Sacraments & Life Events
God’s Grace
through every Season of Life
The sacraments make God’s grace visible in the life of the church.
St. Paul’s accompanies people through beginnings, commitments, healing, marriage, death, and remembrance.
1
Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the church. Infants, children, youth, and adults may be baptized. Baptism normally takes place within the Sunday Eucharist, where the whole congregation promises to support the newly baptized in a life of worship, service, and witness.
2
Confirmation and Reception
Confirmation invites a person to affirm the promises of Baptism as an adult and receive prayer from a bishop for the Holy Spirit’s strength and guidance. Preparation explores the foundations of Christian faith and Episcopal tradition. Those already baptized and confirmed in another Christian denomination may be received into the Episcopal Church by a bishop.
3
Healing and Reconciliation
The Rite of Reconciliation offers a sacramental path of confession, forgiveness, and peace. A priest is available by appointment. The anointing of those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit is offered after Communion at the Wednesday 12:10 p.m. Eucharist.
4
Marriage
The Episcopal Church celebrates marriage as a sacred covenant in which two people promise lifelong faithfulness and ask God’s blessing and the support of their community. A wedding at St. Paul’s is first an act of Christian worship: solemn, joyful, and grounded in prayer.
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St. Paul’s soaring neo-Gothic interior, liturgy, and music offer a beautiful setting, but the deepest preparation is spiritual. Couples should begin by calling the church office at (910) 762-4578 or emailing admin@spechurch.com to request the current Wedding Handbook. A meeting with the wedding coordinator follows to discuss the ceremony, schedule, requirements, and practical details. At least one member of the couple must be a baptized Christian, and the rector must give permission for a marriage at St. Paul’s.
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Please do not make final wedding arrangements until you have met with the wedding coordinator and received the church’s guidance.
5
Funerals and Memorial Services
The Rite of Burial gives family and friends a sacred place to grieve, remember, and give thanks for a life. The clergy and parish are honored to accompany families through loss and to help plan a funeral or memorial service.
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Arrangements should be made in consultation with the clergy. St. Paul’s also encourages people to place a Funeral Directive on file. This advance planning helps the parish and family respond in an emergency and honor a person’s wishes for the service, burial, and memorial gifts.
