Monday, October 26, 2009
All Saints Day
This Sunday will be a meditative service as we commemorate all the Saints that have helped shape our lives and our faith over the years. The church will be changed from the feast day colour of red to white (a colour sign of joy) and we will partake in the Lord's Supper.
The lighting of candles in memorial, the toll of the church bell and the reading of the names of the deceased will have an impact on all present.
The Gospel of Saint John 11: 35 illustrated Christ's humanity. It is the shortest verse in the Holy Bible and yet so utterly powerful in the Hellenistic Greek. "Jesus Wept", for the loss and love of his friend Lazarus whom he loved as much as he loved the disciple John.
Researching scripture and brushing up on my Greek I had forgotten how shaken up Jesus was over this death and it reminds each and everyone of us of the impact that a death can have on us and our community.
Remembering those we have lost this All Saints Sunday is fairly new to the Protestant church but I believe a much needed day in our church calender year, a service that has existed since the 4th Century.
As part of Isaiah 25:8 reads "Then let the Lord God wipe away the tears from all the faces" and let the Light of Christ shine in the darkest corners of our minds and hearts.
Amen.
The lighting of candles in memorial, the toll of the church bell and the reading of the names of the deceased will have an impact on all present.
The Gospel of Saint John 11: 35 illustrated Christ's humanity. It is the shortest verse in the Holy Bible and yet so utterly powerful in the Hellenistic Greek. "Jesus Wept", for the loss and love of his friend Lazarus whom he loved as much as he loved the disciple John.
Researching scripture and brushing up on my Greek I had forgotten how shaken up Jesus was over this death and it reminds each and everyone of us of the impact that a death can have on us and our community.
Remembering those we have lost this All Saints Sunday is fairly new to the Protestant church but I believe a much needed day in our church calender year, a service that has existed since the 4th Century.
As part of Isaiah 25:8 reads "Then let the Lord God wipe away the tears from all the faces" and let the Light of Christ shine in the darkest corners of our minds and hearts.
Amen.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Reformation Sunday Service October 25th,2009
This Sunday's service we will be celebrating Reformation Sunday with the Lord's Supper.
My thoughts have me wandering back to Germany as I remember the LTS Reformation Tour as we walked the steps Luther and the other reformers did so many years ago. A dear friend of mine is currently on study leave in Wittenberg and how I wish I could wander around Lutherstadt with you again Gordon (and enjoy a Luther Bier like Lull did).
I am also reminded of my ordination as I will wear the red stole and chasuble for the first time since being ordained to Word and Sacrament. This will bring back a flood of memories of my home Church Prince of Peace in Wpg.
Luther would not want us to fluff up our feathers like a male peacock and strut around acting like we are superior to any one. Brother Martin would be more concerned with the Gospel being proclaimed, we as Christians being focused on the cross and looking to Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
May God continue to clear our vision so that our focus is clearly upon the Cross of Christ!
My thoughts have me wandering back to Germany as I remember the LTS Reformation Tour as we walked the steps Luther and the other reformers did so many years ago. A dear friend of mine is currently on study leave in Wittenberg and how I wish I could wander around Lutherstadt with you again Gordon (and enjoy a Luther Bier like Lull did).
I am also reminded of my ordination as I will wear the red stole and chasuble for the first time since being ordained to Word and Sacrament. This will bring back a flood of memories of my home Church Prince of Peace in Wpg.
Luther would not want us to fluff up our feathers like a male peacock and strut around acting like we are superior to any one. Brother Martin would be more concerned with the Gospel being proclaimed, we as Christians being focused on the cross and looking to Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
May God continue to clear our vision so that our focus is clearly upon the Cross of Christ!
Friday, October 16, 2009
ELW Sunday
This Sunday I have the honour of preaching at the ELW ( Evangelical Lutheran Women) Praise Service at Redeemer.
Our ELW are a powerful group of dedicated women that follow Luther's understanding of the Commandments by loving and serving God and the neighbour.
The service is more laid back or less liturgical this Sunday with modern praise songs, so if you wish to come out and see what the ELW does you are most welcome.
After the service the ELW will also host a soup and bread lunch as fund raiser. These ladies can bake and create so please join us for a worthy cause.
Peace
Pr Rob
Our ELW are a powerful group of dedicated women that follow Luther's understanding of the Commandments by loving and serving God and the neighbour.
The service is more laid back or less liturgical this Sunday with modern praise songs, so if you wish to come out and see what the ELW does you are most welcome.
After the service the ELW will also host a soup and bread lunch as fund raiser. These ladies can bake and create so please join us for a worthy cause.
Peace
Pr Rob
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
