Sunday Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 am · Details

  400 Saint Johns Ave., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043  ·   (904) 284-5434  ·   Give

St. Mary's Episcopal Church
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What Happens During Worship

Once you take a seat in a pew, you’ll be facing the altar, which is one of the central features of our worship space. In the pews, you’ll find a BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER (RED), a HYMNAL (BLUE). The bulletin will tell you which book to use when. If you’re feeling confused, ask someone sitting near you for help. We don’t want to invade your privacy, but we’re all delighted you’ve joined us and would be glad to offer assistance.

During the service, we pray with our whole bodies. Generally, we SIT to listen, we STAND to sing, and we STAND or KNEEL to pray.

Near the start of the service, we hear some readings from the BIBLE. Usually, it’s a lesson from the Hebrew Scriptures (sometimes called the Old Testament), followed by a Psalm. Next comes a reading from one of the books of the New Testament, and then finally a Gospel reading, which is followed by a SERMON. The goal of the sermon is to bring understanding to one or more of the scripture passages and help us all to understand its significance for our lives today. Usually the sermon lasts about 8-12 minutes.

At the midpoint of the service, we do something that might catch you by surprise. We turn to one another to offer the PEACE OF CHRIST. Some people greet those near them, while others leave their pews. Honestly, it can seem a little rowdy! Occasionally, visitors thought that church was over at this point. If you haven’t experienced the peace before, it might seem strange. The peace follows the CONFESSION – a time in worship where we collectively confess that we have not lived most fully into God’s hopes for us and for the world. Following that, the priest offers ABSOLUTION or forgiveness. It’s within this context that we exchange the peace. Having admitted (in our own hearts) our faults and failings and having received assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, we then offer Christ’s peace to one another. Some people say, “Peace” or “Peace be with you.” You can respond, “Peace be with you” or “And also with you.” Some people shake hands and others give a brief hug as part of their greeting.

At some time during our worship service, there is a COLLECTION of money. The offering provides an opportunity for worshipers to support the mission of the church, both internally and in the community. As our guest, you are not expected to put anything in the collection plate. In fact, many of our members send in their offerings through the mail, so when the plate comes by them, they don’t put anything in. You won’t stand out.

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400 Saint Johns Ave. · Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
(904) 284-5434
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Service Times

At the Red Doors by the River

  • Sunday services 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday Noonday Prayer & Eucharist, with healing prayer at 12 noon

For Outdoor Worship

Bring your portable chairs for our informal, outdoor worship service. We will have extra chairs to set up for those unable to bring their own. It is often warm so please dress casually, wear a hat, bring a bottle water, wear your masks and remember to socially distance.

For Indoor Worship

If you will be attending indoor Sunday Morning Worship, please remember to:

  • Wear your masks and remember to socially distance
  • Follow all signs and directions
  • Enter the parish hall through the river room doors
  • Exit the parish hall through the red front doors
  • Remember to maintain 6 feet of social distancing at all times
  • Please bring canned goods for the food pantry, the red wagon will be out!


Location

St. Mary's Episcopal Church
400 Saint Johns Ave.
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Contact Us
(904) 284-5434

Newsletter Signup

Welcome First Visit Children Joining St. Mary's

Welcome and thank you for visiting our St Mary’s website! We hope you will find helpful information here about our parish. We invite everyone to “Come to the River” because we believe what you will find here is a genuine welcome, a real community of people from all walks of life who come together for worship designed to empower and nurture disciples to serve the world in Jesus’ name. St. Mary’s natural setting is infused with the beauty of God’s creation, peace and renewal. So, look around our web site. Then come and join our journey of faith and see God at work in our midst on the banks of the St. John’s River in Green Cove Springs Florida.

When you come into the church, you’ll encounter steps or a ramp that will take you to the Red doors and the front porch of the church. There might be ushers, greeters and worship leaders there to welcome you and offer you a bulletin. The bulletin will help you know what’s happening in the service. As you enter the church you find yourself in our NARTHEX (that’s Episco-speak for entryway) and that is where we keep our sign-up sheets, newcomer information and where the coloring sheets for the children are located. We look forward to greeting you!

Learn more about our worship!

If you have YOUNG PEOPLE, they are welcome! Young people are an integral part of our life together at St. Mary's. They aren't just the future of the church, they are the church today!

Learn More about Children and Youth Programs


Come as you are to one of our three weekly services:

  • Sunday Mornings - Holy Eucharist Rite II - 8:30 am & 10:30 am
  • Wednesdays - Holy Eucharist Rite II with Healing Prayer - 12:00 pm
Worship Services

We often get asked how I do I “join” St. Mary’s? The short answer is: come to St. Mary’s! We welcome anyone and everyone to join us for worship on Sunday mornings or at any of our church activities. We believe that first and foremost, membership in the Church means being part of a community that is drawn ever more deeply into relationship with God and our neighbor through Jesus Christ.”

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Here I Am, Send Me

We ask you to prayerfully consider your pledge for 2022 remembering that stewardship provides the largest part of the church’s income. Your pledge allows the church to start the new year on a solid financial foundation. We all have much to be grateful for and your Stewardship Committee is especially grateful for you and your commitment to St. Mary’s.

Stewardship Pledge

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