It seems more like Christmas this year than usual. Due to the economic slowdown, there isn’t so much of a commercial festival taking place at the same time as Christmas this year.
But still the commercial element can have a detrimental effect.
It is easy to throw the baby out with the bath water. The water can be filled with tinsel , cards, wrapping paper, presents, food, drink, social events and spending money to the point where the baby gets lost amongst all the stuff.
We can lose the baby and then not want to look for him again. The scribes and priests knew where the baby was likely to be but none of them went to see him. Some pagans from a far awy country went to see him first.
Then some shepherds went to see him because an Angel told them. The angel told them because it was a shepherds business to know when a lamb is to be born.
Jesus is the lamb that takes away the sins off the world.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Sunday, 7 December 2008
John Chrysostom Compline
O God who is one,
O God who is true,
O God who is first,
O God who is one substance,
O God only mighty, in three Persons, truly merciful, forgive.
* O Lord, You will keep us safeand protect us forever.
* O Lord, deprive me not of your heavenly blessings.
*O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.
*O Lord, if I have sinned in my mind or thought, in word deed, forgive me.
*O Lord, deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart;
*O Lord, deliver me from every temptation;
*O Lord, enlighten my heart darkened by evil desire
God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto you; and does promise, that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you will grant their requests : Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most fitting for them ; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Amen.
*O Lord, implant in me the root of all blessings.
*O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love you with all my heart and soul, and that I may obey in all things your will;
*O Lord, shield me from evil persons and devils and passions and all other lawless matters;
In the name of The Father and of The son and of The Holy Spirit
Amen
O God who is true,
O God who is first,
O God who is one substance,
O God only mighty, in three Persons, truly merciful, forgive.
* O Lord, You will keep us safeand protect us forever.
* O Lord, deprive me not of your heavenly blessings.
*O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.
*O Lord, if I have sinned in my mind or thought, in word deed, forgive me.
*O Lord, deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart;
*O Lord, deliver me from every temptation;
*O Lord, enlighten my heart darkened by evil desire
God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto you; and does promise, that when two or three are gathered together in your Name you will grant their requests : Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most fitting for them ; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Amen.
*O Lord, implant in me the root of all blessings.
*O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love you with all my heart and soul, and that I may obey in all things your will;
*O Lord, shield me from evil persons and devils and passions and all other lawless matters;
In the name of The Father and of The son and of The Holy Spirit
Amen
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Emergent Church
Wikipedia says some stuff about the Emergent Church but the term ‘Emergent Church’ seems to mean anything nowadays.
One definition for Emergent Church is an Evangelical Christian movement whose participants seek to live their faith in modern society by emulating Jesus Christ irrespective of Christian religious traditions. This can not be what it is. This would make JW’s and Mormons Emergent.
It is said that proponents of this movement call it a "conversation" to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature. This is correct in my understanding of the phrase Emergent Church but in reality a lot that is called emergent Church is in reality Church with a trendy name. Some so called Emergent Churches are as centralised as any other Church.
It is also said that its members may be disillusioned with the organized and institutional church and often support the deconstruction of modern Christian dogma. Who the hell likes dogmatism in the first place anyway?
Wikipedia also says that the movement often favours the use of simple story and narrative, occasionally incorporating mysticism. I know of a lot of things that are called emergent Church but I can’t say I have ever come across such a movement. A lot of it is repackaged tradition.
It also says that members of the emerging movement place high value on good works or social activism, sometimes including missional living or new monasticism; while Evangelicals may emphasize eternal salvation, many in the emerging movement emphasize the here and now and the need to create a kingdom of heaven on Earth.
When in fact the emphasis is on everything.
Apparently Emergent churches can be found throughout the globe, predominantly in North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Some attend local independent churches or house churches labelled "emergent" while others worship in traditional Christian denominations.
This is when the whole thing becomes a joke!
It is said that proponents of this movement call it a "conversation" to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature. If it has a decentralized nature it can’t be like a house church or part of a traditional denomination. Such fellowships are something different to the true Emergent Church.
The true Emergent church takes elements of worship from a wide variety of historic traditions, including Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, the Orthodox church, and Celtic Christianity. liturgy, prayer beads, icons, and the labyrinth.
The Taizé Community in France parallels the emergent experience in many ways. As does The Religious Society of Friends
I do not believe that the true Emergent Church can be a house group or a group of people that meet in a building at a certain time but an active community. I believe that the true Emergent Church has been around for the last 2000 years, hence it is right to draw on a variety of historic traditions.
