Since 2019, Sarah has faithfully led the music of our weekly services with both skill and soul. Whether it’s the timeless strains of the Te Deum, the jubilant swell of a processional hymn, or the quiet chords beneath a psalm, Sarah brings depth, beauty, and consistency to our liturgy. Her musical leadership is marked not only by excellence, but also by sacrifice—she has led services while pregnant, with a newborn in arms, and sometimes even with a baby strapped across her chest at the piano bench.

But Sarah’s ministry doesn’t stop at the altar rail. As a mother of four and the lead Kindergarten teacher at Canterbury School, she lives out a vocation of formation in every sphere of life. In the classroom, she’s an expert in phonics instruction and early childhood reading, helping our youngest students grow not only in knowledge, but in virtue and wonder. Her classroom is a place where joyful discipline, clear instruction, and Christian love meet in every lesson.

Sarah is a living example of what it means to serve with both heart and hands—to lead worship, teach children, and love her family all in the same breath. She embodies what Saint Paul’s seeks to cultivate in all our ministries: faith rooted in tradition, lived out with love, and joyfully offered to God.

We thank God for Sarah and all the ways her gifts bless our church and school. Next time you hear the music rise at Saint Paul’s, know that behind it is a life of quiet faithfulness and radiant service.

Here are a few videos of her music:

In The Valley (Valley of Vision) Sung Puritan Prayer 

Cover of Hide Away in the Love of Jesus, Sovereign Grace Music, Come Weary Saints.

There Is a Redeemer – Keith Green

The post Meet Our Music Director: Sarah Macias – A Melody of Faith, Family, and Formation first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.

Starting August 3rd, 2025, our adult catechesis class will explore the provocative and insightful book Against Christianity by Rev. Peter J. Leithart — a series of short essays that challenges conventional categories of theology, culture, and the Christian life.

In this five-week series, we’ll wrestle with the book’s bold claims and thoughtful provocations, guided by Fr. Steve Macias:

📘 Weekly Topics:

• Week 1 – Against Christianity
• Week 2 – Against Theology
• Week 3 – Against Sacraments
• Week 4 – Against Ethics
• Week 5 – For Constantine

Rather than tearing down the faith, Leithart invites us to rethink what it means to be the Church — not as a private spirituality, but as a public, embodied, and sacramental people. His “theological bricolage” pushes against the compartmentalized and secular assumptions of modern life, calling Christians to live fully and visibly as members of the City of God.

ABOUT PETER LEITHART

Dr. Peter Leithart is the President of the Theopolis Institute and serves as the organizing pastor of Immanuel Reformed Church. A theologian, pastor, and prolific writer, Dr. Leithart is known for his rich biblical insights and creative theological reflections.

He is the author of numerous books, including On Earth As In Heaven (2022), God of Hope (2022), Creator (2023), and The Glory of Man (2024). His acclaimed two-volume commentary on Revelation was published by T&T Clark in 2018. He also writes regularly for First Things and on his Substack. Dr. Leithart has pastored churches in Alabama, Idaho, and most recently in Birmingham, Alabama. He previously taught theology and literature at New St. Andrews College for over a decade.

He holds degrees from Hillsdale College, Westminster Theological Seminary, and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Peter and his wife Noel have been blessed with ten children and twenty grandchildren.

Whether you’re a long-time member or exploring Anglican theology for the first time, this discussion will be rich, accessible, and rooted in Scripture and tradition.

📍Where: Saint Paul’s Anglican Church – Parish Hall
🕰 When: Sundays at 9:30 AM (Starts August 3, 2025)
📖 Book: Against Christianity (available at CanonPress.com or Amazon – $15)
👥 Led by: Fr. Steve Macias

✨ All are welcome. Come with your questions, a pen, and an open mind.

The post New Adult Catechesis Series: Against Christianity by Peter J. Leithart first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.

