Sacraments & Services
The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.
At St. Timothy's, the sacramental life of the Church is central to our worship and our identity as Episcopalians. Below you will find an overview of the sacraments and rites we celebrate, drawn from the Book of Common Prayer.
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, p. 298
Baptism is the joyful way in which God lovingly adopts us as daughters and sons and makes us members of the household of God. Baptisms at St. Timothy's may be celebrated throughout the year (outside of Lent), but are especially appropriate on certain days, such as the feasts of Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints.
The liturgy for Holy Baptism begins on page 299 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Complete and return to rector@sttimothysms.org
If you are interested in baptism, for yourself or your child, please contact the church office.
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 Book of Common Prayer, p. 859
The Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, and the Mass) is our principal act of Christian worship. In the Episcopal Church, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Communicants are invited forward to the altar to receive the Sacrament (you may stand or kneel).
Confirmation
"Confirmation 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."
~ The Book of Common Prayer, p. 860
Confirmation (both for adults and for youth) involves a process of preparation and instruction in the Christian faith and the Episcopal Church, leading up to the Bishop's visit. Adults who have been previously confirmed in a different denomination may choose to be received into the Episcopal Church at the Bishop's hands.
If you are interested in Confirmation (or Reception), please contact the Rector.
Reconciliation of a Penitent
"Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, 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."
~ The Book of Common Prayer, p. 861
Information about this sacramental rite, and its forms for use, may be found beginning on page 446 of the Book of Common Prayer. At St. Timothy's, the opportunity for confession is offered regularly during the season of Lent; confessions may also be scheduled with the priest at any time.
Holy Matrimony
"… to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
~ The Book of Common Prayer, p. 427
In the Episcopal Church, Christian marriage is understood to be a lifelong union of two persons, in heart, body, and mind, intended by God for their mutual joy and help.
At St. Timothy's, all weddings are according to the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, as contained in the Book of Common Prayer. The canons of the church require that at least one of the parties be baptized, that the couple undergo pre-marital instruction, and that various other conditions are met.
Complete and return to rector@sttimothysms.org
If you are interested in being married at St. Timothy's, please contact the Rector to schedule an initial meeting.
Christian Burial
"The liturgy of 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."
~ The Book of Common Prayer, p. 507
Commending people back to God at life's end is one of the great privileges and responsibilities of the church. The burial of the dead is part of the regular life of the Christian community: all members of the body of Christ should rightly expect to be reverently cared for at death by the faithful.
St. Timothy's encourages all her members to plan and make arrangements for their burial in advance. The Burial Planning form should be filled out in consultation with the Rector, with a copy kept on file in the parish office.
Complete and return to rector@sttimothysms.org
We'd Love to Hear From You
For questions about any of our sacraments or services, please don't hesitate to reach out to the church office or the Rector.
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