SACRAMENTS
Please call Father Tom at 518-755-9716 to arrange for an appointment if you or a family member needs to receive the sacrament of baptism, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, confession, marriage, healing or burial.
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"The rites and ceremonies of the Episcopal Church are also called Sacraments. 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 toward us, unearned and undeserved; by grace God forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and strengthens our wills." (Book of Common Prayer, p. 860)
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 [under the guidance of the Holy Spirit] include confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction. Although they are means of grace, they are not necessary for all persons in the same way that Baptism and the Eucharist are. This means that not all Christians are necessarily called to be married, or ordained as priests. But we all need to be reborn through Baptism, and we need the ongoing spiritual nourishment that we receive in Holy Communion. God does not limit himself to these rites; they are patterns of countless ways by which God uses material things to reach out to us." (Book of Common Prayer, p. 861) |