St. Barnabas is a welcoming Episcopal community of engaged and caring parishioners. For more than 30 years, people living in Montgomery and surrounding neighborhoods have sought spiritual comfort and guidance from our church.
Anyone can attend a St. Barnabas service. It is not necessary to be baptized an Episcopalian in order to worship at St. B, or to take advantage of the many parish activities and pastoral supports we offer. Anyone is welcome to attend our services, regardless of religion or creed. And, anyone baptized in the Christian faith is welcome to participate in the Holy Eucharist here.
Our red doors mean “you are welcome here.” The bright red doors of St. Barnabas signal a place of welcome and sanctuary. In ancient times, no one could pursue an enemy past a church’s red doors. Anyone who passed through those doors was safe as long as they stayed behind them. Also, the red color of the doors signified the blood of Christ that had been shed so that all who came to him could be saved.
Over time, Christian people began to see the red doors of the church as symbolizing not only physical refuge and safety, but spiritual refuge as well, a space that has been purged and made clean by God's Holy Spirit.
We offer three service options to suit your needs. Our Sunday services begin at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. If you come to the 8:00 a.m. service, you’ll find a small but enthusiastic group of worshipers. The service at this hour closely mirrors the other two services; Holy Eucharist (Communion) is offered here, and the clergy typically delivers a sermon. The one thing you won’t experience at 8:00 a.m. is music. This is our “contemplative” service.
At 9:30, you’ll find a larger crowd, including many families with children. Since day care and church school are provided during this service, those children typically spend the first half of the service in the undercroft, playing or doing crafts and learning stories from the Bible. They come up to the sanctuary to sit with their parents during Eucharist. The St. Barnabas Choir sings at this service, and we’re blessed to have nationally renowned keyboardist Michael Chertock accompanying them. At 11:30, our “laid back” service, the group is smaller and the sermons often more relaxed. Music is a highlight of this service, as well - jazz or classical music are often performed.
Your first peek at the interior of St. Barnabas is the lobby, or “narthex.” Once you pass through our red doors, you will be in the narthex, or lobby, of the church. You’ll most likely be greeted by an usher or member of the vestry. Ushers stand just outside the doors to the sanctuary (where the service is held), handing out the bulletin and order of service for the day.
There is quite a bit of good information about our parish in the narthex. In addition to bulletin boards displaying the latest church news, there are packets of information about St. B’s many missions, groups and activities. There is also a “tract rack” on one wall, featuring a number of well-written pamphlets on a variety of topics on daily living that you might find of interest. Just to the right of the entrance is our library, which features lots of great reading on religious topics, as well as some select works of fiction and non-fiction. There are a number of books for children, as well. Any member can borrow a book; if you see something you’d like to borrow, just talk to an usher or member of the clergy.
What to expect during the service. Each service follows the liturgy of the mass outlined in the Book of Common Prayer. Several copies are found in the book racks in every pew, so no one has to do without. Often, the order of worship is printed in the bulletin, as well. There are several versions of the liturgy in the book, but the presiding priest will always indicate what page to turn to for the proper liturgy for the day. Occasionally, a family will ask to have their baby baptized during a service. That service is also outlined in the Book of Common Prayer; it’s just a little longer than the “regular” liturgy, with the baptism inserted during the first half of the service. During baptisms it’s not uncommon to have a larger crowd, and photos and videos being taken of the newly baptized! These are special ceremonies of celebration enjoyed by all who attend them.
As in other denominations, there are places in each service where sitting, standing or kneeling are indicated. However, it is not imperative to follow these directions if you do not feel comfortable doing so. The priest will indicate key moments where these position changes may occur. Just do what you feel comfortable with.
The services typically begin with a spoken welcome by the priest, delivered from the back of the church. Everyone who can do so stands, and the first hymn is sung as the crucifer, acolytes, lay ministers and priest process down the aisle to the altar. The first half of the liturgy includes passages from the Bible read by our lay lectors; prayers; and the sermon. Music is played during the offertory, when a free will collection is taken.
Holy Eucharist, or Communion. The second half of the service is devoted to the Holy Eucharist. After the blessing of the bread and wine, those serving at the altar are offered Communion first. Then the congregation may approach the altar to receive the Host. Depending on the service, the parishioners either kneel at the altar, or the priest and lay ministers will come to the floor and offer the gifts to people as they stand in line. Outstretched hands, held together, mean you wish to receive a piece of bread (the Body). Some people prefer to sip wine (the Blood) from the chalice: those people will eat the Host, then take the wine when proferred. Others will dip their bread into the chalice gently in lieu of sipping. In this case, the bread is held in one hand, cupped in the other and held out to the minister who brings the cup. Those who do not wish to partake of the wine simply cross their arms over their chest to alert the celebrant.
Those who do not wish to receive Communion may stay seated in the pews. Also: if you don’t wish Communion but would like to receive a special blessing for yourself or a loved one, you can still walk up to the altar and a celebrant will pray with you.
You can have your birthday blessed! At some point during the service, the priest will stand up and offer to bless the birthdays and anniversaries of the congregation. Even if you are not a regular member of the church, you may still approach to have your birthday or anniversary blessed! A short prayer is said while the priest joins hands with those who have come to the front of the sanctuary for this personal yet relaxed ceremony. Following the blessings, a member of the vestry typically makes announcements about coming events or important news.
Services typically last about an hour. The service concludes with a hymn, during which the priest and other celebrants recess out to the narthex. It is not essential, but typically the congregation remains seated until an acolyte extinguishes the candles on the altar. There is usually some excellent music being played during this time, and often, parishioners will stay until it’s concluded to applaud the musicians.
Music at St. Barnabas. Music is important to the Episcopal faith, and there is a rich tradition of Anglican music from which we draw. Throughout a service, the congregation will sing several hymns from the hymnals located in the pew book racks. You do not have to have a terrific voice to join in the singing! However, do as much or as little singing as you feel comfortable with. Once you get to know the tunes, you’ll find you want to participate. Our new pipe organ is beautiful to look at as well as to hear, and a real benefit of attending church at St. B.
Join us for coffee after the service. Following each service, the congregation is invited to the Great Hall, a large reception area to the right of the sanctuary as you leave, to have a cup of coffee and pastries contributed by Panera Bread. It’s a good time to meet people, talk to the clergy, and learn more about all St. Barnabas has to offer.
Any questions? Feel free to call the church at 513.984.8401 and ask to speak to a member of the clergy or vestry. If one is not readily available, we’ll make sure you receive a return call within 24 hours.
You may also find our list of Episcopal Terms helpful.
We hope to see you at a St. Barnabas service soon!
