tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37255730337221040262024-03-19T13:51:49.334+02:00revguskellyRev Angus Kelly is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-21101718370529737092023-01-08T14:22:00.002+02:002023-01-08T14:22:35.292+02:00I asked AI to summarise my sermon for me...<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space: pre-wrap;">Introduction:</p><ul style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Defining moments are moments that may have changed the course of our lives or helped shape our identity. Examples include knowing our career path, being accepted or rejected, finding a spouse, solving a difficult problem, and experiencing a major life crisis.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">These moments can be both positive (joy, moments of sadness) and negative (tragedy).</li></ul><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section 1: Jesus' Baptism</p><ul style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Jesus' baptism was a defining moment in his life, marking the beginning of his ministry.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">The moment of Jesus' baptism (Spirit descending as a dove, voice affirming Jesus' identity) sent Jesus on his way and led to the moment of the voice from heaven, the affirmation and the Spirit driving Jesus to the wilderness.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">There was a brief moment of hesitation and John initially objected to baptizing Jesus, but Jesus insisted on continuing, saying it was proper for them to fulfill all righteousness.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Jesus chose to be baptized, even though he was sinless, as a way of submitting to and discovering God's will and following his plan. It was a public declaration of his identity and commitment to fulfilling God's purpose for his life.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">This choice to follow God's will, even though it would lead Jesus down a difficult path, demonstrates his trust in God's plan and his faith in action.</li></ul><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section 2: The Significance of Baptism</p><ul style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1.25em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">For people to be baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordan river was a sort of protest, symbolizing a journey back to the promised land and a rejection of Rome.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Many of Jesus' actions in the New Testament can be seen as re-enactments of Old Testament events and moments.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">The Pharisees and Sadducees were already suspicious of Jesus and his supposed messiahship, and his baptism only heightened their suspicions.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">However, Jesus' baptism also demonstrated his solidarity with humanity and his willingness to bear the weight of their sin.</li></ul><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion:</p><p></p><ul style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Defining moments can shape our identity and direction in life.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Jesus' baptism was a defining moment for him, as he chose to submit to and follow God's will, even though it would lead him down a difficult path.</li><li style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0.375em; position: relative;">Understanding the significance of baptism helps us to understand this moment and its importance in Jesus' life and ministry.</li></ul>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-46536290544158782942021-08-31T09:12:00.002+02:002021-08-31T09:24:35.723+02:00Season of Creation - Year B (2021, 2024, 2027, 2030 etc.)<p>This year at church we will be following the 'Season of Creation' lectionary in September.</p><p><br /></p><p> <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Year 2. Series B: The Word Series (year of Mark)</strong></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The second series focuses on those texts where the Word is the impulse that summons forth creation, evokes praise from creation and stirs life in creation.</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Earth Sunday (5 Sept 2021)</strong><br />Genesis 1:1-25<br />Psalm 33:1-9<br />Romans 1:18-23<br />John 1:1-14</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A1-25%3B+Psalm+33%3A1-9%3B+Romans+1%3A18-23%3B+John+1%3A1-14&version=NIV" target="_blank">Bible Readings</a></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Humanity Sunday (12 Sept 2021)</strong><br />Genesis 1:26-28<br />Psalm 8<br />Philippians 2:1-8<br />Mark 10:41-45</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A26-28%3B+Psalm+8%3B+Philippians+2%3A1-8%3B+Mark+10%3A41-45&version=NIV">Bible Readings</a></span></strong></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sky Sunday (19 Sept 2021)</strong><br />Jeremiah 4:23-28<br />Psalm 19:1-6<br />Philippians 2:14-18<br />Mark 15:33-39</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+4%3A23-28%3B+Psalm+19%3A1-6%3B+Philippians+2%3A14-18%3B+Mark+15%3A33-39&version=NIV">Bible Readings</a></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mountain Sunday (26 Sept 2021)</strong><br />Isaiah 65:17-25<br />Psalm 48:1-11<br />Romans 8:28-39<br />Mark 16:14-18</p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+65%3A17-25%3B+Psalm+48%3A1-11%3B+Romans+8%3A28-39%3B+Mark+16%3A14-18&version=NIV">Bible Readings</a></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJEH42YkyJ-sIM5NOH9AuOetWOjNgfKDdqHc9zDuPNxF8y35x9nNsPx5SewMTk3x_AuMPYoir9Vp-e1Q1F6io2ja-nKnkDSLql1KEsPtUT_5mr3UUDRlZIpPUvV_FqYxZl_pdmPZ08UE/s1600/IMG_1995.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJEH42YkyJ-sIM5NOH9AuOetWOjNgfKDdqHc9zDuPNxF8y35x9nNsPx5SewMTk3x_AuMPYoir9Vp-e1Q1F6io2ja-nKnkDSLql1KEsPtUT_5mr3UUDRlZIpPUvV_FqYxZl_pdmPZ08UE/s320/IMG_1995.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-51969583186950416282020-11-10T16:35:00.000+02:002020-11-10T16:35:11.598+02:002 Minute Bible Studies - 1 Timothy 1<p> People don't have time for long Bible Studies - so I'm trying this...</p><p>See how it goes:</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>1</b></span> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><sup>2 </sup>To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s6XvVk8Yk0Q" width="230"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><sup>3 </sup>I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, <sup>4 </sup>and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. <sup>5 </sup>But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. <sup style="text-align: justify;">6 </sup><span style="text-align: justify;">Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, </span><sup style="text-align: justify;">7 </sup><span style="text-align: justify;">desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c6d-OLHSdZA" width="230"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><sup>8 </sup>Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. <sup>9 </sup>This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, <sup>10 </sup>fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching <sup>11 </sup>that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DcNDPnGlz30" width="230"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><sup>12 </sup>I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, <sup>13 </sup>even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, <sup>14 </sup>and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. <sup>15 </sup>The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. <sup>16 </sup>But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. <sup>17 </sup>To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><div><br /></div></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qKPvcT9m7Xs" width="230"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><sup>18 </sup>I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, <sup>19 </sup>having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; <sup>20 </sup>among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div>
<iframe width="230" height="157" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pu40hui5V2U" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-28926751783986297782020-10-30T16:04:00.003+02:002020-10-30T16:15:55.898+02:00I got bumped in the parking lot - But I'm OK<p>When I was young my dad had a little orange beach buggy bakkie that had a dent in its side panel. It had a clever bumper sticker: </p><blockquote><p>I got banged in the parking lot by some other trucker.</p></blockquote><p>Well I got banged in the parking lot the other day.</p><p>Our parking lot at Table View Methodist has some stories to tell. </p><p>On Wednesday afternoon I noticed that someone had been sitting in his car for an hour or so in the parking lot so I went to see if he was OK. I noticed he had a bunch of cans of lighter gas / butane on the seat next to him and when I asked him if he was OK he said he would go somewhere else.</p><p>But he was clearly high and very sluggish in his movements so I said "no" stay here. You don't have to move. When he tried to start the car I grabbed his keys out of the ignition and dropped them on the ground. He quickly jumped out of the car and attacked me.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2i55ycsqfaHAkt3Pl2WYsb1qJgsLDj66zGgdsL9tR4wnhMWAHRHjmQ3Qa76VltYGu2t_nVVLY7lzZBpzpHmR7nA-EoBh2_m0DSpty5rTD6Ui_7YK_op1rAT_j5h1nk6keaVxXWWV__Y/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1599" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2i55ycsqfaHAkt3Pl2WYsb1qJgsLDj66zGgdsL9tR4wnhMWAHRHjmQ3Qa76VltYGu2t_nVVLY7lzZBpzpHmR7nA-EoBh2_m0DSpty5rTD6Ui_7YK_op1rAT_j5h1nk6keaVxXWWV__Y/" width="320" /></a></div><br />I laid a charge of Common Assault against him at the police station. <p></p><p>And after doing some research today I went to the doctor for a medical examination and ask him to fill in a J88 (<a href="https://www.justice.gov.za/forms/other/J088.pdf" target="_blank">Get a J88 form here if you are ever assaulted</a>).