Sacraments
A sacrament is a Christian rite that is an “outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace.” (BCP p. 857-58). In them, God “forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and strengthens our wills.” (BCP p. 857-58). We do not earn God’s grace and love through the sacraments. God is gracious because he is love, and freely gives us these gifts through the faith of Jesus. Sacraments are a way God communicates this grace and life to us and to the world.
The Episcopal Church recognizes two great Sacraments of the Gospel—Baptism and Holy Eucharist—which mark the lives of all Christians. We also recognize five additional Sacraments of the Church that, while not practiced by all Christians, are likewise outward signs of God’s grace.
Holy Baptism
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” -The Gospel of Mark, chapter 1, verses 9-11
“We thank you Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in His death. By it we share in His resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.” -The Book of Common Prayer, from Romans chapter 6
Baptism is the sacrament by which we as children of God become members of Christ’s body, the Church. It tangibly marks our rebirth by the Holy Spirit and our unity with Christ and one another. Baptism into Christ’s Body the Church is part of our communal life at St. Andrew’s, taking place on Sunday mornings as part of our celebration of the Eucharist. Prior to baptism, the clergy meet with Candidates and their Sponsors to reflect on the meaning of baptism. Given baptism’s communal nature, Candidates should attend worship at St. Andrew’s regularly for a period of six months leading up to baptism, unless for good cause prevented. Baptisms are usually scheduled at least eight weeks in advance. Whether you are coming to baptism later in life, or are parents presenting an infant for baptism, this is a time to slow down, examine your values and commitments, and explore the beautiful mystery of joining your life to the ongoing life of Christ in His Church.
To share your hope for baptism, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org, or return this form to the church office, at Office@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
Eucharist (Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper)
The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. -1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. -BCP 364-365
As baptism is our birth into the Christian life, through the sacrament of the Eucharist God feeds and nourishes us as we grow into that life. Eucharist comes from the Greek word, “eucharisteo” which means “to give thanks.” During the sacrament, we give thanks and continually remember Jesus’s life, death and resurrection. In it, the ordinary elements of bread and wine are taken, blessed, broken and shared. Standing in the Apostolic faith, we believe in the real presence of Christ. Though mysterious, through this shared meal, the Holy Spirit sanctifies these ordinary gifts to become the body and blood of Christ in order to nourish us for our spiritual journey through this life. So empowered, we are invited to serve the world in sacrificial love. This meal is also a foretaste of God’s heavenly banquet in which the creation will be made whole and all of God’s children will eat at the feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). In the spirit of Jesus, we welcome everyone who yearns to be transformed by God and share in the body and blood of Christ to come forward. If you do not wish to receive or are not comfortable partaking of the sacrament, you are welcome to remain in your pew or come forward for a blessing instead of the bread and wine.
If you have any questions about the Eucharist or would like to discuss further, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. -Psalm 37:5
“Strengthen, O Lord, your servants with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their lives. Amen.” -The Book of Common Prayer, in the Confirmation service
The sacrament of confirmation (from the Latin, confirmare, to strengthen) is administered by a bishop. Confirmation is the adult affirmation for those baptized as infants. At baptism, parents and Godparents make promises on behalf of the child being baptized. Confirmation is the opportunity to make those promises for oneself as an adult. Reception and reaffirmation are also administered by a bishop. Reception recognizes a person’s faith and membership in a different branch of the Christian family and formally receives them into the communion of the Episcopal Church. Reaffirmation similarly recognizes a baptized person’s renewal of their faith and recommitment to their baptismal vows.
St. Andrew's offers confirmation class for those wishing to be confirmed, received or reaffirmed in the Episcopal church. The preparation for these rites is a rich way to gain a renewed practice of your baptized life with God. Please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org for more information.
Marriage
“So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
-Matthew 19:6
“The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.” -BCP p. 423
Holy Matrimony, or Marriage, is the sacrament in which two people enter into a life-long union of love by making vows before God and the Church. The sacrament of marriage is a human covenant that reflects Christ’s enduring conventional love for and faithfulness to us. It is available to any couple, no matter their gender identity or orientation, who desire to enter this sacred union. Because of the sacred nature of this commitment, at least one of the persons should be baptized and, prior to marriage, the couple meet with the clergy for a period of instruction on the nature of Christian marriage as “an unconditional, mutual, exclusive, faithful and lifelong commitment intended for the couple’s mutual joy, for the help and comfort given to each other in prosperity and adversity, and when it is God’s will, for the gift and heritage of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of God.” (Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage II; BCP p. 423).
