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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.
Holy Baptism is
appropriately administered with the Eucharist as the chief service on a
Sunday or other feast day. The Celebrant is expected to
preach
the
Word and preside at Baptism and the Eucharist. At Baptism, in the
absence of the Bishop, the priest is the celebrant and presides at the
service. He or she officiates at the Presentation and Examination of the
Candidates; says the Thanksgiving over the Water; reads the prayer,
“Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit;” and
officiates at what follows.
Each candidate for
Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and
thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention
to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors
of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make
promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their
candidates.
It is fitting that
parents be included among the g odparents
of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in
the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow
in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as
members of his Church.
BAPTISMAL
HOMILY
RENEWING BAPTISMAL VOWS
St. David’s periodically offers the
congregation the opportunity to renew their baptismal vows.
HOLY EUCHARIST
The Holy
Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual
remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming
again. 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
Holy Eucharist is called the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Communion; it is
also known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.
The outward and
visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received
according to Christ’s command. The inward and spiritual grace in the
Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people, and
received by faith. 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 heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in
eternal life.
When we come to
the Eucharist, it is required that we examine our lives,, repent of our
sins, and be in love and charity with all people.
WHAT ARE THE SACRAMENTS?
The sacraments
are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by
Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. Grace
is God’s favor towards us, unearned and undeserved; by grace God
forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and
strengthens our wills. The two great sacraments given by Christ to his
Church are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.
Other sacramental
rites which evolved in the Church include confirmation, ordination, holy
matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction. They differ from
the two sacraments of the Gospel, Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
Although they are means of grace, they are not necessary for all persons
in the same way that Baptism and the Eucharist are. Sacraments sustain
our hope to live with confidence in newness and fullness of life, and to
await the coming of Christ in glory, and the completion of God’s purpose
for the world.
What is
Confirmation? It is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to
Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the
laying on of hands by a bishop.
What is
Ordination? It is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace
of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priest, and deacons,
through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops.
What is Holy
Matrimony? It is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter
into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and
receive the grace and glessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.
What is
Reconciliation of a Penitent? It is the rite in which those who repent
of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and
receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
What is Unction
of the Sick? It 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. |
