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Episcopalians express our faith in our liturgy (the pattern we use for worship) more than in statements of doctrine.  The beliefs of the Episcopal Church are outlined in the Catechism (or a summary of principles), which is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). The entire book and Catechism can be viewed online (click here).

Our congregation meets in a very beautiful and historic worship space with pews, stained glass windows and a high ceiling. The pulpit and altar are located at the front of the church in the area called the chancel – the congregation sits in pews in an area called the nave. The style is ‘Florida Gothic’ and many newcomers find the whole interior especially warm and inviting.  We hope that you will feel welcome and at ease, and please sit wherever you would like!
Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Adult Christian Education, in the Parish Hall.
9:00 a.m. Youth Christian Education, in the Rector’s Office.
10:00 a.m. A service of Holy Communion, Rite II designed for multi-generational families, with children’s programs, music and choir.

If you are unfamiliar with the Episcopal Church, the format of our worship services may seem a little bit daunting.  The Sunday worship bulletin provides complete details of the service making it an easy guide for all of us to follow and participate.  At all services we follow the Book of Common Prayer, with an emphasis on thoughtful prayer, and interesting, biblically based sermons with relevance for modern life.  At the 10 a.m. service, we also use the Hymnal 1982, as well as other sources for music.  Our 10:00 runs about one hour.  We stand to sing praises to God and greet one another.  We sit for instruction and kneel to confess our sins and for personal devotion. Many Episcopalians make the sign of the cross, bow, and observe other reverences, but they are not required of anyone. If you have any questions about the different reverences, please ask a member of our clergy!

Holy Communion, also called the Great Thanksgiving or the Eucharist, is celebrated at every service (with very occasional exceptions when the rector is away and the Deacon leads a service of Morning Prayer).  The Holy Eucharist is Christ’s eternal banquet, to which all adults and children are invited.  If you are a baptized Christian of any tradition (and regardless of your current status in any other church) we welcome you to receive communion with this community of God’s people.  At the time of communion, the ushers will indicate when your row should come forward.  Please come to the altar rail; you may stand or kneel. The bread will be placed in your outstretched hands; the appropriate response is “Amen.”  When the chalice (cup) of wine comes, you may hold out your bread for the minister to dip it in the wine for you, or decline it by crossing your arms over your chest.  If for any reason you prefer not to receive the bread and wine, or if you have not been Baptized, you may come forward and cross your arms over your chest for a blessing; or, remain in the pew, pray as you might wish, and enjoy the music.

No, not currently.

Yes, there is a nursery staffed by 2 persons both trained in the Diocesan-approved Childcare Protocols. However! You are more than welcome to keep your children with you during worship; consider sitting near the front so your child can see what’s ‘going on’; or, at the back if you might wish to slip out to give your child a ‘break’. And whatever your choice, please ask for a coloring kit for your child – we have plenty!

Baptism is the sacrament signifying that one has become an “official” member of the Body of Christ, known as the Church. You are most welcome to continue to participate in worship for as long as you wish without having been baptized, but baptism is required prior to receiving Holy Communion. Baptisms always take place on specified Sundays, with the full participation of the entire congregation who, while expressing their explicit support for the newly baptized, also reaffirm their own baptismal vows. To learn more, we encourage you to talk to our Rector and to review, in print and / or online, the entire Baptismal Service which begins on page 299 of the Book of Common Prayer (click here for the Baptism service online).

We gather immediately following the 10 a.m. service for refreshments served in the parish hall immediately to the west of the church. Clergy, members of the vestry (our church board) and other parish members are all present for visiting and/or questions. Please plan to stay for this gathering! We also have Sunday School classes and fellowship groups for both younger and older adults, as well as children of all ages.

Our Rector, or our shepherds and greeters will be pleased to respond to your inquiries after worship. You may also call the church office: 321-254-3365 and our Rector, or the appropriate person, will get back to you as soon as possible.

We are thrilled that you have asked! The next time you’re in church, we invite you to complete a buff-colored pew card (from the rack facing you); please block print, (pencil OK, pen best) and then place the card in the offering plate when the ushers pass by. We will respond asap by: adding you to our emailing list; sending a Welcome email to you (check your spam for “Welcome to St. John’s”); preparing a name tag for each person you have listed; and, by having an appropriate person respond to whatever requests or areas of interest you check-marked onthe reverse of the card. Thank you!

If you currently are a member of an Episcopal parish elsewhere, you can call the office to arrange for us to contact them to transfer your membership.  If you come from a Catholic or Orthodox tradition, we invite you to consider being ‘received’ formally into the Episcopal Church when our bishop makes his annual regular visit. If you were baptized in any other tradition, we request that you attend our Confirmation classes and be confirmed when our bishop makes his annual visit.  Whatever the case may be, you will be asked to complete a Membership Request Form.  Click here to download a Membership Request Form.  Click here for more information on reception and adult confirmation.  Click here for more information on how to become a member of St. John’s