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of Assisi Episcopal
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The Eucharist is also knows as the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.  As a church we are eucharistically centered for the simple reason that it is in the Eucharist, as we eat the bread and drink the wine, that we remember and are identified with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as we await his coming in glory.  It is in this identification with Jesus Christ that we receive forgiveness for our sins, are strengthened by our union with Christ and with one another, and enjoy a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.  Here we find nourishment for eternal life.  All baptized Christians are welcomed to the Communion Table of the Lord.

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We are aware that God is always near each one of us but that we often turn away from him or her and do not recognize God's presence.  Our joint worship reminds us of who we truly are.  We encourage private worship and prayer, but it is in our corporate worship Sunday by Sunday that we recognize our need for one another and our mutual concern to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God's Word, and to celebrate the sacraments together.  It is around The Book of Common Prayer that we unite in worship, using most frequently the modern language services but also employing the more traditional services from time to time.  The Eucharist is the center of our worship, although we occasionally use Morning Prayer, Healing Services, Lessons and Carols, and other worship patterns.  Music, both congregational and instrumental, is a vital part of our worship experience as we offer our praises to God.

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As the Gospel of John tells us, “The Word became a human being and lived among us, and we saw his glory.”  And that fact, we believe, reemphasizes what the Book of Genesis says about creation:  “God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased.”  We recognize that there is sin in the world, but we are world affirming because Christ has redeemed it.  We can enjoy with thanksgiving all the wonderful things that God has given to us in this world without any feeling of guilt.  But we must also take seriously our responsibility for preserving and not destroying all that God has given to us.

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We take seriously our baptismal covenant with its admonition that we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.  We emphasize the value of every person, knowing that each is made in the image of God and is the object of God's love.  All are welcome and no one is excluded from joining with us in the worship of God and in the ministry to which we are all called of making the love of God known to the whole world.

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