SACRAMENTS

Divine Grace

We believe that God has promised to humanity that they would have access to divine grace, the gift of God's blessing that delivers us from sin, strengthens us to do good work, and leads us deeper into the life of faith. Of course, God's grace flows into the world in myriad ways, and we don't limit how God works in our lives or the world. Nevertheless, The Episcopal Church trusts that God's grace is particularly assured in the sacraments of the Church. Most simply, Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace - that is, God's favor towards us.

While Episcopalians hold a range of views in their understanding of the sacraments, our ancient "Western" church heritage (from which Anglicanism arises) holds to seven formal sacraments. Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist are the two sacraments instituted by Christ and given to the Church. Confirmation, Matrimony, Orders, Reconciliation of the Penitent, and Anointing of the Sick are five sacramental rites practiced by the early Church to mark the spiritual journey.

Holy Baptism

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which a person is adopted as a member of the household of God and made a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. Baptism occurs by full submersion in or by the pouring over of water in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit as a sign of union with Christ.

Baptisms can be scheduled most Sundays (except during Lent) in consultation with the priest.

Please contact the Rev. Robert Moses or call the church office.

Holy Eucharist

Holy Eucharist is the sacrament mandated by Christ during his last meal with the disciples as a continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. During Holy Eucharist, the bread and wine which are offered according to Christ's command are made into the body and blood of Christ and given to the people. In the Episcopal Church, we firmly believe in the Real Presence of Christ (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in the Holy Eucharist.

OUTWARD SIGN/

INWARD GRACE

BAPTISM
Visible Sign—Pouring over with Water in the Name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit
Spiritual Grace—Union with Christ, Membership in the Household of God

EUCHARIST
Visible Sign—Bread & Wine properly Consecrated by a Priest
Spiritual Grace—The Real Presence of Christ in His Body & Blood present among the People

CONFIRMATION
Visible Sign—Anointing with the Sacred Oil of Chrism by a Bishop (or Priest)
Spiritual Grace—Being sealed with the Holy Spirit

HOLY MATRIMONY
Visible Sign—Two persons making vows before God & the Church
Spiritual Grace—The assurance of Divine Fidelity to Covenant Love

HOLY ORDERS
Visible Sign—Episcopal Consecration with Holy Oil
Spiritual Grace—The assurance of the authority and guidance of the Holy Spirit

RECONCILATION OF A PENITENT
Visible Sign - Confession of Sin & The Absolution pronounced by a Priest
Spiritual Grace—The assurance of Divine Forgiveness

ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Visible Sign—The Laying on of Hands & Anointing with Holy Oil
Spiritual Grace—The healing of Body, Mind, & Spirit

Confirmation

Confirmation is the sacrament in which a person expresses a mature commitment to Christ before the bishop who lays hands on their heads and anoints them with the sacred oil of Chrism as a sign of being sealed in the Holy Spirit.

If you want to be confirmed, please contact the Rev. Robert Moses or call the church office. If you were confirmed in another church with bishops in apostolic succession we recognized your confirmation. You are invited to participate in preparation to be Received (Reception) or to make a Reaffirmation of Faith.

Holy Matrimony

Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage in which two persons make vows before God and the Church as a sign of the assurance of divine blessing and fortitude represented in the marriage of Christ and the Church.

Weddings can be scheduled at Christ the King in consultation with the priest. At least three sessions of counseling are required with the priest (or other designated professional) before being married in the Episcopal Church.

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament of ordination conferring authority on those being made bishop, priest, or deacon through the laying of hands and anointing with oil (outward and visible) as a sign of the assurance of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (inward and spiritual grace).

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Reconciliation is the sacrament in which a person confesses their sins to a priest who confers absolution (outward and visible) as a sign of the assurance of divine forgiveness (inward and spiritual grace).

The private Reconciliation of a Penitent can be scheduled with the priest, as needed. Services of Reconciliation of a Penitent also occur at special times during the year.

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing the sick is the sacrament in which a sick person is anointed with oil and prayed over with the laying on of hands (outward and visible) as a sign of God's grace given for healing of body, mind, and spirit (inward and spiritual grace).

Anointing of the Sick can be arranged with the priest, as needed. If you or someone you know is sick, in hospital, or long-term care, and they would like a pastoral visit from the priest, please contact Rev. Robert Moses or schedule here.