Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and union with him by the Holy Spirit, I have fellowship with God as his adopted child. I experience this in prayer, worship, God’s Word, the sacraments, and Christian community, as I daily follow him by faith.
From the Book of Homilies
From the Book of Homilies
From the Book of Homilies
In prayer, I should seek not only God’s provision for my needs, but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself.
Prayer is turning my heart toward God, to listen and to speak with him.
God gives healing, strength, and peace, either for recovery from injury or illness, or for perseverance in adversity, especially in preparation for death.
Through prayer and anointing with oil, the minister invokes God’s blessing upon those suffering in body, mind, or spirit.
Repentance, in which I intend to resist further sin, accept responsibility for my actions, and endeavor to repair damage I have caused; and faith, by which I thankfully receive God’s forgiveness.
In absolution, God conveys his pardon through the Cross, removes and cancels my sin, declares me reconciled and at peace with him, and grants me the assurance of his grace and salvation.
In absolution, a priest, acting under God’s authority, pronounces God’s forgiveness in response to repentance and confession of sin.
In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love, wisdom, and godliness, patterned on the sacrificial love of Christ. A Christian marriage embodies this grace in the world, especially through hospitality and care for those who are lonely or in need.
The union of husband and wife in one flesh signifies the communion between Christ, the heavenly bridegroom, and the Church, his holy bride. Not all are called or able to marry, but all Christians are joined to Christ as members of his Body.
Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love, joy, and faithfulness. It is ordained by God for the procreation and spiritual nurture of children, the sanctification of husband and wife, the mutual support of their common life, and the flourishing of family, church, and society. Husband and wife enter into this covenant by exchanging vows before God and in the presence of witnesses.
Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love, joy, and faithfulness. It is ordained by God for the procreation and spiritual nurture of children, the sanctification of husband and wife, the mutual support of their common life, and the flourishing of family, church, and society. Husband and wife enter into this covenant by exchanging vows before God and in the presence of witnesses.
Serving Christ under their bishops, deacons care for those in need, assist in public worship, and instruct both young and old in the catechism.
Serving Christ with their bishops, priests (or presbyters) nurture God’s people through the ministry of Word and Sacrament and pronounce absolution and blessing in God’s Name.
Bishops represent and serve Christ and the Church as chief pastors, catechists, and missionaries in the tradition of the apostles. They are to confirm and ordain, and to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church.
The three orders are bishops, priests, and deacons, which we have received from Scripture and the historic Church.
In ordination, God conveys the gift of the Holy Spirit for the office and work of the order being conferred.
Ordination is the laying on of the bishop’s hands with prayer, which confirms the gifts and calling of the candidates, consecrates them, and grants them authority to serve Christ and his Church in the office to which they have been called.
All Christians are to bear witness to Christ in their lives; to care for the poor, strangers, widows, and orphans; and, according to their gifts, to serve Christ in the world and in the Church.
In confirmation, I am further empowered and gifted by the Holy Spirit for daily growth in wisdom, courage, and humility before God in every aspect of my life and work.
Confirmation is the laying on of the bishop’s hands with prayer for strengthening by the Holy Spirit, following a period of catechetical formation. In confirmation, I make a mature confession of faith, publicly renewing the vows and promises made at my Baptism.
I should continue to grow in holiness, avoiding sin, showing love and forgiveness to all, and serving others in gratitude.
I am to examine myself: Do I truly repent of my sins and intend to lead a new life in Christ? Do I have a living faith in God’s mercy through Christ and remember his atoning death with a thankful heart? And have I shown love and forgiveness to all people?
As my body is nourished by the bread and wine, my soul is strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ. I receive God’s forgiveness, and I am renewed in the love and unity of the Body of Christ, the Church.
The inward gift signified is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are truly taken and received in the Lord’s Supper by faith.
The visible sign is bread and wine, which Christ commands us to receive.
He instituted it for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of his atoning death, and to convey the benefits of that sacrifice to us.