</p><p>I had to phone the police station again today to find out my case number and who the detective is who is investigating the case. I also had to do some research to see what needs to be done to make sure that justice is done.</p><p>Apparently many cases are dismissed because there is no J88 form. The sergeant who took my statement said nothing about getting one. The only reason I knew about the J88 is a friend of mine who is in the dentist business said I must get one (lucky I'm already short of teeth on my right bottom jaw!)</p><p>Those who know me know that I love peace and hate conflict. It disrupts my spirit and over the past few days I found myself going through the anger and grumpiness that comes of these things. </p><p>I've felt listless and struggled to focus on my work. It has made me aware of how lucky I am to be able to talk to my bishop / superintendent and tell them what happened. I am able to go to the police and lay the appropriate charges. And find out via the internet and friends the correct ways to make sure that justice gets done.</p><p>I am convinced that the young man who attacked me should face the consequence of his actions. I know that having a criminal record will be a burden to him - but if when these things happen we don't take action we will allow bullies to have their way in the world.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Things I've learned:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>You have to follow up with the police to get a case number etc. </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>You have to have a medical examination and get a J88 if you are physically assaulted.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>There are a lot more websites dedicated to getting away with assault than there are about how to proceed if you have been assaulted. </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>A criminal record will make it hard to get a job or a Visa etc. But it can be expunged after 10 years if you have been well behaved.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">It is tempting to act all tough and not do anything about it but how will the person who attacked me get the help he really needs if he doesn't face the consequences of his actions. </p></blockquote><p>I can also see how justice systems lean towards helping those who have privilege... I have the time, the means and the support to make sure that the case is pursued. If I judge by the online world there is a lot more reward in helping the bad guys get away than helping the good guys get justice.</p><p>So, my body is healing quickly - I have thick bones. My mind and spirit are adjusting to what happened - I need to keep my optimistic outlook on life and never lose it. Next time I see someone getting high in the parking lot I'll be a bit more 'strategic' in the help I offer.</p>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-89987071151141771842020-06-14T05:45:00.000+02:002020-06-14T05:45:13.290+02:00Notes for Services on 2020-06-14<p><font size="4">Reflecting on Matthew 9:35-10:10 with Rev Angus Kelly and Rev Mpumelelo Masoabi.</font></p><p><font size="4">tvmethodist.online.church</font></p><p><font size="4"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/angus-kelly-1/table-view-methodist-church-845am-service-14-june-2020/s-2t2CP3zZW63" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audio Link to 845am Service</a> (Will expire after a few weeks)</font></p><p><font size="4">Excellent TED Podcast. <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3R1ZmZ5b3VzaG91bGRrbm93&ep=14&episode=YzQ1ZjhjOWMtNTQ2MC0xMWU4LWIzOGMtOGY0OGQ3YzY1MzVl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to be anti-racist</a> </font></p><p><font size="4"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59EoaYw70ePV3rThTwHYm76IaBdKgZBYJmqZziOFV5Spv90tyLh1t7vbCTQiD0f77jvfsCoEhTVMMxHBzVehxPBFSW0_c_bd880CJDvA0-wr1hmgVKtGojb7r6_PwesFl1wPob3oZy8Y/s522/Screenshot+2020-06-13+at+21.17.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="4"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59EoaYw70ePV3rThTwHYm76IaBdKgZBYJmqZziOFV5Spv90tyLh1t7vbCTQiD0f77jvfsCoEhTVMMxHBzVehxPBFSW0_c_bd880CJDvA0-wr1hmgVKtGojb7r6_PwesFl1wPob3oZy8Y/s320/Screenshot+2020-06-13+at+21.17.51.png" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="inherit" size="4">Matthew 9:<span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">38 "</span><span style="background-color: white;">Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”</span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="inherit" size="4"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="inherit" size="4"><span style="background-color: white;">Is not just about getting people 'saved' it is about working for the Kingdom of God to come.</span></font></div><p></p>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-42788310883315624312020-06-01T09:50:00.003+02:002020-06-01T09:50:30.982+02:00mourning takes a knee<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<i><sup><span lang="EN-US"> </span></sup></i><i><span lang="EN-US">“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-GB">Matthew 5:4-5<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I can’t breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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mourning<o:p></o:p></div>
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takes<o:p></o:p></div>
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a knee<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the neck<o:p></o:p></div>
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of the meek<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deep<o:p></o:p></div>
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sighs<o:p></o:p></div>
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too deep<o:p></o:p></div>
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Deep<o:p></o:p></div>
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sighs<o:p></o:p></div>
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to deep<o:p></o:p></div>
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fire<o:p></o:p></div>
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burns in tongues<o:p></o:p></div>
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but waterfall justice<o:p></o:p></div>
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is dammed<o:p></o:p></div>
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fire<o:p></o:p></div>
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speaks in tongues<o:p></o:p></div>
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tear the heavens<o:p></o:p></div>
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let<o:p></o:p></div>
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mountains tremble<o:p></o:p></div>
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flood justice<o:p></o:p></div>
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skip like slain lambs<o:p></o:p></div>
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slaughtered<o:p></o:p></div>
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ransom a kindom of priests<o:p></o:p></div>
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to serve<o:p></o:p></div>
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and lead to justice.<br /><br />- Angus Kelly (1 June 2020)<o:p></o:p></div>
revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-363423577715160422020-05-12T22:37:00.001+02:002020-05-12T22:41:24.964+02:00Render to Caesar (The worthship of money.)<h1 align="center" style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 12pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Render to Caesar <i>(The worthship of money.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></h1>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><i>Rev Angus Kelly</i></span></div>
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<sup><span lang="EN-US">19 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US">Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. <sup>20 </sup>Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” <sup>21 </sup>They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”<br />- Matthew 22:19-21</span><sup><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></sup></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The cost of living moves up and down from time to time and its quite something to see what some people count as the ‘cost of living’. From the cost of paying for luxury vehicles and palatial villas to the cost of keeping children fed on a diet of daily pap and gravy (on good days). Covid-19 prompted a spectacular reaction – a sudden awareness of the price of a human life. Or human lives. I’ve never liked being called a ‘human resource’ it sounds too much like an oil reserve – and I wonder what I’d be worth if I was no longer a ‘resource’ for someone else’s benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Pharisees plot to entrap Jesus (Matthew 22:15) and so they send their disciples “along with the Herodians” (16) to ask a tricky question. Judea was under the rule of Pilate, a Roman prefect. The Herodians preferred Herodian rule to the Roman prefecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The delegation represents diverse political desires and experiences: Pharisees who for the most part believed that proper worship and observance of the Jewish law would restore the Kingdom of Judea to a rightful heir. Herodians, a political movement who wanted the Herodian line back on the throne of Israel. Jesus and his disciples who represented a religious movement essentially from the countryside – in some ways removed from the political intrigue of Jerusalem where all of this took place but who saw Jesus as the rightful “King of the Jews” as a rightful heir to the Davidic throne. It is no secret that the Pharisees had worked out how to live with their Roman rulers and existed as an important class of people who controlled the temple and religious life of Jerusalem and thus influenced control of Jews in Judea. Herodians probably longed for the patronage of the Herodian royal family as massive infrastructure projects funded by taxes leveraged from the citizens of Judea had created patronage networks that simply didn’t flow under the Roman prefecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The question: “</span><sup><span lang="EN-US">17 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US">Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (Matthew 22:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Jesus clever answer: “Show me the coin used for the tax” (Verse 19).