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Baptism
Core Beliefs & Values
Marriage Preparation
office hours
Baptism
Q. What can you tell me about Baptism?
A. Baptism is the sacrament of new birth in Jesus Christ, and new life as a member of the household of God. It includes the symbolic “washing away” of sin, and freedom from sin’s tyranny. It is a symbolic death to the old way of life, and resurrection to new life in Christ. It is offered to sincere believers who want to become members of Christ’s body, and to the children of those believers who are willing to commit to raising their children as Christians.
Baptism joins each individual believer to Christ and to his church. It involves a commitment to Jesus and to the community of believers (the church). It may involve a change of lifestyle and focus. Therefore it is of vital importance to the believer, their immediate family and the whole Christian community that baptismal candidates are well prepared. For this reason adult baptismal candidates and the families of infant candidates are required to participate in five Baptismal Preparation Classes. These take place on the five Sundays preceding the baptism (see schedule).
The community also takes seriously their responsibility to help new Christians live this new life in Christ. The parish will pray for the candidates during the preparation. The baptismal candidates will also be supported by Parish Sponsors for the year following baptism. The Sponsor’s role is to help the candidates (and their parents) find their place in God’s family and to see that they are equipped to fulfill the promises they make in baptism.
Adult candidates and the parents of infant candidates are asked to give a short testimony to their faith at the service of Baptism. Opportunity will be given during the first four weeks of the preparation classes to reflect on the questions that will be asked so that candidates will be able to prepare their responses.
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Q. When are your baptisms?
A. St. Matthew’s Day, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 (This will be a full immersion baptism outdoors)
All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2008
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009
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Q. When are the Baptism Preparation Worshops?
A. Baptism preparation classes usually take place on the five Sunday mornings immediately prior to baptism. The classes begin on:
Sunday, September 7, 2008
This is a modified course for St. Matthew’s Day. This course only will involve one Saturday and two Sundays
Sunday, September 28, 2008
for November 2, 2008 All Saints Sunday baptism
Sunday, March 8, 2009
for Easter April 12, 2009 baptism
Sunday, April 26, 2009
for Pentecost May 31, 2009 baptism
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Q. What is the Course Content of Baptism Preparation?
A. 1st Sunday: Baptism: the sacrament of inclusion and continuity. Candidates and Instructors are dismissed after the sermon to go to their classes.
2nd Sunday: Baptized into the life of Jesus. Meet for 1 hour after 8:30 service or before 10:15 service.
3rd Sunday: Discipleship: bible study, fellowship, worship, prayer. Candidates and Instructors are dismissed after the sermon to go to their classes.
4th Sunday: Discerning your gifts. Meet for 1 hour after 8:30 service or before 10:15 service.
5th Sunday: Introduction to Parish Sponsors. Meet at 12:30 p.m. for lunch and rehearsal.
6th Sunday: Baptism
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Q. How do I register for Baptism and Baptism Registration?
A. A brochure explaining baptism and a registration form can be found in the FORMS section of the website. Complete the registration form and mail it to St. Matthew's Anglican Church, 2010 Guilford Drive, Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 5R2. Linda or Don will be in touch with you when we receive the form.
Or call the church office for more information (604) 853-2416
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Core Beliefs & Values
Q. What are your Core Beliefs and Values?
A. ST. MATTHEW’S CORE BELIEFS &VALUES:
ORTHODOXY: We believe in God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that salvation comes through Jesus Christ and his blood which He shed for us on the cross. We believe in the uniqueness and supremacy of Jesus Christ and that the bible is the true and inspired word of God. We believe that defending these beliefs rightly glorifies God. Our worship services are Eucharistic and liturgical, following a long history of the Anglican church. We value the Holy Spirit’s presence in our worship and all people are free to worship Jesus in a manner that expresses their personal love for Him.
WHOLENESS: We believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to redeem and sanctify all people and to provide emotional, spiritual and physical healing. We seek to create a loving, safe place where people are cared for, supported, encouraged and strengthened in their faith amidst a body of believers.
COMMUNITY: We seek to create a loving, caring community encouraging each other in our faith, using our gifts to build God’s kingdom. We believe we are stewards of all God’s creation and all the blessings He bestows upon us. We are committed to giving generously of all our resources and wisely administering that which is entrusted to us. We are committed to being aware of and taking care of the physical environment and those in need.
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Marriage Preparation
Q. What are the requirements for marriage at St. Matthew's?
A. Marriage is a gift of God and a means of his grace, in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love, they shall grow together and be united in that love, as Christ is united with his Church.
The union of man and woman in heart, body, and mind is intended for their mutual comfort and help, that they may know each other with delight and tenderness in acts of love (and that they may be blessed in the procreation, care, and upbringing of children).
In marriage, husband and wife give themselves to each other, to care for each other in good times and in bad. They are linked to each other’s families, and they begin a new life together in the community. It is a way of life that all should reverence, and none should lightly undertake.
from the Celebration & Blessing of a Marriage,
Book of Alternative Services.
Marriage at St. Matthew’s
Your lifetime commitment starts, in a Christian ceremony in which you make vows to each other and before God. and in which your covenant is made Holy by God’s blessing. Our job is to provide instruction, prayer and support that will help you weather the storms of life and hopefully give you tools that will help make your marriage last.
Because you are participating in a Christian sacrament we presume that you are serious about the Christian aspects of marriage. Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a maturing faith is a necessary ingredient to a healthy marriage. Also, being part of a church family will give you the support, love, prayer and care you need to stay strong in your faith and to endure the difficulties of life.
Requirements
· Either the bride or groom, or both, must be baptized. Baptism can have taken place in any Christian denomination. Baptism is also available at St. Matthew’s.
· If the couple has not shown active participation at St. Matthew’s nor been on the Parish List for the year prior to the wedding they will be expected to attend church regularly and participate in a group or ministry at St. Matthew’s.
· The Canons of the Diocese of New Westminster state that all weddings celebrated by an Anglican Priest must be performed in the Sanctuary of an Anglican Church.
Marriage Preparation
All couples are required to attend an accredited marriage preparation course. The cost is $50 per couple.
A Marriage Preparation course is offered by St. Matthew’s on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 20 10:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Eucharist will be celebrated on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Please bring a bag lunch for both Saturday and Sunday or plan for a hasty lunch at a local restaurant.
. If you are unable to attend the course offered at St. Matthew’s, please ask one of our priests or the office about other courses available in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.
Wedding Costs
· Information about Church fees can be obtained from the Church Office. A $100 deposit is required at the time of booking.
· Verger fee $50
· Organist/pianist (optional) $100
· Bulletins (optional) 15¢ each
· There will be extra fees charged if the Verger is required to open up the church on occasions other than for the wedding ceremony or if he is asked to stay longer than 2 hours.
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office hours
Q. When is the office open?
A. the office is open from Monday to Friday September to June ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. July 2 - 4 ~ 8:30 to 3:00 pm July 7 to August 1 ~ 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
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