St. John’s is at the spiritual and social heart of Lunenburg. Dating back to 1753, we are the second-oldest Anglican Church in Canada, and a National and Provincial Heritage Site.
Growing from our rich history, and in addition to our worship services, we remain a vibrant presence in our community today.
At St. John’s, we gather under a beautiful blue sky of stars that shapes our chancel. As the stars have helped voyagers navigate the world since the beginning of time — our faith, our worship, our community all help us navigate the daily wonders and challenges that shape our lives.
Wherever you are on your faith journey, you will find space for your questions, your prayers, your ponderings, your celebrations, and we hope, encouragement to explore the depths of you who are as a beloved child of the Holy One. As an Anglican faith community, we seek to do this in the light of the sacred stories of scripture that shape our life together.
We are committed to being a safe and welcoming space for all God’s children, striving to be open and affirming and intergenerational, we are always learning and grateful for those who share with us on the journey and showing us new ways of inviting and helping everyone to have access to the love and grace of God.
Some terms of reference:
Liturgical Year – our liturgical year begins with Advent and moves through the mysteries of the Nativity (the birth of the Christ child), Ephiphany (when the Magi visited the Christ child) Lent, Holy Week and Easter when we consider the suffering and sorrow of Christ in death and resurrection, Ordinary Time is when we read the stories of Jesus, his teaching and calling of the disciples, and his call to us. In late summer and into fall we celebrate the Season of Creation and explore…in late October we mark All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints Day, All Souls day and all the ways God meets us in death, grief and the promise that those we love and see no longer are at home with God, forming a great cloud of witnesses who surround and uphold us in our faith.
Prayer Books – We use the 1962 Book of Common Prayer at our 8:30 Eucharist. This service is said, with no hymns or choral Mass settings. A lively, friendly group, we gather on the chancel and shift our prayers and blessings to reflect the seasons.
We use the Book of Alternative Services at our 10:30 service, as well as other approved liturgies. This service is Choral with sung hymns and Mass settings.
Intergenerational – we treasure the presence of our oldest and youngest members of our church family and seek to help them feel at home in our space.
Confession – we share in a prayer of confession most weeks, which invites us to lay down the burdens we carry, and to hear again, God’s words of forgiveness and mercy.
Eucharist – each week we are invited to a meal that reminds of God’s gracious hospitality. We welcome all who seek to know and love Christ. We receive a wafer (the bread) by standing or kneeling, and placing one hand over the other to make a cradle or a throne for the Body of Christ, and we share in received from a common (shared) chalice. We do not dip the bread into the wine, but those who prefer not to receive the common cup, are welcome to cross their arms over their chest, receiving the blessing of the cup in spirit.
Ecumenism –Ecumenism is a word that means we value and respect those who share in our Christian faith but from another tradition. St. John’s is proud to be a part of lively and life-giving ecumenical relationships in our Lunenburg and wider South Shore Community. Together we support and staff the Lunenburg Food Bank and we work together to offer regular opportunities for fellowship, support and conversation.
Inter-Faith – St. John’s respects and honours those from other faith traditions and is grateful for opportunities to expand the conversations around holiness and the expansiveness of a Creator who delights in all of life.