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTtwXpjfUDP7BOc58BkwV1oevo4aUwepGX0WhyphenhyphenyPw7EzTTlUPYCt7NhPX9juk9gOmshcjHIkVxcb7wo48eL0qPjQM_gQzDwlRmMvmVR4-WSwtYLeemTvJaJvUUikXZSSMqnil6JXXCEE/s1600/Screenshot+2020-05-12+at+22.40.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="377" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTtwXpjfUDP7BOc58BkwV1oevo4aUwepGX0WhyphenhyphenyPw7EzTTlUPYCt7NhPX9juk9gOmshcjHIkVxcb7wo48eL0qPjQM_gQzDwlRmMvmVR4-WSwtYLeemTvJaJvUUikXZSSMqnil6JXXCEE/s320/Screenshot+2020-05-12+at+22.40.54.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The coin for paying taxes bore the image of the emperor – in the example above the emperor Tiberius Claudius. On the reverse of the coin a picture of the mother of Tiberius depicted as a goddess of peace with an inscription reading PONTIF MAXIM (high priest).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When Jesus asks: “Whose head is this, and whose title?” (Verse 20) they have to say “The emperor’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Verse 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I don’t think Jesus is just saying that people should pay their portion to Caesar. I think he might be suggesting that they take every coin that bears his image and send it back to him. This would fit with Jesus usual advice about what to do with wealth. “…go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). Jesus measures worth differently. Jesus asks questions like: “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” (Mark 8:36).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Money is only valuable when it is useful. If Jesus decrees that all of Caesar’s money be loaded up in ships and taken back to Rome it will spell the end of Judean occupation. Rome knew that you couldn’t rule a country by oppression and violence alone. They were clever enough to insist that a region like Palestine planted Barley and only Barley, meaning that they’d need to trade with other regions to get the goods they needed and thus pay taxes on (for example) Barley sales and olive imports. Roman globalization meant that economies were enslaved by greed for Roman coins – the book of Revelation paints a picture of the destruction of Rome: “Alas, alas, the great city,</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">where all who had ships at sea</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">grew rich by her wealth!</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">For in one hour she has been laid waste.” (Revelation 18:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The next part of Jesus answer about giving is the demand that we give “to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). Speaking of image bearing items scripture teaches that humans are made in the image of God. Not just emperors but all humans. As bearers of the image of God the Judeo-Christian religion teaches the importance of care for all people. Rich, poor, sick, in prison, widowed, orphaned, foreigner, sinner, tax collecter and the list goes on and on. All of these people to be ‘given to God.’ All of these treasures to be recognized because they bear the image of God as ‘belonging to God’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Covid-19 has shown the world that there is a value that is not measured on the spreadsheets and in the algorithms of stock markets. The value of life. Oil prices that drive war and conflict shrunk into negative territory because staying at home to save lives was more important than leaving home to spend money. Billions of Denarius’ worth of life has been given to the world in terms of life and health and even the lowering of carbon emissions. But these figures will all be measured as loss of productivity to global stock markets who are not able to factor in the mysterious value of humans created in the image of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The problem is that global currency values are derived from resource and productivity indexes rather than real life values. Happiness, health, virtue and right relationships. It seems that sometimes all of these things are contingent on devaluing currencies by ‘opting out’ of the secular trade and opting in to an economy that measures value in ways that somehow incorporate ‘life’ on the balance sheet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When Jesus counsels the rich young man to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor he does not paint a picture of this young man entering into a life of poverty – instead he paints a picture of wealth beyond all measure:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup>f</sup></a> <sup>30 </sup>who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields. (Mark 10:29-30)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><span lang="EN-US">f</span></sup></a><span lang="EN-US"> Or <i>gospel</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-57051104578276049042020-05-12T16:03:00.002+02:002020-05-12T16:03:41.345+02:00Reflecting on the Possiblity of Communion Online - Law, Order, Communion and Vulnerability<h1 align="center" style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 12pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">[Work in Progress...]<br /><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FMSILy97mIq2ZJ6HOK-JdpibfECpyOMCqtyGbXu7ZWU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">You can read and comment here (via</a> <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FMSILy97mIq2ZJ6HOK-JdpibfECpyOMCqtyGbXu7ZWU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Google Docs</a>)</span></b></h1>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">The Law, Order and Vulnerability of Communion<br /><i>(Shared Vulnerability in Covid-19)</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The usual practices of the gathered church especially sung worship and the sharing of communion are highly conducive to the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. This means that church gatherings are likely to be stopped for almost a year. If no vaccine for Covid-19 is found it might mean that church gatherings will be halted for even longer. Congregations are meeting online through various social networks like FaceBook, Instagram and WhatsApp or via video conferencing facilities like Zoom and Skype. Augmented reality and social networking will soon combine to create virtual connection points that are as lifelike as possible. Of interest right now is the question of at what point would the Methodist Church of Southern Africa be able to offer sacraments through these virtual means? And would that be appropriate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In this essay I briefly explore the possibility of making changes to the order of the church of the sake of sharing the sacrament in novel ways. First I briefly examine the development of the Eucharistic Feast as separate from the Love Feast on the basis of matters of Order rather than of Law. That this separation and dogmatization of the Lord’s Supper seems to be based on ‘order’ rather than ‘doctrine’ and this would indicate that if appropriate the church might be justified in making changes to its practice that would facilitate the ‘virtual’ sharing of communion. Second there is the question of whether it would be appropriate to do this. There are many arguments to be made about the incarnational importance of physical presence and the experience of communion as a gathered group but I want to look at the way in which we are to hold law, order and communion in vulnerability in a way that truly honours the church’s role as body of Christ in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">One thing Wesley is known for is his bold willingness to invent new ways of doing things in conflict with the church of his day. Beside field preaching an interesting part of the development story of the Methodist denomination is Wesley’s consecration of Thomas Coke for the role of superintendent<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[1]</span></span></span></a> of the Methodist Church in the Americas in 1783. One of the reasons for this ordination was the cry that “thousands of children remained unbaptized” and some members of Methodist societies “had not partaken of the Lord’s Supper for many years” </span><span lang="EN-GB">(Heitzenrater 1995, chap. 6)</span><span lang="EN-GB">. The consecration of Coke and ordination of Methodist ministers that followed made it possible for sacraments to be administered in the growing American church. But it also led to the formalization of divisions between the Methodist Church and the Anglican Church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In one sense it follows that the sacramental practices might be changed to facilitate reception of the sacrament in novel ways. But, in the case of Wesley’s consecration of Coke and the subsequent establishment of an order of ministers in America it is important to note that sending a hand written order of service and preserved and consecrated elements from Wesley to a church in America was not considered as an option. The church needed a Presbyter to preside at the table and to be physically and contemporaneously present<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[2]</span></span></span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The Early Methodist Church was innovative in establishing the church in America especially for fear of a sort of sacramental starvation for those without access to ordained ministers. The Methodist tradition understands the need to break from tradition from time to time. As interesting as this might be Albert Outler points out that Wesley’s distinctive use of tradition as an authority for theological discernment was not based on the tradition of the Church of England but rather on the tradition of the church of Antiquity (or the Early Church)<span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[3]</span></span></a></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">A survey of the practice of the early church seems to show that that it was matters of order and not law or dogma that led to the Lord’s Supper being seen as a meal separate from the early love feast and strictly presided over by a presbyter or bishop. