St. Michael's Episcopal Church

What are services like?
From the very beginning, the Church's central act of worship has been the Holy Eucharist - a.k.a. the Mass, Lord's Supper, Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion - when Christians gather to "proclaim the Lord's death" (1 Corinthians 11:26), to celebrate his resurrection, and to be filled with his risen life from his own substance. That's what happens at St Michael's every Sunday morning (and at other special times). Our form of worship- liturgy- is how the Western Church has been doing it for at least 1,700 years. We don't expect newbies to understand it or to join in the first time they encounter it. In fact, it's probably better not to join in right away. So if this ancient form of worship is new to you, then by all means just sit still, watch, listen. You'll still be a part of it, along with all the angels and saints around the throne of God in heaven. And you'll pick it up soon enough. We begin with the proclamation of God's Word from both the Old and New Testaments, culminating in the reading of the gospel, the very words and acts of Jesus himself. Then we move to the consecration of bread and wine to become the Body and Blood of Jesus. How God makes this wondrous change, we can't say for sure. We tend to go with Queen Elizabeth I (16th century), who was no theological slouch. She said, 'Twas God the Word that spake it; He took the Bread and brake it; And what the Word did make it, That I believe and take it.' What we can say for sure, because of what Jesus said, is that in Holy Communion we receive him in Person into ourselves. So in the Church's central act of worship, Jesus ministers to us, first from his written Word, and then from his own substance. As St Paul says, This is a profound mystery! It's a pretty big deal! It's the worship of the God who made everything, yet who loves each one of us more than we can possibly imagine, and who comes to us himself. What an awesome thought! What an awesome reality! Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

What is the community like?
St. Michael's Episcopal Church in O'Fallon, Illinois is a family-friendly mission church in the Metro East (suburban St Louis) area of southern Illinois, very close to Scott Air Force Base. It is a very diverse congregation filled with people of all ages, from all over the world. Many of our parishioners are retired military, prior military, active duty, guard or reserve, and/or affiliated with the military in some fashion, i.e. spouse, parents or children are currently serving or have served. However, we also have many attendees that are not associated with the military at all. All are welcome. The congregation as a whole is very active in the community and at church. Besides supporting the traditional ministries such as Education, Fellowship and Pastoral Care, the parishioners are also involved in many local organizations including the O'Fallon Community Food Pantry, the Belleville Christain Center, and the Kairos Prison Ministry.

What if I'm not a Christian?
That's okay. Come anyway. Come as you are. All are welcome.