ST. PAUL’S CHOIR GUIDELINES

Bless, O Lord, us thy servants who minister in thy temple: Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Arrival and Wardrobe

  • Parking: Do not park in the front rows of the parking lot unless you need to. Save those for our church visitors, members, and other people with limited mobility.

  • Cassock (black robe) should have a hem no greater than 1.5 to 2 inches above the floor. Take home to wash regularly.

  • Surplice (white robe) should hang evenly over the cassock; check the mirror before leaving your robing room. Wash regularly; do not ever use chlorine bleach.

  • Jewelry: Earrings should be modest. No necklaces should be worn over the vestments except the St. Paul’s Choir service cross.

  • Hair: Hair should be brushed. Long hair can be worn loose, or held back with a plain hair band or black head band.

  • Collar: The only collar that should be visible above vestments is a white dress shirt collar.

  • Footwear: Solid black dress shoes–flats or heel no greater than 1 inch. Shoes that are meant to be worn with socks should be worn with black socks. Otherwise, hosiery is optional but should be black if worn.

  • Perfume, cologne, and other fragrances: Please wear appropriate deodorant, but avoid wearing excessive perfume or using heavily scented lotions, sprays, or oils.

  • Rehearsal time: Wear only the cassock (black robe) for rehearsals prior to worship time.

  • Water bottles: water (only) is allowed in the choir loft during rehearsal time only. Do not bring water bottles to the choir loft unless cleared with the director.

Introits and Processions

  • Be in the Narthex no later than 3 minutes before worship begins. You may move to the Narthex through the basement, outside around the labyrinth, or through the Sanctuary if you wish to welcome folks in the congregation.  

  • In the Narthex: Keep conversations very limited and quiet.

  • Sunday morning Introit (sung from the Balcony, when included in worship order): 3 minutes prior to worship, move to the Balcony as directed. We sing in positions that mirror our order in the Choir Loft.

  • Evensong Introit (sung from the Narthex): be in Narthex no later than 3 minutes before worship begins.

  • Processions: (New!) When the procession begins, stop at the door and wait for the person in front of you to reach the back pew. Then begin at the same pace. Process with folders open and face forward in pairs, keeping space between you and the singer in front of you. Lead the congregation in the opening hymn while walking in the sanctuary. When you reach the step to the altar, bow (at the neck) towards the Altar before turning right or left. Keep your pace after the reverence and as you continue into the hallway.

  • If not singing during a procession (e.g. Evensong), folder should be closed and held with two hands at your chest.

  • Procession at Evensong: process during organ improvisation, with music folder closed and held with two hands at your chest. Do not stop to bow at the Altar step; continue to the Choir Loft. Once the whole choir is in place in the Choir Loft, watch the crucifer. Reverence the processional cross with a bow as the crucifer bows. Turn in towards conductor and open music for the first hymn.

  • Recession at Evensong: At the end of the closing hymn, close your music binder and face the minister for the Benediction. When the organ voluntary begins, the crucifer will walk to the Altar steps. When the crucifer - and the cross - turn to face the Altar, reverence the processional cross with a bow. Then, depart the Choir Loft beginning with the people on the front row corners.

In the Choir Loft

  • The choir is the largest and most visible element of leadership in every service. In addition, all services are live streamed and can be seen at any time on YouTube. Choir members are plainly visible in the video feed for the entire service. This may include closeup views of choir members. Therefore, choir members must remain attentive and nondistracting during the worship service. Sit facing forward as much as possible.

  • Participate in worship with the congregants as directed in the service leaflet.

  • Gospel Reading: face towards the gospel reader (either at the pulpit or at the center of the church).

  • Apostle’s Creed: following the sermon, stand and face the altar behind the organist to recite the creed.

  • Passing the Peace: remain seated during the passing of the peace.

  • Following the offertory anthem: turn straight ahead (not angled towards the director) for the doxology when given the cue by the director.

  • During the closing organ voluntary: unless otherwise directed (usually on Sundays when new members are welcomed), after the benediction be seated - facing the congregation - to listen to the organ voluntary. If you must leave, be as discreet as possible.

  • At the end of worship: Remain quiet and attentive until closing remarks by the director. Respond “In the name of Christ. Amen.” Depart in reverse order (front row first) in a quiet and reverent manner.

Following Worship

  • Return copies of the service music to the librarian’s table. Hymn packets and other photocopies may be recycled.

  • Neatly hang your robes in the vestry, unless you are taking them home to wash.

A note about Tablets and Cell Phones

  • Download all choral and congregational music from stpaulshouston.org/stpaulschoir-library. See a choir member for the password. A digital copy of the Sunday morning worship bulletin can be found at stpaulshouston.org/stream.

  • St. Paul’s guest Wifi password is “methodist”

  • Tablets must be carried in a solid black folder.

  • Adjust the brightness to the lowest level you can comfortably read.

  • Use the tablet ONLY for your music. Texting, browsing, gaming, etc. can be seen in the live stream and from the balcony and is distracting to choir members around you.

  • Cell phones should be put away and not in use during rehearsals and worship, except in emergencies.