St. Paul's - Worship


SUNDAYS AT EIGHT O'CLOCK we celebrate the Holy Eucharist using the language of the Book of Common Prayer. The service has two hymns and a homily and lasts just under an hour. Everyone is welcome to stay for coffee afterwards.

THE SUNDAY TEN O'CLOCK LITURGY is a musical celebration of the Holy Eucharist using contemporary language. We sing a mixture of old and new music ably supported by a fine choir under the direction of our organist. During the liturgy, we provide a professionally supervised nursery for infants and young children. Older children stay for the first part of the service and leave for their own Sunday School program after they have been invited to come to the chancel step for a talk. On occasion, the children return in time to join their families for communion. Refreshments are available after the service and all are welcome to stay and chat.

WEDNESDAY MORNING AT TEN HOLY COMMUNION is celebrated using the language of the Book of Common Prayer. The service is wonderfully intimate and Anointing for Healing is offered directly after communion. Coffee and tea follow.

Please select one of the following for more information:

SUNDAY WORSHIP

The church is above all a place of worship. To worship means to recognize that true worth is to be found in an ever-deepening relationship with God. Worship is part of who we are, it is why we were created by God. We believe that sooner or later we all come to that place of awe and wonder, of worship and gratitude. We worship in times of joy and in times of sorrow; when baptisms and weddings are celebrated, and at funerals when we give thanks for departed loved ones. Worship nurtures that spiritual relationship which is foundational to a healthy and whole life. All of life has within it an experience of God, a calling to love, serve and praise God more. Worship is what provides strength for daily living, reminding us about who we are, and whose we are.

One of the first things you'll discover about us is that we love our beautiful old church and we enjoy sharing it with others. First-time visitors often comment on how friendly and genuine we are.

We understand how hard it is to walk into a new church for the first time, especially if you haven't been to church for a while. You may wonder, will I know what to do? Will people stare at me? Will they make me stand up?

Rest assured that no one will ask you to stand up and introduce yourself. Although people will greet you, no one will stare at you and you will not be singled out. If, after the liturgy, you'd like to meet some of us, please join us for coffee and fellowship. If not, that's fine. We'll be glad to know that you've worshipped with us and we'll hope that you'll come back. We have Guest Books that we encourage you to sign before you leave. They are located close to the two main entrance doors into the church.

A word about our style of worship. If you are unfamiliar with Anglican liturgy, our worship may seem elaborate, complicated, perhaps even a bit confusing at times. Regular attendance will take care of that. In the meantime, no one will care how fully you participate. No one will judge you. If you've lost your place, anyone sitting around you will be happy to help if you ask them. And remember, it's always appropriate simply to sit, watch and listen.

Chancel Guild

The Chancel Guild is responsible for the preparation of the sanctuary for all types of worship, including weddings and funerals. They maintain the linens and vestments in pristine condition, decorate the church according to the season, and coordinate arrangements for flowers.

Chalice Bearers

In the Anglican tradition we receive both the bread and the wine of Holy Communion. Typically the bread is distributed by the priest and the wine is served from a common chalice (cup) by a lay person. At St. Paul's there are usually two lay people administering the wine at the 10 o'clock liturgy. These individuals receive training and serve on a rotational basis.  

Choir

Music in liturgy is part of the overall worship experience. Each week at St. Paul's our choir endeavours to enrich the worship experience through their music. The Parish Choir sings weekly at our 10 am service under the able direction of our organist and choir director, Emanda Richards.  The choir has a mid-week practise from 8:00-9:30 each Wednesday.

Readers and Intercessors

Readers read a lesson from the Bible during the service. The Church Secretary prepares advance copies of the readings so that each reader may become familiar with his or her text. Intercessors lead the prayers of the people at the services. The format of the prayers is also supplied in advance.

Servers Guild

Servers perform a much needed function at St. Paul's, assisting the priest and adding to the beauty of the worship services. Servers lead processions carrying the cross and candles. They also assist at the altar, helping to set the table. Serving is a wonderful way to meet and grow in friendship with other members of St. Paul's Church family. If you would like to take part and learn more about faith, speak to the priest about becoming a server. It is open to anyone over the age of 10.

Sidespeople

Sidespeople are those friendly faces at the door to the church each Sunday. These volunteers are there to make worshippers feel comfortable and, above all, welcome. Sidespeople greet worshippers, hand out bulletins and help find seating, if help is needed. They're the traffic guides to the altar during Communion, and they also take your offering with a smile.
 

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

Baptism

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a Christian and a member of the Church. All ministry originates in baptism. Therefore, living out one's baptism is at the heart of our life together. If you desire to be baptized or have your child baptized, we think that is wonderful. We take baptism very seriously at St. Paul's and want to ensure that baptism has the full significance and meaning that it deserves. We will require you to participate in a preparation course and a rehearsal. The dates for baptism are set well in advance. Call the office to request an appointment to meet with our priest.

Confirmation

The meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation lies in the original meaning of the Latin word confirmare – to strengthen. In confirmation a person is strengthened or renewed by prayer and the laying-on of hands by the Bishop. Confirmation takes place in a person's life when it becomes important to confirm baptismal promises made on their behalf as an infant. It is a time when a person makes their own solemn commitment to the Christian faith.

If you wish to be confirmed, you will be asked to attend a series of instructional gatherings, attend church regularly, find an area of ministry within the parish that you can fulfil, and choose a sponsor to present you to the Bishop. Different courses of instruction are provided for young people and adults. Please contact the priest for details.

Funerals

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life of someone at the end of their journey in this world and to commend them into God's keeping.

The Funeral service of the Anglican Church can be simple and quiet with only a few members of the family present or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church. It is strongly recommended that the funeral take place in the parish church, though it may also be conducted in a funeral home chapel or a crematorium chapel. The service will be based on the Book of Alternative Services.

Whatever the pattern of service, the words and actions all speak of a loving God and the preciousness to him of every human being, and, in particular, the person you love who has died.

Anglican clergy see the taking of funerals as an important part of the church's work and will gladly give time to talk to those who are facing loss, to be with them in their pain, and to help to arrange whatever kind of funeral service is most appropriate. For further information, please contact the church office.

Weddings

Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may. It is essential that at least one of couple has been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Wedding services at St. Paul's are a very important ministry of the church. For that reason, we spend considerable time to ensure that all weddings are firmly based on a Christian understanding of marriage. We follow policy guidelines that require marriage preparation for couples and some quite specific requirements for the ceremony itself.

These guidelines, together with a schedule of fees and various optional and additional services, are set out in a separate and detailed document available from the priest after an initial meeting to determine if a Christian wedding at St. Paul's is right for you.