The mission of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church is to be the body of Christ by dying to self to transform the world.
Come worship the Lord God Almighty with us. Immerse yourself in a rich liturgy and biblical preaching. Come walk the long and winding road of salvation with others walking the same path. Come and know Christ, who loves you and gave himself for you.
St. Paul’s Beginnings
The Apostle Paul constantly talked about the transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ: that life in Christ is better than anything the world offers; that every person, no matter their past, is invited to be transformed into Jesus likeness; that following Jesus leads to eternal life. This is why we named this church after St. Paul. We believe, teach, and follow “faith that transforms.”
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a plant of The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas ministering in the Prosper and Celina areas. The Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton commissioned St. Paul’s as a mission station on August 1st, 2007. St. Paul’s first public worship service was on October 5th, 2008.
What kind of Church is Saint Paul’s?
We’re an Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Dallas. Two things stand out on Sunday: we preach the Word of God and we take Communion every week. What you will see as you read below is that everything revolves around Jesus Christ.
What is an Episcopal Church?
Well, we’re not Baptist and we’re not Catholic. We might seem like a little of both. The Word of God is preached every week, but then we’re wearing robes and lightening candles! In short, we’re Protestant (same as Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc.), but we’ve decided to retain a lot of the ancient traditions (same as Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Lutherans).
Why Communion every week?
What is salvation? Salvation is being joined body and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. Communion is the moment during the week when, not only do we believe that we are united to Jesus, but it really happens. There is a very real sense in which we don’t get any closer to Jesus this side of heaven than at his Supper. More than anything we need him and every Sunday he offers himself to us at his Table.
What do some of the robes and items around the church mean?
A priest wears a “stole” draped over his or her shoulders. It represents a yoke, because the priest serves Christ and the Church.
The candles on the Table represent the presence of Christ.
The Gospel is read out among the people as a symbol that Christ lives and walks among us.
The bread and the wine are under a “veil.” But every week the veil is removed, because Christ dwells with his people.
What do the colors mean?
As we said above, everything revolves around Jesus, including the calendar year. In the Fall Advent will begin (Purple: waiting for Jesus), then Christmas (White: celebrating his birth), after that Epiphany (White: announcing his coming to the nations), then Lent (Purple: preparing for the death of Jesus), then Easter (White: celebrating the Resurrection), then Pentecost (Red: the gift of the Holy Spirit, so we can proclaim Jesus.)
What is the point of all this?
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Hopefully He is why you came. He is the rock, center, and heart of our church.