Ministry of Worship

The Altar Guild of St. Paul’s is supported by a group of very dedicated members who for many years have served their Lord by preparing the church for all worship services. Guild members prepare for services by cleaning and polishing, decorating our sanctuary with candles and hangings, setting the table with fine linen and silver. We find great joy in preparing a place for the great celebration when Christ comes to be with his people in the breaking of the Bread. The time commitment is minimal, with approximately one hour of prep time and a half hour for clean up after Sunday services. A comprehensive training manual, complete with pictures is included in the training. New members (including men) are always needed and are most welcome. Members find this a fulfilling ministry!
Coordinator: Nancy Pollock

Music is such a fundamental part of our Christian heritage. It is often said that by singing to God, you pray twice. The St. Paul’s Adult Choir normally helps lead our congregation in joyful music to God and serves at our Sunday morning service and most of our special services throughout the year.  The Choir performs a variety of anthems that appropriately align with the scripture readings. These dedicated parishioners faithfully donate their time and talents to sing every Sunday from September through June, and the Choir takes a brief hiatus during the summer months. If you enjoy singing and are interested in singing with the St. Paul’s Choir, please join them for their Thursday evening rehearsals during the months of September through June.  We welcome all who wish to share their voices for the glory of God.
Music Minister:  Lisa Hartman

When we receive the bread and the wine during the Eucharist, we are touching and being touched by God. It is sacred and powerful when a Bread Baker prepares bread that is then blessed, broken, and distributed to be, the spiritual food of Christ. You don’t have to be a baker as we will share recipes and techniques when we get together. New bakers are always welcome.
Coordinator: Jan Berry Schroeder

Eucharistic ministers at St. Paul’s assist the Rector during worship services. Eucharistic ministers lead the reading of the Psalms and the Prayers of the People; however, their primary responsibility is to assist the priest in administering the Holy Eucharist to the congregation. Those who are members of this ministry find their service as Eucharistic ministers, particularly distributing the body and blood of Christ to their worship community, to be deeply enriching.  St Paul’s is blessed to have 21 men and women currently serving as Eucharistic ministers.  We are eager to add members to the guild, will provide mentoring to make our newer members comfortable serving on the altar, and invite anybody who feels called to service to please contact Reverend Maxine.

The members of the Flower Guild arrange the altar and Narthex flowers each week to beautify our worship space. They also lead the way in decorating our church for major liturgical holidays and offer us beautiful long-lasting greens arrangements during the annual Christmas Greens Sale. New volunteers are always welcome! A love of flowers and no experience needed.  We work in pairs, and training is provided.
Coordinator: Nancy Long

Altar Flowers
The beautiful flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God by members of our congregation who want to remember a loved one or give thanksgiving for the people and events in their lives.  Requests can be made for a specific Sunday to coincide with remembrances and celebrations. A donation of $65 is requested to help with the cost of the flowers; payable to “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,” with a note- Altar Flowers- on the memo line. There are forms for requests on the bulletin board in the Lockwood Reilly building and at the back of the church.
Please click here for a copy of the request form.

St. Paul’s is fortunate to have a committed group of members to read the lessons each Sunday and during special services throughout the Church Year. Two people are assigned to read at each of the worship services. A schedule is prepared and distributed monthly, listing both the readings and the people assigned to them.  For more information on becoming a reader for Sunday services, please contact the Church Office or Rev. Maxine.

Worship would not be possible without the personable and well-trained ushers of St. Paul’s. Our ushers are the first ones to greet us upon arriving for worship and then keep everything moving – from bringing down the alms basins to directing the flow of our receiving communion. It is all the more remarkable, because they exercise their ministry in such a loving and giving way – without drawing attention to themselves. It is a ministry for which we are all grateful. There are rotating teams of ushers for all services, so that no one individual is serving too frequently. If you think that this ministry might be right for you, contact Pastor Maxine.