Within the true Emergent Church the idolatry that is Denominationalism is non-existent. The heresy card is never played.
The true Emergent Church is not into going to meetings and conferences, so people who are holding Emergent Church conferences are not truly Emergent. The true Emergent Church encourages growing together in unity and not growing by going to meetings.
In the words of Saint Patrick,
“Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
One definition for Emergent Church is an Evangelical Christian movement whose participants seek to live their faith in modern society by emulating Jesus Christ irrespective of Christian religious traditions. This can not be what it is. This would make JW’s and Mormons Emergent.
It is said that proponents of this movement call it a "conversation" to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature. This is correct in my understanding of the phrase Emergent Church but in reality a lot that is called emergent Church is in reality Church with a trendy name. Some so called Emergent Churches are as centralised as any other Church.
It is also said that its members may be disillusioned with the organized and institutional church and often support the deconstruction of modern Christian dogma. Who the hell likes dogmatism in the first place anyway?
Wikipedia also says that the movement often favours the use of simple story and narrative, occasionally incorporating mysticism. I know of a lot of things that are called emergent Church but I can’t say I have ever come across such a movement. A lot of it is repackaged tradition.
It also says that members of the emerging movement place high value on good works or social activism, sometimes including missional living or new monasticism; while Evangelicals may emphasize eternal salvation, many in the emerging movement emphasize the here and now and the need to create a kingdom of heaven on Earth.
When in fact the emphasis is on everything.
Apparently Emergent churches can be found throughout the globe, predominantly in North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Some attend local independent churches or house churches labelled "emergent" while others worship in traditional Christian denominations.
This is when the whole thing becomes a joke!
It is said that proponents of this movement call it a "conversation" to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature. If it has a decentralized nature it can’t be like a house church or part of a traditional denomination. Such fellowships are something different to the true Emergent Church.
The true Emergent church takes elements of worship from a wide variety of historic traditions, including Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, the Orthodox church, and Celtic Christianity. liturgy, prayer beads, icons, and the labyrinth.
The Taizé Community in France parallels the emergent experience in many ways. As does The Religious Society of Friends
I do not believe that the true Emergent Church can be a house group or a group of people that meet in a building at a certain time but an active community. I believe that the true Emergent Church has been around for the last 2000 years, hence it is right to draw on a variety of historic traditions.
Within the true Emergent Church the idolatry that is Denominationalism is non-existent. The heresy card is never played.
The true Emergent Church is not into going to meetings and conferences, so people who are holding Emergent Church conferences are not truly Emergent. The true Emergent Church encourages growing together in unity and not growing by going to meetings.
In the words of Saint Patrick,
“Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Liturgy Composed For Advent Communion Service
Pres
Cong
and the fullness thereof;
the world,
and they that dwell therein.
Cong
We are gathered in the name of Jesus.
He is within our midst.
The peace of The lord be with you
And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
{The Peace}
and the fullness thereof;
the world,
and they that dwell therein.
Much loved in Christ, Let us therefore examine ourselves and repent of our sins.
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin.
For we know our transgressions, and our sin is always before us.
Restore to us the joy of our salvation and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us.
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins who is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness those who repent, give you pardon and peace, from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to The lord
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD
And to sing praises unto the name of the most high.
Amen, therefore with angels and archangel’s and with all the company of Heaven we praise his name saying,
Holy, holy, holy lord God of power and might
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
And as we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim his death until he comes.
Lord we pray that you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving
and, with your Word and Holy Spirit,
to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine;
that we and all who share in the + body and blood of your Son
may be filled with Heavenly peace and joy
and, receiving the forgiveness of sin,
may be + sanctified in soul and body,
and have our portion with all your saints
Amen
{Distribution}
The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of The Holy Spirit be with you.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve The lord
In the name of Christ we will.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Advent Liturgy
Give thanks to the LORD for he is good.
His mercy endures forever
The earth is the LORD's,
and the fullness thereof;
the world,
and they that dwell therein.
Christ has died
Christ has risen
Christ will come again.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that has clean hands, and a pure heart;
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Glory to the son died, risen and ascended, who shall return in glory.
Blessed be God forever
Amen.
His mercy endures forever
The earth is the LORD's,
and the fullness thereof;
the world,
and they that dwell therein.
Christ has died
Christ has risen
Christ will come again.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that has clean hands, and a pure heart;
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Glory to the son died, risen and ascended, who shall return in glory.
Blessed be God forever
Amen.
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