The Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means for receiving God's grace.

Baptism and Eucharist are the two great sacraments given by Christ to his church. The Episcopal Church recognizes that five other sacramental rites evolved in the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These are: Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), and Unction (the anointing of the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands).

Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the First Sunday after the Epiphany).

Holy Eucharist

Eucharist comes from the Greek for "thanksgiving." We celebrate the presence of the Lord with us in the Holy Eucharist. We offer thanks to God for his gifts to us, remembering the life, death, and resurrection of his only son Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is only one name for this service. Other faiths and churches might refer to it as the Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, and sometimes the Mass. But whatever name we use, this tradition is one of the most important ways for us to meet our Lord.

Confirmation

The sacramental rite of Holy Confirmation (including Reception and Reaffirmation) provides an opportunity for a mature and public affirmation of our commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord within the body of Christ, the Church. The presence of a Bishop as a representative of our apostolic and catholic heritage, is a symbolic reminder that the body of Christ is not only the local community of faith, but the church throughout the world. Additionally, for people whose Christian journey has previously been lived out in other Christian traditions, Confirmation sacramentally marks the new relationship within this particular branch of Christ’s holy, catholic church.

Holy Matrimony

In the Episcopal Church it is required that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian, that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses, and that the marriage conform to the laws of the state and the canons of the church. The member of the clergy who will solemnize the marriage typically meets with the couple on several occasions prior to the service to discuss the meaning of Christian marriage in the couple's life. The Rector requires at least six months of pre-marital counseling, scheduled to begin no less than seven months of the proposed wedding date.

Regarding weddings at St. Paul's, as Holy Matrimony is a sacrament in the Episcopal Church, only members and direct family of members of St. Paul's are eligible to be married at St. Paul's.

Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession)

The Sacrament of the Reconciliation of a Penitent is the 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. It is also called penance or confession. The church's ministry of reconciliation is from God, "who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18)

Unction (Anointing of the Sick)

The Sacrament of Holy Unction (the Anointing of the Sick) is an act of healing through prayer conveyed on both the sick and the dying; the latter is classically called Extreme Unction. In this sacrament, the priest offers prayers and acts as a mediator of Christ's grace by laying on of hands and anointing with oil. This action is administered along with Holy Communion.