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Ignatius, a first century bishop in his letter to the Smyrneans insists:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Let no one do anything involving the church without the bishop. Let that eucharist be considered valid that occurs under the bishop or the one to whom he entrusts it. 2. Let the congregation be wherever the bishop is; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there also is the universal church. It is not permitted either to baptize or to hold a love feast without the bishop. But whatever he approves is acceptable to God, so that everything you do should be secure and valid.”<br />– Letter of Ignatius to the Smyrnaens 8 (circa 100AD) (Ehrman 2003: 305)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Thus the bishop becomes in a sense a representative of Christ’s presence to the church but it is important to note that the bishop may ‘entrust’ the eucharist to someone else. Beyond that Ignatius seems to indicate a certain amount of flexibility of practice in that the bishop may approve and innovate. At this stage it seems The Didache, another important document with evidence for a formalised Eucharist does not seem to insist that the Eucharist is presided over by a presbyter / episkopos even though in Chapter 15 it gives instruction for the congregational<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[4]</span></span></span></a> election of bishops and deacons </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(Ehrman 2003: 439-441)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. This might be because the order described by Ignatius is generally assumed or it might be the case that the congregation operates according to the synagogue structure of first century Judaism by which a leader would be appointed most probably on the basis of patronage and this leader would be the host of the supper when shared </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(Giles 1997: 219-26)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. Banks </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(1993, 134)</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> writes: “The epistles and New Testament do not seem to make distinctions about who presides at the Lord’s Supper. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Nowhere in Paul’s letters, disputed or undisputed, is anyone identified as the presider or celebrant of this meal. Most probably this was undertaken by the host or hostess of the meeting in whose home the meal was being held.” It is clear that in the early church the tradition of a formal ‘Lord’s Supper’ developed gradually for the sake of order. The formalization of this order seems to have been for the sake of unity as described in Ignatius’ epistle to the Smyrneans.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In the Methodist Church of Southern Africa the minister’s role at the communion table is not a so much a matter of doctrine as it is a matter of order. Doctrine pertains to the right glorification of God and right Theology. Order has to do with the practice of the church that stems from that doctrine. As the recently (and more appropriately) renamed <i>Book of Order<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[5]</span></b></span></span></a></i> declares:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Because the Holy Communion is an act of the whole Church<b>, the celebrant is a Minister whose call from God has been recognised by the church as a whole</b> and who has been set apart by ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament.”</span><span lang="EN-GB">(MCSA 2016, para. 1.26, <b>emphasis mine</b>)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Order<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[6]</span></span></span></a> is discerned and determined through the church’s often cumbersome administrative processes. It takes a long time to deliberate on a decision that has to do with the religious and spiritual lives of millions of Christians. And because this is a distinctively human process sometimes Order and Doctrine are so deeply intertwined that the one may be mistaken for the other. Sometimes order is abused and sometimes it is oppressive – order is expressed as dogma rather than spiritual (λογικὸν) wisdom. This may happen where the sacrament is wrongly used as a disciplinary instrument being withheld from those who have not paid their dues or whom the leaders of a certain society have found ‘unworthy.’ It is impossible to defend these practices with good Theology and so instead of rightly and transparently discerned or described in a way that brings illumination and liberation dogma is described in ways that result in obfuscation, oppression and heinous forms of spiritual manipulation and abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Rather than dogma the <i>Book of Order</i> is an agreement between Methodists about how we ‘do’ church in a way that unites us. It is an agreement that is always open to amendment and debate. The processes and procedures that allow for the amendment and debate of this order are not always the most efficient and clear and they are certainly not incorruptible. It is easy to see how an institution’s decision making processes can evolve to preserve the institution rather than the mission of that institution. Wesley’s bold decisions with regard to the formation of the Methodist Church in America indicate his willingness to break with the tradition of the institution for the sake of sharing the gospel and edifying the church. Even Wesley’s bold decisions were not made without </span><span lang="EN-GB">thorough going consultation. Among the first acts of the newly formed Methodist Church in America was to hold a conference to establish its order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Liberating rules need the assent of the community that makes and keeps them.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[7]</span></span></span></a> Church leadership needs to be ‘duly authorized’ in order to have due ‘authority.’ Authority can be such an oppressive word depending on where that authority is derived ‘authority’ in church should have only the best connotations finding its root in the servant leadership of Jesus. In the example of the earliest church. In the Methodist Church of Southern Africa ‘Authority’ theoretically comes from the people of the Methodist Church who in their Book of Order and Minutes of Conference outline a transparent decision-making process. This decision making process incorporates the church in all of its meetings, synods and Conference.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">[8]</span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It is this ‘Conference’ or ‘Fellowship’ that makes its own ‘rules’ and order. As such it must hold its order in humility. An example of this kind of humility is found in the earliest church. In the letter to the Gentile Christians of Acts 15:23-29 the Jerusalem church under James, Peter and the apostles is able to use humble language: “…it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you…” (Acts 15:28). This church has humbly discerned their solution which they feel is in harmony with the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the agreement of the congregation. The word for seemed ‘</span><span lang="EN-GB">δοκέω’ is described by </span><span lang="EN-GB">Louw and Nida (1989, para. 31.29)</span><span lang="EN-GB"> as “to regard something as presumably true, but without particular certainty—‘to suppose, to presume, to assume, to imagine, to believe, to think.’” The church of Acts establishes an order through consultation and “consent of the whole church” and they hold it in humility or perhaps vulnerability. This order is not held as a matter of dogma. This humble discernment is captured in beautifully in the words of James who says: “…the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Brené Brown writes of the power of vulnerability and stresses the importance of understanding the dynamics of vulnerability as true strength she writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When discussing vulnerability, it is helpful to look at the definition and etymology of the word vulnerable. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word vulnerability is derived from the Latin word vulnerare, meaning “to wound.” The definition includes “capable of being wounded” and “open to attack or damage.” Merriam-Webster defines weakness as the inability to withstand attack or wounding.” </span><span lang="EN-GB">(Brown 2015, 67)</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps the earliest church that met in homes was so robust because in faith it was willing to become vulnerable. To meet together as a church was to become vulnerable to persecution but even in the midst of persecution they were able on matters of doctrine to admit that they didn’t know for sure – but “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” It was in vulnerability that Jesus established his supper, washing the disciple’s feet – dipping his bread in the same bowl as the one who would betray him. It was in vulnerability that his disciples saw him sweating and praying for the cup to be taken away. It is through his wounds and in some way – our participation in his wounds - that we are healed (1 Peter 2:24 / Isaiah 53:4-6).