LITURGY AND SACRAMENT
Liturgy and the Sacraments are essential to the life of the Christian. They are the communal response and participation in the sacred life of God through praise, thanksgiving, remembrance, petition and repentance. When we pray together liturgically, we pray as the Body of Christ, with Jesus at its Head in both heaven and on earth. We join in prayer with the angels, the communion of saints and those gone before us. Liturgy uses signs and symbols that are closely linked with words and actions rooted in Scripture. The actions found in liturgy speak for themselves, but are always accompanied by words. The seven sacraments are expressed liturgically, through their rituals. Saint Augustine defined sacraments as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. We can be certain that God’s grace is received through the sacraments. Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist are directly mandated by Christ. The sacraments in general have been expressed in Scripture as seen in Christ’s ministry and then through the ministry of the Apostles.
Sacrament of Holy 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.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
After his baptism, Saint Paul wrote in the Epistle to the Galatians: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (2:20). When we are baptized as infants or as adults, we become part of the larger Body of Christ. We become Christ’s people, we and our sins have been buried with Christ in his death and redeemed and made new in his resurrection. We are united with Christ the High Priest and become part of the royal priesthood of all believers, filled with the Holy Spirit. God gives us a share of his new life in the communion of saints and sends us out to do his work- both through our words of testimony and in our actions and good works. It is up to each one of us to pray, evangelize and come together as a community at the Eucharist as we look forward to the day of redemption.
Sacrament of Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist, the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself…The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
The Holy Eucharist also known as Holy Communion, the Mass and the Divine Liturgy, is the Lord’s service which is celebrated on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. It is also celebrated in many parishes every day of the week. At the Eucharist, we enter into God’s holy presence with thanksgiving and we sacrifice our entire self to God. We hear Holy Scripture, pray for the needs of the Church, the world, ourselves, and those we love- both alive and deceased, and we too experience God's forgiveness and healing. We are fed and strengthened as one body and united with Christ in his passion, death, resurrection and ascension. As Anglicans we believe that the risen and glorified Christ is truly present in the Bread and Wine. His presence is more than symbolic, as the sacramental forms of Bread and Wine are mysteriously changed into his Body and Blood.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The ministry of reconciliation, which has been committed by Christ to his Church, is exercised through the care each Christian has for others, through the common prayer of Christians assembled for public worship, and through the priesthood of the church and its ministers declaring absolution.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
Even though Episcopalians usually express repentance during the general confession at the Eucharist and Daily Office, and most Christians express repentance in some private way, the power of this sacrament cannot be overlooked. It an opportunity to free us from the weight of sin, fear and guilt which can feel overwhelming in our lives. The role of the priest can help a person work through their conscience toward an amendment of life and can remind the person that they are forgiven by God. One can feel renewed by God’s grace and mercy.
Sacrament of Healing
Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
Many believe that the Sacrament of Healing or Holy Unction is only received when approaching death. Some believe that it only takes place in the hospital by a chaplain. But this sacrament exists for the purpose of healing -- to restore a person to physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. When we anoint and pray for people, we ask God to release them from anything that prevents a person from being whole. As Christians we recognize that there is a difference between being healed and being cured. The sacrament, like confession, is available at any time. Sometime the sacrament takes place during or after Holy Eucharist. When you are need of the sacrament, please contact either Father Civale or Deacon Oughton.
Sacrament of Confirmation and Reception and Affirmation of Faith
In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
In Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s death and resurrection and receive the Holy Spirit. At Confirmation we are sent into the world in the power of that Spirit to love and serve God and others. Since 1979, all Christians are welcome to receive the Eucharist and no longer require Confirmation. The Rite of Reception is performed for a baptized Christian who has already been confirmed by a bishop and wishes to be welcomed into the Episcopal Church and larger Anglican Communion. A person may desire to re- affirm their faith as an Episcopalian publicly before the Church. This could be compared to couples who wish to reaffirm their marriage vows witnessed by their loved ones and the Church.
At Confirmation, Reception and Affirmation, candidates make a profession of faith and renew the Baptismal Covenant. And as witnesses, the Church supports and prays that the Holy Spirit will continue to transform and deepen the candidates’ faith. We are all on a common, yet individual journey. There are those who feel sure and others who continue to discern how and where God is calling them. Regardless, as a parish and as Church we are required to walk with and support each person, providing appropriate instruction, prayer and counsel.
If you are interested in deepening your commitment to Christ and his Church and wish to participate in any of these rites, please reach out to Father Civale at any time.
Sacrament of Holy Orders
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
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
All Christians have a particular Christian vocation and are called to ministry. All are called to evangelize by confidently sharing their faith story and to witness in both word and action. All are called to serve Christ and each other. This is part of our baptismal commitment. The Church also holds that certain people are set aside to minister in particular ways. Bishops carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the church in its traditions and understanding of scripture. Priests work with the bishops in 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 serve the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant…in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must 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 this Church.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which two persons enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. If you are interested in a wedding at the parish or in joining the parish before your wedding, please contact Father Civale or the church office.
Other Liturgies at St Paul’s
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer
Monastic groups pray seven Divine offices appointed throughout each day. Cathedrals and parishes often pray Morning Prayer (Lauds/Matins) and Evening Prayer (Vespers). Our prayer book also offers a Noonday service and Compline service. These four services are rooted in the monastic tradition. Ordained clergy promise to pray the office daily. The laity is also encouraged to pray the Office as an important part of the rhythm of the day. Even when we pray the Office alone, we are praying together with other members of the Church as we follow the same service of prescribed prayer and lectionary readings. At Saint Paul’s we currently pray Morning Prayer together on Wednesday and on major feast days.
Funerals: Burial of the Dead
The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised . . . This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that the one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
— The Book of Common Prayer, 1979
When we bury our loved ones, we maintain that life has not ended, but changed and that nothing can separate us from each other in Christ. In our sorrow and sense of loss can come joy. Our love for the departed doesn’t change and we will continue to remember and pray for those who have died, and we trust that they still love and pray for us.