Worship

Welcome

When you arrive, our ushers will greet you and hand you a service bulletin. If you’re a few minutes early, grab a cup of coffee in our Parish Hall. Follow signs to our professionally staffed Nursery. Or, enjoy a few minutes of quiet in the sanctuary before the prelude begins.

Worship

Everything you need to participate in the service is in your bulletin or the blue hymnals in the pew rack. The congregation actively participates in our liturgy, with lots of opportunities to sing, pray, and respond in various ways to God. Liturgy is something we do together, so please join in as you feel comfortable.

Our service begins with the proclamation of God’s Word, which includes music, scripture, a sermon, and prayers. Then, we move to Holy Eucharist, or Communion. All baptized Christians, of every age and denomination, are welcome to receive Communion at St. Paul’s. As we pray and receive the bread and wine, we discover that Jesus Christ is really present with us, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Belonging

Whether this is your first time in a church or you’ve been an Episcopalian all your life, your presence with us is a blessing. Whether you’re passing through or putting down roots, we’re delighted you’re here. We would love to hear more of your story, and share some of ours with you as well. Please fill out a Welcome Card and we will be in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I park?

If our lot is full, there is street parking on Academy St., or you may park in the Sun Trust Bank lot across the road.

What do I wear?

Some people are in suits. Others are in jeans and t-shirts.

How long is the service?

Usually about an hour.

It is accessible?

Yes, our facility is accessible through the Parish Courtyard.

What about kids?

Children are always welcome to worship with their families and the whole Body of Christ. We offer Children’s Church alongside the 10:00 a.m. service, and the Nursery is available all morning (ages 6 weeks to 5 years).

Does St. Paul's have accommodations for parishioners with special or sensory needs?

St. Paul's offers a variety of accommodations that help parishioners and guests worship at our facility.

• • Seat cushions are available for use to provide comfort for pews or chairs in the Parish Hall.
  • Gluten-free communion wafers are available and kept in a separate container. Once at the altar rail for communion inform the chalice bearer that you are gluten free and the appropriate wafer will be provided.
  • Our nursery has a designated Sonshine Room for children with special needs at any age. To learn more contact our Nursery Coordinator, Julia Beasley.
  • Sensory bags containing fidget toys, headphones, and emotions/needs charts are available in the Narthex (lobby) for anyone who wishes to use them during service.
  • A calming, sensory space available to all ages and abilities and serves as a regulating space to feed your senses, relax your nerves, and to get away from the noise and bustle of busy events. Our sensory space is located in in Christian Education Room 3, directly adjacent to the Parish Hall. An usher or parishioner can gladly assist anyone to locate this room. We ask that you guide your children toward calm behavior in this room and avoid using it as a playroom.
  • Sonshine Support Group Sonshine is a support group for individuals and families affected by disability. Please join us if you live with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or neurodivergence. For more information contact Amanda O'Connor.

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. Baptism has been a foundation for the Christian life since Christianity first began.

Baptisms are conducted at Sunday worship services on or near the feast days of Easter, Pentecost, All Saint's Day, and the feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the first Sunday after Epiphany).

2023 Baptism Dates

• January 8 - Baptism of our Lord
• April 8 - Easter Vigil
• April 16 - Easter II
• Date TBA - Bishop's Visitation
• November 5 - All Saints’ Day

To learn more about Holy Baptism at St. Paul’s read the customaries below and contact our baptism shepherd, Jennifer Handy at Jennifer.Handy@stpaulsmurfreesboro.org.

• St. Paul’s Infants and Children’s Baptism Customary
• St. Paul’s Adult’s Baptism Customary

Confirmation is the rite of passage for Christians who are ready to express a mature commitment to Christ and to receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.  Adults who wish to recommit themselves to their faith are also invited to receive a blessing from the bishop through the Reaffirmation of Faith.

If you're interested in confirmation, contact David Rowe or Chase Benefiel.

To learn more about weddings at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church click here to view the Wedding Customary. Because we are committed to supporting the couple in developing a blessed marriage that will last the rest of your lives, St. Paul's marries only church members, their children or grandchildren, or family members of Episcopal clergy.

As Christians, we live in the hope and reality that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ – nothing in life; nothing in death. Still, one of the hardest things we face in this life is the death of a loved one.

At the time of death, please contact our parish office staff and our clergy will be in contact with you.  Our clergy, staff, and pastoral care team care about your loss and want to help you with the planning.

Burial Plans

We encourage all our parishioners to make pre-burial plans.  This not only relieves your loved ones from making decisions in the time of grief but clarifies your wishes. Our priests will be glad to meet with you to help you plan and keep your plans on file in the church office.  The Funeral Customary can be downloaded below.

Columbaria

St. Paul’s hosts two columbaria on campus. To learn more about internment in either our indoor or outdoor columbarium contact the columbarium committee clerk, Jerry Redditt at jerry.redditt@yahoo.com.

• Chapel of the Good Shepherd
• Columbarium Memorial Garden