Moving Church
Shirley and I, for the first time in the year-and-a-half we've lived here, have re-arranged our living room. You may question that, but I'm honestly kind of reluctant to move furniture. Part of the reason, at least for the living room, is that Chapel of St. Francis parish worships there. So we have to have the furniture arranged in such a way that everyone can face the altar, with its Celtic cross and the icons above it.
So yep, the altar was moved. We drove over to Home Depot last night, and bought a wooden shelf and some hollow wall anchors for the cross. I'm actually amazed at myself -- hanging the shelf and icons was much easier than last time. No frustration, which really is a miracle.
I think it looks pretty good. We're looking forward at our worshipping community's reaction tonight. No, we haven't told them. So it'll be fun. If you're in the OKC area, come worship with us in Eucharist (Communion) tonight at 7. I'm the Celebrant (worship leader), and we welcome you. Come as you are, 5901 NW 62nd St. at MacArthur, brick house nw corner. You'll see the vehicles.
Why did I title this 'moving church'? Because this is only temporary -- our Sunday morning worship will be moved to a more "public" place -- I'm working on that right now. As a matter of fact, I'm headed out the door right now to meet with someone at another church to tour and discuss meeting in their facilities.
God's blessings be yours in abundance.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Things to think about if you're a christian
What is a christian? A person who believes in and has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior into his/her life. It does NOT mean a person who doesn't struggle with our faith, or how to live it out in our lives. Remember that our salvation is not dependent on us, but on God -- we are saved by His grace through our faith. So if we've received Jesus into our lives, we have salvation and forgiveness in Him, and a relationship with Him -- and, just like any other relationship, we have to spend time with Him for that relationship to be good.
How are some ways to spend time with Him? Well, if you know me, you know where I'm going for the answer to that question: the Bible and the practices of the early christians.
1) Pray -- talk to God, any time and everywhere (prayers are our own words, Psalms, other written prayers that we like and are comfortable praying). Our houses should be houses of prayer, places where we welcome Jesus in our midst.
2) Read the Bible -- chose a version (a few versions) that is easy for you to read. Either read a small book or a few verses at a time, or even just a verse or two and meditate, think about, what it is saying. The Holy Spirit qill teach you and change you when you do this. (A good study Bible is helpful, and if you'd like recommendations for one, email me.)
3) Church -- the early christians gathered on Sunday morning and different times during the week to worship together. They sang, prayed, had Bible readings and a sermon, and Communion together. So, of course I would find a church that does these things (email if you'd like recommendations). The early christians had Communion often, because Communion draws us closer to Christ and deepens our relationship with Him (yes, the early church taught this). It was common for christians in the early church to gather in homes for prayer and teaching, and a meal and Communion during the week in homes, and then a larger gathering on Saturday night and/or Sunday morning for the same.
What is a christian? A person who believes in and has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior into his/her life. It does NOT mean a person who doesn't struggle with our faith, or how to live it out in our lives. Remember that our salvation is not dependent on us, but on God -- we are saved by His grace through our faith. So if we've received Jesus into our lives, we have salvation and forgiveness in Him, and a relationship with Him -- and, just like any other relationship, we have to spend time with Him for that relationship to be good.
How are some ways to spend time with Him? Well, if you know me, you know where I'm going for the answer to that question: the Bible and the practices of the early christians.
1) Pray -- talk to God, any time and everywhere (prayers are our own words, Psalms, other written prayers that we like and are comfortable praying). Our houses should be houses of prayer, places where we welcome Jesus in our midst.
2) Read the Bible -- chose a version (a few versions) that is easy for you to read. Either read a small book or a few verses at a time, or even just a verse or two and meditate, think about, what it is saying. The Holy Spirit qill teach you and change you when you do this. (A good study Bible is helpful, and if you'd like recommendations for one, email me.)
3) Church -- the early christians gathered on Sunday morning and different times during the week to worship together. They sang, prayed, had Bible readings and a sermon, and Communion together. So, of course I would find a church that does these things (email if you'd like recommendations). The early christians had Communion often, because Communion draws us closer to Christ and deepens our relationship with Him (yes, the early church taught this). It was common for christians in the early church to gather in homes for prayer and teaching, and a meal and Communion during the week in homes, and then a larger gathering on Saturday night and/or Sunday morning for the same.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Chapel of St. Francis
Chapel of St. Fancis (CSF hereafter) is our church. Last Sunday we began a new chaper in the life of this ten year-old parish. I am now the celebrant on Sundays, and we began with some music and liturgy changes this past Sunday. Until we get some more folks for our worship band, a lot of what we're singing will be on cd. My friend Paul from New Jersey is to move here and be a part of our church. He plays guitar, and the plan is for him to be our music director (whatever we decide to call that!) So for now, I'm the pastor, the outreach pastor (I'm developing a strategy to grow our church -- more on that in a bit!), and the music pastor. Whew! So, we all agreed -- the music was great last Sunday. Yeah!! Our worship was enhanced and was wonderful.
Strategy? When Shirley and I married and moved here a year and a half ago, CSF met in the bishop/abbot's home, then moved to ours a few months later. I am now beginning a search to find us a public place to worship -- a storefront, an abandoned church, an earlier (9am?) service in somebody else's sanctuary, or a larger church's chapel. Once we get moved into the new worship space, the fliers will go out on people's doors. We'll take out an add in the paper ($120 a month, which is why we don't have one now!!) Of course, our first strategy is prayer: that God would be glorified, be in our midst, lead, and bring the people HE wants to us.
As I said a moment ago, it's a new chapter in the life of CSF. I, for one, am very excited. We've begun to see the Spirit move, and my plan is to be right in the middle of the movement.
Chapel of St. Fancis (CSF hereafter) is our church. Last Sunday we began a new chaper in the life of this ten year-old parish. I am now the celebrant on Sundays, and we began with some music and liturgy changes this past Sunday. Until we get some more folks for our worship band, a lot of what we're singing will be on cd. My friend Paul from New Jersey is to move here and be a part of our church. He plays guitar, and the plan is for him to be our music director (whatever we decide to call that!) So for now, I'm the pastor, the outreach pastor (I'm developing a strategy to grow our church -- more on that in a bit!), and the music pastor. Whew! So, we all agreed -- the music was great last Sunday. Yeah!! Our worship was enhanced and was wonderful.
Strategy? When Shirley and I married and moved here a year and a half ago, CSF met in the bishop/abbot's home, then moved to ours a few months later. I am now beginning a search to find us a public place to worship -- a storefront, an abandoned church, an earlier (9am?) service in somebody else's sanctuary, or a larger church's chapel. Once we get moved into the new worship space, the fliers will go out on people's doors. We'll take out an add in the paper ($120 a month, which is why we don't have one now!!) Of course, our first strategy is prayer: that God would be glorified, be in our midst, lead, and bring the people HE wants to us.
As I said a moment ago, it's a new chapter in the life of CSF. I, for one, am very excited. We've begun to see the Spirit move, and my plan is to be right in the middle of the movement.
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