Serving

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

As Episcopalians, we have a legacy of inclusion. Women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

All are welcome to get involved !

At the Altar – The Altar Guild does the physical work of preparation that enriches the beauty of our worship space. Saint Paul’s Altar Guild leaders quietly maintain the altar space before and after Holy Eucharist and other services. These leaders prepare the altar and ensure that all linens are clean; change altar hangings with the liturgical season; and prepare wine, communion wafers, & candles.

The Altar Guild is always looking for new members; anyone is welcome to join this dedicated team.

Acolytes are leaders of the congregation during the service, serve as examples for worshippers, and assist the clergy and other Altar Servers. Acolytes are ministers of the church and point to the beauty of holiness through their actions.

Acolytes roles include the following:

Torch Bearer – carries a torch in procession and at specified times during the liturgy
Gospel Bearer – carries the Gospel Book in procession and at specified times during the liturgy
Crucifer – carries the cross in procession
Lector – reads the Bible lessons during the service
Prayer Leader

In the Congregation – As an Usher for weekend services and special events

Hospitality – Help to plan and execute parish wide events

In Pastoral Care – Become licensed by the Diocese as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor and work with the Priest in Charge to visit homebound parishioners and serve them Communion

In the community – partner with other community organizations as a representative of our parish by volunteering your services

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Vestry & Worship Leadership

VESTRY MEMBERS:

As in all Episcopal Churches, we have a congregation elected decision making board, the vestry, The following are the current parish members that are serving in this role:

The Rev. Martha Harris, Priest-in-Charge
Jonathan Lutz – Senior Warden; Stewardship Committee Chair
Kelly Murphy – Junior Warden; Property Committee Chair
Iris Lutz – Prayer, Music & Worship Committee Chair
Kim Morrow – Outreach Committee Chair
Christine Weinberg – Hospitality Committee Chair
Jessica Kuhns
Sandra Hendershott
Rebecca Murphy
Deb Wasche
Bev Euculano – Finance Chair; Treasurer
Beth Runkle – Secretary

WORSHIP LEADERSHIP:

Mary Lynn Geltmacher – Altar Guild Chair
Jessica Brandt – Sunday School Leader
Iris Lutz – Prayer, Music & Worship Committee Chair
John Leaman – Organist

Community Involvement

Columbia Food Bank
Housed in the Parish Hall of Saint Paul, and led by Danielle Peters, the Columbia Food bank has been helping to address food insecurity through the distribution of food to needy families since the 1950s. https://columbiafoodbank.org

The Columbia School of Music
https://www.csmusic.school

The Columbia Area Ministerium
The Columbia Area Ministerium is a dynamic network of 30 faith leaders and human service organizations who are working together to address the unmet needs of residents and visitors to our community.

Events include:

Christmas Walk-a-Mile – Monday, December 18, 2023 – 7pm
One of the great traditions of Columbia is the annual Christmas Walk-A-Mile.

This tradition allows the entire community to come together to celebrate the holiday through the retelling of the story of Christ’s birth through scripture, song, and prayer at each church as we journey together through the community.

Come experience an annual holiday tradition in Columbia.

We will gather for a scripture reading and a

prayer, then sing a carol at each church along the way.

Holiday refreshments are served at our final stop.

Our journey begins on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Salem United Church of Christ – 324 Walnut Street

Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church – 409 Cherry Street

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – 555 Locust Street

Locust Street Park Gazebo

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church – 23 S. 6th Street

Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, the individual recalls and meditates on a specific event from Christ’s last day. Specific prayers are recited, then the individual moves to the next station until all 14 are complete.

Stations of the Cross, 2022

Last Words of Christ
As Jesus hung on the cross, he uttered seven last phrases of great meaning to those contemplating his passion and death. The Seven Last Words are traditionally part of a Good Friday service and often include some element of music, prayer or reflection. Most services involve seven different speakers and include a variety of perspectives to reflect on the words Jesus spoke from the cross. In 2022 the community service was held at the Mount Zion AME Church in Columbia. Martha Harris was invited to be one of the preachers.

Rev. Martha Harris preaches at The Last Words of Christ, 2022 – Zion AME Church, Columbia