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What We Believe
Sunday Services at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM
At St. Matthew’s, our faith is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
We believe in a God who creates, loves, redeems, and calls people into a deeper relationship with God and with one another.
Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we understand God’s love as powerful, compassionate, and transformative.
As part of the Episcopal Church, we belong to the worldwide Anglican tradition. Episcopal worship blends ancient Christian practices with thoughtful reflection, prayer, and a spirit of curiosity and learning.
Leadership in the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church affirms that God calls people of all backgrounds to leadership in the life of the church. Women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons, and lay members share in leadership and ministry throughout the church.
At St. Matthew’s, clergy and lay leaders work together to guide the community, care for one another, and serve the wider world.
Scripture, Tradition, and Reason
Episcopalians often describe our approach to faith as guided by Scripture, tradition, and reason, trusting that God invites us to learn, reflect, and grow in understanding.
Scripture – the Bible, which contains the story of God’s relationship with humanity and the teachings of Jesus.
Tradition – the wisdom and practices of the Christian Church passed down through generations.
Reason – the belief that God invites us to think deeply, ask questions, and grow in understanding.
Together these guide how we worship, pray, and live out our faith.
The Bible
The Bible is central to our faith and worship. Scripture is read in every service, and the stories, prayers, and teachings of the Bible shape much of our worship through the Book of Common Prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the primary worship guide of the Episcopal Church. It gathers prayers, liturgies, and spiritual practices that help Christians worship together and grow in faith.
The Creeds
The Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed summarize the core beliefs of the Christian faith and connect us with Christians throughout history.
The Sacraments
Sacraments are outward and visible signs of God’s grace. In the Episcopal Church, two sacraments were given directly by Christ and are central to our life of faith: Baptism and Holy Communion.
Other sacramental rites such as confirmation, marriage, reconciliation, ordination, and anointing for healing mark important moments in the life of faith.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament through which a person is welcomed into the Body of Christ and becomes part of the Church.
Through water and the Holy Spirit, God claims us as God’s own and begins a lifelong journey of faith.
In the Episcopal Church, both children and adults may be baptized. When infants or young children are baptized, parents and sponsors (godparents) make promises on their behalf and commit to raising them in the Christian faith.
During the baptism service, the congregation also makes a promise to support the newly baptized in their life in Christ. Baptism marks the beginning of a life shaped by God’s grace, forgiveness, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion, also called the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper, is the central act of Christian worship. In this sacred meal, we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and give thanks for God’s love.
During Communion we receive the bread and wine as signs of Christ’s presence with us and with the whole Church. This meal strengthens our faith and reminds us that we belong to one another as members of Christ’s body.
All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church, including visitors from other Christian traditions.
Our Life Together
Our beliefs shape how we live as a church community.
At St. Matthew’s, faith is expressed through worship, prayer, learning, and serving others. We gather each week to worship God, support one another, and seek ways to live out Christ’s teachings in our daily lives.
Some people come with deep faith. Others come with questions or are returning to church after time away.
Wherever someone begins, we believe faith grows best in a community where people can worship, learn, and serve together.
A Welcoming Community of Faith
Episcopal churches seek to reflect God’s love for all people.
We believe every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity and love.
At St. Matthew’s, we seek to reflect that love by welcoming people from every background into the life of the church.
Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome to explore, ask questions, and grow in faith with us.
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