ACTIVITIES of ST. PAUL
WORSHIP & MUSIC
Worship is central to all that we do at St. Paul. There is a basic pattern for worship. We gather. We encounter God’s Word. We share a meal at the Lord’s table. And we are sent into the world. But we do not think about worship so much in terms of what we do. Worship is fundamentally about what God is doing and our response to God’s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At St. Paul, we worship on Saturdays at 6:30 p.pm. and Sundays at 8:30 AM . Holy Communion is offered at both services every week. Child care is available at both services during the school year.
Opportunities if you have musical gifts:
Adult Choir - Sings at 8:30 AM worship service; practices on Wednesday nights at 8:00p
Ensemble Choir - Sings at 6pmSaturday worship service; practices on Saturday nights at 4:30pm
Youth Choir - for youth ages 1st - 5th grades; practices on Wednesdays at 3:15p
Chime Choir - for youth and adults; practice on Sunday at 11:00am
Rae of Light Dance Ministry - liturgical dance and prayer group for girls ages 1st-12th grade; practices on Thursday afternoons at 3:15p
Opportunities if you want to help enhance worship non-musically:
Greeter - welcomes people as they enter for worship
Usher - hands out bulletins, collects offering, help get visitors acquainted with worship
Lector - reads the lessons and prayers during worship
Altar Guild - responsible for making sure sanctuary is ready each Sunday for worship (angels behind the scenes!)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian education is at the very heart of ministry at St. Paul. In the educational process the Spirit of God encounters people of all ages so that they are nurtured in faith, grow in knowledge and experience, and are inspired and empowered to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. This call to discipleship compels us to share our faith and serve others in the home, the community, and in God’s world.
Sunday Church School - 9:45 AM for all ages each Sunday during the school year (NO Sunday School is held during the summer). We have classes starting for ages 3 and above to 103!
Wednesday Bible Study - meets each Wed. at 10 AM to study the Bible
Confirmation - 7th and 8th grade youth meet each Sunday morning during Sunday school for class. The Rite of Confirmation is celebrated on Reformation Sunday in October.
Vacation Bible School - one week each summer, VBS if offered for children age three years old through 5th grade (older youth volunteer to help adults) and include Bible study, crafts, singing, games and refreshments.
First Communion classes - Children who would like to receive Holy Communion (and their parents) may participate in a three-week course offered during Lent.
SOCIAL MINISTRY
Everywhere you look, there is good work waiting to be done. There are countless big and small ways that members of St. Paul help share God’s love with the world.
Visits shut-ins, cooking meals for those who are ill or just home from the hospital, organizing food drives for Lifeline Food pantry, deliver of tapes of the worship services to home-bound members are just a few of the ways we help those in our congregation and in our community.
STEWARDSHIP
God calls us to be good stewards of our time, talent and treasures which He first gave us. Once a year, we have an annual stewardship campaign to encourage our members to seek what their own spiritual gift(s) may be and look at ways God is calling them to use their gifts throughout the year.
YOUTH
St. Paul is a place where all youth and their friends are welcome. We have monthly F.U.E.L. meetings (Faith Unleashed in Everyday Life) where we eat, study God's word, do service projects and have fun together. We meet the 2nd Sunday of each month 6-8 PM (dinner and activity is the usual routine). We usually eat together and break into age groups for Bible study/activity as follows:
Kindergarten - 2nd grade
3rd - 6th grades
7th - 12th grades
WOMEN
Women of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) is the women's ministry of the Church. All women of St. Paul are considered members of this national church organization and are encouraged to join one of four circle groups which meet for Bible study and fellowship:
Esther Circle meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:30p
Dorcas Circle meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:30a
Naomi Circle meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 10a.
LATTE Circle meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7pm at LOMC.
The women of the church stay busy with sewing, quilting, collecting materials for health kits and school supplies throughout the year. They also host a kitchen shower, Mother/Daughter Banquet and host a meal during Lent. This group also takes on the quiet ministry of providing funeral luncheons for families who've lost loved ones.
MEN
Lutheran Men in Mission is the men's ministry of the ELCA. It addresses the needs of men through Bible study, fellowship and service projects. All ages of men are welcome to attend meetings and projects throughout the year. St. Paul's Lutheran Men in Mission hold one annual fund raising dinner and use the funds to support national and local projects of the Church. They gather as needed for service projects.
Lutheran Men in Mission meet the 2nd & 4Th Saturday of each month at 8 AM.
Stand By Me - is a new program for young men of high school age