The Holy Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist is called the Lord's Supper, and Holy Communion; it is also known as the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering.

The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. The Eucharist is the Church's sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and it is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself.

The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received according to Christ's command. The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ give to his people, and received by faith.

The benefits we receive from partaking in the Holy Eucharist are the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet which is our nourishment in eternal life.

It is required before receiving the Eucharist that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

The Holy Eucharist is offered at Good Shepherd every single Sunday and on Holy Days. The Holy Eucharist at Good Shepherd is celebrated using Rite II (and also Rite I) from the Book of Common Prayer 1979.

All are welcome to participate in the service. In the Episcopal Church all baptized persons are invited to receive the Holy Communion. Members of other Christian churches who are baptized are also invited to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Persons who do not wish to receive the Holy Communion are invited also to come forward with everyone else to receive a blessing.