‘I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.’
John 10:27
Our parish understands Christian marriage and baptism as requiring a sincere and explicit commitment to Jesus Christ as this discipleship has been understood in the tradition of our Church.
That understanding is set forth in our prayerbook.
Marriage
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
-Ephesians 4:2-3
Introduction to the Marriage Service from the Book of Common Prayer
to join together a man and a woman; it is an honourable estate, instituted of God, and not to be entered into unadvisedly, lightly; but reverently and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy name.
Secondly, it was ordained that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God, shall be directed aright; that those who are called of God to this holy estate should continue therein in pureness of living.
Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
Baptism
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism requires a genuine and fundamental commitment to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to live up to the serious promises made in baptism by participation in the life of the Church, the community of Jesus’ disciples. Such a commitment is our response to the generous gift God bestows on us in Baptism -
From the Baptism Service in A Prayerbook for Australia:
Baptism is the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When he had risen from the dead, he commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, ands of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism with water signifies the cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible, and the new life that God gives us through the holy Spirit.
In baptism, the promises of God are visibly signed and sealed for us, We are joined to Christ, and made members of his body, the Church universal.
Funerals
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. “
-John 14:1-3
Our Lord Jesus Christ promises that those who follow him will also follow him into his resurrection life in the nearer presence of God’s glory. Those requiring a Christian funeral, the only service for the departed the Church can offer, should contact the Parish Priest.