Eucharist is also known to some Christians as Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. In preparation for Eucharist you will hear the words that Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper. At St. James we come forward to the altar rail to receive the bread and wine. The choir goes first. The priest offers the bread and the altar server offers the chalice. You may kneel or stand and you may dip your wafer in the wine or you may sip from the chalice. If you are disabled simply ask and the priest and server will bring the bread and wine to your pew.

Taking Communion: All people are welcome to come forward to join us at the communion table. Or, you may simply want to come forward for a blessing from the priest. That is welcome also. 

Standing, Kneeling, Sitting: Episcopalians have quite a varied style of worship. At St. James you will find some people standing for prayers, others kneeling, some sitting. Some people genuflect, others don't. We honor any tradition that is meaningful to your personal worship.

Music: A variety of music is provided at our 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday mornings.  Our organist and choir add beauty, joy, and contemplation to our worship service that makes it extra special. We are fortunate to have singers and instrumentalists that share their talents with the congregation. 

Child Friendly: We have play space provided for those that bring children to join us. We enjoy having the children among us, so there is an area in the back of the church for children to play quietly with crayons and books during the service. At times we may bring the children to our fellowship hall for a special service just for them.

Special Feast Days: At. St. James we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with all creatures welcome at our main worship service. We celebrate All Saints Day with a joyous New Orleans style recessional with saxaphone jazz and ladies umbrellas. The traditional Anglican Lessons and Carols service usually is scheduled during Advent or in the Christmas season. Our Christmas Eve service has a half hour of music before the service and a beautiful candlelight ending. Our Palm Sunday starts with a procession starting outside and entering the church with palms. Holy Week often has Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services as well as a joyous Easter service often with trumpet. 

Dress Comfortably: We are a casual church, you may dress as you feel comfortable.  If you are accustomed to wearing a dress or suit and tie, there will be others there the same.  But if you are more comfortable in slacks, jeans, or bermuda shorts, there will be others dressed like that also.  We don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable,we only ask that you do dress.

Coffee Hour after Church: We are a small but friendly congregation and hope you will come have coffee, lemonade and cookies or other goodies after the service in the Parish Hall and get to know us better. 

Parking: We are located at the corner of 3rd and Main Street in Shelbyville, KY.  Parking is abundant next to the Parish Hall or on Main Street. There is a new public parking lot just east of the St. James parking lot and you are welcome to use it anytime.

We hope you like what you find here at St. James and will want to come back again!