New To Our Worship?
What you can anticipate during a service!
To view our FAQ’s for those new to St. Paul’s, simply click the little “+” sign to toggle the questions open and closed!
What happens when I first arrive?
- There will be a sidesperson (greeter) inside who will give you a bulletin which outlines the the order of worship, help you find a seat and answer any preliminary questions you may have.
- You may sit anywhere you like. Don’t worry about taking “someone else’s seat”. If it’s empty, it’s your seat.
- If there is music, words to hymns and songs will be projected on the screen at the front so you only need a hymn book if you want the music for the hymns (not the songs).
- The text spoken by the priest and the congregation is found in the red “Book of Common Prayer” or in the green “Book of Alternative Services” which are handed out with the bulletin. The page numbers are listed in the bulletin and the bulletin will tell you what book we are using for the worship service that day. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly when to sit or stand and only join in the service when you feel comfortable.
Do my children stay with me?
- It’s up to you. They’re most welcome to stay in the service. We like kids.
- Toddler nursery, and children’s program (up to about age 11) are offered during the 10:30 am worship time.
- The children begin in the church with their families and rejoin the congregation before the celebration of Holy Communion so that all may receive communion together.
What are the Sunday services like?
- The “early” Sunday service begins at 8:00 am and ends at approximately 9:00 am. The 10:30 am worship ends at approximately at 12:00 noon. Both times of worship almost always are Holy Communion though very occasionally we have Morning Prayer. On Thursday morning at 10:00 am worship lasts about 45 minutes. Mostly it uses The Book of Alternative Services though quite often we use a variety of other liturgies.
- The communion service consists of two main parts, the first to do with the word of God, the Holy Scriptures and the second is the sacrament, the eucharist. This basic structure is followed in both the Book of Common Prayer and Book of Alternative Services, though there are some minor differences in how those two broad sections are put together.
- Coming to the Lord’s Table: this is the Lord’s Table and all who belong to Christ and have entered into that belonging through baptism are welcome! And it doesn’t matter what is one’s church background – you do not have to be Anglican nor do you have to be confirmed to receive communion. We use bread (regular or gluten-free) and wine from a common cup. Communicants are welcome to receive the bread and drink from the cup or simply receive the bread. If you do not wish to receive communion, you can choose to come forward at the time of Communion and receive a blessing from the priest and then return to your seat.
- Our music includes hymns and praise-style songs, all of which are usually projected on the screen at the front.
- You can participate as much or as little as you like. If you just want to sit quietly and watch, that’s fine. You won’t be singled out.
- Please join us for coffee/refreshments following the 10:30 am time of worship in the Parish Hall. After the 8:00 am worship a number of people go to a local restaurant to have breakfast together. All are welcome to go for breakfast.
May I receive Holy Communion?
- Any baptized Christian who receives Communion in his or her own church is welcome to receive at St. Paul’s as well.
- The norm in our parish is that children be baptized before receiving Communion.
- If you are not able to receive communion you are still welcome to come forward to the altar rail for a blessing. Fold your arms over your chest in an “X” to signal that you will not take the Sacrament but would appreciate a blessing.
Still have questions? We are happy to help! Visit our “Contact Us” page and you can either send your questions via e-mail or call us for assistance.
Wheelchair Accessible
Hearing Assistance Available
Large Print Available
Gluten Free Wafer Available
Come to a service!
Scripture
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NRSV-A)