Beginning this month…

The laying on of hands for healing
extended to Sundays

IN RECENT YEARS, a number of Episcopal churches have been offering a new (yet very ancient) ministry, the laying-on of hands for those requesting healing. Here at the Church of Our Saviour, we have been doing this at our mid-week service third week of each month for several years now. Starting this month, we will be extending this ministry to Sunday mornings on the second and fifth* Sundays of each month. On those Sundays, our Rector will remain at the altar rail following the Eucharist to provide specific prayers for those who come up and ask for healing for themselves or others. The first such offering will be on Sept. 12. This ministry dates back at least to Christ’s time, and to the practice of healing by Jesus himself. The aim of this sacrament is to not to cure, but rather to restore wholeness; we lay hands on someone (anointing them with oil) and ask God to release them from anything – of a physical, emotional, or spiritual nature – that prevents them from being whole.

The basic elements of this ministry include:

	Touch – This contact grounds us, and reminds us that we are embodied members of Christ.
	Specific prayer request – This request lets the priest know the situation’s outline, and clarifies for the priest the seeker’s most pressing concerns.
	Anointing with oil – The oil is a reminder of the baptismal anointing, and that our baptism has marked us as God’s own forever.
	Prayer for healing – This prayer is said in response to the seeker’s request.

It has been said that God prays through us; in this prayer for healing, the priest seeks to hear and to voice both the seeker’s request and the love God has for that person. Should you have a concern – it can be for you or for someone else – for which you would like healing prayer, feel free to step forward as the service concludes. It’s a very simple process, it’s quiet and quick, and all prayer requests are kept completely confidential.

*when there is a fifth Sunday in the given month.

Blessing of the Animals set for Oct. 3

On Sunday, Oct. 3, children and adults of the parish are invited to celebrate God's creation through a special "Blessing of the Animals" service.

Oct. 3 is the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), and in Episcopal churches across the country, people of all ages are being encouraged to bring their pets for a blessing as a way of honoring that gentle saint‟s memory.

Francis was known not only for his humility, but his love of God‟s creation. At the 10:00 Parish Family Eucharist that day, you are invited to bring your cats or dogs, hamsters, gerbils, fish, rabbits or birds to receive God‟s blessing. More exotic species, such as snakes, turtles, or lizards, are also welcome, as long as they are caged for their own as well as the congregation's safety.

During the first portion of the service, pet-owners are asked to leave their animals in their cars (with a window cracked for ventilation) or, if the weather is warmer than 68°, a safe outside location. At the appropriate point in the service, they may go out to get their pets and bring them to the church door for the "procession of animals" and the blessing. Paper will be rolled out (to prevent "accidents") and the animals will be brought in one-by-one to be blessed.

At the end of the ceremony, Fr. Chip will call all who have pets at home, but forgot to bring them, forward for a blessing to "send home." You are encouraged to invite friends to join you that day, either to witness the blessing of your pet or to bring pets of their own for a blessing.

"Lectionary at Lunch" Bible study
returns this fall

The success of last year’s "Lectionary at Lunch" Bible study has inspired us to bring this time of lively conversation and reflection back this fall. Each week, following the Wednesday 11:30 a.m. Eucharist, we will gather in the Akerman Room over a brown bag lunch to read and discuss the Gospel for the coming Sunday. As time allows, we may expand our discussion to look briefly as well at the other readings.

As in the past, our Eucharist will celebrate Feast Days as they occur throughout the year – and, on the third Wednesday of each month, will include the laying on of hands for Christian healing.

If you haven’t yet tried "Lectionary at Lunch," we invite you to give it a try this fall. Those who came last year found it a wonderful way to prepare for the coming Sunday’s liturgy.

Fr. Chip

To Learn More...

	To learn more about what you might expect upon your first visit to our parish, click here.
	To learn more about what's happening this month at Our Saviour, click here. (Don't have Adobe Reader on your computer? Click the link to download and install it!) Get Adobe Reader
	To learn more about our children’s and youth ministries, click here.
	To learn more about our music ministry, click here.
	To learn more about all the ministries we have to offer - and who you can contact to become a part of those ministries - click here.

    Or...check out these pages...

Our Calendar Page
(created using Google Calendar)

Episcopalians: A Primer

Why Liturgy?

Our Mission Statement

The Vestry has stated our Parish Mission as follows:

The Church of our Saviour is a parish of the Episcopal Church. Jesus Christ is our Lord. As children of God and as Christians, our mission is to know Christ, to live Christ, and to make Christ known, together. We do this as we gather in worship through Word and Sacrament, and are sent to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through education, fellowship and stewardship, we foster the Christian life to which we have been called in our baptism; and we minister through the practical application of the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to every member.