Our Book of Order says, “Prayer is at the heart of worship” (W-2.1001), but while prayer is at the heart of worship, Reformed worship centers around Word and Sacrament. “The Reformed tradition has emphasized the importance of the Lord’s Day as the time for hearing the Word and celebrating the Sacraments in the expectation of encountering the risen Lord, and for responding in prayer and service. Sacraments are signs of the real presence and power Christ in the Church, symbols of God’s action. Through the Sacraments God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God and marks them for service” (W-1.3011a.(2), W-1.3033(2)).
Two General Assemblies ago, a paper came out asking us to place more emphasis on the Sacraments in worship. We were encouraged to give prominent places to table and font and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper more often, even as often as weekly, which was already provided for in our constitution (W-2.4009). The previously referenced section also states that the Lord’s Supper “is to be celebrated regularly and frequently enough to be recognized as integral to the Service for the Lord’s Day.” Some Presbyterian churches do celebrate the Lord’s Supper every week. Others celebrate it only once a quarter. Our session has voted to celebrate the Lord’s Supper every month plus a couple of extra times a year for special services.
While the Sacraments are joyful celebrations, they are also solemn occasions in the sense that they are serious. Although the Lord’s Table is open to all baptized believers, not all baptized believers have to partake of the Lord’s Supper. If we truly understand that Christ nourishes us spiritually with Himself in this meal and that Christ also unites us with all the saints in this meal, then it will be something we desire. Jesus Himself said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give for the life of the world is My flesh. Truly I say to you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you shall not have life within you. Those who eat my flesh and drink My blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day. For My flesh is true food and My blood is true drink. Those who eat My flesh and drink My blood abide in Me, and I in them” (see John 6:35-58).
This is not to say we understand how Christ does this, for it is a great mystery. However, if Communion has gotten stale for you, then instead of taking the elements, as they come by, serve the person next to you and use this time in the service to contemplate what Christ means to you. No one will judge you if you choose not to partake. In fact, it is better not to. The Scriptures admonish us, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves” (I Cor. 11:27-29). Paul earlier states that “discerning the body” means checking our relationship to our fellow believers, our attitude toward the church of God as well as our relationship with Jesus.
Something to think about: Do you come to worship expecting to encounter Jesus? Why or why not?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, March 9, 2009
Presbytery Speech
Our presbytery, the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, voted this past Saturday on the proposed amendments to our Book of Order. One of those amendments, 08-B, was an attempt to remove what is known as the "fidelity and chastity" clause from our current BOO. This clause states that ordained persons are "to live in fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness." Our presbytery voted to retain this clause and against the new language, which is intentionally vague 205/110. This is the opposite vote of our neighbors to the north and west, but I applaud our presbytery's actions. Several speakers on both sides of the issue spoke. Below is a copy of my speech.
"This amendment (08-B) is not simply a gay ordination issue. It is as much, if not more, a standard for heterosexuals. Too many of us have been in churches that have literally been torn apart by ministers and elders who have had affairs both with members of their congregations or people outside of their congregations. Churches have been deeply damaged by unmarried clergy and ordained persons who are known to be philanderers in their communities. To remove the fidelity and chastity clause is to trivialize the pain of these congregations and to excuse the reckless sexual behavior of our church officers, particularly when that behavior does not fall under the sexual misconduct policy because that behavior does not involve other church members. What recourse would we have to address the minister living with his girlfriend outside of wedlock? I have multiple sets of parents in my congregation that are grieving the choices of their college age children to live with boyfriends/girlfriends outside of marriage. If it’s okay for pastors, surely it’s okay for our kids too. Our divorce rate is barely different from society at large. No wonder our profession gets little respect these days. As ordained persons, we are called to a higher standard of living than the world around us. We are called to live by biblical standards, and although we all fall short of these, we cannot excuse such behavior as an acceptable way of life, rather we are called to repentance and restoration. The Church by its very nature is countercultural. To say that Jesus is Lord, is to surrender our rights, except the right to become a child of God, and with that one right to inherit all the immeasurable privileges given in Christ Jesus. As Paul said, “May it never be” that we use our freedom in Christ as license to sin."