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In vulnerability the church at Corinth protected and promoted the letter from Paul that strongly rebuked them for their practice at the Lord’s Supper. As if to prove the point of the importance of woundedness for the church which is the body of Christ this letter to the Corinthians becomes one of the chief scriptures that guide us in the practice of the Lord’s Supper:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“<sup>20 </sup>When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. <sup>21 </sup>For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:20-21) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Paul’s critique of this early church is its marked lack of shared vulnerability in its love feast / eucharist. To share a meal is to share in vulnerability. In this church some people go ahead and get drunk while others experience pangs of hunger. Covid-19 in the 21<sup>st</sup> century points to a terrifying lack of shared vulnerability in the world and in the church. In America the daily headlines point out that the most vulnerable to the Corona virus are ‘front line workers’ in meat packing plants, grocery stores and frail care centers. These people are vulnerable not just because of their daily exposure to the virus as they work but also because of the co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension that are associated with poverty, stress and lack of access to health care. In education children with access to technology and internet are able to continue with their schooling while those who are disadvantaged have to wait and see what the year will bring. In South Africa deaths from Covid-19 will probably disproportionately effect the poor just as it has in America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps the Covid-19 crisis is a stark reminder that without shared vulnerability the meal that we eat might not be The Lord’s Supper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The church might not be able to share communion for a long time. Technological and practical implications could probably be easily overcome. In overcoming these barriers we need to make sure that we are not overcoming barriers to practical sharing of communion with some people. But that we are making sure that we maintain vulnerability in sharing. Geographical circuits do not take away the problem of habitual social distancing in the church today. Even societies like the one I serve are onedivided by language, culture, and financial status. It is easy to make changes to order and even to ritual. In the case of The Lord’s Supper there may be a way to adapt our practice to suit the modern Covid-19 situation but whatever ways are developed it will not be the Lord’s supper unless somehow it is a true expression of shared vulnerability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Banks, RJ. 1993. ‘Church Order and Government’. In <i>Dictionary of Paul and His Letters</i>, edited by GF Hawthorne, RP Martin, and DG Reid. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Brown, Brené. 2015. <i>Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead</i>. Reprint edition. Avery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Ehrman, Bart D., trans. 2003. ‘Didache - The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles’. In <i>The Apostolic Fathers, Vol. 1: I Clement, II Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Didache</i>. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Freire, Paulo. 2000. <i>Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 30th Anniversary Edition</i>. 30th Anniversary edition. New York: Continuum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Giles, KN. 1997. ‘Church Order, Government’. In <i>Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments</i>, edited by RP Martin and PH Davids. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Heitzenrater, Richard. 1995. <i>Wesley and the People Called Methodists</i>. Nashville: Abingdon Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Louw, Johannes P, and Eugene A Nida. 1989. <i>Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains</i>. 2nd ed. New York: United Bible Societies. https://www.logos.com/product/199/greek-english-lexicon-of-the-new-testament-based-on-semantic-domains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">MCSA. 2016. <i>The Methodist Book of Order: The Laws and Discipline of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Methodist Church. 1999. <i>Methodist Worship Book</i>. Methodist Church of Great Britain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Outler, Albert C. 1985. ‘The Wesleyan Quadrilateral in Wesley’. <i>Wesleyan Theological Journal</i> 20 (1): 158.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Wesley ordained Coke as ‘superintendent’ drawing on the New Testament word ἐπισκόποις which is translated as overseer or bishop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">In considering whether it would be acceptable to consecrate the elements via electronic broadcast it must also be considered whether it would be acceptable for this broadcast to be pre-recorded? Or must it be a ‘live’ broadcast?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Wesley’s quadrilateral as described by Outler </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">(1985, 10)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> emphasizes ‘Christian Antiquity’ as the proper locus of tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">In this case ‘congregational’ should not be understood to described modern individualized church governance </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9pt;">(Giles 1997, 219–26)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[5]</span></b></span></span></b></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Which used to be called <i>The Law and Discipline<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[6]</span></b></span></span></b></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">An example of this kind of Order that is not law or doctrine may be found in some of Paul’s instructions to the churches of the New Testament:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">“…let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches” </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">(1 Corinthians 7:17)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Paul is writing about whether converts should continue in marriage to their unbelieving husbands or wives. He doesn’t have a <i>law</i> for this but instead makes his own recommendation or instruction based on his argument in the preceding verses. This is his ‘rule’. The Greek word is </span><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 9pt;">διατάσσω</span><sup><span lang="EL" style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">which </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">Louw and Nida (1989)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;"> interpret as “to order, to instruct, to tell, to command.” It is a rule for which he does not claim some higher spiritual authority. He presents this rule as a proposition to the Corinthian church and they are welcome to keep it or leave it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[7]</span></b></span></span></b></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS, serif; font-size: 9pt;">By imposing their word on others, they falsify that word and establish a contradiction between their methods and their objectives. If they are truly committed to liberation, their action and reflection cannot proceed without the action and reflection of others.” </span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS, serif; font-size: 9pt;">(Freire 2000, 126)</span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS, serif; font-size: 9pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> Although participation of the congregation in decision making and even in the ordination of ministers is greatly stressed there are often interesting changes. In the ordination service of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (1975 Liturgy) the President (Bishop) asks the congregation:<br />“Do you believe that they are by God’s grace worthy to be ordained?<br />The people answer: They are worthy.” </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">(Methodist Church 1975, G7)</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><br />At the 2019 ordination the liturgy was different:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9pt;">The Presiding Bishop addresses the congregation:<br />“…By the grace of God we declare that they are worthy to be ordained. Will you uphold them in their ministry?” Does this use of a liturgy closer to the 1936 liturgy reflect a movement away from the acknowledgment of the wider church’s participation in the ordination of ministers and deacons?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-16842693456182580362020-04-22T12:53:00.001+02:002020-04-22T12:57:50.874+02:00Nobody should go Hungry || Random Thought on Food and Feeding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U9ZExrsHTsIg0Nv_4CcHyE05TK2TBqGyreZ5i-E7ghcKc6Dfg58-0_7W4_E2i1dts7sUGUpWX0aOxCHEJGvRtdLhOHqtVsfOfIdxzjX8ryAmgPi_PHmqV39uj76a0kpEyKGHsraj3Nk/s1600/IMG_20200420_110700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U9ZExrsHTsIg0Nv_4CcHyE05TK2TBqGyreZ5i-E7ghcKc6Dfg58-0_7W4_E2i1dts7sUGUpWX0aOxCHEJGvRtdLhOHqtVsfOfIdxzjX8ryAmgPi_PHmqV39uj76a0kpEyKGHsraj3Nk/s640/IMG_20200420_110700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some thoughts on getting food to where it needs to go.<br />
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Based on my perception and anecdotal evidence...<br />