Because Christian marriage is upheld and supported by a community of faith, partners should attend worship at St. Andrew’s regularly for a period of six months leading up to marriage, unless for good cause prevented. They may also attend another church regularly, if the pastor can be in touch with us here as we prepare.
To share your hope for marriage, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org. The earlier in your overall preparations you reach out, the more likely we will be able to meet your desired timing and availability for your hoped marriage date.
Ordination (Holy Orders)
“Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it, not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.” -1 Peter 5:1-3
“God and Father of all, we praise you for your infinite love in calling us to be a holy people in the kingdom of your Son Jesus our Lord, who is the image of your eternal and invisible glory, the firstborn among many brethren, and the head of the Church. We thank you that by his death he has overcome death, and, having ascended into heaven, has poured his gifts abundantly upon your people, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of his body.” -BCP p. 533
Ordination, or Holy Orders, is the sacrament whereby the Church recognizes the gifting of certain individuals by God for special service to the world and the Church. The Episcopal Church recognizes three ordained orders within the Church: bishops, deacons and priests. Bishops carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising and uniting the Church. Deacons have a special responsibility to minister in Christ’s name to the poor, the sick, the suffering and the helpless. Presbyters (or priests) share in the governance of the Church, in the carrying out of its missionary and pastoral work, and in the preaching of the Word of God and administering the Sacraments.
If you sense that God may be calling you to ordained ministry, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession or Penance)
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:8-9
May Almighty God in mercy receive your confession of sorrow and of faith, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. -BCP p. 451
Through Christ, God absolves our sin and frees us from sin’s burden whenever we ask for forgiveness with a penitent heart. Each Sunday we confess our sins together (“corporately”) and the priest pronounces God’s absolution to the gathered body. Through the Church, God has also provided the sacrament of private confession where one confesses one’s sins to God in the presence of a priest and receives the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution. The priest is present to listen to the one confessing, offer any counsel, and pronounce God’s forgiveness. The Sacrament of Penance or Confession is not required, but is available to all - “All may, some should, none must.”
If interested in making your confession or discussing further the nature of this sacrament, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org, or email the church office, at Office@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
Anointing of the Sick (Holy Unction)
“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” -James 5:14
As you are outwardly anointed with this holy oil, so may our heavenly Father grant you the inward anointing of the Holy Spirit. Of his great mercy, may he forgive you your sins, release you from suffering, and restore you to wholeness and strength. May he deliver you from all evil, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.. -BCP p. 456
The Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Unction, is a sacrament of healing offered through prayer, laying on of hands, and anointing with oil. It is administered by a priest to those who are sick and those who are dying (in which case it is often part of the “Last Rites,” which includes receiving communion and other prayers). Anointing of the sick is an ancient practice of the Church and is a sacrament of healing of body, mind, and spirit. This sacrament is also a preparation for the Christian’s transition from this life to the next when death is soon expected.
For more information or if you wish to make arrangements for a pastoral visit, or in the case of illness or hospitalization, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org, or email the church office, at Office@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
Burial of the dead
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39
“O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” -BCP p. 493
The Burial of the Dead is not a sacramental rite, but it is an important rite for every Christian. It marks the end of this life yet, importantly, the funeral liturgy is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. In this, Burial is characterized by joy, resting in the love and promises of God. This joy, however, does not mean there is no grief or loss. As Jesus wept at the grave of his friend before raising him from the death to life, the love we have for each other brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
At burial, the church gathers to celebrate in beauty, grace and completeness the resurrection of Christ as known in the resurrection of one particular sister or brother among us. The service is prepared in conversation with the beloveds of the one who has died.
To schedule and prepare for a service of Christian Burial, please call or e-mail Rev. Reed, at 746-3415 or Reed@StAndrewsHopkinton.org.
