1.  What do we believe?

2.  How do we worship?

3.  What membership in the Episcopal church offers you?

4.  What is the Book of Common Prayer?

5.  What are the cornerstones of the Episcopal Church?

6.  What are the sacraments?

Episcopalians believe that there is one loving God who creates all things, and who manifested that love by sending Jesus, the Son of God, to humanity to make clear that all people are first of all children of God.  Jesus was born a full human being, was crucified and put to death by people who were threatened by his message and authority.  He subsequently was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples before to ascending to God's heavenly realm.  We know Jesus through those who believe in him as the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.

Jesus' stories were always about coming to know a loving God who forgives sins and who wants people to be reconciled with one another. Christians believe that we have been given the ability, or power, for our sins to be forgiven and for reconciliation to be achieved through God's Holy Spirit acting in us and through us.  In other words, we learn that God wants each of us to share in the ongoing creation of a just and peaceful world when we invite God's power to work in us and through us.

Episcopalians accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  We believe that the mission of our church is the restoration of all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

© Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (ECWW)

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Our worship is centered in regular communion with God and one another through celebration of the sacraments, the holy things which remind us of our identity as children of God.  Of primary importance are water, bread, and wine.

Water is the symbol of baptism, whereby we are brought into God's special community, the church, and commit ourselves to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  In doing so we affirm that through Jesus" life, death, and resurrection, our sins have been forgiven and that we share in a new spiritual life which is eternal.

Bread and wine were used by Jesus as signs of his life among us, the bread represents his body, and the wine his blood.  Each time we receive the consecrated (blessed) brad and wine, we receive Christ anew into our selves and are made whole with Christ and God.

Our primary worship service is celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Gr. Eucharistia, thanksgiving), or feast, wherein bread and wine are consecrated and distributed to those who have been baptized.  Scripture is read and interpreted through a sermon or homily.  Prayers are said, and there is usually a corporate confession of sin followed by a prayer of absolution.

The Peace of God is shared in recognition of God's call for us to be at peace with one another in the name of Christ.  Songs of praise are sung, and colorful vestments are worn by the clergy in celebration and praise of God's love and glorious Creation.

© Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (ECWW)

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Participation in an Episcopal Church congregation offers friendship, fellowship, opportunities for education and support in times of crisis for you and your family members.

Most congregations have excellent education programs for all ages to develop a sound foundation of values for engaging life events.  Many congregations also have music and choral activities offering opportunities for participation and artistic expression.  Members of the Episcopal Church love to gather for fellowship and food, so you can look forward to being with others in a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere.  Also, most congregations have outreach programs such as participation in Habitat for Humanity and community food banks, which offer the opportunity to get involved in hands-on service to a wider community.

© Episcopal Diocese of Olympia (ECWW)

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The Book of Common Prayer is our guide to worship and devotion used in our daily relationship with God. The Book of Common Prayer can be complicated even for life-long Episcopalians and can seem even more bewildering for visitors and new comers. Although this is brief, we hope to answer some of the questions you may have and make worship in the Episcopal tradition easier for you.

Our current Book of Common Prayer, revised in 1979, was originally compiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, in 1549. There are more than 70 million Anglicans (Episcopalians) in 163 countries throughout the world, using the Book of Common Prayer in their own lanaguage, reflecting our diversity and ethnic backgrounds.

he Book of Common Prayer is a collection of ancient and modern prayers and worship occasions for times when the community gathers and for individual use as well. It allows everyone to participate, reminding us that each person is an important part of the worship experience, whether the service is a celebration or a solemn occasion. It is a guide book for daily Christian living.

Why call it Common Prayer?

Common does not mean ordinary but "available" to the common person. These are the prayers we say together or "in common" when we worship as a community.

Does it relate to the Bible?

Scripture is the foundation of our worship. Two-thirds of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Old and New Testaments.

What services are included?

The primary service is the presentation of our Lord's last supper with his disciples, a service we call the Holy Eucharist. However, the first experience many visitors have with the Book of Common Prayer is at weddings, baptisms or at funerals in the Episcopal Church.

Can it be used in personal devotions?

Yes, in private daily prayers or with family, prayers in the morning and evening, special prayers of praise or thanksgiving, requests for others and for special occasions. All 150 Psalms, or poems from the Old Testament, are contained in the Book of Common Prayer and can be read at any time. A calendar for reading through the entire Bible every two years, as well as an outline of the Episcopal faith and Church history is also included.