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At church we are packing food parcels. 30 this past week - but I think we'll need to ramp up over the next few weeks and maybe our sanctuary will need to be a food parcel factory from now on until later. We can clear the factory floor for Sunday Worship.<br />
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The devastating hunger that has led to the looting of delivery trucks made me think a bit about how to get food to where it needs to go.<br />
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As church what we are able to do is get a decent weekly box together to help people from the congregation whom we know are going to be going hungry at this time. We opt for food not money because money gets way too complicated. Food is easier to do - and working in bulk we can save a bit.<br />
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I'm not sure our list is optimised but this is it:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">2kg Mielie Meal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">500g oats</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">1kg Rice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">1kg flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Yeast for making bread (not beer :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">2 minute noodles (pack of 5)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">500ml Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">1l Milk (Long life)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Tea (Small pack)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Coffee (Small tin)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Sugar (500g)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Some Stock Cubes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">5 Packets Soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Tin Pilchards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Baked Beans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Peanut Butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Toothpaste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Soap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Sanitary pads</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">I think bulk deliveries / soup kitchens and supermarkets are not the best way to get food into settlements. The best way to avoid looting etc. would be an attempt to saturate the need on a house by house basis. Hopefully giving households enough to be able to share.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">Sharing is possible if the household receiving can be assured of a regular (weekly) supply of basic goods. And if this leads to an informal bartering economy that is also acceptable.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">Discussing fresh produce it was pointed out that informal traders sell individual potatoes etc. for reasonable prices. Although some of the feedback I have received is that butternut, onions and potatoes can go a long way and if food parcels are moving quickly we can pack and distribute before packed staples go off.</span></span><br />
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Many of the folks who live in Dunoon work in Table View, Killarney Gardens and Montague Gardens. It would be good if somehow employers in these areas could make arrangements to get food parcels to their employees in a Covid Safe way... Minimising contact and travel.<br />
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Formal churches with connections in communities // Catholic, Anglican, Baptist etc. could work through their suburban connections to support their township brothers and sisters with the goal of upping food and sustenance supply in impoverished areas.<br />
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I am reluctant about the voucher program and I would like to see it improved to help the informal economy... <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Improve the Voucher Program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">The voucher program through computicket shoprite etc. is OK - but I'd like to see money going to the informal economy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">It would be good if 'shoppers' could use their 'vouchers' at the spaza etc. for some sort of profit share margin (a little bit more expensive than at the shop, but traders could get first option on bulk supplies coming in to the stores). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">If traders are sourcing their produce elsewhere if they are able to use shoprite voucher systems to trade they could go in and buy other supplies / exchange for cash with their cards.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">South African / City of Cape Town urban development doesn't properly appreciate the role of street vendors and informal trade in the South African city. There is a ton of bartering / soft credit / ubuntu based community trade happening and it is a fundamental barrier to extreme poverty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-74177985421223162112020-04-13T12:04:00.001+02:002020-04-13T12:04:21.136+02:00Covideo Services<h2>
Covideos</h2>
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I'm loving all the hard work and innovation that is going in to making videos to help churches to worship. The most amazing thing is all of us ministers are learning as we go and coming up with some great ideas :) </div>
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I'm still settling on a method and having fun figuring it out.</div>
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And I probably won't settle on a method for a while.</div>
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But some ideas / observations so far...<br />
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I think I'll do a separate one about music making :)</div>
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Day 1 - Live via Cell Phone</h2>
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This is probably the easiest way to do things if you have enough data. You can do this via your Church Facebook page - or even your personal Facebook profile (set to public). It'll take a bit of data but it is probably the most straightforward. I think about an hour of video will use less than 1 Gig of data - I have an uncapped Rain sim card for R250pm so I don't worry about that.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/350728561671656/videos/573502853254654" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="651" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYqzffn0ibto_M1SM9JBnWaBSCFcABH0MS6D_gfLiSdcZQXwSnwBenl6VxI55CyL2YZOnZHauuGloPeKATzr_DnLFKrVWJVwaH1s0iFjom3BpzEHx9yrGZGD_YpRoudCBbqCPnwZwLEY/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+10.49.33.png" width="320" /></a></h2>
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I put the cell phone on a tripod and used a large screen for slides. This worked well - but for those watching there was the occasional 'lag' so to avoid the lag maybe its a good idea to offer two time slots for the service... Live (when you go live from facebook) and 90 minutes later when the 'Live' video has been uploaded to facebook already and you can encourage people to watch together.</div>
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You can find the address for your video by clicking on your video and copying that address to share with your congregation. They won't have to sign in to facebook although facebook will keep inviting them to sign up :)</div>
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Day 2 </h2>
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Under lock down I couldn't go to church so I went online from home:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/350728561671656/videos/1582791628743911" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="676" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu5uRRGmU0TrvTf4tSfbujLep5pihAWReQLjm74FFenl2KIgcLdSlyemGIxc9usW8yQpy1aBGMTkcBT3wifJ4MrOCEb-dmkbxIipt7i9u5-OulSDq0dK-i0ur7F2g-asn6uLwk3h3yZg/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+10.55.00.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I find that the microphone on my cell phone is much better than the one on my mac. And worked alright for voice, singing and speech. The only problem with going 'live' from home is that I have small kids and it's quite hard to get everything to stay civilised for more than 30 minutes.</div>
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Day 3</h2>
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Attempt at Sunday Service - Live via OBS...</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/350728561671656/videos/503994506947203" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="671" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOXWYRgOm2mMbHKTiuELVlXWKF_GghjHDVOi0BS-1N4paJnWQ1JAhKeVUOW-R9GscgUJxvyE5a-oc5anMTLBdjnAReICIxHKE7RzqxlZXttvGVkiaU1bJL1Fv5pg2DPqisQyjWmidncw/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+10.59.25.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">This didn't work because of a data failure. None of my devices wanted to work very well - possible because of the cement garage!!! OBS lets you mix up your 'live' broadcast with pre-recorded elements that you can include via VLC player.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">You can download <a href="https://obsproject.com/" target="_blank">OBS here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">And <a href="https://www.videolan.org/vlc/" target="_blank">VLC here.</a></span></div>
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You have to be a bit tech savvy to use OBS and most of the things you want to do you will have to Google. With OBS you can set things up so that you have your head in one part of the screen and slides in the other.</div>
