8:30 Service
An interactive service for all ages, in person only
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AN INVITATION
Discover Living Stories at our early service
At St. Gregory’s 8:30 am Sunday service, we embrace an intergenerational way of sharing and experiencing the Bible together. We’ve named it, Living Stories.
Drawing inspiration from both the Montessori method and the Godly Play tradition, this interactive format turns our sermon and scripture reading into a lively intergenerational dialogue.
If you and your family want to embrace a fuller, more connected spiritual journey together, we hope you’ll come check out Living Stories at 8:30 am, Sundays at St Gregory’s.
Want to learn more abut the Living Stories method? Reach out to the Rev. Peter Levenstrong, our associate priest.
AN INVITATION
Children are welcome and integral to all services at St Gregory’s
At St Gregory’s children ring bells, sit in silence, sing and chant, hum, say prayers, roam about, and take leadership. Some families find the smaller gathering at 8:30 a good way to introduce children to the liturgy.
Some ways children can participate:
Welcome and Ringing the Bells
Children are invited to help ring the church bells, marking the start of our gathering.
Gathering in Song and Prayer
We begin with a song, Holy God, followed by an opening prayer. Children often enjoy singing along and helping with the next song, Glory to God, as we offer incense.
Silence and Reflection
After the incense, we take a moment of silence. Children might enjoy closing their eyes and noticing how long they can hear or feel the sound of the bell.
Scripture Storytelling
We bring Bible stories to life with Living Stories, a method that involves everyone—kids and adults alike.
- Children can move closer to watch as the story unfolds with wooden figures.
- We invite everyone to share wondering questions about the story.
Prayers with Rocks and Water
We pause to reflect on the week:
- What felt heavy?
- What felt like a blessing?
We conclude with the Lord’s Prayer, singing and using ancient gestures to embody our prayer.
The Great Entrance
Children are welcome to drum and help lead the joyful procession of bread and wine.
Sharing the Peace and Thanksgiving
- Children may hum or sing along to Holy, Holy, Holy during the Great Thanksgiving Prayer.
- They are also invited to help serve communion after learning how.
Celebration and Blessing
We end with celebration:
- Children can join in playing instruments, leading the final song, and dancing.
- Everyone gathers for a shared blessing, placing hands on the one being blessed while singing together.
We hope you’ll join us!