The Sacraments are the moments when God touches the world in such a way that we can say with confidence, "I have seen the Lord."
At the Parish of St. Mark - Ocean Park, we celebrate many of these holy moments.
In Baptism, God splashed us awake so that we can participate with him in his healing ministry through Jesus Christ. We baptise both children and adults into the Family of God. If you are interested in this incredible journey, talk to the minister. If you have already been baptised and would like to reaffirm your call to walk with Christ, we can help with that, too.
The body and blood (the life) of Jesus given to us is the food we need for our spiritual health. It is like the bread God gave to the ancients in the desert. It is like the food the ravens gave to Elijah in the wilderness. It is the central sacrament of our spiritual practice and a necessary part of a healthy spiritual life.
The regular admission that our words and behaviours have consequences, and the pursuit of an open and honest relationship with God, our neighbour and ourselves. Absolution is the promise God gives through the priest that those things we confess are heard by God and transformed into new possibilities of life.
The laying on of hands by the Bishop confirms God's Spirit in the follower of Jesus. For those who were baptised as a child, this is when they confirm that they will continue to follow Jesus as an adult. For adults, this is a time to take a fresh responsibility for their spiritual health.
The act of hope that God is bringing this world together, despite the forces tearing it apart. We celebrate God's relationship with the world in the bringing of two people together to love and support each other.