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Day 4 (Good Friday)</h2>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/350728561671656/videos/954569101638843" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="690" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIusp_GZyx_OsaCxlZOXz2zNoD92E4FThT38GiSMi95WGbqquz3_LOCzc2i0PVDQ7jGX03GCr7CaXhHjHXXTiaCy-r_f4biZ9z-FBqjyO-H2odthnERtInc3QSRt_uppxikimG19ngh4k/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.10.26.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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One nice thing about OBS is you can record your service while you VJ it (Video Jockey) :). That way you don't have to wait for your video software to process everything which seems to take hours.</div>
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Then you can just upload the finished product and share it.</div>
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Once you get the hang of OBS you can also use it to share screens from other applications - in the picture above it is displaying my Bible Software while I read and highlight. </div>
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You can set up short cut keys to switch views and things so you can have various app windows set up to show people slides / bible software / drawing software and all that. Quite a nice way to do Bible Study and teaching sessions.</div>
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Day 5 (Easter Sunday)</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn696iMoeNiNa0aqxAP8QEuZmAGsPbX4hUi8mf1GXbNpsAd9E8_r-ClYmNiRzPZ55Cc1exRLisIJ586K0_scmG4Y8B8gzqk4SQAkl3XddNaPMsswNeQRz4MiO3K3H_9xUtcdncbj0vJaE/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.21.17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="681" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn696iMoeNiNa0aqxAP8QEuZmAGsPbX4hUi8mf1GXbNpsAd9E8_r-ClYmNiRzPZ55Cc1exRLisIJ586K0_scmG4Y8B8gzqk4SQAkl3XddNaPMsswNeQRz4MiO3K3H_9xUtcdncbj0vJaE/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.21.17.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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For Easter Sunday I completed the final service using iMovie on my Mac - I'm not sure what is available on PC. But one handy feature I found was 'spilt screen' in iMovie... It's not the most obvious feature but it works well. <br />
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So once you've made your video - making sure that you are in the center of your shot<br />
...you can drag your slides into iMovie above the main video line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACgZktPcY5ipDdSGmNSRemrI8vYfYv6xpfjXFcxBCpCbAjy75iUNlJgqlfEr066Fi4-paeEmmOJuEZtE_-JyhoD0NB7ebzXaIa8R-m4Lg26BmivUjUxT5w3gOY2g2nqkN0eeyW0-lE38/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.28.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="374" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACgZktPcY5ipDdSGmNSRemrI8vYfYv6xpfjXFcxBCpCbAjy75iUNlJgqlfEr066Fi4-paeEmmOJuEZtE_-JyhoD0NB7ebzXaIa8R-m4Lg26BmivUjUxT5w3gOY2g2nqkN0eeyW0-lE38/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.28.52.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The text of your slides should be in the middle half of your 16:9 slide show (ie 1/4 of the page margin on each side)<br />
By default this will make your slide play over your video. <br />
You can stretch your slide longer (time ways) to cover the section it is meant to show.<br />
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But to get your slide to play next to your face... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgxszHBov-6P8d3J1b8dZk5N4plpIDKVW4n-HUpAmiISSExiuNwqp_BviPa8rIy4wJV-EZ4FcagWFlUN0Svk9uuzb7MjRWIoujQYrpBAijuqvuqMbEyLnBwQtBTkazqBjlwTpwkYALTs/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.29.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="482" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgxszHBov-6P8d3J1b8dZk5N4plpIDKVW4n-HUpAmiISSExiuNwqp_BviPa8rIy4wJV-EZ4FcagWFlUN0Svk9uuzb7MjRWIoujQYrpBAijuqvuqMbEyLnBwQtBTkazqBjlwTpwkYALTs/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.29.26.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx0zrPb7pQR7F7Opm-HnX9RdItEIloK_tHQJDwg3rBedY1uluECxA2PBlW_VXuW0-DhX3VgRHXRj0DRxgUWBZNIUdXfYGNVt-q2bgoBa401HjoeyhmUYcZehPAwszPPeE61y2zjYQD5s/s1600/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.29.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="475" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx0zrPb7pQR7F7Opm-HnX9RdItEIloK_tHQJDwg3rBedY1uluECxA2PBlW_VXuW0-DhX3VgRHXRj0DRxgUWBZNIUdXfYGNVt-q2bgoBa401HjoeyhmUYcZehPAwszPPeE61y2zjYQD5s/s320/Screenshot+2020-04-13+at+11.29.45.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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During lockdown I think it is important to keep the church members connected. It means a lot to see each other's faces. I've been amazed at how many of my church members managed to send a Whatsapp Video of themselves. The easiest way to incorporate these is to set up Whatasapp on your PC. That way you can download the videos you receive and simply drag them into your video editor.</div>
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In iMovie you can crop the videos to suit yourself whether they're in portrait or landscape. You can also invite church members to lead readings and prayers etc. by sending a whatsapp audio or video message. Whatsapp Audio comes as an Ogg file and you can use VLC to convert it into a useable file for your video if your video software doesn't like Ogg files. </div>
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In VLC - Look under FILE for 'Convert' and work from there.</div>
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Concluding Thoughts</h2>
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We have to think about our aim with these videos...</div>
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My goal:</div>
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To encourage the congregation during a difficult time.</div>
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To foster a feeling of connectedness and unity.</div>
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To help each other connect with God.</div>
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Authenticity.</div>
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Different methods achieve different outcomes...</div>
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'Live' is great for a sense of connection - it is nice to know that what you are watching is what somebody else is doing / experiencing / sharing. And as the person doing the sharing connecting - authenticity will shine through you.</div>
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The cool kids are making fancy 'produced' videos with all the latest equipment and thats nice - but ministry is not about fancy production it is about authentic connection. I have chosen to use homemade music - and tried to get members of the worship team to record some singing etc. because I believe that worship music is 'folk music' - music of the people. There is connection in it and I'm working on that.</div>
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Facebook Premiere</h2>
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If you pre-record your videos and publish them when you upload to Youtube or Facebook they can be set to 'premiere' at a certain time. Then they publish like 'live' videos and reactions / comments can happen in realtime. </div>
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That way you can upload your video and chat in the comments during the live stream. Foster connection. I also suggest that you keep everything a little to a lot shorter than usual :)</div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-88392484039355199502020-04-09T13:41:00.004+02:002020-04-09T13:53:16.422+02:00DIY Tenebrae Service<div class="" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVJ5RtsC4h7cICxeMzT_1FQXcUjKLVoCYuz4sTBHE5Wz7Oe1LnbVQPJPf7vsrswXZKnmitUjX0mABhYXNPU_X8rB32FdwO-Cb6PyLbLHCQ0ubDeEtQKLTHV9t7PJQSVuO2cZm_X6q8gg/s1600/tenebrae.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="335" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVJ5RtsC4h7cICxeMzT_1FQXcUjKLVoCYuz4sTBHE5Wz7Oe1LnbVQPJPf7vsrswXZKnmitUjX0mABhYXNPU_X8rB32FdwO-Cb6PyLbLHCQ0ubDeEtQKLTHV9t7PJQSVuO2cZm_X6q8gg/s400/tenebrae.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday of Holy Week</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi Church Family,</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of a service on TV this evening here is something you can do at home at supper time and bedtime.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will need a Bible and some candles and if you don’t have candles you can innovate - using torches or the lights in your house. You will need 7 lights (or sets of lights) that you can extinguish one by one.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God bless,</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gus</span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KASLEk9vrxxnOte63o6Rmmk29HwmcBC-" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a></span><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tqy-M7UsiiF_VU9o0Zac0FFgNwis9SMQ" target="_blank">Cell Phone Sized PDF</a></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i class=""><span class="" style="font-size: 8pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="" style="font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A note about communion:</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i class=""><span class="" style="font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As a congregation we believe in the importance of having communion together as a church and not in our own ‘private’ meals. This is rooted in Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 11:20-22. We feel that a ‘public’ meal held in community at church honors the tradition of the Lord’s Supper. When we eat and drink in memory of Jesus in our private homes we may refer to it as a ‘love feast’ following the tradition of Acts 2 which describes the meal fellowship of the early church:</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“...they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts.” (Acts 2:46)</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-size: 9pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Even though we will read the words that Jesus read when he instituted his supper instead of having ‘communion’ we are simply remembering what Jesus said and did. The first thing we will do when we gather as a church again is share communion.