St. Paul's Episcopal Church

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The Worship Experience at St. Paul's

Worship in an Episcopal Church is a holistic experience of body, soul, and mind. St. Paul’s sanctuary is spare in design, but great thought and effort has been made over the years to cultivate beauty in the symbols found hanging on the walls, carried in the procession, and worn by the clergy and lay ministers. We believe that we are called by God to bring forth our best efforts in art, music, prayer language, floral arrangements, the setting of the altar, and preaching. 

Episcopalians sometimes use the word “liturgy” when referring to the way our worship is ordered. Liturgy comes from the words laos (the people) and ergos (work) and is properly understood to be the work of the people. Singing, listening, speaking prayers, standing, kneeling, and at times moving in procession around the nave (sanctuary) is the work we engage in together to offer God praise and adoration. We also sometimes refer to worship as a “service.”  We believe that gathering together to worship God is indeed a service to God.  However the service also sends us forth into the world to serve God in our daily life. 

The priest is most often the worship leader and presides over the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist (also translated as The Great Thanksgiving and commonly known as Holy Communion ) is central to our worship at St. Paul’s and is celebrated three times a week: twice on Sunday mornings and once on Wednesday mornings. 

Holy Communion is also celebrated on other festival days throughout the year including Christmas and some of the services of Holy Week. Holy Communion is open to all Christians at St. Paul’s. Holy Baptism is open to anyone who is seeking to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a Christian community.