Life Events/Sacraments

The Sacraments

A Sacrament is “a Christian rite that is believed to have been ordained by Christ and that is held to be a means of divine grace or to be a sign or symbol of a spiritual reality.” In the Church of England, we have five sacraments that are particularly important. Here is a brief description of each. You can find more details in the following pages.

Baptism
During a baptism service, the parents and godparents gather together with the person being baptised and the priest around the church's font to make a series of declarations. They are required to declare, in unison, their belief in God, and that the child will be brought up following Jesus. The priest marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of the person being baptised, and will say: 'Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross. Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.' The priest then pours water on the child's head, symbolising the washing away of all sin to begin a new life with God, saying 'I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' If the ceremony is taking place during a normal service, the congregation may join in at this point, and a candle is lit symbolising Jesus as the light of the world. 

Holy Matrimony
This is the blessing of a union between a man and woman, acknowledging the presence and grace of God in the life of the couple. In marriage, the husband and wife seek God's blessing, and through the mediation of the priest, the prayer is answered. Although the couple are regarded as the ministers of the sacrament through their voluntary exchange of vows, the sacrament must be celebrated under the presidency of a clergy, who witnesses and mediates the prayers. 

Confirmation
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which you affirm for yourself the faith into which you have been baptized and your intention to live a life of committed discipleship. This affirmation is confirmed through prayer and the laying on of hands by the confirming bishop. The Church also asks God to give you power through the Holy Spirit to enable you to live in the way of Jesus. 

Funerals
A funeral is one way to mark the end of someone’s life here on earth.  Family and friends come together to express and share grief, to give thanks  for the life lived and to commend the person into God’s keeping. A funeral  service can be in a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a church. Holy Communion can be taken. 

The Eucharist
This is also called The Mass, Holy Communion or Lord’s Supper. The Eucharist stands at the very heart of the life, worship and mission of the Christian Church. Under various names – Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist – this central action of the Christian community is celebrated by Anglicans week by week and day by day. In the Eucharist we commemorate sacramentally the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are united with him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

At St John's are here to help you with all life events such as weddings, baptisms, confirmation and funerals. 

If you wish to discuss any of the above or need advice please Contact Us.