📄 Click here to download the bulletin for Trinity V (July 20, 2025)

The Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

📖 Scripture Readings

1. Old Testament:
   Genesis 18:1–14
   The Lord appears to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre; the promise of Isaac is given.
2. Psalm:
   Psalm 15 – Domine, quis habitabit?
   “Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?”
3. Epistle:
   Colossians 1:21–29
   Christ in you, the hope of glory; Paul’s ministry of proclaiming Christ.
4. Gospel:
   Luke 10:38–42
   Mary and Martha — “One thing is necessary.”

🗓 Parish Announcements

• 🍽 Fellowship Meal: Following Sunday’s service in the Parish Hall
• 🕯 Wednesday Evensong & Dinner: July 23, Dinner at 6:00 PM
• 📚 Membership Class (August): Contact Fr. Macias to join
• ✍️ AM Catechesis (Sundays at 9:30 AM): Against Christianity by Peter Leithart begins August 3

🎶 Hymns of the Day

Opening Hymn:
🕊 “The God of Abraham Praise” – Leoni
(285 / 338) | Based on the Jewish doxology | Text: Thomas Olivers, c. 1770, alt.

Pre-Sermon Hymn:
🕊 “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”
(462 / —) | Latin, 12th century

Offertory Anthem:
🕊 “Come Down, O Love Divine” – Down Ampney (Choir)
(376 / 482) | Text: Bianco da Siena (d. 1434), Tr. 1867

Communion Hymn:
🕊 “Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured”
(190 / 275) | Greek origin, Tr. J. Brownlie, 1907

Post-Communion Hymn:
🕊 “And Now, O Father, Mindful of the Love” – Unde et Memores (Choir)
(189 / 290) | Text: W. Bright, 1874

Closing Hymn:
🕊 “Crown Him with Many Crowns” – Diademata
(352 / 149) | Text: Matthew Bridges, 1851

🙌 You’re Invited

We invite you to worship with us this Sunday at 10:30 AM. Whether you’re new to Anglican liturgy or a lifelong Christian, our hope is that you’ll encounter Christ through the beauty of reverent worship.

📍 St. Paul’s Anglican Church – Los Altos, California
🌐 Plan Your Visit | Learn About Holy Communion

The post Trinity V: Worship Guide first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.

“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.”
— Luke 24:30–31 (ESV)

It was in the breaking of bread—a simple, shared act—that Jesus revealed Himself. Not in a sermon, not in a miracle, but at a meal. This moment, echoing the Last Supper and anticipating every Eucharist since, also sets the pattern for something else the early Church cherished: the agape feast, or love feast.

At Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, we continue that same rhythm of fellowship each week. Every Sunday after the liturgy, we gather in the Parish Hall for a shared meal—potluck-style and full of warmth, laughter, and conversation. Most weeks, we spend more time around the lunch table than we did in the pews.

For some, it’s a chance to debut a new dessert—especially if special Sunday calls for something sweet. We have bakers known for their sourdough and cooks who go all out with organic, gourmet entrées. There’s usually a fresh pot of coffee, a bottle of wine or sparkling cider passed around, and plenty of stories and updates from the week.

Around those tables, we do more than eat. We encourage each other, swap parenting tips, get advice on work and marriage, share prayer requests and struggles, and make plans to show up in each other’s lives. It’s where the Church continues to be the Church—one bite and one conversation at a time. It is an essential part of our community. Especially in the fast-paced disconnect of Silicon Valley culture.

Why We Do This

Our weekly meal is an intentional Christian practice, rooted in Scripture and history.

The Book of Acts describes the first Christians as:

“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”
— Acts 2:46 (ESV)

These were more than meals. They were extensions of the communion shared in Christ. In fact, St. Paul refers to the agape in 1 Corinthians 11, correcting the Corinthian church for turning the meal into a selfish, disordered event. He exhorts them to eat in a manner worthy of the Lord and to recognize the body of Christ among them.

“For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:29 (ESV)

A Practice of the Early Church

The Didache, an early Christian text dated to the late first or early second century, offers prayers and guidance for communal meals, showing that the Church gathered not only for worship but also for shared fellowship around the table.

