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WORSHIP
Worship is central to St. Paul's corporate life. On Sundays, and on many other days throughout the year, gathering to worship and praise God is what drives our parish.
Supporting our worship are a number of ministries, all of them involving lay parishioners. They exist to make those who come to St. Paul's feel welcome and engaged and to help make the liturgy as beautiful and meaningful as possible.
If you would like to serve in one of our worship ministries, please contact the office or speak to someone at the church. Following are brief descriptions of the many ministries that are part of our worship services.
Acolytes
The Book of Common Prayer states, "At all celebrations of the Liturgy, it is fitting that the principal celebrant, whether bishop or priest, be assisted by other priests, and by deacons and lay persons (p.322 & 354)."
When serving at the altar, or acolyting, one is doing just that: actively assisting the celebrant in the worship of God.
Worship is a group event, where all come together offering their gifts, talents, skill, and abilities in praise of God.
Acolytes are needed because they have a special ministry to perform at each service. Acolytes are ministers of the church. They are much more than just candle lighters and offering receivers. They are a part of a tradition that dates back to the early years of the church and that has had one aim: to give praise to God and to help worshipers to see something of God's goodness and glory.
St. Paul's welcomes acolytes of all ages. At every service, whether or Sunday or another special day in the life of our church, acolytes are needed to light the candles, carry the cross or a torch or a banner and serve the altar. Youth as young as 12 may serve in this vital ministry.
Altar Guild
The basic motivation for serving on the Altar Guild is gratitude for all of God's mighty acts.
Since the worship space is a place where people of faith assemble, there are several guidelines for it: beauty, simplicity, quality, worthiness, and appropriateness.
Members of the Altar Guild are responsible for preparing the settings for the corporate liturgical life of the congregation, including setting the altar for the Eucharist, keeping the holy vessels clean and safe and maintaining the hangings which drape the pulpit at each service.
Bread Bakers
The bread bakers prepare communion bread for Sunday services and other church-related functions (weddings, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, etc.). Currently, there are 14 bread bakers in the ministry.
Using an easy recipe for whole wheat/honey bread, the participants usually prepare bread about every two months. The bread is delivered to the sacristy before 7:30 a.m. on Sunday for the Altar Guild to set up for services.
If you would like to know more about this ministry, please contact Cyndi Anderson at 215-247-3582 or
cander1016@aol.com.
Choir
St. Paul's Choir is comprised of 40 singers. In addition to our many excellent volunteers, we are fortunate to have on staff six of the most outstanding soloists in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
The choir provides music for all 10:30 a.m. principal services from mid-September through Trinity Sunday, and on those second Sundays when Evensong is sung.
Other highlights of the choir season include a choral service in late
October; the Candlelight Carol Service (always on the second Sunday of December) that has become a much-loved tradition in the parish and in the community; and a joint evensong with the choir of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in the spring.
The Choir's repertoire spans six centuries and a variety of styles. Membership is by audition. Prerequisites are music-reading skills, a pleasing voice and the willingness to make strong commitment to the schedule of rehearsals and services. Rehearsals
are on Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Flower Arrangers
The Flower Committee is responsible for arranging the memorial flowers on the altar each Sunday. They also decorate the church and the altar at Christmas and Easter.
Memorial donations are collected by the church at the beginning of each year designating a specific Sunday. The donations are put into a separate fund for use during the year.
The committee is divided into teams. Each team is responsible for assigned Sundays throughout the year. Flowers are selected by the team - generally costing about $50 - from various suppliers with whom St. Paul's has an account. The arranging is usually done on Saturday mornings and placed on the altar for the Sunday services.
All members are encouraged to come Christmas Eve and the Saturday before Easter to help decorate the church for those festive celebrations.
We welcome those who wish to learn and those who are already experienced to join our ministry. If a member has little or no flower arranging experience, she or he is teamed with veteran arrangers. We have very talented arrangers who are happy to share their expertise.
Greeters at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service
Two greeters serve each Sunday. They greet everyone but look for those who are new to the parish. Newcomers are welcomed and given as much assistance as they need before and after the service. Greeters serve on a regular basis, about every six weeks, so they get to know the congregation.
Lay Chalice Bearers
At all services of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays and at other special celebrations, lay chalice bearers assist the clergy by distributing the wine at Communion.
Interested parishioners are sought each spring. They must be approved by the vestry and then licensed for a three-year term by the bishop. Lay chalice bearers serve about once every four or five weeks.
Lectors and Intercessors
The lectors and intercessors, 45 strong, are recruited by Rick Alexander. Lectors and intercessors at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services are scheduled seasonally, and receive readings and instructions in advance for preparation. Anyone age 12 or older is eligible to read; however, the rota is somewhat limited in order to give readers a chance to read frequently enough to feel comfortable in this ministry role. New members sign on for a three-year commitment, and read about five times a year.
Ushers at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service
Four ushers serve on Sundays at the principal service. They hand out leaflets, take up the offering, bring forward the communion elements and assist communicants at the steps. They work under the direction of a head usher and serve four or five times a year.
Ushers/Greeters at the 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday services
Two usher/greeters are needed for each of these Sunday services. They hand out service leaflets and serve as a welcoming presence, especially to those new to our parish. Ushers/greeters serve on a regular basis, about every six weeks.
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