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Sacraments

outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace

The two sacraments given by Jesus Christ for the Church include:


Holy Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in baptism. God adopts us, making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God (BCP, pp. 298, 858). In baptism we are made sharers in the new life of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the foundation for all future church participation and ministry. Each candidate for baptism in the Episcopal Church is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons. read more


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Eucharist (or Holy Communion)

The sacrament of Christ's body and blood, and the principal act of Christian worship. The term is from the Greek, “thanksgiving.” Jesus instituted the eucharist “on the night when he was betrayed.” At the Last Supper he shared the bread and cup of wine at a sacred meal with his disciples. He identified the bread with his body and the wine with his blood of the new covenant. Jesus commanded his disciples to “do this” in remembrance of him (see 1 Cor 11:23-26; Mk 14:22-25; Mt 26:26-29; Lk 22:14-20). Christ's sacrifice is made present by the eucharist, and in it we are united to his one self-offering (BCP, p. 859). The Last Supper provides the basis for the fourfold eucharistic action of taking, blessing, breaking, and sharing. Christ's body and blood are really present in the sacrament of the eucharist and received by faith. Christ's presence is also known in the gathered eucharistic community. In the BCP, the whole service is entitled the Holy Eucharist. read more



Sacramental rites that can also serve as means of grace in our lives:


Confirmation: The adult affirmation of our baptismal vows in which the candidates "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860 and p. 412). read more


Reconciliation of a Penitent(also called Penance or Confession): Confession to God in the presence of a priest. The person repenting receives assurance of pardon and absolution (BCP, p. 861 and p. 446). Confessions may be heard at any time or place and is not limited to times of sickness. read more


Matrimony: Christian marriage is a solemn public covenant between two persons in the presence of God. (BCP, p. 423). At least one of the couple must be a baptized Christian. Marriage is a lifelong union of heart, body, and mind that is intended by God for their mutual joy, for help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity, and for the procreation (when it is God’s will) of children and their Christian nurture. read more


Ordination: A sacramental rite of the church by which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons (BCP, pp. 860-861). Bishops carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the church. Priests also carry the ministry of church governance, along with the church’s ministry of missionary and pastoral work, in preaching of the Word of God, and in the administration of the sacraments. Deacons assist bishops and priests in all of this work, and have special responsibility to minister in Christ’s name to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless (BCP, p. 510). read more


Last Rites: Sacramental ministry to a dying Christian, which may include confession and absolution, laying on of hands, anointing (extreme unction), and communion ( BCP pp. 447-467). read more


*Definitions taken from Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY, (All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.


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