Who we are comes down to five elements: Biblical Truth, Reverent Worship, Historical Christian Faith, 1928 Book of Common Prayer, and Loving Fellowship.
Biblical Truth
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
At St. Joseph Anglican Church, we believe that authentic Christian unity begins in Scripture. The Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brings all Christians together.
The cornerstone of the Christian faith is Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection for our new life in Him. In response to this truth, Christians have a duty to believe and study the Word of God that reveals the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost to the world.
At St. Joseph, we seek a clear and firm understanding of what Scripture teaches, within the context of historical Christian interpretations of God’s Word.
While brothers and sisters in Christ may have different beliefs about certain issues, we have a higher unity which stems from shared belief in the certain truth of God’s Word. For this reason, any baptized and sincere adult believer in Christ who visits St. Joseph is welcome to the Lord’s Table.
Reverent Worship
“O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness” – Psalm 96:9
As Christians in the Anglican tradition, we believe that Scripture provides a model of worship that is reverent, beautiful, and liturgical.
Liturgy means “the work of the people,” and so in an Anglican worship service the congregation members are not passive observers. Responsive psalms, historic hymns, and heartfelt “Amens” draw our voices, hearts, and minds into the act of worship.
In our worship services, we stand to praise the Lord, sit to take in biblical truth, and kneel to pray. Some may raise their hands, make the sign of the cross, and bow. These physical behaviors are not rooted in superstition but in the belief that worship involves the whole person – body and soul.
As with physical discipline, the spiritual discipline of liturgical worship helps Christians to be transformed by the renewal of our minds to conform to the Word of God and exhibit a Christlike character more fully.
Historical Christian Faith
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” – Jeremiah 6:16
Christianity, as a religion set forth in the documents of the Gospels, is rooted in history. Christianity is not merely poetic symbolism, but a faith that the Bible’s claims are true, summed up in the familiar words of John 3:16: “For God so loved the World that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life.”
We also believe that we should consider the historical response to God’s Word. In Christian humility, we should consult the historic Church to see how it has, through the centuries, understood Scripture. Though Holy Writ is our final authority, we can learn from church history how the wisest of Christian leaders have interpreted it.
For a brief statement of the Anglican understanding of the faith upheld by the Reformed Episcopal Church, you can read the 39 Articles here: https://bransonanglican.church/about/beliefs-the-39-articles/
1928 Book of Common Prayer
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. – 1 Corinthians 14:33
The use of the Book of Common Prayer in Anglican worship, first developed by Thomas Cranmer five hundred years ago, upholds the three points already covered: it provides a platform for sharing biblical truth, it sets forth a vision of beautiful, reverent worship, and it draws from historical Christian faith.
As God is a God of order and not of chaos, we seek to worship Him in a manner that suits His character and the character He wants for His Church. The Book of Common Prayer contains every major public service we hold, including the Order for Holy Communion, Morning and Evening Prayer, the lectionary, and the set collects (formal prayers) and Epistle and Gospel readings used in Sunday worship.
The Order for Holy Communion feeds us with the Word and the Sacrament, and Morning and Evening Prayer promote a mindset of constant prayer. The formal language of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer reminds us that we worship a Holy God, but the teaching contained in the services likewise set forth the truth of a loving Father who sent His Son to redeem us by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw us closer to Him.
If you are unfamiliar with liturgical worship and want to read our services ahead of visiting, click on the links below.
Morning Prayer: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer: Morning Prayer
Holy Communion: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer: The 1928 Book of Common Prayer: Evening Prayer
Loving Fellowship
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25
We welcome you to join us on a Sunday or a Wednesday in worship and fellowship.
Every Sunday we have a fellowship hour after Holy Communion concludes, and we also have a church breakfast (location announced during the Sunday announcements) on Tuesdays at 9am.
We would love to get to know you better. For more information, you can visit our website, where we also post sermons, the Church Calendar, and more. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we hope you will come and worship with us soon!
Leadership
Rev. Dr. Anthony G. Cirilla
Rector
Rev. Dr. Kenyon Bunch
Deacon and Curate
Jon Gano
Senior Warden
Jim Dice
Junior Warden; Lay Reader