St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an active, vibrant community that offers activities and opportunities for involvement to people of all ages. The church cannot survive without everyone's participation, both within the church and throughout the outside community. Fortunately, we are blessed to have a collection people that have generously dedicated their talents and countless hours of their time to keep St. Paul's up and running.
Everyone has their area of expertise that the church community as a whole can benefit from. Some work "behind the scenes", maintaining the church's finances or typing up the newsletters that keep the congregation informed. Others delight in serving on the altar during mass, whether it be by singing in the choir, administering the wine during communion or carrying a candle as an acolyte. Some use their gifts for oration to deliver the Bible lessons each Sunday morning.
Still others use their gift for public speaking and knowledge of God's Word to lead the Christian education classes we offer. Or provide the wonderful food we enjoy after the Choral Eucharist, as we come together in fellowship.
Others help outside the church doors with the various community projects St. Paul's is involved in, which may include serving lunch at the Salvation Army or selling food for charity. Yet others are involved with stewardship projects designed to raise money for St. Paul's, to help keep the church functioning in the future.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul likens the church to the "Body of Christ", with Christ himself serving as the head, and we that make up the Christian community comprising the various other parts of the body. He tells us how God created each of us with our own specific talents to help keep the body alive. Not all of us offer the same services to the church, but each part is equally important. "If the whole body were an eye," Paul asks "Where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" (1 Cor 12:17-18).
Yes, each one of us has something unique to offer to the community of Christ, and we are grateful to each and every person who has done their part.
