“The Household of God”
Posted by Bill in Announcements on June 26, 2010
Everything was in its place.
Nothing extra, nothing missing,
Functional, with style and grace.
Chairs of prayer, fellowship couches
Well supported, strong and stable.
Wall-to-wall carpet of scripture,
Long and wide communion table.
Old and new meshed with each other,
Useful both with ordered rule.
None worn out, each piece well cared for,
Serve as beauty and a tool.
Such a house we long to enter,
Respite take from battles long.
In this house, owned by our Father,
This is where His sons belong!
All around me I could see
The House of Faith illuminated
By sin-filled reality.
Some complained we never sang
Their favorite Christian song.
Some said the service was too short
While others said too long.
Someone cussing out his brothers
As over their feet he tripped.
One of those whose toes were stepped on
Let some nasty response slip.
The givers felt the takers owed
For being carried along.
And those who don’t do any complained
The do-ers did it wrong.
The volunteers were volunteered -
Used, burned out, left as dirt.
While others, waiting to be asked,
Were left with feelings hurt.
To his young friend Timothy
And back again to Christchurch
That I love so fervently.
If our church is going to be
A place where Christ would live,
There’re two things that we all must do -
Love much and much forgive!*
Ash Wednesday
Posted by Bill in Announcements on February 18, 2010
Last night, I enjoyed one of the richer moments I’ve had with the Christchurch community. About 25 people gathered to commemorate the classical Christian holiday of Ash Wednesday.
Gathering in the dimly lit room, we listened to the scriptures, prayed prayers of confession, exchanged blessings of peace with one another, and enjoyed fellowship around the communion table. Rich. Simple. The ideal beginning for our journey through the season of Lent.
We also engaged in the traditional worship element of the “imposition of ashes”. Each person came forward, and heard these words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” Then, using ashes, I made a sign of the cross on each person’s palm or forehead.
This is a very normal tradition for those who have grown up Catholic, Episcopalian, or from another “high church” tradition. But for many of us, this was a first. Like any time you try something for the first time, it can be at once awkward and wonderful. Some smiled and said “thank you”. Some seemed humbled and even distraught by their mortality.
I must say, the experience was wonderful for me. To be with the people I love is always wonderful. But, to do so with absolutely no pretense is a rare treasure in this world. We all stared our human condition squarely in the face: Broken, finite, rebellious, helpless, desperate. And together we met God there – the God who will forgive and bless the penitent.
It might seem that all this talk about “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” would be depressing. On the contrary … I awoke this morning with a deeper appreciation for salvation, and for the richness I could experience in my walk with Christ if I will but avail myself to the spiritual life He has made possible for me by His Spirit.
And now, the Lenten journey has begun. The rewards are great! God bless us as we travel this road together.
Bill
Epiphany at Christchurch
Posted by vicente in Bill's Blog on November 28, 2009
A friend of mine recently wrote this on Facebook: “When Jesus promised ‘abundant life’ to His followers, that includes the most excruciating agonies and the most ecstatic joys with everything in between, between now and going home with Him. Thank You for abundant life, LORD!”
I couldn’t agree more. In a day when governments, academic institutions and even some churches are claiming that life can be devoid of the “agonies”, those who cling to the scriptural text know differently. As the Apostle Paul says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Phil. 3:10).
At Christchurch, we want to know Christ – a Christ who doesn’t relieve us from the struggles of being human in a fallen world, but rather a Christ who has overcome that world, and who glorifies Himself through His people as they wrestle with the powers that control this world. And it’s a hard struggle – not at all for the timid, or for the subspiritual Pollyanna who would say “peace, peace!” when peace is yet to be established.
January 6th marked the beginning of Epiphany – the season where we look closely at the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus. It’s time to put the cuddly Christmas card sentiments away for the year (they were fun, weren’t they?), and dive right back into the thick of the battle, where Jesus leads us toward the redemption of all things, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you want to learn more about this Jesus, come join us. If you know Christ, and are looking for a community that embraces fully the call of God to be His change-agents in this fallen world, we welcome you as well.
People Jesus Liked. For the several Sundays (through Feb. 14th) we’ll continue looking at stories from the scriptures that challenge us to engage with people different than ourselves. Jesus loved criminals, the immoral, the sick, the shady, the political, the less-than-brilliant, the victims. Do we? Our prayer is that, by the end of the Epiphany season, our heart for others will grow through this time in His Word.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us! (1 Jn. 1:3)
God’s best to you all,
Bill