I remember a little while ago being in a meeting with some of the other leaders at church. I had missed something that had gone on the previous Sunday. Someone was agitated about what had been said regarding communion. Jokingly, I said 'well as long as there's no transubstantiation; that's a deal breaker!'The shocked look I got! Turns out I am not the only one who doesn't believe this! (I am joking by the way, I don't know anyone in the church who does).
I was thinking today though about communion (see previous post) and got thinking about what it is I do believe. I am sure that millions have words have been written on this topic. I am not going to waste many more. The bread and wine are symbols. They represent Christ's sacrifice. They are part of a shared experience that can be done anywhere it is needed. I don't have to be a priest, I don't need special training, I simply need bread and wine and some time with Scripture. Do this in remembrance of me and that's what I intend to do ...
I found this lovely picture on Instagram.
Had a message from the pastor this afternoon. He needs someone to lead communion on Sunday and he asked if my wife or I would do it. So I am leading it. thing is, despite me not being an Anglican and despite even then having misgivings about the whole 'only a priest can do communion' thing, I am really nervous! Why? I know that Communion is special but is it something that I need to be special for?
I well remember in my studies at A Level discussing the differences between Protestant believers and Catholic believers and reading about 'hoc est corpus meum'. This was before I was a Christian and I knew that communion must be something special. When I came to Christ though I realised how very special and how very normal it is. It is a commemoration of the most wonderful thing ever done. It is also a simple thing. A shared meal, some bread and some wine with people we love and with a God who loves us.
I need to pray about this (obviously) and hope that I can take the most mundane things and make people realise just how very special those little pieces of bread and those small sips of wine are.
Well, it is going well. Day 150 in a row of reading Scripture. I cannot be sure but I am fairly certain that this is a record for me. Keeping a tally of the books I have finished is actually getting difficult now but I will have a go.
Genesis.
Exodus.
Leviticus.
Numbers.
Deuteronomy.
Joshua.
Judges.
Ruth.
Job.
Matthew.
Mark.
Luke.
All of these have been done with the Bible app I am using.
Acts.
Romans.
1 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians.
Galatians.
Ephesians.
Philippians.
Colossians.
1 Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians.
1 Timothy.
2 Timothy.
Titus.
Philemon.
1 Peter.
2 Peter.
1 John.
2 John.
3 John.
Jude.
All of these have been 'extras'done because I need to read more of God's word. I make that 32 books out of 66. Not bad for 150 days. I pray it continues.
I have been sticking with my bible reading. Not missed a day all year. I had taken a little hiatus in my extra readings from the New Testament. however, for the last few days I have been reading through 1 and 2 Peter and what a couple of letters they are. Powerful testimony from Peter but also full of hope and joy.
A photo posted by Derrick Roberts (@aberchristian) on
Now I am moving on to the letters of John. Hoping to have them finished in the next couple of days. If that is the case then it'll leave me John's gospel to finish then James, Jude, Hebrews and Revelation to read through.
Last Sunday we had to move to a new space. Well, we didn't have to we had decided that we would try somewhere new. Our church is absolutely chock-a-block. Every week we are finding it difficult to have enough space for everyone to be comfortable. Particularly the children. There are a good number of small kids at church and they're often cramped into a space at the back of the room which is, of course, not best for them and distracting for others.
So, we tried the library in town. I hadn't thought that we would do much there. I thought that it wouldn't really be suitable. Once more I was proved wrong by God. The space was excellent. The space we had for the kids was brilliant. Worship went well (and sounded really good outside apparently, alerting people to the fact that there was a church in the centre of town!) and everyone seemed very happy.
We are back in the church this week but I really hope that the Library works out long term.
We were prayed for as well. The leadership team I mean. I guess the term many are using is Elder. I am not sure about that as a term and I don't think I will use it myself but it is a terrifying privilege. Thankfully the ladies on the leadership team have been studying 1 Timothy in their Thursday Bible Study and my lovely wife has helped me so much to think about the role and life of an elder.
I am now, officially a leader at church. It was announced on Sunday and there was a good deal of trepidation. It had sort of got out and some people were not happy. I don't know why. I guess that I would say i wasn't ready for leadership but it would seem that the pastor and God think I am. The team actually consists of 3 married couples and I think this is a remarkably good idea. Everyone has someone there who knows them totally; their strengths and their limitations. This means that we are all honest with each other and we can have no secrets from at least one member of the team.
We also all bring different things to the table. Each of us is trained to a different level, with different life experiences and different spiritual journeys to call upon. I am looking forward to seeing where God is going with this leadership team.
Already new things are afoot with the church. We are definitely growing. Church is full every Sunday and we need somewhere bigger. This weekend coming up we are moving into the local library for a service, just to see how it works. I hope it works well but a library will always be a strange place for me to be loud in I guess.
I was preaching yesterday and that, in itself, was something unusual. I was down to preach last week but after writing a sermon (something that was very tough this time) I got to church and someone else had turned up to speak. So I was shunted to this Sunday just gone and it was a good experience. God told me to cross out quite a bit and I was pleased to do so.
The main thrust of the talk was that no matter what the world or the church says you are, of course, fit to be a disciple of Christ. Moreover, he has a specific job for you and there is training available. Put simply I looked at the way he taught us to pray and the way he taught us to love one another.
As always with my sermons, it is the ending that caused me the most difficulty. I never know when to shut up! This time, however, I feel the spirit led me to a perfect ending. You see, no matter how bad your day, how dirty and muddy you are. No matter what covers you, Jesus will still get up from his seat, strip down to the waist and stoop down to wash you clean again.
Spring Harvest is over. What a few days. Intense and so affirming. So much great stuff. A couple of talks were so incredible. Rob Parsons and Miriam Swaffham were just fantastic.
Rob Parsons spoke on how Jesus would have sat next to everyone no matter who they were. Put on your armour, not Saul's.
Miriam Swaffham spoke about Luke 10. We are a sent people. God has more confidence in our ability than we do! We are sent before him.
Didn't get to a lot of talks but by and large what I heard was spot on.