"This amendment (08-B) is not simply a gay ordination issue. It is as much, if not more, a standard for heterosexuals. Too many of us have been in churches that have literally been torn apart by ministers and elders who have had affairs both with members of their congregations or people outside of their congregations. Churches have been deeply damaged by unmarried clergy and ordained persons who are known to be philanderers in their communities. To remove the fidelity and chastity clause is to trivialize the pain of these congregations and to excuse the reckless sexual behavior of our church officers, particularly when that behavior does not fall under the sexual misconduct policy because that behavior does not involve other church members. What recourse would we have to address the minister living with his girlfriend outside of wedlock? I have multiple sets of parents in my congregation that are grieving the choices of their college age children to live with boyfriends/girlfriends outside of marriage. If it’s okay for pastors, surely it’s okay for our kids too. Our divorce rate is barely different from society at large. No wonder our profession gets little respect these days. As ordained persons, we are called to a higher standard of living than the world around us. We are called to live by biblical standards, and although we all fall short of these, we cannot excuse such behavior as an acceptable way of life, rather we are called to repentance and restoration. The Church by its very nature is countercultural. To say that Jesus is Lord, is to surrender our rights, except the right to become a child of God, and with that one right to inherit all the immeasurable privileges given in Christ Jesus. As Paul said, “May it never be” that we use our freedom in Christ as license to sin."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
New Favorite Band
Thanks to Celebrate Recovery, I am now an avid fan of Casting Crowns: http://www.castingcrowns.com/site.php
I bought two of their cds. We watch several of their videos as our worship for CR. Since so far every attendee is "instrumentally deficient," we use You Tube worship. Here are a couple of really great videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q
Anyway, it's been a long time since I've actually purchased P and W music (praise and worship)! Yeah, many of them are a little too "I" centered for congregational use, but they are great for CR and personal worship. They are very theologically sound as well.
On a different note, my favorite band of all times, the 77's, http://www.seventysevens.com/77sindex7.html, have a new cd out too! I can't wait to check it out! Will someone in central to eastern NC please, please book Mike Roe?! It's been too long since I've been to any Mike Roe related concert!
I bought two of their cds. We watch several of their videos as our worship for CR. Since so far every attendee is "instrumentally deficient," we use You Tube worship. Here are a couple of really great videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q
Anyway, it's been a long time since I've actually purchased P and W music (praise and worship)! Yeah, many of them are a little too "I" centered for congregational use, but they are great for CR and personal worship. They are very theologically sound as well.
On a different note, my favorite band of all times, the 77's, http://www.seventysevens.com/77sindex7.html, have a new cd out too! I can't wait to check it out! Will someone in central to eastern NC please, please book Mike Roe?! It's been too long since I've been to any Mike Roe related concert!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Helping Someone Through Depression
I'm part of a wonderful ministry called "Celebrate Recovery," which is for anyone who wants to deal with a hurt, habit, or hang-up. Even those of us who are leaders are recovering from something. In fact, I've been surprised at how much I'm personally getting out of the group.
My struggle is depression. The bad cycles for me tend to run every three years. I've come along way, but I still consider myself in the recovery process.
For a depressed person in the midst of a depression spell, it can be hard to articulate to those around you what it is that you need. So thinking with a clearer mind, I've come up with a list that I think can help loved ones and care takers help someone who is going through a depressed spell:
1. Keep the house as quiet as possible--Loud music, tv shows, or voices cause agitation in the depressed person and want to make the person withdraw even more.
2. Allow the depressed person some extra sleep and rest, but don't let the person stay in bed constantly.
3. Give the depressed person a specific task to do and give them only one thing at a time.--Make a list or schedule of things the person needs to do, but do not give them the whole schedule, just one task at a time, and if the task is still overwhelming, help them with the task.
The depressed person needs to do something, especially something that can be considered helpful or necessary.
4. Keep as much of a routine as possible. The depressed person will function better there is predictability. Surprises are not good for someone who is depressed.
5. Give the gift of your time. Be ready to listen, but even if the person does not want to talk, just sitting and being with the person lets the person know that they really are not alone.
6. Use words of encouragement, not criticism. Do NOT tell the depressed person to "get over it." This is not helpful and can be harmful.
7. As soon as possible, the depressed person needs to do something for someone else. Anything that can get the person serving and less self-focused is good. Depression and self-centeredness often go together, although which is the cause and which is the effect isn't always so clear. The person needs help becoming outwardly focused.
If you are someone who struggles with depression or have a loved one who struggles with depression and have other tips to add, leave your comments below.
My struggle is depression. The bad cycles for me tend to run every three years. I've come along way, but I still consider myself in the recovery process.
For a depressed person in the midst of a depression spell, it can be hard to articulate to those around you what it is that you need. So thinking with a clearer mind, I've come up with a list that I think can help loved ones and care takers help someone who is going through a depressed spell:
1. Keep the house as quiet as possible--Loud music, tv shows, or voices cause agitation in the depressed person and want to make the person withdraw even more.
2. Allow the depressed person some extra sleep and rest, but don't let the person stay in bed constantly.
3. Give the depressed person a specific task to do and give them only one thing at a time.--Make a list or schedule of things the person needs to do, but do not give them the whole schedule, just one task at a time, and if the task is still overwhelming, help them with the task.
The depressed person needs to do something, especially something that can be considered helpful or necessary.
