Baptism

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.

Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast

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As Christians following the Anglican/Episcopal tradition, we believe that “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble” (Book of Common Prayer, page 299). Baptism is the occasion for great joy in the life of an individual, his or her family, and the Church, and is, therefore, a public celebration. Baptismal candidates make promises about how to live as followers of Jesus; the Church makes promises to support those being baptized on their journey; and all who are gathered reaffirm their faith in the God who promises forgiveness of sin and our resurrection into a new life of grace.

St. John’s baptizes children, youth, and adults.  In keeping with ancient traditions of the Church and according to The Book of Common Prayer, St. John’s offers baptism five times each year: The Baptism of Our Lord (mid-January); The Great Vigil of Easter; The Day of Pentecost; a date during the summer and All Saints’ Sunday (early November).  Occasionally, other dates are available at the discretion of the Rector.

After one is baptized, one is considered a full member of the Church and is welcome to participate in Holy Communion. At St. John’s, all older baptismal candidates, parents, sponsors and godparents are required to meet with the priest to discuss the theology and obligations of baptism and participate in pre-baptismal rehearsal usually scheduled the Saturday before the Baptism from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

For more information about baptism contact the church office, office@stjohnsmariettapa.org

Weddings

The church welcomes the opportunity to share with you in planning your wedding.  It is the desire of the church that your wedding day be as joyful and as memorable as possible.

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Holy Matrimony is the solemn public sacrament by which two people enter into a lifelong union by making vows before God and the Church. Our covenantal life with God is expressed in relationships of commitment and faithfulness. It is the Church’s joy to celebrate these relationships as signs of God’s love, to pray for God’s grace to support couples in their life together, and to join with these couples in our shared witness to the gospel in the world.

In the Episcopal Church, it is required that at least one member of the couple be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the Commonwealth and the Canons and Constitutions of the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Members as well as non-members may be married at St. John’s if:

• One member of the couple is an active member of St. John’s or in the process of becoming a member of St. John’s.
• One member of the couple is a member of another Christian tradition and intends to remain active in that faith community.
• A pastoral circumstance exists and the couple is in consultation with the parish clergy.

Members must be involved regularly in parish life through worship and more, including an annual financial pledge on record with the Treasurer. Non-members are subject to wedding fees greater than fees to be paid by members. It is customary for non-member Episcopalians to provide a letter of recommendation from the clergy of their parish to the rector of St. John’s upon request for marriage.

Couples must meet with the rector before approval for marriage at St. John’s may be granted and a ceremony date is confirmed. Pre-marital counseling is required and administered the Rector; services of a licensed marriage counselor may also be important to the process. The Episcopal Church is also open to the re-marriage of divorced persons, but it does require requesting the permission of the Bishop of Central Pennsylvania. Weddings at St. John’s are open to both opposite and same gender couples.

Ceremonies at St. John’s are ordered according to the following approved liturgies of The Episcopal Church: The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, The Blessing of a Civil Marriage, An Order for Marriage, The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant, The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage, and The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2, and include a celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion, Mass, Supper of the Lord), made available to all baptized Christians present for the ceremony. The Holy Eucharist upholds our parish observance of the ancient custom by which couples have begun new life for centuries after the exchange of marriage vows.

Funerals

The clergy, staff and members of St. John's are here to support you when there is a death in your family, or as you prepare for your own death. We offer funeral and memorial services in our Church. Our services use the Book of Common Prayer and there is plenty of space to choose music and readings. We work with all local funeral directors

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The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised.  The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death.  Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend.  So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.  – The Book of Common Prayer, p. 507.

Preparing for Death

Parishioners are encouraged to make their burial plans in advance to share them with loved ones and the Parish Office. Periodically, classes and opportunities are offered to reflect on the Burial Office and to assist persons with planning, including information includes about Planned Giving. The Book of Common Prayer encourages adults to have a will with provisions for family and bequests for charitable and religious purposes. The Clergy are available to assist with preparation.

Close to or at the time of Death

When a parishioner is close to or at the time of a death, please call the Parish Office in order for a priest to provide the Ministration at Time of Death (Book of Common Prayer, page 462). This comforting liturgy may also be read with family members and loved ones soon after the person has died.

Planning the Service

Upon notifying the Parish Office, the Rector will work with the friends and family of the deceased to find a suitable time for the burial liturgy. Funerals are services of public worship in The Episcopal Church and follow the Burial Office as outlined in the Book of Common Prayer (Rite I, page 469 and Rite II, page 491). It is important first to speak with a member of the Clergy before the date, time and logistics for burial can be communicated; several factors must be considered before final arrangements can be made. Consider completing St. John’s Planning for Burial form, to be kept on file at the Parish Office and shared with loved ones.

Holy Eucharist customarily is offered at the service, and is encouraged for regular communicants.