Worship at St. Paul's

What to expect when you visit St. Paul's?

You will find all sorts of people in the pews: babies, children, parents, various races and nationalities, "new" people and "old" people, people who look like they know what they are doing and people who don't look like they know what they are doing, males and females at the altar, and good volunteer choirs all joining as one in the offering of worship that is at once very traditional, yet very meaningful and relevant.

You will be welcomed. If someone senses that you are a visitor he or she may offer to help you find your place in the Prayer Book. You may accept the offer, or simply say, "no thank you, I just want to sit and observe."

All of your senses will be touched during the course of mass. Your ears will hear the spoken and sung voice along with the sounds of the pipe organ and bells. Your hands will be able to touch holy water upon entering, yourself as you make the "sign of the cross" and the hands of fellow human beings as we share the Peace of the Lord. Your eyes will see light and shadow, rich colors cast by stained glass windows and candles flickering in banks of votive prayer lights, and historic art intended to express visually the Faith of the Church. You nose will smell incense, and your tongue taste the Bread of Heaven and the Cup of Salvation. Traditional Christian worship is very active, and invites the participation of the entire congregation.

A bulletin with what at first might seem a very complicated order of service and directions on how to find you way through two books and a leaflet of Bible readings will be offered to you.

Lots of Bible reading. Lots of silence. Lots of praying.

A sermon.

The Lord's Supper.

And a congregation dismissed to serve God in others.