Frequently Asked Questions

No, wear whatever you are most comfortable in. You’ll see anything from casual to “Sunday best,” and all are welcome.

We usually have two services each Sunday morning: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

You can expect a warm, traditional-style worship service with scripture, prayer, congregational singing (often supported by choir and instruments), and a sermon. We aim for worship that is reverent, approachable, and grounded in God’s love.

A typical Sunday morning service is between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes long.

Special services may run longer or shorter, depending on which music and prayers are included, whether there is Communion, and the nature of the service (such as a funeral, wedding, or Lessons and Carols).

We want our church and sanctuary to be accessible to everyone! There are multiple accessible entries, and audio and visual aids are available.  If you have mobility, hearing, or seating needs, please contact the church office (618-537-4991) ahead of time so that we can help you plan for your visit.

No. Most of the service involves sitting and standing for hymns and prayers as you are able. You are always free to participate at your comfort level.

We typically have friendly folks who can help you find the sanctuary, restrooms, and seating.

We are part of the United Church of Christ, where we take scripture seriously and read it with prayer, thoughtfulness, and attention to context. We proclaim Jesus Christ and seek to follow him with compassion, justice, and love.

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We are part of the United Church of Christ (UCC).

In the UCC, each local church governs itself and is not controlled by the national or Conference levels. We also confess Jesus Christ as the sole head of the Church, which means we do not have a single human leader, such as a Pope or Patriarch.

We are in covenant with our Conference and the national setting, so we learn, cooperate, and support one another, but they do not direct our congregation. Their guidance and decisions speak to churches, not for them, and we are free to choose which UCC missions and initiatives we support.

In worship style, we are generally traditional and rooted in the life of the church; we are always open to new ways of worshipping God, and are working towards a blended style of church worship.

In living out our faith, we prioritize humility, care for neighbors, and taking Jesus’ teachings seriously in the real world.

Here at St. Paul UCC, all are welcome to receive Communion.

Our Communion Table is open to all Christians who wish to know the presence of Christ and share in the community of God’s people.

If you choose not to receive Communion, that is perfectly fine. Please do what you feel comfortable doing.

We believe that no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, Christ’s table is open to you.

Generally, we celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of each month.  We also celebrate Communion during special services (Christmas Eve, Easter, Pentecost, etc.).

The weekly bulletin will always indicate when Communion is included.

Baptism is a sign of God’s grace and love, and it marks a person’s connection to Christ and the church. We baptize those who seek baptism, including children and adults.

Yes. If you were baptized in another Christian tradition, we generally recognize that baptism and do not rebaptize.

Yes, based on calendar availability and pastoral scheduling. Requirements typically include meeting with the pastor for conversation and planning, and following the church’s facility guidelines.

Yes.  We do funeral and memorial services for members of our church and nonmembers.

In general, the pastor works with the family (and often a funeral home) to plan a service that is pastoral, clear, and respectful. The church office can help coordinate dates, times, and building logistics.

Children and adults are welcome fully as they are, including those who are noisy, anxious, neurodivergent, living with disabilities, or who simply need to participate in worship in their own way.

St. Paul UCC is a church that is open to all people, and we will always do our best to make sure all of God’s children can fully participate in our worship services. If you have specific needs, please let us know so we can support you with care and respect.

We recognize that many people, for a variety of reasons, may not be able to drink alcohol.

When we celebrate Communion, we offer both wine and grape juice.  The wine is red, and the grape juice is white.

Through pastoral care, prayer, visits when possible, and a community that tries to show up in tangible ways.

Yes. You can request a call, visit, prayer, hospital support (when possible), or confidential conversation with the pastor.

LGBTQ+ people are welcome here, and our pastoral leadership reflects that welcome. If you want to know how this is expressed in membership, weddings, and leadership roles, the pastor will speak with you directly and candidly.

Yes. The UCC affirms women in leadership, and our congregation supports leadership based on gifts and calling.

We believe every person bears God’s image and deserves dignity, safety, and belonging. We aim to live that out in how we worship, teach, and serve.

You are not alone. You will not be pressured here. If you want to talk, the pastor will listen without rushing you, and you can move at your own pace.

Everyone, no matter if they are a member or not, are invited to participate in the worship, mission, and fellowship of our congregation.  This includes attending worship, attending fellowship or community events, talking with the pastor after service, or contacting the church office.

No commitment required.

Membership is a mutual commitment: you belong to this faith family, and you share in our worship, care, and mission in ways that fit your life.

We can provide membership preparation in a way that fits your schedule. It typically covers who we are as a congregation, what we believe, and how to get connected.

All of us are on a unique faith journey, and people from all walks of life and faith traditions are welcome at St. Paul UCC.

If you have questions, or if you would like to talk about your own faith journey, our Pastor is always available to speak with you and will do his best to answer any questions you may have.

For general questions about our church, you can reach out to our pastor, the church office, or one of our greeter on Sunday mornings.

Service animals are always welcome.

For pets (non-service animals), please contact the church office for guidance.

Possibly, depending on availability and facility guidelines. Contact the church office to discuss scheduling and requirements.

Please reach out to us! We are always happy to answer any questions about our congregation, our beliefs, our facilities, and how we worship God and serve our community.

You are always welcome to contact:

Our Church Office: [email protected] / 618-537-4991

Our pastor: [email protected] / 618-905-0601

Or, speak with a greeter on Sunday morning, or connect with a member of our Church Council.