Please call 408-564-2435 for more information. "The first message of all our helpers is to the Lost Sheep of the Church of England".
Greetings:
We warmly invite all conditions of men to worship with us, offering these our imperfect prayers to Gracious Father. Whether an Episcopalian or friendly hearer, please call or visit our family--"For every home is a little parish", the Rev. G. Whitefield.
South Bay (Fremont & north San Jose) UECNA:
William E. Littlewood Memorial Chapel is an affiliate of the United Episcopal Church (UECNA) under the Missionary Bishop, the Most Reverend Peter Robinson (his biography). We are a lay-led Anglican community in Fremont with overlap in northern San Jose CA, giving the UECNA a physical presence (or preaching point) in the lower Bay Area. As an official congregation in the UECNA, we have a single vote at District and National Conventions. For worship we use the standard 1928 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), the 1901 Revised translation of the King James Bible (ASV), and the 1804 Protestant Episcopal hymn book. Our Episcopal leadership, together with the liturgy of common prayer, makes us truly an Apostolic people.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20
Upcoming Dates:
Third Advent Sunday Service
Dec 14th, Saturday @ 4pm, Evening Prayer
1041 Morse Street, San Jose CA
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"O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen"
Again, please contact us for more information or any questions whatsoever. We are always available!
Cell: 408 564 2435. Email: ueprochapel@gmail.com
Dec 14th, Saturday @ 4pm, Evening Prayer
1041 Morse Street, San Jose CA
***
"O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen"
Again, please contact us for more information or any questions whatsoever. We are always available!
Cell: 408 564 2435. Email: ueprochapel@gmail.com
Our Worship:
Since we are lay-led, it's no surprise our ceremony is relatively low-- having neither crosses nor candles. This is partly due to the solitary, or destitute, condition of our small company or 'extended family circle'.
But "low" also indicates a willingness to keep "the unity of true religion and bond of peace" with all Christians-- a purpose important for early American Episcopalians. Bishop Robinson described the Prayer Book which emerged from the Protestant Episcopal conventions of 1785/89, "What resulted was an abbreviated and slightly more Protestant version of the 1662 that left out many of the customs that had offended moderate Puritans" (Glad Tidings 8/2019, p. 10).
Successive revisions of the American book continued in this direction, meeting 'moderate Puritan' scruple by increasing flexibility and brevity-- that is, "removing, as far as possible, all occasion of cavil or quarrel against the liturgy" (see the Longer Preface). Keeping these principles in mind, our Protestant worship with the 1928 BCP remains as plain and universal as possible.
Finally, we wish to connect all ranks & stations of people to the American Prayer Book, metered-psalms, and Anglican private prayer. Please contact us for private services as well as class meetings (see below) held regularly in Fremont. Otherwise, we meet in San Jose CA for Public Worship-- about three times a year. We'd love to have you join our little congregation!
But "low" also indicates a willingness to keep "the unity of true religion and bond of peace" with all Christians-- a purpose important for early American Episcopalians. Bishop Robinson described the Prayer Book which emerged from the Protestant Episcopal conventions of 1785/89, "What resulted was an abbreviated and slightly more Protestant version of the 1662 that left out many of the customs that had offended moderate Puritans" (Glad Tidings 8/2019, p. 10).
Successive revisions of the American book continued in this direction, meeting 'moderate Puritan' scruple by increasing flexibility and brevity-- that is, "removing, as far as possible, all occasion of cavil or quarrel against the liturgy" (see the Longer Preface). Keeping these principles in mind, our Protestant worship with the 1928 BCP remains as plain and universal as possible.
Finally, we wish to connect all ranks & stations of people to the American Prayer Book, metered-psalms, and Anglican private prayer. Please contact us for private services as well as class meetings (see below) held regularly in Fremont. Otherwise, we meet in San Jose CA for Public Worship-- about three times a year. We'd love to have you join our little congregation!
"Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord" p. 37, BCP
Episcopalian Services:
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Judy-Faye's Home Baptism, 3/30/19
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Our little company convenes in a public way about three times a year, either enjoying Holy Communion or the Daily Office. The remainder of time is given to class meetings (see below) and family prayer at nearby homes. When doing Public Worship, we observe Days and Rites often missed by other Anglicans, say, Patriotic or National Days. Our meetings are generally in the afternoon, reserving Sunday morning hours for friends belonging to denominations or other churches within the Church of God. More can be read about our chapel-in-formation here.
As mentioned above, Public Worship is somewhat infrequent. Holy Communion (and Baptism if desired) occur upon UE clergy availability. Otherwise, private and public prayer (Evening & Morning Prayer) is lead by our lay-reader, Br. Charles Bartlett. Evening Prayer tends to be our usual service. On Sundays we typically conclude this office with the church catechism. |
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," Acts 2:46
Class Meetings:
Today, class meetings are nigh extinct among Anglicans. However, although only a private service, during the 18th-century such meetings were fairly common among pious Churchmen. In order to make "our calling and election sure", we follow the plan of societal gatherings known by evangelical Anglican clergy like the Revs. Vincent Perronet, John Fletcher, William Grimshaw, Thomas Charles, and (on our side of the 'water') Laurence Coughlan & Thomas Vasey. Class meetings are a category of private worship, so they are held between Public Services.
Our class members follow a General Rule (or Rule of Life) pledging three parts. First, to avoid evil of every kind; second, doing good of every possible sort to all men; and, third, attending upon all the Ordinances of God. The general rule is a convenient way of monitoring our improvement in the Christian walk. The class meetings are inter-denominational in character, only asking attendees “to flee the coming wrath, and be saved from their sin". Given right opportunity & season, we gently encourage hearers at our Public Worship, and other events, to consider Class Meetings.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. Heb. 12:14