SERVICES & SERMONS

What we believe

 

The Episcopal Church is a member of the Anglican Communion- those independent churches which are in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many of which trace their origins back to the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church. Our beliefs are found not in particular confessions of faith but mainly in our liturgy- the Book of Common Prayer. We pray what we believe and believe what we pray. Anglicans hold to the beliefs of the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed which we recite together in our worship. We accept the consensus teaching of the first five centuries which includes belief in the Divine Trinity:

·       We believe the First Person of the Trinity, traditionally called Father, is the Creator and Sustainer of all life from the beginning of time.

·       We believe in Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, and traditionally called the Son. Jesus walked the earth as middle-eastern Jewish male over 2000 years ago. He was a rabbi, a teacher, who called people to follow him in the Way of Love. Jesus was crucified by Imperial Rome, died, and was buried. After three days, he rose again. We believe that the divine nature and human nature were perfectly united in the one person of Jesus Christ who was and is God incarnate.

·       We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit dwells within us; inviting, encouraging, and calling us to follow the Way of Love as personified in the work and teachings of Jesus.

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 We also accept the title bestowed on Mary in 451, ‘Mother of God’, though Mary usually has a less central place in our worship life than she does in some other churches.

 

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, taught that “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”  This is the first and the great commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” And, the new commandment: that we love one another as Christ loved us.

 

These beliefs invite us into relationship with God and others, empowering and encouraging us to love and serve all persons. Beyond that, we embrace the questions, all the questions, and strive to live deeply into community even when we disagree, as we explore our faith together.

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We invite you to join us and explore more deeply the width and breadth of beliefs which make our faith unique.