Your First Sunday at St. Paul’s on the Green

If you are thinking about visiting us for the first time — you have recently visited us and simply want to learn more about your experience — we’ve put together this guide to help ensure that you have a wonderful first experience with us. Our expectation is that God will be experienced as we gather in worship and study, no matter what our age. We are committed to providing an environment that encourages and celebrates that reality. If you haven’t already done so, please also take a look at
10 Reasons Why You Might Like It Here.

Sunday Worship Schedule

Regular Schedule (Program Year: September – May)
We offer four (and sometimes five!) services on Sunday during the regular, program year:

  • at 7:45 am, a simple Holy Eucharist (Mass) without music
  • at 9:00 am, Holy Eucharist with choral quartet and organ. Children’s worship is offered following the Gospel reading. Children rejoin the congregation at The Peace
  • 11am , a festival celebration of the Holy Eucharist with choir and organ that fills the church with beautiful music.  Children’s worship is offered following the Gospel reading. Children rejoin the congregation at The Peace
  • at 5:00pm – (several times throughout the year) Evensong
  • and at 9:00 pm. a service of  Compline (the Night Prayer of the Church) featuring soothing, soaring Gregorian Chant in a church lit only by candles. This service lasts for about 20 minutes and is sung entirely by members of our choir.

Summer (July & August)
We offer four services on Sunday during the summer schedule:

  • at 7:45am, a simple Holy Eucharist (Mass) without music
  • at 9:00 am, a festival celebration of the Eucharist with choir and organ that fills the church with beautiful music
  • at 11:00 am, a Holy Eucharist with music and congregational singing, with most of the trappings of our liturgy slightly abbreviated for the heat
  • and at 9:00 pm. a service of Compline (the Night Prayer of the Church) featuring soothing, soaring Gregorian Chant in a church lit only by candles. This service lasts for about 20 minutes and is sung entirely by members of our choir.

During the summer, we invite you to join us for refreshing cold drinks on the lawn, right outside the church (weather permitting) after the 9:00am and 11:00am services.

Parking:

Parking and handicap parking is available at St. Paul’s, but occasionally our lot gets full. You may park curbside on St. Paul’s Place, East Avenue, and Park Street on Sundays. Additional parking is also available in the lot at 53 East Avenue that is just opposite the church or in the lot on the corner of Park Hill Ave and 57-59 East Ave, behind the Attorney’s offices. So don’t worry, we always have a place for you!

Greeting:

When you arrive, you will be greeted by members of our clergy and lay ministers of hospitality who await your arrival outside the front entrance and welcome you to worship. Name tag ministers will ask you to make a name tag (and when you return again—help you find it!) Our clergy want to welcome you at God’s Table by greeting you by name when you come to receive the Holy Eucharist and the name tag will help them do that! It also helps you participate in our common ministry of greeting and welcoming each other.

Children:

Children are an important part of our life in community: we value the presence and participation of  children in worship. The information below may help you and your children enjoy their experience with us:

  • The Chapel of the Angels: For parents with infants, we have a small side chapel, the Angels’ Chapel, with rocking chairs immediately off of the main sanctuary available for those who need it.
  • Nursery Care: For parents who wish, we also have a nursery staffed with nursery care workers who provide a safe and fun environment for young children during the worship service.
  • Children’s Worship: Immediately after the Gospel reading, we invite children ages 4-7 to our Children’s Worship program in the Guild Room where they can engage in worship and theological reflection tailored to their needs. Children return to the sanctuary after the sermon during the passing of The Peace to rejoin their parents and congregation so that all can participate in the Eucharistic Celebration together.
  • Children’s Formation: Children’s Christian Formation:  During the program year, we offer church school classes for children three years of age and up at 10:00 am (between the 9 and 11 o’clock services). The younger children will participate in Godly Play, a Montessori-based curriculum, while the older children will be using a lectionary-based curriculum. We also be offer a mid-week formation program — Not Sunday, Not School — for children and youth.   
  • Chorister Program: At St. Paul’s, we place a high value on music and the liturgical arts. We are proud of our high quality  Chorister program for grades 3 -12, which introduces children and youth to sacred music and involves them as worship leaders on Sunday mornings. Learn more about our Chorister Program here.

Worship:

Our entire worship service is based on our Book of Common Prayer and is printed up in our weekly service bulletin so that you don’t have to juggle hymnals and prayer books. Our ushers will make sure that you receive a service leaflet upon entering the church.

At St. Paul’s, we believe that worship occurs through all our five senses; we worship through sight, sound, smell, taste, and movement. While you are never obliged, you are always invited to participate in all aspects of our Sunday worship service, whether it is singing out, partaking of the Eucharist, or following the movement of worship. And don’t worry, we are a community of very diverse religious backgrounds and practices, so participate only as much as feels comfortable and authentic for you.

Music:

Music is an integral part of the 9:00 am and 11am Celebrations of Holy Eucharist, 5 pm Choral Evensong (as announced) and 9 pm Sung Compline. St. Paul’s has a large choral program for boys, girls and adults. Choral anthems are sung to enhance the worship experience but our corporate singing of hymns and service music is even more important! Please check the Music page for more details about the choir, special services, concerts or how to get involved.

The Eucharist:

Here at St. Paul’s, we believe firmly that all people are welcome at God’s table. Period. No exceptions. If mobility is difficult for you, then please tell one of our ushers and we will bring the Eucharist to you. Freshly baked bread is used at the 9:30 am (summer) and 9:00 am & 11:00 am services. Gluten-free wafers are available as well.  Consecrated Grape Juice (in white ceramic chalices) is offered for those who prefer not to have wine.

Coffee Hour:

After worship is over, we invite you down into the parish hall located immediately underneath the church for coffee, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet your fellow worshipers and our clergy.

During the summer, we invite you to join us for refreshing cold drinks on the lawn, right outside the church (weather permitting) after the 9:00am and 11:00am services.

Adult Forums:

We offer opportunities for deepening your religious and spiritual knowledge throughout the year. These forums cover a variety of topics and are led by interested and knowledgeable members of our church. Listen for announcements about upcoming forums, check our service bulletin for an adult forum schedule, or check our website to see the full calendar of opportunities.

Getting to know us better:

We hope that your first visit to St. Paul’s on the Green is wonderful. Take a moment before you leave to fill out a Welcome Card and give it to one of our clergy or greeters. One of our clergy will follow up with you to answer any questions that you may have about St. Paul’s. If you want to know more about our church, need to speak with a clergy person, or have a pastoral emergency, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.