St. John's Church

What are services like?
St. John's intentionally offers worship in multiple styles and formats, engaging worshipers to experience the timelessness of Jesus’ gifts of Baptism and Eucharist (or Communion) by drawing from both the breadth of music, language, architecture and art forms found in 21st Century Hampton Roads and the rich liturgical heritage of the early unified Christian Church. Our 8am Contemplative Eucharist is a small, quiet service without music. The focus is on simplicity and beauty of worship in traditional language (known in the wider Episcopal Church as Rite I). If you are looking for a time of reflection and meditation, this is the service for you. Our 9am Contemporary Eucharist mixes ancient worship patterns with images and a wide variety of sacred and secular musical genres in an emerging ancient-future worship experience. Everything you need for worship is displayed on two screens at the front of the church. A live band provides the music. If you are looking for a worship experience framed in tradition but clothed in the music and images of today, give this worship opportunity a try. And at our 11am Traditional Eucharist uses the modern language liturgy (known in the wider Episcopal Church as Rite II) with hymns and chants sung by the congregation and choir with piano and organ. St. John’s has a wonderful 16 rank Austin pipe organ which fills the acoustically brilliant church with its glorious sound. If you are looking for a traditional worship experience, then this is the worship opportunity for you.

What if I'm not a Christian?
At St. John's we welcome you to explore the meaning of life and the God who created all things. We work hard to foster a safe community for spiritual explorers and to be an encouraging partner for those on the life-long journey of following Jesus Christ. We want you to feel at home. So come as you are. As a first time guest, you won’t be singled out or asked to do anything embarrassing. We will greet you and be on hand to answer any questions you have but we’ll also respect your right to be left alone. The Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians of any tradition to receive the bread and wine of Holy Eucharist at the altar. If you are not baptized, or for some other reason are not comfortable receiving, we invite you to come forward anyway, and our priest will offer you God's blessing. If you would like to be baptized, just speak with our priest, and we can help you take that next step in your spiritual journey!