Altar Guild at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church – Los Altos

Serving Christ with Reverence, Beauty, and Order in the Heart of Silicon Valley

What is the Altar Guild?

The Altar Guild is a ministry of reverent preparation for worship at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church in Los Altos. Members ensure the altar is set, vessels are polished, and the sanctuary is beautiful and orderly for services. This work is a sacred offering of love and devotion to God.

Why Join the Altar Guild?

  • Support the sacramental life of the parish
  • Serve quietly and faithfully behind the scenes
  • Deepen your knowledge of the Church calendar and liturgy
  • Connect with other women in joyful, Christ-centered fellowship

Typical Duties

Members of the Altar Guild rotate duties weekly. They help prepare linens, vestments, vessels, and candles. They set the altar for Holy Communion, change seasonal hangings, and maintain the sacred beauty of the space year-round.


Seasonal Work & Feast Days

The Guild plays a special role during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Holy Week. Members assist with decorations, hangings, and the special preparation required for high feast days.

Who Can Serve?

This ministry is especially open to women who want to serve Christ in a quiet, prayerful way. No prior experience is needed — training is provided. Whether you’re in Los Altos, Mountain View, or the greater Silicon Valley area, we welcome your participation.

Interested in Joining?

If you feel called to support the worship life of our parish through this beautiful ministry, please contact us:

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church is located in Los Altos, serving the greater Silicon Valley, including Mountain View, Palo Alto, and beyond.

Roles and Rules of the Altar Guild

The Altar Guild serves at the pleasure of the Rector and under his direction. Members are entrusted with the care of the sacred space and are expected to uphold reverence, attention to detail, and faithful service.

Core Responsibilities

  • Preparation: Set the altar before services with proper linens, vessels, wine, and wafers.
  • Clean-up: Reverently cleanse and store all vessels and linens after services.
  • Vestments: Ensure that clergy vestments are clean, in place, and appropriate for the liturgical color.
  • Seasonal Decor: Change altar hangings and help decorate for Holy Days (Christmas, Easter, etc.).
  • Inventory: Track supplies (wine, wafers, candles, linens, etc.) and notify the Rector when more are needed.

Standards and Rules

  • Reverence: Work quietly and prayerfully in the sanctuary. The altar is a holy space.
  • Dress Modestly: When serving in the chancel or sacristy, members should dress respectfully.
  • Punctuality: Arrive early to prepare the altar before the service begins.
  • Teamwork: Serve graciously with fellow members. Respect the schedule and communicate if unable to serve.
  • No Unauthorized Changes: All changes to altar decor, vestments, or procedures must be approved by the Rector.

Faithfulness in these roles blesses the whole church by supporting reverent, beautiful, and orderly worship. The Altar Guild exemplifies quiet service that honors God and ministers to His people.

Altar Guild Handbook – Section Overview

Each section below explains the role of the Altar Guild in supporting worship at Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Los Altos. Click each heading to expand.


Introduction

The Altar Guild exists to assist the clergy by reverently preparing all that is needed for worship. This service is a spiritual offering, done behind the scenes with care and devotion to the glory of God.

General Guidelines

Altar Guild members should approach their work prayerfully and with reverence. Duties are performed quietly and with order, respecting the sacredness of the altar and sanctuary.

Holy Eucharist Preparation

This section outlines the specific items required for Communion: chalice, paten, purificators, wine, water, lavabo bowl, and linens. Each item is prepared and placed according to tradition and liturgical season.

Clean-up After Holy Eucharist

Post-service duties include reverent removal, cleaning, and proper storage of sacred vessels and linens. Care must be taken to wash items properly, with special attention to purificators and corporal cloths.

Vestments and Altar Linens

Proper handling and storage of clergy vestments and altar linens are key responsibilities. This includes setting out vestments based on the liturgical calendar and maintaining their cleanliness and condition.

Seasons of the Church Year

This describes the liturgical colors and appropriate hangings for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time. Altar hangings and paraments are changed accordingly.
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