Tertullian, writing around A.D. 200, described the Christian agape as:

“Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agapè, i.e., affection. Whatever it costs, our outlay in the name of piety is gain, since with the good things of the feast we benefit the needy.”
— Apology, Chapter XXXIX

Though formal agape feasts eventually diminished, the impulse remains. Whenever believers share a meal in the love of Christ, they continue the fellowship and unity modeled by the Apostles and nurtured in the early Church.

What It Looks Like Today

At St. Paul’s, our post-service meal is simple, but it’s always enough. Children laugh. New visitors find a seat. Burdens are shared. Prayers are whispered between bites.

It’s not a liturgy, but it’s liturgical. It’s not a sacrament, but it is sacramental. It’s a small but powerful way we live out the hospitality and communion that Christ first revealed—not just in the breaking of the bread at the altar, but also at the table of fellowship.

So if you’re reading this, consider this your invitation. Come join us this Sunday—not just for the Word and Sacrament, but for a plate of food and a place at the table. We would love to see you there.

The post Why Our Church Has a Fellowship Meal Each Week—And You’re Invited first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.

🕰 Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
📖 What to Expect: Dinner, Scripture study, and sung Anglican Evening Prayer
📍 Location: 123 N El Monte Ave, Los Altos (Rectory next to Saint Paul’s)
🧒 Children welcome | All are invited

Whether you’re new to Saint Paul’s or a longtime member, this is a great opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship. No prior experience with Anglican worship is needed!

The post Small Group Bible Study & Evensong – July 23 at the Macias Home (Los Altos) first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.

We began our latest Evensong evening at 6:00 PM with taco night around the Rectory. Laughter and conversation filled the room as newcomers and longtime members alike enjoyed a delicious dinner together. Afterwards, Mrs. Chau and Mr. De Villiers served ice cream, reminding us that Christian fellowship starts around the table.

If you’re searching for a local Anglican church in Los Altos, Mountain View, or Silicon Valley, you’re warmly invited to join us for a unique rhythm of worship and fellowship at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

Singing the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in Community

Next, we moved to the piano for a time of choral practice, learning to chant the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis—two core canticles from the Book of Common Prayer. Led by Mrs. Macias, participants of all skill levels joined in, singing in parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and learning the beauty of Anglican music and chant. We are so excited about our growing choir and welcome new members!

Here’s a video of formal “choral” Evensong. This service follows the traditional pattern in The Book of Common Prayer (1928) and consists of choral music (psalms, canticles, and anthems) from the rich Anglican musical tradition, scripture readings, and prayers. Since the late middle ages “evensong” has been the popular name for vespers (from the Latin vesperis, “evening”), the Evening Office of the western church. Cranmer used it in the 1549 BCP. Although in 1552 he replaced it with “Evening Prayer,” the common name remains “evensong.” In many Anglican cathedrals and other large churches, especially in England, evensong is sung by clergy and choir as a choral liturgy.

These ancient songs of Scripture, sung by Christians for centuries, are central to our tradition of Evening Prayer—also known as Evensong.

A Short Reflection from the Book of Judges

Following prayer requests and liturgy, Father Steve offered a brief teaching from Judges 13, exploring the meaning of Samson’s Nazarite vow. He discussed the biblical symbolism behind Samson avoiding wine, not cutting one’s hair, and staying away from the dead—signs of being set apart for God’s holy purposes. This teaching connected the Old Testament story to our own call to holiness in everyday life and the story of Christ.

Looking for an Anglican Church in Silicon Valley?

Whether you’re new to Anglicanism or have been part of the tradition for years, St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Los Altos is a place to grow, sing, and worship in community. We are a vibrant parish rooted in the historic Christian faith and committed to reverent liturgy, joyful fellowship, and biblical teaching.

Join Us for the Next Rectory Evensong:
📅 Wednesday, July 24
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 The Rectory, Los Altos

Even if you’ve never chanted before—come. There’s room for you at the table, and in the circle of prayer.

The post Evensong, Tacos, and the Nazarite Vow — A Night at the Rectory first appeared on Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Los Altos.