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Worship Ministries

The St. Paul's monthly ministries calendar is available.

The text of the lectionary readings can be found online at The Lectionary Page.

To view the ministries calendar, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free if it is not already installed on your computer.

Every Sunday morning, people participate as choir, acolytes, lay readers, greeters, ushers, altar guild, coffee servers, food basket carriers, element bearers, Highlands Drivers, flower arrangers, flower delivers, not to mention Sunday Morning teachers! Please contact the church office or a member of these groups if you are interested in any of these ministries.

The Worship Commission is chaired by the Rector who is assisted by the Convenor. It includes the following groups:

• Altar Guild

• Acolytes

• Choirs

• Flowers

• Lay Readers and Chalice Bearers

• Ushers and Greeters

• Element Bearers and Food Basket Carriers

The Altar Guild ministers by preparing and clearing the altar and credence table, filling the oil candles, cleaning and storing vestments and linens, setting up kits for lay eucharistic ministers, and so on.

Acolytes minister by serving quietly "at table" to be sure everyone is fed. Whether lighting the candles and setting out water for the celebrant and preacher; processing with cross, candles, and sometimes incense; or assisting the deacon or celebrant prepare the altar, acolytes keep a watchful eye out. "Walk slowly and act holy!"

Chancel Choir, rehearses Wednesdays 7-8:30 pm. Adults and youth 9th grade and up sing hymns, an anthem, and a choral meditation at the 10:15 service in the nave. Choral Evensong twice a year. Additional services at Christmas and Easter.

Chapel Choir, rehearses Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm. Children in 3rd through 8th grades learn about singing and the church, following the program of the Royal Choir School of America. Sings about once a month at a Sunday morning service. Ability to read music is not required.

Festival Choir, rehearses during Advent and Lent, Wednesdays 5:30-6:00 pm. Children (ages 3 years and up) sing an anthem at Christmas and Easter services. All songs are taught by memory and a learning cassette tape is provided. Children do not have to know how to read.

The Flower Committee acquires and arranges the flowers from funds donated by individuals. Flowers are delivered to shutins after the service by Pastoral Visitors. If you would like to give flowers for a service, please sign up on the sheet in the entryway at the front of the church.

Lay readers read the Lesson, the Psalm, the Epistle, and lead the Prayers of the People. Chalice bearers also serve the wine at communion. Lay Eucharistic Ministers take communion to shutins.

Ushers and greeters are often the first people a newcomer to St. Paul's meets. Greeters greet people! Ushers also help people find seats, take up the collection, count communicants for diocesan reports, and help assure that things run smoothly in the nave.

At the offertory, element bearers bring forwards the bread and wine that will be blessed for communion. Food Basket carriers bring forwards food donated to the Food Pantry. You may make donations of canned goods and other non-perisherables in the wicker baskets at both entrances to the church. These help the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program feed the hungry in our area.

O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.