4. Keep as much of a routine as possible. The depressed person will function better there is predictability. Surprises are not good for someone who is depressed.
5. Give the gift of your time. Be ready to listen, but even if the person does not want to talk, just sitting and being with the person lets the person know that they really are not alone.
6. Use words of encouragement, not criticism. Do NOT tell the depressed person to "get over it." This is not helpful and can be harmful.
7. As soon as possible, the depressed person needs to do something for someone else. Anything that can get the person serving and less self-focused is good. Depression and self-centeredness often go together, although which is the cause and which is the effect isn't always so clear. The person needs help becoming outwardly focused.
If you are someone who struggles with depression or have a loved one who struggles with depression and have other tips to add, leave your comments below.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Oops!
Here I am at my favorite spot in the world--standing in from of Lake Toya. Mt. Yotei did manage to appear in the far background, but it never showed well in the pictures we took. In front of me is Mt. Usu, a very active volcano. Between the volcano and myself is part of the town that was destroyed in the 2000 eruption of Mt. Usu. I had never actually visited this part of the melted village before. Pictures of the volcano damage are above. You can walk around and see the buildings, but they and the other side of the path are roped off with large signs that say "Abunai," which is "Danger, Watch Out!" in Japanese. My husband insisted that he saw people walking on what he thought was a path on the far side of the buildings at the base of the volcano. I said, "How can they with all these Abunai signs around?" Anyway we did notice that the path ended on one of the old bridges. From that point on, there were no signs or ropes--just a construction access road for building and maintaining the retaining walls for the volcano, which you can see in the background of the top picture. I still wasn't sure that we should be walking on this access road, but hey, there were no signs, so we started walking. The access road took a steep uphill climb on the volcano itself. We started walking it. I was pretty sure that we were not supposed to be on this! Turning around, we saw the little Japanese man, who was in his 60's and worked at the visitor's booth at the entrance to the melted village come running after us, wearing his orange jacket and frantically waving his hands. Yep, we DEFINITELY were not supposed to be here. The path that my husband thought he saw was indeed a road at one time--the road that had been destroyed in the eruption. It was off limits. And there's no way he saw people walking on it!
I told him that when we got to the gatekeeper, we would need to bow low and say "Gomenasai." (I'm sorry.) And try not to laugh.
There are a couple of parts of the volcano that you really can hike. You can see one of those in a picture of us below.
What is this thing?
This is the Asahi Beer building in Asakusa, Japan. I think the sculpture on top looks like a carrot. The Japanese people call it the "golden turd". Honestly, they do! At first the kids were calling it that, and I said, "No, it's not!" And later the adults confirmed that yes, that is what everybody thinks it is! Nobody is totally sure about what it was intended to be. You can read about it on Wikipedia. What do YOU think it looks like?Honeymoon Pictures
Golden Temple, Kyoto 
Himeji Castle
In front of Mt. Usu's smoking crater!
Jim at the big shrine gate in KyotoIt was great to be back in Japan. I was surprised how much I had missed it. It was an incredibly busy trip, but I loved seeing my friends and colleagues and seeing how the churches have grown since I was there.
Sekiyado Chapel's church plant in Kasukabe has some new members and emerging leaders. The format is now an interactive Bible study, which is working very well.
The Mareppy Kids Club just outside of Date has around 20 kids every month--singing, playing games, and learning about God, and of course, snack time!
LIP gospel choir is going strong. I'm so excited for Nobuo Igarashi as he has just submitted one of his original pieces to the Gospel Music Workshop of America for possible publication and widespread distribution. If not this time, Nobuo, it will happen eventually! I'm looking forward to hearing the orginal LIP cd. It would be super cool to help them do a US tour. There are a couple of new families in the church in Date as well. That church just celebrated its 50th anniversary.
I had fun going to places I had never been such as Himeji Castle, and catching up with my friend Bobby Baden, a missionary with Christar, who've I've been in contact with since 2001, but met for the first time in person.
Because there was an electrician's conference in Date to prepare for the Summit, and because Nobuo had forgotten to make our reservation for us with the Kazumata's, we couldn't stay in Date. Poor us, we had to stay on the banks of Lake Toya, my favorite place in the world, in an inn that had an onsen! The church was very gracious to let us use their car!
I highly recommend the rail pass! Yes, it's a significant up front cost, but you will save big $ if you get them. We got our money's worth out of them the first few days we were in Japan. Trains are great. I sure wish they would improve the rail system in this country!
And to have good sushi again! I did miss going to my favorite ramen shop, but I did get to go to my favorite Indian restaurant. Coffee in Japan is pretty bad. The only decent coffee we had was at the Takazawa's house.
My Japanese came back nicely. I was glad that I remembered it.
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