Saint Pauls Holiday Services

Lent and Holy Week

Ash Wednesday

Lay down your burdens and lighten your load as we begin the journey through Lent. Join us for a time of reflection and renewal as we worship together with the choir and imposition of ashes.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent for the Christian Church. Lent is a 40-day period before Easter patterned after the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer. The 40 days do not include Sundays, which are considered "days of resurrection" in the midst of a time of confession and prayer.

Palm Sunday

Our children and youth participate in a palm processional into worship as they bring their Elijah Jars in which they have been collecting funds throughout Lent for the ministry of Sarah’s Sibs.

Good Friday

A service of Communion and Tenebrae with choir.

Tenebrae means shadows. It recalls Jesus’ walk through the valley of the shadow of death. As the Passion Story is read, candles are extinguished until the church is in total darkness. The Christ candle is returned to the altar as a promise of the resurrection. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it.

Easter Sunday

Worship with choir, brass, and communion.

Advent and Christmas

Sundays of Advent

Each Sunday of advent, a new candle is lit as we prepare for Christmas.

Service of Readings and Carols

Our annual service of readings and carols, putting short contemporary stories in dialogue with the story of Christmas.

Winter Solstice Service

On the longest night of the year, we welcome the return of light to our world and the coming of the light of Christ. This unique service includes Taize chants and an opportunity to walk the labyrinth by candelight.

Christmas Eve Worship

At our first service, The Christmas story is told especially for children in word and song. Children are encouraged to participate in the homemade nativity during worship.

The second service of the evening is of Candlelight and Carols. The sanctuary glows as acolytes light the candles to the Widor Toccata, and the Christmas story is told through readings, carols and the music of our Chancel choir.