Altar Guild
O Loving Savior, we pray you to send your blessings upon this Altar Guild and the work of all its members; give us your grace that we may be loyal to your Holy Church and faithful in our care of holy things. Grant that as we adorn and make ready your altar, we may learn greater love and reverence for all that belongs to your service, and through all outward symbols come to a clearer vision of the inward and spiritual truth taught by them. We ask this for your sake, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear Friends,
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to prepare our church for worship? Candles are filled, trimmed and lit, linens are pressed, sacred vessels are set in their places, all small acts of care that create a setting of beauty and reverence for our gathered rituals.
The people who tend to these details belong to the Altar Guild, a quiet but vital ministry of the church. Serving on the Altar Guild is not about being in the spotlight; it’s about supporting the heart of our communal life through reverence, attentiveness, and hospitality.
What does the commitment look like?
Why join?
Many discover that Altar Guild work becomes a form of prayer: a quiet rhythm that draws you closer to God. Others simply enjoy serving in the background, knowing their efforts make worship flow more smoothly for everyone. However you approach it, this ministry offers a meaningful way to participate in the life of our parish.
If you feel called - or even just curious - we would love to welcome you. Training and support are provided, and you’ll always be paired with experienced members. I f you’d like to learn more, please reach out!
With gratitude,
Annette Blue [email protected] & Pamela Buckingham [email protected], Co-Chairs
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to prepare our church for worship? Candles are filled, trimmed and lit, linens are pressed, sacred vessels are set in their places, all small acts of care that create a setting of beauty and reverence for our gathered rituals.
The people who tend to these details belong to the Altar Guild, a quiet but vital ministry of the church. Serving on the Altar Guild is not about being in the spotlight; it’s about supporting the heart of our communal life through reverence, attentiveness, and hospitality.
What does the commitment look like?
- Members serve on a Team, once a month, on a Saturday and Sunday. 5th Sundays rotate through the Teams, by quarter.
- Arrive early on the Sunday your team is scheduled to help prepare, and stay briefly after worship to tidy and reset.
- If you’re unavailable, you can let your captain know and arrange a substitute.
Why join?
Many discover that Altar Guild work becomes a form of prayer: a quiet rhythm that draws you closer to God. Others simply enjoy serving in the background, knowing their efforts make worship flow more smoothly for everyone. However you approach it, this ministry offers a meaningful way to participate in the life of our parish.
If you feel called - or even just curious - we would love to welcome you. Training and support are provided, and you’ll always be paired with experienced members. I f you’d like to learn more, please reach out!
With gratitude,
Annette Blue [email protected] & Pamela Buckingham [email protected], Co-Chairs
Readers, Subdeacons & Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs)
Lead, serve, inspire — join our worship team as a Reader, Subdeacon or Lay Eucharistic Minister! Contact Fr. Mauricio, [email protected]
READERS
The readings we hear in church follow the Revised Common lectionary, a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The lectionary follows a three-year cycle and prescribes an Old Testament reading, a psalm, a New Testament Reading, and a reading from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
An ordained person always reads the Gospel reading. However, other readings may be read by lay people. At St. Paul’s, Lay Readers read the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the People. No specific training is required but preparation and reflection on the assigned reading is recommended. If you like bringing the Word of God to life, this ministry is for you!
SUBDEACONS
Subdeacons are adult lay ministers who assist the deacon with worship. Fun fact: if there is no deacon serving, there is no subdeacon! Subdeacons may also be licensed as lay eucharistic ministers, which allows them to administer the sacraments. As it turns out, all subdeacons at St. Paul’s are licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors are liturgical leaders who have undertaken specific training in cooperation with and supervision by their clergy, and licensing through the diocese. Eucharistic Ministers function as both a minister of the word and a minister of the table. They are called to be representatives of their community; to speak the heartfelt prayers of all in a manner that allows all to participate with open hearts and spirits. Preparation, practice, mindfulness and facility with the structures and content of Holy Scripture and Episcopal worship are imperative for those seeking to fully pursue this God-given calling.
Licensing of lay eucharistic ministers is done through the diocese and involves completion of an online, downloadable course (6-8 weeks) followed by diocesan training and licensing.
READERS
The readings we hear in church follow the Revised Common lectionary, a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The lectionary follows a three-year cycle and prescribes an Old Testament reading, a psalm, a New Testament Reading, and a reading from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
An ordained person always reads the Gospel reading. However, other readings may be read by lay people. At St. Paul’s, Lay Readers read the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the People. No specific training is required but preparation and reflection on the assigned reading is recommended. If you like bringing the Word of God to life, this ministry is for you!