Can I make up my own prayers?

The Book of Common Prayer is meant to compliment daily individual prayers, not to replace them. Every service in the book includes time for personal prayer requests, either silent or aloud. The Book of Common Prayer has been a source of comfort, joy and inspiration, a unique treasure in Christian worship for more than 400 years. Join us this Sunday and experience for yourself the love and the pressence of God in an Episcopal Church.

© Episcopal Diocese of Texas

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In the Episcopal church, we are called to live out our faith on a daily basis, whether we are at home, school, work or recreation. The cornerstones of our faith are Scripture, tradition and reason.
Scripture:

Scripture is the word of God contained in the Old and New testaments of the Bible. The 39 books of the Old Testament contain the story of God's love from Creation up to the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. They contain God's laws as He gave them to the Hebrew people. The New Testament contains Christ's teachings, the accounts of his life as told by his followers, and the beginning of his church. It is written in 27 books. Within an Episcopal worship service, Scripture is read in the lessons, the Gospel (the teachings of Jesus), the Psalms (poems from the Old Testament) and other prayers. Additionally, two- thirds of our guide to worship, the Book of Common Prayer, comes directly from the Old and New Testaments.

Tradition:

We are not Christians in isolation but are part of a living faith that spans 2000 years. Tradition is the embodiment of our experience as Christians throughout the centuries. The heart of our tradition is expressed through the Bible, the Creeds (statements of faith, written in first centuries of the church's existence), the Sacraments (the Lord's supper and Baptism), and the ordained ministry passed on by Christ to his Church. Our tradition is expressed with many voices, among which are a variety of worship styles, languages, cultures, architecture and music. Our tradition encourages this diversity. We seek to value the life and story each person can bring to the community of faith. As in a multitextured tapestry, each person's offering is woven into the life of the whole, making it stronger and more beautiful.

Reason:

Each one of us, with God's help, makes a decision about how we use tradition and Scripture in our lives. A personal relationship with God allows us to realize and celebrate our lives to the fullest. The gift of reason, as a complement to Scripture and tradition, leads us to seek answers to our own questions and to grow spiritually. Being active in a community of faith strengthens us to carry our faith into the world. Weaving scripture, tradition and reason together, we strengthen our faith and grow as children of God.  

© Episcopal Diocese of Texas

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In the Episcopal Church we take part in certain regular acts of worship. These are called sacraments or reenactments of Christ's ministries on earth. The two primary sacraments are baptism and holy communion.

We believe that God is actively present in the world and in us. In the sacraments we realize his presence and his favor towards us. Through the sacraments, which are freely given to us by God, our sins are forgiven, our minds are enlightened, our hearts stirred and our wills strengthened.

These sacraments are contained in the worship services found in the Book of Common Prayer, a book used for worship services and as a guide for Christian life. A complete outline of the Episcopal faith can be found on pages 845-862 of the Book of Common Prayer. Your questions are encouraged and always welcome. Please feel free to contact the church office for more information.

What is Holy Baptism?

Baptism is the means by which we become members of the community of believers, defined in the New Testament as the Body of Christ. Just as Jesus was baptized with water by John the Baptist, we include people in the community of faith by baptizing them with water. Following a series of questions, responses and prayers, the priest pours water on the candidate. The sign of the cross may be made on their forehead with blessed oil. In the Episcopal Church, a person is baptized only once.

What is Holy Communion?

It is a reenactment of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his death on the cross. Any baptized person is welcome to share in this meal of bread and wine.

What are the other sacraments?

Confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent and unction.

What is confirmation?

Confirmation is when a baptized person, who has been instructed in the Christian faith, makes a mature commitment to God within a worship setting and receives a special blessing and prayer from a bishop.

What is Holy Matrimony?

Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which a woman and a man enter into a life-long union and make their promises before God in a worship service.

What is Reconciliation of a Penitent?

While private confession of sins is not a requirement, anyone may request the reconciliation of a penitent from a priest and receive assurance of God's forgiveness. The confession is always made in private and kept in strict confidence.

What is Unction?

Unction is a special blessing for those who are sick or desire special prayers. A sign of the cross is made on their forehead with blessed oil.

What is ordination?

Ordination is the sacrament where God empowers trained persons for special ministry as deacons, priests or bishops. The service always includes the laying on of hands by bishops.

© Episcopal Diocese of Texas

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