Visiting a new church can be daunting at times. We hope this page can act as a guide when you visit Reconciliation for the first time. Be assured parishioners, greeters, ushers, and clergy will be excited to meet you and help you through the service and your visit.
What’s the worship service like?
Episcopal worship is said to be “liturgical,” which means the congregation follows similar service patterns and prays similar prayers that usually don’t vary much from week to week. Most Episcopalians find a rhythm in the service that gives it a sense of familiarity. If this is your first time visiting an Episcopal Church, you’ll notice we do a lot of standing, sitting and kneeling. For a lot of first-time visitors, this can be confusing. However, once you become familiar with Holy Eucharist, it will all feel like second nature.
Our liturgy is broken up into two main parts:
The Liturgy of the Word
We begin each service by opening our hearts to God through song and prayer. We then sit for a series of readings from the bible, including a psalm and Gospel reading. A sermon which interprets the readings for the day follows. After the sermon, the
congregation together recites the Nicene Creed, which outlines our basic beliefs about God. The congregation then prays the Prayers of the People together- praying for the Church, the World, and those in need. In certain seasons of the Church calendar, the congregation formally confesses their sins against God and one another (a prayer outlined in the Book of Common Prayer). This is a statement of what we have done and what we have left undone. This is then followed by a pronouncement of absolution by one of the clergy members. We then greet each other with a sign of “peace,” which could be a handshake, a hug, or a kind greeting.
The Liturgy of the Table
The priest stands at the altar which has been set with a cup of wine and a plate of bread or communion wafers. Now begins the Eucharistic prayer, which tells the story of our faith. It begins at Creation, leading through the choosing of Israel to be God’s people, through our repeated turning away from God, and God calling us to return. Finally, the presider tells the story of Jesus Christ, and about the night before his death, in which he instructs his disciples to use communion as a way to remember him. The presider then blesses the bread and wine, and the congregation together says the Lord’s Prayer. The congregation then shares the bread and wine. The people all come forward to receive communion. Through the Eucharist, we are strengthened in our relationship with Christ and one another. All who seek a deeper relationship with God are welcome to participate in the communion.
What should I wear?
There’s no dress code. Some people wear their Sunday best, while others wear jeans.
Whatever you feel comfortable in is fine.
Location
We are located in northeast San Antonio, at the corner of Starcrest Drive and Barrington, two blocks north of Loop 410 at 8900 Starcrest Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Our Campus
When you arrive, turn into our main front parking lot. Walk toward the buildings to enter our central courtyard. The sanctuary will be directly in front of you.
The best handicap parking for a church service is in the back parking lot right up against the back wall of the sanctuary.
Worship services are in the sanctuary on Sundays at 8 am and at 10:30 am.
You are welcome to walk the labyrinth at any time.