Moravian Church in North America
In Essentials, Unity; In Nonessentials, Liberty; In All Things, Love.
In Essentials, Unity; In Nonessentials, Liberty; In All Things, Love.
The Moravian Church recognizes the sacraments of baptism and of holy communion.
Through baptism the individual receives a pledge of the forgiveness of sin and admission into the covenant of God through the blood of Christ. The Moravian Church does not try to define the mystery of Christ's presence in the communion elements, but recognizes that the believer participates in a unique act of covenant with Christ as Savior and with other believers in Christ.
Learn about the rites and sacraments of the Moravian Church in greater detail:
Baptism is the sacrament of Christian initiation. Through baptism believers and their children are embodied in the covenant of grace and become a part of the fellowship of the church.
In the sacrament of Holy Communion, God makes use of physical elements (bread and wine) so that with prayer and faith they become a means of experiencing God’s grace in a special way. Along with the sacrament of baptism, Holy Communion is a gift of God made effectual by the preaching of the Word and the response of faith.
The Moravian Church has repeatedly affirmed the position that it is neither possible to define the exact relationship of the elements used to the presence of our Lord’s body and blood, nor profitable to do so. We affirm that Christ is present in the sacrament and meets us there, but we do not define precisely how this occurs. Each member may benefit from Holy Communion by meditating upon the words our Lord used in instituting this sacrament.
Confirmation is a rite by which persons baptized as children publicly affirm the covenant made for them in baptism and confirm their faith. At the same time the congregation prays that each confirmand will receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the strengthening of his or her faith. Confirmation is a personal decision to accept the full responsibilities of membership in the church. It is also a time for the congregation to celebrate and acknowledge the confirmand’s decision.
Tuesday, May 21 – Psalm 67
Proverbs 14; 1 Corinthians 16:1-11
The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 6:1,2
God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
You are our refuge and strength, O God, our ever-present help in trouble. Embolden us to share the good news of your steadfast love. Make us instruments your consolation, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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May 2013
Zinzendorf's Pennsylvania JourneyCount Zinzendorf speaks once again in this collection of sermons preached during his sojourn in Pennsylvania in the 1740s. These sermons, translated by Craig Atwood and Julie Tomberlin Weber, will touch your heart as they did those who heard them more than 250 years ago.