Life Events - Sacraments
In the Church we acknowledge that God is present in every occasion of our lives. Some of these we mark together with special celebrations of worship to highlight the ways in which God is always at work throughout the events of our lives. As Episcopalians, we believe that these observations reveal God's grace to us in new ways.
Holy Baptism
Welcoming any and all persons into new life in Christ is one of the great privileges of any Christian community. Baptism is a sacrament wherein we recognize through the outward sign of water the inward grace of God joining us with the ministry of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. As such, it is understood as full initiation into membership in the body of Christ and is best…
Read More »Holy Eucharist (Communion)
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and the principal act of Christian worship. The term eucharist is from Greek, meaning "thanksgiving." Jesus instituted the eucharist "on the night when he was betrayed." At the Last Supper he shared the bread and cup of wine at a sacred meal with his disciples. He identified the bread with his body and the wine with …
Read More »Marriage
Marriage is when two persons "enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows" (Book of Common Prayer, 861). In the Episcopal Church, marriage is open to couples regardless of gender. For more information on the rite of Christian marriage, click here.
St. Paul's offers two options …
Read More »Burial
Burial is a holy rite of rememberance for the passing of a loved one in light of the ressurection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is a solemn occassion that is among our greatest privileges to celebrate in the life of a person and our Church. Planning a burial service at St. Paul's can either be done through arrangements with area funeral homes or by initiating a conversation with…
Read More »Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation
Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation are concurrent rites where a mature commitment to Christ is welcomed by the Church through the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation is for those wishing to affirm the commitments made for them at their baptism. Reception is for those previously confirmed in another Church who now find their ministry in the Episcopal Church. Re…
Read More »Reconciliation of Penitents (Confession)
Reconciliation of Penitents (commonly called Confession or the Sacrament of Forgiveness) is a sacramental rite in which those who repent may confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution (BCP, p. 861). It is also sometimes called penance and confession. We do not have a standing schedule for Reconciliation, p…
Read More »Anointing (Unction)
Anointing (unction) is the sacramental use of oil as an outward sign of God's active presence for healing, initiation, or ordination. Anointing with oil by smearing or pouring may accompany prayers for healing (unction) and the laying on of hands in the rite for Ministration to the Sick (BCP, p. 453). The signing with the cross of the newly baptized may be done by anointing with …
Read More »Holy Orders (Ordination)
"Holy Orders" refers to the ordained ministries of bishops, priests (presbyters), and deacons. Canonical provisions concerning ordination to these three orders are equally applicable to persons of all gender in the Episcopal Church.
Rector
