Worship at St. Paul's

In the Episcopal Church, every Sunday is Easter Sunday, and in the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) we celebrate the sacrament of the Resurrection of Christ. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace: a ritual in which we celebrate and bless what God has already accomplished, in this case, the salvation of all of humanity in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We welcome everyone who is seeking Christ to receive Holy Communion. All children, no matter how young, are welcome to receive the bread and/or wine, with their parents’ permission. If we waited until we understood what is happening in the Eucharist, none of us would receive. It is a mystery, and young children are capable of remarkable reverence. If, on the other hand, parents prefer to wait until their children are of an age where they can be taught about Eucharist, please bring them forward at the time of Holy Communion so that they may receive a blessing.

The way we receive Communion in the Episcopal Church is to place the palm of one hand on top of the other and extend them toward the minister to receive the bread. You may eat the bread or wait until the chalice of wine is offered. If you have eaten the bread, you will then assist the minister in guiding the chalice to your lips and sip from the chalice. Or, you may intinct (dip) the wafer into the wine. Reception of either bread or wine is considered a full communion. If you prefer not to take Communion, please indicate this to the minister by crossing your arms over your chest, and we will give you a blessing from God.