WORSHIP AT ST. DAVID'S
There are two opportunities for Sunday worship at St. David's. They both feature prayers, Bible readings, a sermon, and Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper).
8:00 AM – a spoken (very little to no music) service of Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
10:30 AM – Choral Holy Eucharist (Rite II), with organ and choir, in the Church. Features nursery and Children’s chapel.
5:30 PM – Choral Evensong (1662 BCP), organ, choir, in the Church.
Our services come from The Book of Common Prayer (1979 edition).
We use Rite I in our 7:30 AM service; Rite I uses traditional language
and is the classic Anglican order for Holy Communion. At our 9:00, 9:10
& 11:15 AM services, we typically use Rite II, a modern language
service. During certain seasons of the church year, we use Rite I in our
9:00, 9:10, and 11:15 AM services. Our Evensong service is drawn from
the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
If you want to know what our sermons are like, you can find our podcast on our website here.
You can also find our sermons on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
What about Sunday School?
From September to May, we also invite you to come at 10:15 AM
for Sunday School. We have something for all ages. Sunday School takes a
break during the summer months. (Although we typically offer a Summer
Sunday School series in July. Check our calendar or social media pages
for the latest info.)
Where are you? Where do I park?
We are located in Waco at the corner of Columbus Ave. and N.
30th St. in the historic Castle Heights neighborhood, just off W. Waco
Drive. The church’s address is 305 N. 30th St. (Our offices are at 2900
W. Waco Drive at the corner of N. 29th St.). Directions available here. Campus map below.
Parking
is available in the large parking lot behind the church, as well as
on-street parking (please be courteous and watch for our neighbors’
driveways). Our historic church recently underwent renovation.
As
you enter through the narthex or Welcome Center, our ushers will be
happy to help you find your way around. Please let us know if we can
help you find anything.
What to Expect in our Worship
In the Church
When you arrive at the church, an usher will greet you and
provide a service bulletin (the printed booklet that contains our
prayers, readings, hymns–everything you need for our service).
You may choose a seat wherever you like. In the Episcopal Church, our liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP),
which dates back to the 16th Century (and before!), though we use a
contemporary version. The BCP is the red book in the pew rack. You can
follow along in the BCP, although most of the congregational responses
are also printed in the bulletin. For the 9:00 & 11:15 AM services,
you may need a hymnal, the blue book in the pew rack, though most of the
hymns are printed in the bulletin. Hymn numbers are listed on the hymn
boards on the wall and in the bulletin.
We have Communion at every service. Click here for common questions (and answers!) about receiving Communion in the Episcopal Church.
In the Parish Hall
When you arrive at the Parish Hall, an usher will greet you
and provide a service bulletin (the printed booklet that contains our
prayers, readings, hymns–everything you need for our service).
You may choose a seat wherever you like. In the Episcopal Church, our liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP),
which dates back to the 16th Century (and before!), though we use a
contemporary version. All of the congregational responses are printed in
the bulletin or shown on one of three large monitors in the room. Hymns
and songs are led by a small folk band. All lyrics are shown on the
monitors in the room.
We have Communion at every service. Click here for common questions (and answers!) about receiving Communion in the Episcopal Church.
What should I wear?
We welcome all kinds of people, and their styles. Many
people wear their “Sunday best”: coat & tie, dresses, and the like.
Many others prefer the jeans-and-a-polo or “dressy casual” look. We’re
glad you’re here, so come as you are.
What is liturgy?
Our services follow a set order of events, called a liturgy.
This comes from an old Greek word meaning “work of the people.” If
you’re new to this style, it may feel awkward at first. But like
dancing, you’ll get used to it. It’s an ancient and biblical way to
pray. It makes sure we all worship together as a community. And each
week it reminds of who God is, who we are, and what God has done for us
in Jesus Christ.
Kneel? Sit? Stand?
In liturgical services like ours, we worship with our whole
bodies: at different times we kneel (usually to pray), we sit (usually
to listen), and we stand (to honor and show reverence). Some folks make
the sign of the cross to have a physical reminder that Christ is for us.
With all these things, if they help, feel free to do them. If they
trouble your conscience or are physically difficult, feel free to pass.
As we say in the Episcopal Church, “all may, some should, none must.”
What about children?
Jesus welcomed children, and so do we! If you have young
children, our 9:00, 9:10 and 11:15 AM services offer a nursery and
Children’s Chapel (a kids’ program during the sermon). The nursery is
for children ages 0-4, but we realize some kids can be anxious about
going to a new place. So of course, parents are welcome to bring their
children into services with them. Kids ages 4 and up join their parents
for the beginning of the service, and are then dismissed for Children’s
Chapel before the Gospel reading. They return before Communion. Finally,
all our staff and volunteers who work with children undergo a
background check and are certified by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas’s Safeguarding God’s Children Program.