SUBDEACONS
Subdeacons are adult lay ministers who assist the deacon with worship. Fun fact: if there is no deacon serving, there is no subdeacon! Subdeacons may also be licensed as lay eucharistic ministers, which allows them to administer the sacraments. As it turns out, all subdeacons at St. Paul’s are licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors are liturgical leaders who have undertaken specific training in cooperation with and supervision by their clergy, and licensing through the diocese. Eucharistic Ministers function as both a minister of the word and a minister of the table. They are called to be representatives of their community; to speak the heartfelt prayers of all in a manner that allows all to participate with open hearts and spirits. Preparation, practice, mindfulness and facility with the structures and content of Holy Scripture and Episcopal worship are imperative for those seeking to fully pursue this God-given calling.
Licensing of lay eucharistic ministers is done through the diocese and involves completion of an online, downloadable course (6-8 weeks) followed by diocesan training and licensing.
Acolytes
Carry the lIght of Christ!
Acolytes serve as torchbearer, lighter of candles, crucifer, thurifer, or banner-bearer. Teens and adults are invited to serve. For information or to volunteer, please contact Archdeacon Carolyn Bolton at [email protected]
The Crucifer carries the cross in procession at the beginning and end of the service and at the gospel procession.
Torch Bearers (2) carry large candles representing the light of Christ.
Other duties of acolytes include receiving the offering plates from the ushers at the completion of the offertory and assisting the celebrant with handwashing prior to distribution of the bread and wine. Any of the acolytes may light and extinguish candles before and after the service.
On special days we may add a Thurifer, who is an acolyte responsible for the procession with and managing the Thurible, a metal container on a chain that contains burning incense. The thurifer, the presider or celebrant, the deacon or other ministers may use the thurible in the ceremonial censing of people or objects such as the altar.
Acolyte training is at 10am on the first Saturday of every month, in the church.
Acolytes serve as torchbearer, lighter of candles, crucifer, thurifer, or banner-bearer. Teens and adults are invited to serve. For information or to volunteer, please contact Archdeacon Carolyn Bolton at [email protected]
The Crucifer carries the cross in procession at the beginning and end of the service and at the gospel procession.
Torch Bearers (2) carry large candles representing the light of Christ.
Other duties of acolytes include receiving the offering plates from the ushers at the completion of the offertory and assisting the celebrant with handwashing prior to distribution of the bread and wine. Any of the acolytes may light and extinguish candles before and after the service.
On special days we may add a Thurifer, who is an acolyte responsible for the procession with and managing the Thurible, a metal container on a chain that contains burning incense. The thurifer, the presider or celebrant, the deacon or other ministers may use the thurible in the ceremonial censing of people or objects such as the altar.
Acolyte training is at 10am on the first Saturday of every month, in the church.
Prayers of the People
Love to write?
Join our Prayers of the People ministry! Create prayers that bring scripture to life and reflect the needs of our church, community, and world.
For more information, contact Jeanette-Dinwiddie Moore at [email protected]
Between September and June, St. Paul’s is blessed to have its own Prayers of the People written by one of our parishioners. It is a ministry that allows for a time of contemplation and reflecting what is currently occurring in our church, community, society and the world and how that relates to what we read and hear in the scriptures of the particular Sunday’s readings.
The prayers typically include six standard biddings for
And since the Prayers of the People schedule is provided in advance of the due date for the prayers, you can write the prayers from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. Anyone who loves spending time pondering the scriptures and engaging in conversations/prayers
with God can be a Prayers of the People writer.
If this peaks your interest, we would love to share more with you and have you join us.
Join our Prayers of the People ministry! Create prayers that bring scripture to life and reflect the needs of our church, community, and world.
For more information, contact Jeanette-Dinwiddie Moore at [email protected]
Between September and June, St. Paul’s is blessed to have its own Prayers of the People written by one of our parishioners. It is a ministry that allows for a time of contemplation and reflecting what is currently occurring in our church, community, society and the world and how that relates to what we read and hear in the scriptures of the particular Sunday’s readings.
The prayers typically include six standard biddings for
- The Universal Church, its members and its mission
- The Nation and all in authority
- The welfare of the world
- The concerns of the local community
- Those who suffer and those in any trouble
- The departed
And since the Prayers of the People schedule is provided in advance of the due date for the prayers, you can write the prayers from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. Anyone who loves spending time pondering the scriptures and engaging in conversations/prayers
with God can be a Prayers of the People writer.
If this peaks your interest, we would love to share more with you and have you join us.
St. Paul's Choir
Lift your voice — join St. Paul’s Choir! Sing alongside a welcoming community, experience the joy of music, and help lead worship through a rich tapestry of music spanning centuries of sacred Christian tradition. Contact Ben Bachmann, [email protected]
More information is HERE
More information is HERE
Organ Restoration Committee
Be part of our Organ Restoration Committee! Support the restoration of one of the West Coast’s finest historic organs, and keep its music alive. Contact Ben Bachmann, [email protected].
More information is HERE
More information is HERE