CEREMONIES

Holy Baptism: “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298). We offer baptism for infants, children and adults. 

Click here to contact our office  if you are interested in a Baptism.

Episcopal Confirmation is a sacred rite in which a baptized person affirms their faith, receives the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and is welcomed as a full member of the Episcopal Church. Those who wish to participate typiically prepare through classes or mentorship to understand the beliefs and practices of the Church.

Each year we provide classes to assist people new to the Episcopal Church and adults who are ready to reaffirm their Baptismal covenant formally through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes include a study of the Sacraments, exploration of the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican History and Episcopal Church Polity (government).

Youth Confirmation

“In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop.”

Annually, youth of St. John’s in grades 9 and higher are invited to become candidates for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Candidates for Confirmation are paired with an adult mentor and together they embark on a nine lesson program called Keeping the Promise.

At least one party in the marriage must be a baptized Christian. If you have been previously married, the Priest who is counseling you must obtain permission to perform the marriage from the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. You will be asked to present copies of all final divorce or annulment decrees. A twice divorced person who wishes to be remarried in the Church must consult with the Priest and meet additional criteria of the Diocese.

Your initial contact will be with a member of the clergy, who will guide your further arrangements. Your desired date of availability will be checked and confirmed as soon as possible. 

To contact one of our clergy, please call the Church Office at 949-888-4595 or click here to send an email. 

Weddings are usually scheduled for Saturdays, with the rehearsal taking place on the evening before. The first priority of available dates will be given to active St. John's Church members; however, members may not preempt a date that has already been confirmed. 

Important note: Please keep in mind that weddings are not performed from Ash Wednesday through Easter, and that scheduled church activities always take precedence. 

Eucharist is the term Episcopalians use for Holy Communion. Eucharist means thanksgiving, and the Holy Eucharist is a Feast of Thanksgiving. During the Eucharist we express our gratitude for and remembrance of the love of God for us expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we receive many spiritual benefits, such as forgiveness, strengthening of our relationship with Christ and with one another, and spiritual nourishment.

All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion in any Episcopal Church. You need not be an Episcopalian. Because some denominations do not permit their members to receive Holy Communion in churches outside of their denomination, you should check with your own pastor if you are uncertain.

We use wine. When recieving communion you can drink form the common cup or allow the chalice bearer to “intinct” (dip) the Communion wafer into a small amount of wine, and not to drink from the cup. Those who want to receive bread but not wine simply cross their arms in front of their chests after they receive the bread, and may by-pass the cup of wine altogether.