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Sacraments are outward and visible
signs of an inward and spiritual grace. Through sacraments, God sustains the
life of the Church, offers His love and gives us strength to fulfill His
plan.
Baptism
is administered once to each person, usually as an infant. Water is poured
on the head of the child (or adult) to symbolize the washing away of sins.
The Holy Trinity is called upon to strengthen the new church member. Baptism
is a pledge of repentance, trust in God, and obedience to His will.
The Holy Eucharist is a
remembrance of and thanksgiving for Christ 's
death and resurrection. In Holy Communion, ordinary bread and wine become
the sacramental vehicle for Christ's presence within us, as He promised.
When receiving Communion, Episcopalians offer themselves to God in
repentance, love and faith; recall His death; acknowledge His sacrifice, and
renew hope in the heavenly banquet.
Confirmation, conferred by a bishop, strengthens
the commitment made to Christ at Baptism. It gives us courage to witness
Christ in the world and to selflessly serve each other.
Penance is sorrow for
sinning, with a sincere desire to amend one's life, assurance by a
priest of God's forgiveness through Absolution and Reconciliation with God.
Matrimony is the sacrament of marriage, in which
God joins together a man and a woman in physical and spiritual union.
Holy Unction, the ministry
of healing, is a continuation of Christ's work among the sick. It
involves the "laying on of hands", anointing with oil, and praying for
physical and spiritual health.
Holy Orders is the sacrament of consecrating
Christians in service to God. Spiritual power and grace are given to help
them devote their lives to the good of the community - teaching,
administering sacraments, and governing the church. |
