What to Expect at St. Paul's
At St. Paul's, we are followers of Jesus in the Anglican tradition. As a partner in the worldwide Anglican Communion and in the universal church, we proclaim and celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ in worship and action. We value our heritage of biblical faith, reason, liturgy, tradition, bishops and synods, and the rich variety of our life in the community.
To learn more about being an Anglican, click here.
When we gather for worship, our usual service is Holy Eucharist. This is our primary act of thanksgiving to God for his goodness and our participation in the Last Supper of Jesus on the night before he died. Our worship is congregational and resources are provided to help you follow along with the service.
Each weekend at St. Paul's there are three principal services:
Saturday at 5 p.m. is a contemporary language celebration of the Eucharist. It is more relaxed and usually lasts 30-40 minutes.
Sunday at 8 a.m. is a traditional language Eucharist using the Book of Common Prayer. It is a short (30 minute), quiet service with no music and sometimes includes a homily or short reflection on the readings from scripture.
Sunday at 10 a.m. is a traditional language Eucharist following the Book of Common Prayer. The choir is present, there are hymns and many parts of the service are sung by the priest.
To add to the beauty and festivity of the services, and to signify their special ministries, the clergy and other ministers customarily wear vestments. Choir vestments usually consist of an undergown called a cassock (usually black) and a white, gathered over-gown called a surplice.
At the Holy Eucharist, a bishop or priest frequently wears a chasuble (a circular garment that envelopes the body) over the alb and stole. The deacon's corresponding vestment has sleeves and is called a dalmatic. Bishops sometimes wear a special head covering called a mitre.
Stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics, as well as altar coverings, are usually made of rich fabrics. Their colour changes with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colours are white, red, violet, and green.
The Anglican Church observes the traditional Christian calendar. The season of Advent, during which we prepare for Christmas, begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. Christmas itself lasts twelve days, after which we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany (January 6). Lent, the forty days of preparation for Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter season lasts fifty days, concluding on the feast of Pentecost.
During these times the Bible readings are chosen for their appropriateness to the season. During the rest of the year--the season after Epiphany and the long season after Pentecost (except for a few special Sundays)--the New Testament is read sequentially from Sunday to Sunday. The Old Testament lesson corresponds in theme with one of the New Testament readings.
We warmly invite you to join us for worship. You will be our honoured guest and will not be singled out or asked to stand in front. Don't worry about saying or doing the "right"things. If you would like to know more about St. Paul's or the Anglican tradition, don't hesitate to contact us or speak to one of our staff.