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Worship at SFTS

Worship is a vital part of community life on the San Anselmo campus. The Worship and Ministry Team supervises worship activities including daily chapel services and special events. This team includes the chaplain, the chaplain's assistants, the professor of Church Music, and the chaplain's associate for Worship & Music.

Worship services, generally conducted in the Reformed tradition, are held four times a week during the academic year, daily during the summer term, and for special observances.

Daily services begin at 10:15 a.m. and rotate between Stewart Memorial Chapel in Geneva Hall and Montgomery Chapel. The Monday service is a traditional Presbyterian worship service, Tuesday is a contemplative prayer service, Thursday is a praise service, and Friday is a communion service with students, faculty, staff, and invited guests preaching and leading the half-hour worship services.

After chapel, the community is invited to meet for a brief time of fellowship and refreshments before heading to class or back to work.

Special Services
Throughout the academic year, several special worship services are conducted by the Worship and Ministry Team.

Annual Service of Lessons & Carols
The largest special service on the San Anselmo campus is the Annual Service of Lessons & Carols held on the first weekend of Advent. Begun in December of 1975 by Dr's. David Esler and Wil Russell, the service follows the pattern and liturgy of the Festival as presented in King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England. Over the years, the liturgy has been modified to include some contemporary musical compositions. However, the basic format of the service has remained unchanged from its rich original mix of selected scripture lessons, Advent hymns, and Christmas carols.

Integral to the service is the involvement and support of the San Anselmo community. Community leaders, business people, and friends of the Seminary are invited to participate in the service and many community members attend on an annual basis.

Baccalaureate Service
An integral part of the annual commencement exercises is the baccalaureate service held the evening prior to commencement. This service is traditionally written, organized and produced by graduating seniors and is a time that brings together family, friends, faculty, staff, and students. This service is the only time during the year that both the Northern and Southern campuses meet together for worship.

Other Special Services
On the event of a special visit to San Francisco Theological Seminary by the current moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Seminary hosts a worship service for the SFTS community as well as members from the surrounding presbyteries. Worship is usually followed by community lunch and a time to discuss current issues with the moderator.

Other special events include the installation of an officer or faculty member, the annual Faith & the Common Good fall lecture and the Thomas Verner Moore spring lecture series.