PLAN A VISIT

When you visit St. Paul’s by the Sea or any church at all for the first time it may feel a little strange and intimidating. We want you to be able to relax and feel welcome and able to participate as you choose. When you enter the church, you will be greeted by an usher who will give you a bulletin. Please take a seat anywhere you like.

WELCOME

We are a liturgical church. During worship, people participate through their verbal responses, readings from Holy Scripture, singing of hymns, offering prayers, and by receiving Holy Communion. Worship is corporate in nature because the congregation shares in all aspects of the liturgy. The silence at various intervals provides time for the individual to think and reflect on his or her personal experience with God.

Practices vary, even among individual Episcopalians, as to when it is appropriate to sit, to stand, or to kneel. Watch the people sitting around you for clues and do whatever feels comfortable. Do not worry about “doing it right.”

Our Sunday services at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:45 am, all center around Holy Communion (also called Eucharist).

COMMUNION & SACRAMENTS

All baptized Christians, regardless of age, are welcome to receive Holy Communion. While the Episcopal Church, as all churches rooted in the historic Christian faith, affirms that the sacrament of Baptism is the ancient and normative entry point for receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist, we also believe that everyone is always welcome at God’s table. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, the Episcopal Church is here for you, and we invite you to explore with us what being baptized could mean for your life. If you would like to know more, please see a member of the clergy following the service.

If you are not baptized or would prefer not to receive Communion for any personal or religious reason, you are still invited to come forward at the time of Communion to receive a blessing from the priest. (Please place your arms across your chest to indicate your desire to receive a blessing.)

JOIN US

After the 10:00 AM service, we hope you’ll join us for Coffee Hour!

Each Sunday you can participate in worship with the St. Paul’s by the Sea Community from wherever you are through our YouTube channel

Above all, remember that all are welcome here at St. Paul’s by the Sea.

FAQS

What times are the services on Sunday Morning?

You can worship with us at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, or 11:45 am. Our 8:00 AM liturgy from Enriching Our Worship is a simple, spoken (no music) Holy Eucharist service. Our 10:00 AM service follows the Book of Common Prayer, Rite II. Our choir enhances our worship experience by leading us in the singing of traditional hymns and anthems. During the months of August – May, Children’s Sunday School meet during the first half of the 10:00am service. Any child ages 4 through 5th Grade is welcome to join us! You can drop your kids off before the service and they will return to you in your pew in time to share in the Holy Eucharist. Our 11:45 AM service is a shorter service that includes Holy Eucharist. On the first Sunday of each month, our Celtic Service takes place at this time. On the other Sundays of the month, this is our contemporary “Sandals, Shorts, & Steel Drum” service. Everyone attending joins in by playing a percussion instrument with the Steel Drum music. Come as you are; Everyone is welcome!

Do you offer programs for children?

We do! Children are welcome members of our community and we love to see them in church! We have Sunday School for children from 4 on up. Our children receive Christian Education during the first part of the service, and then join us after the Peace to receive Communion with their families. We also have a nursery available for children up to 3 years old.

Tips for helping your child learn to worship:
Encourage your child to follow words in hymns and readings by moving your finger along the lines on the page.
Suggest ways your child may engage what is happening in worship using their own learning style. If they like art, have them draw pictures of the scripture or design a worship banner. If they like math, have them count the number of times they hear a certain word in the sermon.

Remember that it’s okay if your child has the wiggles or makes some noise— God’s house is a place where they can come just as they are!
Model attentiveness to and engagement with what is going on. They learn from you!
Discuss what you did in worship driving home.

What should I wear?

There is no dress code. Some people dress up in their Sunday best, while others show up in khakis, shorts, or jeans. The important thing is that you are with us, not whether you are perfectly pulled together.

Where do I park?

There is a parking lot in front of the Christopher Lobby. However, availability may vary. It’s advisable to arrive a little early to secure a spot in the parking lot.

Street parking is available on surrounding roads, such as 11th Avenue North and 5th Street North. Be mindful of any posted signs indicating parking restrictions or time limits.

How Do I Join St. Paul's by the Sea?