{"id":71,"date":"2023-05-23T02:36:11","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T02:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stpaularlington.org\/?page_id=71"},"modified":"2024-12-04T17:02:43","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:02:43","slug":"first-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stpaularlington.org\/?page_id=71","title":{"rendered":"First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FIRST TIME HERE?<\/h1><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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IF YOU ARE NEW TO ST. PAUL, HERE ARE SOME VERY PRACTICAL THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW.<\/span><\/h4>\n
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WHAT IS ST. PAUL?<\/span><\/h4>\n

St. Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA) is a congregation of 320 people who come from Arlington and many other surrounding towns. Our calling to gather, grow, and give as Christians is centered around a few basic values: welcoming of all, vibrant worship, faith formation, mission and service, and extravagant generosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHO COMES TO ST. PAUL?<\/span><\/h4>\n

While we have many lifelong Lutherans, an increasingly diverse group of newcomers are finding their way to St. Paul. Our congregation is home to people from all sorts of backgrounds and denominations. Everyone matters here.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHAT ABOUT THE WORSHIP?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Christians express their gratitude to God through worship. We believe in inspiring worship that is God-centered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the summer, we have one service on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. with communion offered, as it is every Sunday at St. Paul, and a \"children's time\" before the sermon.<\/span><\/p>\n

We have two services on Sunday during the rest of the year:<\/span>
Our 8:15 a.m. worship is an intimate service with from 25-30 people. We use a variety of liturgical settings with hymns and communion around the altar.<\/span>
Our 10:30 a.m. worship is much larger with 75-125 people. It is a similar service with \"children's time\" and a choir anthem.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT INSIDE ST. PAUL?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Expect to meet a lot of people who care about each other and the world around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The outside steps go to the gathering space that leads to the sanctuary. Below that is our fellowship hall. The ground level entrance leads to the education wing with the church offices above. Just inside you'll find an elevator with five stops at every level. There are also eight restrooms! By the time you get in the building you will have already discovered an ample parking lot with several handicap spaces near the doors. On Sundays there is no dress code and a range from \"Sunday finest\" to quite casual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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WILL MY KIDS FIND A PLACE?<\/span><\/h4>\n

St. Paul is crawling with children and youth and folks of all ages. Kids are a special part of worship. There is a \"children's time\" at the 10:30 service that is often inspiring for grown-ups too! If a child needs a break from worship, parents can step out and return with ease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?<\/span><\/h4>\n

There are countless ways to grow and engage your Christian life. The church website and social media sites provide regular updates on opportunities; so do the weekly emails that you are welcome and encouraged to receive. Pastor Ross Goodman and our pastoral resident Vicar are happy to pay a visit to get to know you and explore life at Saint Paul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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VISITING ST PAUL FOR THE FIRST TIME?<\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>
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