Sacraments

Holy Moments, Lasting Impact

The Book of Common Prayer defines the sacraments as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace” (BCP, p 857). What does that mean?

Grace is the power of God’s love to forgive our sins and strengthen us to be more like Jesus. We do not earn grace. God does not give it to us because we deserve it, and God does not give it only through the sacraments. Grace abounds and is available to all if we are open to receiving it. The sacraments are the rites explicitly authorized by our Lord Jesus Christ as “sure and certain” ways we can reliably receive and experience the grace of God.

In the Episcopal Church we affirm only two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. While there are other rites that we refer to as sacramental, only these two were explicitly given to us by Jesus.

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. Sacraments sustain our present hope and anticipate its future fulfillment.

Holy Baptism (or Christening)

Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.

The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God’s family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.

It is required that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God. Promises are made for them by their parents and sponsors, who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.

Baptisms take place in the context of the Eucharist on any Sunday or feast day of the year. At the service, all the members of the congregation renew their own baptismal vows and welcome the newly baptized into the community of faith. If the baptized person is too young to make the baptismal promises, they are made in the name of the child by sponsors, the child’s parents and godparents. Baptism may take place by immersion or by pouring water over the head of the baptized, and, in the Anglican tradition, is accompanied by the celebrant making the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baptized, often anointing with the oil of chrism (olive oil that has been blessed by the Bishop) at the same time.

How do I arrange a baptism at Trinity Episcopal Church?

Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.

Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates.

It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church.

If you would like more information about baptisms at Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson, contact us.

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 Eucharist, the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself. The Holy Eucharist is called the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion; it is also known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, or the Great Offering.

The outward and visible signs in the Eucharist are bread and wine, given and received according to Christ’s command. The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ given to his people and received by faith. Baptism is the traditional way people begin receiving communion, but at Trinity, we welcome everyone who comes forward and no one is ever turned away.

The benefits we receive are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life. It is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

Other Sacramental Rites

Other sacramental rites which evolved in the Church 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.

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.

It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Confirmation is a post-baptismal rite of mature commitment to Christ through prayers, the renewal of baptismal vows, and the laying on of hands by a bishop. If you have already been confirmed in another tradition, you may be Received in the Episcopal Church in a similar fashion. Confirmation and Reception are preceded by a period of prayer, study, and instruction.

Ordination

Ordination is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops.

Marriage

Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which two people enter into a lifelong union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.

During this meaningful celebration, couples make solemn vows to love, honor, and remain faithful to each other through all circumstances, while the congregation promises to support and uplift their union.

Episcopal wedding ceremonies often include the heartfelt exchange of rings or other symbolic elements and can be beautifully celebrated within a nuptial Eucharist service. Before the wedding, couples sign a declaration of intention affirming their commitment to lifelong marriage and meet with our clergy for enriching pre-marital counseling to prepare for their journey together.

We would be honored to celebrate your sacred union at Trinity Episcopal Church in Towson, where we joyfully welcome couples beginning their lifelong journey together in God’s love.

Can we have our wedding at Trinity?

Congratulations on your engagement! We know this is a very exciting time for you. Thank you for considering the Trinity Episcopal Church for your celebration of marriage.

Trinity Episcopal Church is a vibrant parish community in the heart of Towson. We are proud to be a very inclusive community – whether you have come from a different denomination, different faith tradition, are a same-sex couple, or you are exploring your faith – we welcome you.

General Guidelines
  1. At least one person must be a baptized Christian. We realize that many couples often represent more than one faith tradition. We want to honor the faith traditions you have come from, but request that at least one in the couple has been baptized.
  2. The Church welcomes clergy of other Christian denominations and faith traditions to officiate at weddings with the prior approval of our Rector. If couples plan to celebrate the Eucharist during the service, one of Trinity’s clergy will officiate or co-officiate the wedding using the service from the Book of Common Prayer. All Episcopal clergy will be responsible for obtaining all marital judgments from the Bishop of Maryland and fulfilling all legal and canonical requirements. Clergy of other denominations will be responsible for obtaining proper permissions within their religious institution.
  3. If you do not know a pastor or priest who can perform your wedding, Trinity’s priest can officiate the service with appropriate notice.
  4. All wedding plans and preparations will be made under the direction of Trinity’s Office Manager.
  5. Couples being married in the Episcopal tradition must attend premarital counseling sessions. There are many counselors who provide this service, and we will be happy to give you some suggestions. Couples from other traditions will receive direction from their officiating minister.

 

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is an optional 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.

Anointing of the Sick or Dying

Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body. In case of illness, please notify a member of Trinity’s clergy. Our pastoral care line is 443-470-5539.

How do I schedule a funeral service at Trinity?

The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with, Trinity’s rector.

Trinity Episcopal Church offers a beautiful funeral service for baptized Christians. Our burial rite includes traditional anthems, psalms, scripture readings, and prayers that provide comfort during times of loss. The Book of Common Prayer provides both traditional and contemporary funeral liturgies. The service may include Holy Communion as part of a Requiem Eucharist. Key elements include the Apostles’ Creed, special prayers for the departed, and the consecration of the grave.

The Episcopal burial service celebrates Christ’s resurrection and our hope of eternal life. Episcopalians believe that when we die, God will raise us from death in the fullness of our being and that we will live with Christ in the communion of the saints. We believe in everlasting life, a new existence, in which we will be united with all the people of God, in the joy of fully knowing and loving God and each other. Our assurance as Christians is that nothing, not even death, shall separate us from the love of God.

Services use white liturgical colors and light the Paschal candle as symbols of resurrection hope. This sacred rite allows mourners to express their grief while sharing in the community’s faith and mutual support in Jesus Christ. The Book of Common Prayer also provides flexible options for unique pastoral circumstances.

When planning a funeral at Trinity, the family and loved ones will meet with a member of our clergy to discuss the outline and content of the service. Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes all who seek comfort and hope during times of loss.