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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
(662) 328-6673
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Worship
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Worship at St. Paul's is according to the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. We use Rite I and Rite II equally throughout the year.
On most Sundays, we celebrate Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10:30 a.m.. On some Sundays, we use the service of Morning Prayer/
Daily morning (7:15 a.m.) and evening (5:15 p.m.) prayer in the chapel
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Architecture
Stained Glass Windows
The lovely windows in St. Paul’s, which are Memorial gifts, depict the most important happenings in the life of Christ. These windows, with the exception of the Tiffany window, were made in England especially for St. Paul's. As you face the altar and beginning on your right with the Nativity window, the windows follow in sequence around the church, representing the Boy Jesus in the Temple, the Baptism, the Healing, Blessing the Children, Transfiguration, Triumphant Entry, Gethsemane, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. In the tower window is Christ Blessing the World and the window in the Sanctuary is dedicated to St. Paul, the great missionary to the Gentiles.
Beautiful stained glass windows continue to play the role for which they were intended originally, to teach by pictures, especially needful in a time when all people could not read. In looking closely at the windows we see various symbols. They help our understanding of the significance of each window. To take them one by one in sequence:
NATIVITY : We see here the Epiphany Star shedding light on the world at the birth of Christ. The Epiphany Star is also shown with the three kings and the Lantern, signifying light again and it emphasizes Christ as the Light of the World. The Epiphany Star is referred to as the Star of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). It finds its fulfillment in the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (Matthew 2:10). In the base scene we see the angels and the shepherds, which bring to mind the passage beginning, "Behold I bring you great tidings …."
BOY IN TEMPLE: At the top of the window is a Lamp, signifying knowledge - the rays coming down from God. The Lamp is a symbol for the word of God, from "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105). Here we see the boy Jesus in the Temple, when he was twelve, talking with the priests in the Temple. We also see in the base scene the Purification of Mary with St. Simeon, whose words now have become our Nunc Dimitis, those beautiful words beginning,"Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart peace," (Luke 2:29). The turtle doves suggest the offering at the dedication of Jesus in the Temple.
BAPTISM: Christ's Baptism by St. John the Baptist is depicted here with the rays from above and the dove (St. Like 3:21), suggesting the Holy Spirit descending. In the base scene on the window is shown the miracle at the wedding feast when Jesus turned the water into wine. His robe of purple color suggests royalty.
HEALING: There are several pictures; Christ healing the lame, a woman bringing her child to Christ for healing, and the base scene, Christ forgiving sins and healing the blind man. In this window we see the symbol of the Caduceus which has become a symbol of doctors of healing. It goes back to the time in Greek mythology when this staff or symbol was the insignia of Hermes or Mercury. (A good many of the symbols are Greek or Latin in origin.)
BLESSING CHILDREN: Here we see Jesus blessing the little children. We are reminded that we, as adults, must take on the innocence of children to understand Christ's mercy. In the base scene is shown the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. At the top of the picture is the Lotus, an Egyptian symbol. This blossom of exquisite beauty and purity, with its root in mud, suggests that the life of a Christian may rise above unlovely and evil influences.
THE TOWER WINDOW: In following in sequence and walking around looking at the windows, we look up next to the Tower Window. We see here Christ in the attitude of "Blessing," standing upon the world and in back is the symbolic rainbow with the Alpha and Omega; above the head of Christ is the Cross and Crown. We see here the Risen Lord, reigning in glory. You can see his hands and feet are pierced.
TRANSFIGURATION: In this window we see the glow of the transformed body of Christ. Peter, James, and John, Moses and Elijah are shown. Here in the base scene the picture is Christ with Peter. Jesus asks, "But whom say ye that I am,’ and Peter answereth and saith unto him, ‘Thou are the Christ." (Mark 8:29) The Chi Rho, CP, is in this picture. This is perhaps the most ancient of the sacred monograms. It is the abbreviation of the word, "Christ," in Greek, taking the first two letters Chi as X and Rho as P.
TRIUMPHANT ENTRY: The Orb and The Cross of Triumph are symbolic of the triumph of the Gospel throughout the earth. They are here used to show Christ as the ruler of the world. The Orb is a word of British use, symbolizing kingly power and justice. The Orb is a sphere surmounted by a Cross. The main picture is of Christ's coming into Jerusalem, which now we celebrate on Palm Sunday. In the base scene we see Mary anointing Christ's feet and drying them with her hair. (St. John 12:3).
GETHSEMANE: Christ is in the garden here, as he prays that the cup be taken from him, if it be the Lord's will, but the angel brings the cup. The lantern in this picture suggests God's superior knowledge of what Jesus had to do. A company of men and officers also entered Gethsemane with lanterns and torches (John 18:3). In the base scene we see the "Kiss of Death" as Judas betrays Christ.
CRUCIFIXION: In the picture here we see Christ on the Cross, with Mary and John below. And in the base scene we see what has become known as the Via Dolorosa or the road or way of sorrow. The symbol used in this one shows some effect of Pagan customs on Christian symbolism - the Pelican on her nest, feeding her young, seeming to pluck drops of blood from her breast suggesting the Passion, the Latin word for suffering. The Passion is suffering, both physical and spiritual, of our Lord upon the Cross and in the events leading up to it; the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and the fact of our Lord's blood being shed for us.
RESURRECTION: This Tiffany window, representing the Resurrection, was installed in 1896, many years before the other memorial windows and differs from the others in style, materials and construction. This window is signed by the Tiffany Company. Louis Comfort Tiffany was born in New York and during the period between 1893-1933 he developed a form of colored or stained glass called Favril.
ASCENSION: Here we see the resurrected Christ ruling from on high. The Crown of Life (Revelation 2:10) here, with rays coming down to earth, is significant of his kingly power reaching down to us. In the base scene we see the Supper at Emmaus.
ST. PAUL: This picture is in the Sanctuary and is of St. Paul on the way to Damascus. Christ comes to him, reigning from Heaven - the rays coming down symbolize this. Christ holds the Orb and wears the Crown which was explained in another picture, and He is giving his priestly blessing. This picture is significant in that it is dedicated to St. Paul for whom our church is named and dedicated.
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Services
Regular Worship Services
Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Children's & Adults Sunday School: 9:15 a.m.
Thursdays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing
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Notes on our worship
Lay Readers: Teens or adults who assist during worship services by reading the scripture.
Acolytes: Youth who carry the cross, flags, or candles in procession and assist during baptisms or during weekly Holy Communion.
Ushers: Adults (up to four per service) to greet guests and parishioners, hand out bulletins, assist with the offering and serving of communion, and prepare the sanctuary for the next service, if needed.
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