Worship FAQs

Who may participate in the Holy Eucharist?

The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of His life, death and resurrection, and is offered to any baptized person present.  In the eucharistic celebration, the bread and wine offered at this sacrament are symbols of Christ's body and blood.  We invite all baptized persons, regardless of age or denominational affiliation to receive the sacrament in our midst.

What do we believe about prayer and worship?

We believe that God initiates His relationship with us and we respond to Him by hearing and doing what He has commanded.  One such response is prayer whereby we interact with the Lord and allow Him to share in our life.  Prayer includes adoration (praise), thanksgiving, confession, intercession and petition.  Adoration expresses our love for God because of who He is and is a time of simple enjoyment at remaining in His presence.  Thanksgiving expresses appreciation for every blessing we enjoy because of Him. Confession communicates our sorrow for the specific ways in which we have rebelled and declares our intention to make amendment and walk in the way of Christ more faithfully.  Intercession brings the needs of others to God, trusting Him for His response.  Petition brings our own needs to God, trusting Him for His response.  Worship is defined as the offering of ourselves to God because we believe that He is of utmost and highest value of all that we value.  We can worship alone or with others.  When we worship with others, we gather to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear His Word, to offer prayer, tithes and offerings and to celebrate the sacraments.  Corporate worship strengthens us to scatter into the world to engage for the sake of Christ's mission and ministry to draw everyone to Himself.

What do we believe about the sacraments?

We believe that sacraments are outward and visible symbols of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ to His church as sure and certain means by which we receive His favor (grace).  God's grace is unmerited and unearnable.  Through sacraments, God forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our spirits, warms our hearts and strengthens our wills.  Two sacraments are considered by the church as of greater significance because Jesus personally instituted them through his earthly ministry.  Those sacraments are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist (The Lord's Supper or Communion).

What do we believe about Holy Eucharist?

We believe that the Holy Eucharist is commanded by Christ as a remembrance and proclamation of his life, death and resurrection until He comes again.  The Holy Eucharist is the church's sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving whereby His people enter into His Presence and are united in Him with the whole church throughout the world and for all time.  Through the Holy Eucharist, we receive the forgiveness of sins and are given a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for us since the beginning of time.  We prepare for the Holy Eucharist by examining our lives, repenting our sins and reconciling with others so that we may be in a love relationship with all people.

What do we believe about the other sacraments?

We believe that God used other sacraments in consistent ways to extend the same grace as is given through baptism and the Eucharist.  While they are important, they are not commanded or required in quite the same way.  These rites include:  Confirmation, Holy Orders, Holy Matrimony, Reconciliation of a Penitent and the Laying on of Hands for healing.  Confirmation is the rite of completion for the baptized whereby the Holy Spirit is released for ministry.  Holy Orders are conferred on those who are called to serve God as a deacon, priest or bishop.  Holy Matrimony is a sacramental union of a man and a woman who are united with Christ for the rest of their lives.  Reconciliation of a Penitent offers the penitent confession and absolution in the presence of a priest.  The Laying on of Hands for healing is offered to the sick who receive the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands.