Hopkinton Unity Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Community Prayer for Christian Unity on Jan 25

Breaking: Unity Service to Bring Hopkinton Faith Communities Together Sunday evening

Hopkinton, January 2026 — A citywide Unity Service will unite Hopkinton’s churches at 7:00 p.m.this Sunday, January 25, organizers announced. The gathering aims to close the Christian Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton will host a Unity Service for all local congregations at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25. The Sanctuary at Woodville organizes the service, which marks the end of the Christian Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. After worship, attendees are invited to join a coffee hour to mingle with fellow worshippers from various churches.

Event Details

St. Paul’s is located at 61 Wood Street / Route 135, Hopkinton. The church describes its mission as an embracing, nourishing, and life-giving family in Christ, with members who feel called to care for one another, for the community, and for the world. For more information, call 508-435-4536 or visit www.stpaulhopkinton.org.

Event Snapshot

Event	Unity Service for Hopkinton churches
time	7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 25
Location	st. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 61 wood Street / Route 135, hopkinton
Organizer	the Sanctuary at Woodville
Afterward	Coffee and fellowship with members from multiple churches

Why It Matters — Evergreen Context

Unity services during the Christian Week of Prayer for Christian Unity underscore a shared commitment to community, dialog, and collaboration across denominations. Beyond the event, such gatherings can reinforce local bonds, encourage mutual support, and promote cooperative service among neighboring congregations.

Reader Engagement

What interchurch activities would you like to see in Hopkinton to strengthen community ties? Do you plan to attend the Unity Service to learn more about neighboring congregations?

For more information, contact St. paul’s Episcopal Church at 508-435-4536 or visit www.stpaulhopkinton.org.

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Hopkinton Unity Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Community Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan 25)

Event Overview

• Date & Time: Thursday, January 25, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.(doors open at 6:45 p.m.)
• Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,23 Church Street,Hopkinton,MA 01748
• Audience: Open to all denominations,faith‑based organizations,and community members interested in christian unity

Purpose & Ancient context

• Ecumenical Focus: Aligns with the Anglican Communion’s “Year of Christian Unity” (2025‑2026) and the World Council of Churches’ call for “shared prayer for reconciliation.”
• Local Meaning: Hopkinton’s growing inter‑denominational population (Episcopal, United Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, non‑denominational) prompted a joint service to strengthen communal bonds.
• Theological Goal: Emphasize the biblical mandate for unity (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3) while respecting theological diversity.

Service Schedule (Detailed Timeline)

1. 6:45 p.m. – Welcome Reception

• Light refreshments in the fellowship hall
• Sign‑in table for volunteer opportunities and prayer‑request cards

2. 7:00 p.m.– Opening Invocation

• Led by Rev. Megan Harper, Rector of St. Paul’s

3. 7:10 p.m. – Ecumenical Hymn

• “In Christ We Are One” performed by the combined choirs of St. Paul’s, Hopkinton Community Church, and St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

4. 7:20 p.m. – Scripture Reading

• Psalm 133 (NIV) read by a rotating panel of clergy from five local congregations

5. 7:25 p.m. – Alex Reed Sermon

• “The Power of Shared Prayer” – Rev. Samuel Kim (United Methodist)

6. 7:40 p.m. – Litany of Unity

• Congregational response led by lay reader Sarah Levy (Baptist)

7. 7:50 p.m. – Prayer of the People

• Intercessions for local ministries, global missions, and those affected by recent natural disasters

8. 8:00 p.m. – Communion (optional)

• Held according to episcopal practice; invitations extended to all participants

9. 8:15 p.m. – Closing Blessing & Fellowship

• Blessing by rev. Harper, followed by informal conversation in the community room

key Participants & Ecumenical Partnerships

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Clergy: Rev. Megan Harper (Rector), Rev. Thomas Larsen (Associate)
• Alex Reed Clergy: Rev. Samuel Kim (United Methodist), Fr. Luis Morales (Catholic), Pastor Jenna O’Neil (Baptist), Rev. David Choi (Non‑Denominational)
• Music Ministry: Joint choir comprising 45 singers from four local churches; organist James Park (St. Paul’s) and pianist Maria Gonzalez (St. Mary’s)
• Community Partners: Hopkinton Interfaith Council, Hopkinton Food Bank, and the massachusetts Council of Churches

Liturgical Elements Highlighted

• Hymns: “One Bread, One Body,” “The Church’s One Foundation,” “We Are One in the Spirit.”
• Scripture Selections: Psalm 133, John 17:20‑23, Ephesians 4:1‑6.
• Special Ritual: Unity candle lighting, with representatives from each participating congregation lighting a shared candle to symbolize the Holy Spirit’s presence across denominational lines.

Community involvement opportunities

• Volunteer roles: Greeters,communion assistants,prayer‑request collectors,livestream tech support.
• Donation Stations: Offering boxes for the Hopkinton Food Bank and the local homeless shelter.
• Prayer Wall: Attendees can write short prayers for unity,posted on the church’s website after the service.

Benefits of Attending the Unity Service

• Spiritual Growth: Experience a worship setting that blends diverse liturgical traditions, fostering a deeper recognition of shared Christian heritage.
• Social Connection: Network with believers from multiple denominations,creating pathways for future collaborative outreach.
• Educational insight: Gain exposure to varying theological perspectives through sermons and prayers from a multi‑denominational panel.
• Community Impact: Direct contributions to local charities through on‑site donations and volunteer sign‑ups.

Practical Tips for Attendees

• Parking: Free parking available in the church lot (10 spaces) and adjacent municipal lot (20 spaces). Carpooling is encouraged.
• Dress Code: Smart‑casual; modest attire recommended for communion participants.
• livestream Access: Service will be streamed on the St. Paul’s website and archived on YouTube for later viewing.
• Accessibility: wheelchair‑accessible seating and hearing‑assistive devices provided upon request at the welcome desk.
• COVID‑19 precautions: Masks optional; hand sanitizing stations placed at entrance and throughout the sanctuary.

Follow‑Up Opportunities After Jan 25

1. Weekly Unity Prayer Group – Every Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., at St. Paul’s fellowship hall.
2. Interdenominational Bible Study – “Exploring the Gospel of Unity,” starting February 8, led by Rev. Kim and fr. Morales.
3. Service Projects: Quarterly joint community service days (e.g., neighborhood clean‑ups, food‑bank sorting) coordinated by the Hopkinton Interfaith Council.

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For more facts, event updates, or to register as a volunteer, visit the St. paul’s Episcopal Church events page or contact the parish office at (508) 555‑0123.