Worship, Ministries and Streaming Resources
St. Paul's offers Sunday Services both In-Person and Online
Please note that out of love and concern for those among us who are at greatest risk, we ask that everyone attending Sunday services wears a mask in the sanctuary. We appreciate your cooperation. You are a living example of what LOVE looks like. Thank you!
- Attend In-Person - by for those who are concerned or need to keep their distance, we're roped off every other pew on part of the Loma Vista side of the church. Those who don't have this concern, are invited to choose whatever seats they prefer.
- Attend Online - It's not as full or rich an experience as attending in-person, but it is a convenient and a wonderful way to enjoy our services and get inspired. We invite you to connect with us in the whatever way you choose: "like", "share", "follow" us on Facebook, comment, send us an email, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and/or sign our digital guestbook by completing the Newcomer and Visitor Form.
Here's How You Can View Our Services Online:
We offer three ways to watch our Sunday services at 10:15 PST: here on our site, via YouTube on our channel, or through Facebook Live.
We livestream our service every Sunday through Facebook Live on our Facebook page. You *do not* have to be on Facebook to watch these services! Just click on the link on our St. Paul's blog post or from our E-news.
We also stream on YouTube on Sunday mornings, or you can watch whenever works best for you and your family! The videos are always there. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel, where you can enjoy recordings of our amazing choir, view past services and sermons, enjoy the Blessing of the Week, enjoy some peace, and even learn American Sign Language (ASL) with Reverend Susan and our interpreter, Nadia Becker.
And Since Inspiration Isn't Just for Sundays...
The best way to keep up with everything that's going on at St. Paul's Ventura and have access to all the wonderful resources we release each week to help you grow in faith is to read our weekly Email Newsletter. The Announcements Edition comes out mid week. There's also a Click & Go Edition that gives you links to Sunday's service. If you don't already receive it, we invite you to subscribe by clicking the link below.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY UPDATES
Wednesday Morning Liturgy of Healing
Join Rev. Susan for this beautiful liturgy in which we offer prayers for ourselves, for others who have requested our prayers, and for the world. In these troubling times, it's important that we offer our prayers. This is a wonderful way to make healing prayer a part of your weekly routine. It can help the world to heal, and it can help you grow in faith.
To join this Zoom, click here at 9am on Wednesdays.
At St. Paul's, we follow Jesus, nurture ministries and welcome all.
About Our Ministries
Ministry is the life of service that every baptized person is called to. There are many ways to engage in ministry and many ministries to choose from. We aren't all called to to the same things.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work...Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, 12-14
Putting our Faith Into Action
The people of St. Paul's are dedicated to making a difference in the name of Christ. We help to serve thousands of lunches to the hungry through our support of Family to Family. We respond to natural disasters through our support of organizations like Episcopal Relief and Development. We provide support for Boy Scout Troup 179 and provide low cost meeting space for AA another groups. We support the Abundant Table ministry and the diocesan Mission Share Fund.
Monthly Outreach Projects
We pull together each month to support an important cause. There are several ways to participate: 1) You can pick up one of our red REACH bags and return it filled with supplies to help make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. 2) You can make a donation to support the current cause. 3) You can offer prayers. Nearly 100% of our members participate in these projects and help to make a difference in the world.
Past causes have included: Laundry Love, African Team Ministries, Reach to support Foster Care, Reach for Paws (supplies and funds to benefit animals in local shelters), Canned food drives to support local food pantries, Coats for Kids, Community Christmas Shoppe, the Red Shirt Project, medical mission trips, Reach for Basic Needs (collection of glasses and socks for those in need), and many others!
We are an Abolitionist Congregation
In addition to all that, because we have declared ourselves an abolitionist congregation, we work to do all we can to abolish the scourge of modern-day slavery including local human trafficking and slavery across the world.
One of the ways that you can help to support this cause with your consumer dollars. While shopping, look for labels that identify foods as being fair trade (which involves ensuring that the workers behind these goods and services are treated fairly and that human rights are maintained throughout the supply chain). Every purchase has an effect. Thank you for making a difference!
Worship Ministries
It takes a lot of help to put on the wonderful worship services we enjoy each Sunday morning. As many as one hundred volunteers assist in various ways including: Ushers, Welcome greeters, Altar guild, Flower Guild, Readers, Servers, Chalice Bearers, Choir Members, Musicians, Acolytes, Eucharistic Prayer Ministers, Sunday School Teachers, Video Production Team, Hospitality Team, and Lock-up Team.
Support Ministries
Many people volunteer to support the church in a variety of ways during the week as well including: Buildings & Grounds Committee, Rose Gardeners, Stewardship Committee, Finance Committee, Risk Management Committee, Communications Committee - Digital Disciples, Pastoral Care Committee, Wardens and Vestry.
Small Group Ministries
We are very excited about the new and existing small group ministries at St. Paul’s Ventura. We invite you to join us in exploring all the possibilities. Come get connected and explore your faith.
Why Small Group Ministries? Because we follow Jesus and recognize the benefits of small group ministry he and his disciples enjoyed. For us, they offer the opportunity to make deeper connections with God and one another, can help us to heal from the isolation and fear we’ve all experienced recently, and are a fun and important way to love and support each other on this journey of faith.
About the Small Groups: Each have their own “flavor” – they meet on different days, at different times, organize themselves in different ways, and study different things. With so many options, you’re bound to find something that interests you!
What do they have in common? They all offer a small group experience of faith and fellowship.
Participating in a small group can be a great blessing in your life and help you find the support you need as you grow in faith.
For more information, speak to one of the leaders or Contact our Church Office
Other Online Episcopal Resources:
From the Episcopal Church's website, an incredible repository of many online devotionals and resources for the practice of prayer, scriptural study and much more.
Forward Day-by-Day prayer meditations online.
Offer a prayer through the Episcopal Church's prayer page.
Streaming Resources and Social Media
Stream our services or listen to a recording:
Facebook Live (video livestream)
St. Paul's is also on Instagram!
Using Zoom as a way to connect
Join one of our virtual coffee hours via Zoom! You only need the link and your smartphone with the Zoom app, or you can use a laptop or desktop computer. Look for our links to these events on our blog, Facebook page and group and through our E-News!
How to Use Zoom (tutorial)
How to Join a Zoom meeting (video)
Here's a resource on working from home with Zoom.
Connection to the church and our friendly, welcoming, loving community is important to us. Our connection with one another supports and strengthens us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The inspiration of scripture, prayer and music lifts our spirits, connects us with God and energizes us for the journey ahead. The love, care, and concern we share with one another has a real effect on our emotional and spiritual well-being. We all need these things whether or not we can be physically present with one another.
- If you attend regularly but have not been in touch, please call or email us. We want to know you're okay, and we want to stay connected offering spiritual support in your life. So, please reach out. We look forward to hearing from you! Why do we prefer you call us? Because so many people react negatively to being called. We aren't criticizing you for your decision to stay away, we just want to offer our love, prayers and support.
- Follow us on our Social Media and/or read each E-news. We'll be working to help everyone stay connected through this challenging time. A little inspiration can go a long way! We invite you to post, comment and share. We can nurture ministries by encouraging one another to spread the Good News even in these times when some have to be physically isolated. If you are not subscribed to our E-news, please email or call us and we will add you to the list.
Coronavirus/COVID-19
St. Paul's During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In the beginning...
Like everyone else, the people of St. Paul's were surprised by the rapid spread of COVID-19 which quickly became a world-wide pandemic. In March of 2020, stay at home orders were issued and we were required to close the sanctuary. The church was empty, but our hearts were full. We continued to love our neighbors, pray …
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