Sunday Worship
Three services each Sunday, and a place for you at every one of them.
Episcopal worship at St. Francis makes a sacred space to rest and be renewed by God's spirit, and people of every age are welcome to take part. Whichever service you choose, you will find the Holy Eucharist, singing, and a congregation glad you came.
7:45 in the morning
In personA shorter, quieter Eucharist of about forty five to fifty minutes, mostly spoken, with soft instrumental music running through it. If you are looking for stillness and room to reflect before the week begins, this is the one to come to.
- Rite II Eucharist, in the Church
- Contemplative in feel, with instrumental music rather than hymn singing
- Book of Common Prayer, with a bulletin provided
9:00 in the morning
In person and livestreamedOur warmest front door for households with young children, and the service with the most energy in it. Choir, organ and hymn singing blend with contemporary music from our Parish Song Book, so there is something familiar here for most people.
- Rite II Eucharist, in the Church
- Children's Chapel for kindergarten through fifth grade during the service, returning to their families for Holy Communion
- Acolytes serving from elementary through high school
- Bulletin provided with the whole service printed in it
11:00 in the morning
In person and livestreamedA fuller service shaped by rich musical tradition and beloved liturgy, the one many of our longtime members know and love. If the sung Episcopal service is what you grew up with, you will feel at home here.
- Rite II Eucharist, in the Church
- Choir and organ leading the music
- Acolytes serving at the altar
- Book of Common Prayer and Hymnal, with a bulletin provided
Children at the 9:00 service
As part of our 9:00 service we offer a safe, healthy and nurturing experience for every child from birth through fifth grade.
Birth to three years
Our nursery is staffed and ready, in the Youth and Children building immediately to the right of the Church. Every child is signed in and out by a parent or adult caregiver.
Age four through fifth grade
Children are invited to a worship experience shaped for them, with stories, activities and crafts that carry the same message the congregation is hearing. They return at the Peace, so that you may bring them to the Communion rail to receive Communion or a blessing.
What to expect in the Church
When you arrive, an usher will greet you and hand you a service bulletin, the printed booklet holding our prayers, readings and hymns, everything you need to follow along. Sit wherever you like.
Our liturgy comes from The Book of Common Prayer, which reaches back to the sixteenth century, though we use a contemporary version of it. That is the red book in the pew back. Most of the congregational responses are printed in the bulletin as well, so you need not hunt for them. The blue hymnal and the green song book are in the pew back too, and we hope you will sing.
We celebrate Holy Communion at every service. If you have questions about receiving it, the Communion questions page answers the ones we are asked most.
A few questions people actually ask
What should I wear?
We welcome all kinds of people, and all kinds of styles. Many people land somewhere around dressy casual: slacks with a button down or a polo, a casual dress or business casual. Others come in jeans, particularly during football season. Wear whatever you are most comfortable in.
What is liturgy?
Our services follow a set order of events called a liturgy, from an old Greek word meaning the work of the people. If the style is new to you it may feel awkward at first, though like dancing you will get used to it. It is an ancient and biblical way to pray, it makes sure we worship together as one body, and week by week it reminds us who God is, who we are, and what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Kneel, sit or stand?
In liturgical worship we pray with our whole bodies. At different moments we kneel, usually to pray, we sit, usually to listen, and we stand to show honour and reverence. Some people make the sign of the cross as a physical reminder that Christ is for us. Where these things help you, do them freely. Where they trouble your conscience or are physically difficult, let them pass. As we say in the Episcopal Church, all may, some should, none must.
More questions about our worship
There are fuller answers on the Worship questions page, covering the books in the pew back, why people bow or kneel on the way in, who the people in robes are, and how Holy Communion works.
Assistive listening
You are welcome to listen to the service through your own Bluetooth device, whether a hearing aid, ear buds or headphones. Our goal is to give you everything you need to worship comfortably here.
- Download the Listen Everywhere app, a Wi-Fi audio streaming app, from your app store.
- Connect your phone to the SF Accessibility Wi-Fi network using the password above.
- Open the app and tap Venue Scan when prompted.
- When a picture of our church appears, choose the KMBW channel.
Please note: your audio device will need to be at full volume to hear clearly. If you would like a hand setting it up, ask at the sound booth and someone will gladly help you.
Coming for the first time
You need not know what you are doing, and nobody will single you out. Come as you are, sit wherever you like, and join in as much or as little as you wish.