Worship and Music

Worship & Music

There are many opportunities to be involved in Worship & Service.
Greet (come), read (grow), usher (serve), or assist with communion (nourish).

Our Volunteer Calendar for the month is available here.

The annual sign up is in the Narthex in October. You can also call the office (810)982-9853 or speak with the designated contact person.

Altar Guild Member:
The altar guild prepares the sanctuary for worship each Sunday. They work in teams of two to select banners, prepare the altar, and any special events, such as confirmations, baptisms, Advent, Christmas, & Easter. On communion Sundays, the team prepares the special vessels for communion then cleans & stores them. There is special training for handling the vessels used for communion. Interested persons will be assigned a mentor.

Acolytes:
The acolyte needs to be present a few minutes prior to the service. He/she wears a robe, locates the tools, and prepares to light the altar candles as a symbol of God's presence among the worshipers. Some services have special candles that need to be lit. The offering is received by the acolyte and dedicated to God. During communion, the acolyte holds the tray of empty individual cups. At the end of the service the acolyte puts out the candles in the reverse order that they are lit.

*When you observe the acolyte relighting the tool wick before extinguishing the altar candles, then carrying it down the aisle, this is symbolic of God's light which has been ignited within us and is to be carried by us into our daily lives.

Lector:
The lector is given the awesome responsibility to read from the scriptures, the Word of God. He/she reads the Old Testament reading, the Psalm, and the Epistle. These are provided ahead of time, so that the reading can be prepared. The lector reads from the lectern which has a microphone.

Assisting Minister:
The communion assistant prepares the communion at the altar. He/she enters the altar area and communes before serving. The assistant may be asked to serve communion to the pastor. During the distribution he/she serves either the common cup or pours the individual cups. For each communicant, the words are spoken indicating the blood of Christ, our Savior, is in, with, and under the wine. He/she prays the communion prayer.

Communion Assistant:

The communion assistant prepares for communion at the altar. He/she enters the altar area before serving. The assistant may be asked to serve communion to the pastor. During the distribution, he/she serves either the common cup or pours the individual cups. For each communicant, the words are spoken indicating the blood of Christ, our Savior is in, with, and under the wine.

Ushers:
Ushers need to arrive early. They serve as another welcoming representative. They give worshipers bulletins, announcements, hymnals, & Bibles. They post the hymns & assist the acolyte. They also take the offering & bring it to the altar. During the offering, they count the number of worshipers & record it. After service, they return hymnals & Bibles to the rack.

Spirit Band

Music: Sing in worship, sing in the choir, play your instrument, or ring bells. Please contact Dellis Hudson or the church office.

Choir Member:
The choir members enhance the worship by offering special music to praise God. Each makes a commitment to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The joy of singing takes precedence over the ability to read music.

Bell Choir:
The bell choir prepares music to enhance the worship and offer praise to God. Each makes a commitment to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. The requirements for playing bells - the love of music and the ability to count.

Musical Accompaniment:
Anyone who plays a musical instrument is always welcome to provide music as part of the worship experience. Pieces may accompany singing or provide music during the prelude, offering, or postlude. Often special music is requested at Christmas and Easter.

Greeter:
The greeter arrives early and welcomes worshipers as they arrive at the front doors of the church. They should answer questions for visitors and encourage them to sign the guest register.

Puppets Ministry:
Lights, camera, action!
Puppet Ministry is a fun worship ministry that we have had at St. Paul for nearly 40 years. This is a program that is open to both youth and adults. In the beginning of the school year, we teach some basic fundamentals of puppetry, then we perform short plays that creatively present the Word of God for children's sermons and Sunday School programs. If you would like to be a part of this fun ministry activity, please contact Contact Judy Halamka or the church office.

Social Hour Host/Hostess:
Coffee hours follow each service. The host/hostess is responsible to brew coffee, set out treats, juice for children, make sure there are napkins and cups, and clean up dirty cups after the service. After the 10:30 a.m. service, the coffee machine is turned off both in front and back, supplies are put away in the drawers, and the dishwasher is started.

Senior Transportation:
Seniors wishing a ride to church are picked up for the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Drivers need to have a vehicle that can be entered comfortably and has space to transport walkers. A list of seniors and addresses is provided.

Homebound Visits:
An opportunity to visit those who cannot attend church and give them fellowship and communion. Please contact our Pastor or the church office.

Note Writer:
To assure our visitors that their presence was significant in our worship, notes are written and mailed to each visitor during the following week. If you have writing skills, this is a chance to use them for the ministry here at St. Paul. The note paper and envelopes, as well as the stamps, are provided by the Women's Ministry.

Flowers for the Altar:
Anyone may provide flowers for the altar for any occasion. There is a flower chart in the narthex on which to reserve your special event. Flowers are ordered through the office and the cost of $20 is due at the time the flowers are delivered. Flowers may be taken after the 10:30 a.m. service or donated to be delivered to members who for some reason are unable to attend worship on that day.

Nursery Attendant:
*Based on need
Supervision is offered in the nursery at the 10:30 worship service for young children. A responsible person is needed to attend to their safety and comfort. Volunteers need to be present early to welcome children and stay until each child's parents have arrived to pick up their child.