Worship and Life
Holy Baptism
The sacrament of Holy Baptism by water and the Holy Spirit is an ancient ceremony for being made part of Christ's body, in the Christian church. In our tradition, we offer Baptism to both children and adults.
Normally baptisms are done during regular Sunday services. Baptism is especially appropriate at several times during the church year: during the season Easter (the seven weeks following Easter Sunday), All Saints Sunday (the first Sunday in November), the feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ (the first Sunday after January 6), and on the Sunday when the bishop visits. But we can celebrate the sacrament of baptism at other times as well.
If you're interested in the sacrament of Holy Baptism for yourself or your children, please contact our Rector.
Confirmation
It is normative (though not required) for most Baptized Members, who were baptized as infants or young children, to make a mature profession of faith (Confirmation) when the bishop comes for annual visitation. Those who are coming from a different Christian tradition, and have already made a mature profession of faith there, are invited to be "Received" into our tradition when the bishop comes.
From time to time our Rector offers a class called "Episcopal 101" which serves as a preparatory class for those wishing to be confirmed or received (though it's also appropriate for those who have questions, or for those who just wish to know more about the Episcopal Church and St. Paul's).
Holy Matrimony (Marriage)
Weddings at St. Paul's are primarily for active members of the parish, though we also, from time to time, officiate at wedding for others as well.
At least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian, and there must be at least two witnesses, and it must conform to the laws of the State of Texas and the canons of the Episcopal Church. In the case of divorced persons wanting to be married in the church, a petition to the Bishop is required for permission to solemnize the marriage.
Every couple must participate in premarital counseling with the Rector or another approved counselor. St. Paul's clergy would officiate at the wedding and preside at the rehearsal. Visiting clergy may be invited to assist at the service, with the consent of the Rector.
From time to time, with the express permission of the Rector, we have hosted Christian weddings presided over by another ordained Christian minister from another tradition.
For more detailed information, please see our guidelines. (Please note, these guidelines are focused on Episcopal weddings presided over by one of our clergy—if we are hosting a wedding presided over by clergy from another tradition, some of these items may be waived by the Rector on a case by case basis.) The guidelines contain a form for information about the ceremony and a set of wedding photography policies that must be looked over and signed by your photographer; both can be filled out online using the links.
Christian Burial
In the case of the death of a loved one, please contact the clergy immediately.
A burial service in the Episcopal Church has 3 basic purposes:
1. It is an act of worship to God giving thanks for the gift of the Resurrection through Jesus Christ.
2. It gives thanks for the life of the deceased.
3. It is meant to offer comfort to the family and friends of the deceased.
If the remains of the deceased are present (in either a casket or urn) they will be covered by a pall (a decorative piece of cloth representing the fact that all are equal before God). We also limit flowers in the church to 1 or 2 arrangements at the altar only.
If music is desired, it should be classical or sacred. If hymns are desired, here is a suggested list. We also have a list of suggested scripture readings.
If you are interested in pre-planning your own service, you can download the planning form or fill it out online. This can be a wonderful gift to your loved ones, as well as a way of testifying to your own faith even after death.