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before you eat, read this verse from Mark 14:22, you can read from this page but it is nice to use a paper Bible if you have one.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">22 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take it,” he said, “this is my body.” </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While you eat, talk about what it means to have a meal together and eat with a glad and humble heart? (Acts 2:46)</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Although these notes are written with families in mind if you’re eating alone you can still do this in prayerful solitude and reflection - or you can phone somebody and share in the meal like that.]</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep some water or cooldrink for the end of the meal and at the end of the meal read this passage from Mark 14:23-26 -</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">23 Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and handed it to them; and they all drank from it. 24 Jesus said, “This is my blood which is poured out for many, my blood which seals God’s covenant. 25I tell you, I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.” 26 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples would probably have sung from one of the Psalms that were traditionally sung during the time of Passover. You can read Psalm </span><span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">116:1-2 and 12-16.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love the Lord, because he hears me; he listens to my prayers. 2 He listens to me every time I call to him. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can I offer the Lord for all his goodness to me? </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will bring a wine offering to the Lord, </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to thank him for saving me. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the assembly of all his people </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will give him what I have promised. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How painful it is to the Lord </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when one of his people dies! </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16 </span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am your servant, Lord; </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I serve you, just as my mother did. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You have saved me from death. </span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. As a family say some simple prayers for yourselves, for others and for the church.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bed Time </span></h1>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Extinguishing the Lights)</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Thursday night we remember how Jesus' disciples deserted him when he was arrested and handed over to be crucified. Jesus probably didn’t sleep that night but he stayed up late praying with the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:32-38</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">32 They came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him. Distress and anguish came over him, 34 and he said to them, “The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">35 He went a little farther on, threw himself on the ground, and prayed that, if possible, he might not have to go through that time of suffering. 36 “Father,” he prayed, “my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">37 Then he returned and found the three disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Weren't you able to stay awake for even one hour?” 38 And he said to them, “Keep watch, and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the first light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:39-46</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">39 He went away once more and prayed, saying the same words. 40 Then he came back to the disciples and found them asleep; they could not keep their eyes open. And they did not know what to say to him.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">41 When he came back the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come! Look, the Son of Man is now being handed over to the power of sinners. 42 Get up, let us go. Look, here is the man who is betraying me!”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">43 Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs and sent by the chief priests, the teachers of the Law, and the elders. 44 The traitor had given the crowd a signal: “The man I kiss is the one you want. Arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as Judas arrived, he went up to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” and kissed him. 46 So they arrested Jesus and held him tight.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the second light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Third Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:47-52</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">47 But one of those standing there drew his sword and struck at the High Priest's slave, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus spoke up and said to them, “Did you have to come with swords and clubs to capture me, as though I were an outlaw? 49 Day after day I was with you teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50 Then all the disciples left him and ran away.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">51 A certain young man, dressed only in a linen cloth, was following Jesus. They tried to arrest him, 52 but he ran away naked, leaving the cloth behind.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the third light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fourth Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:53-56</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">53 Then Jesus was taken to the High Priest's house, where all the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the Law were gathering. 54 Peter followed from a distance and went into the courtyard of the High Priest's house. There he sat down with the guards, keeping himself warm by the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some evidence against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they could not find any. 56 Many witnesses told lies against Jesus, but their stories did not agree.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the fourth light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fifth Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:57-59</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">57 Then some men stood up and told this lie against Jesus: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will tear down this Temple which men have made, and after three days I will build one that is not made by men.’” 59 Not even they, however, could make their stories agree.</span></div>
<h3 class="" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;">
<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the fifth light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sixth Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:60-65</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">60 The High Priest stood up in front of them all and questioned Jesus, “Have you no answer to the accusation they bring against you?”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">61 But Jesus kept quiet and would not say a word. Again the High Priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed God?”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">62 “I am,” answered Jesus, “and you will all see the Son of Man seated at the right side of the Almighty and coming with the clouds of heaven!”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">63 The High Priest tore his robes and said, “We don't need any more witnesses! 64 You heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They all voted against him: he was guilty and should be put to death.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">65 Some of them began to spit on Jesus, and they blindfolded him and hit him. “Guess who hit you!” they said. And the guards took him and slapped him.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extinguish the sixth light.</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seventh Candle</span></h2>
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<span class="" style="color: #434343; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 14:66-72</span></h3>
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<span class="" style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br class="" /></span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">66 Peter was still down in the courtyard when one of the High Priest's servant women came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked straight at him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Nazareth.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">68 But he denied it. “I don't know … I don't understand what you are talking about,” he answered, and went out into the passageway. Just then a rooster crowed.[b]</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">69 The servant woman saw him there and began to repeat to the bystanders, “He is one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A little while later the bystanders accused Peter again, “You can't deny that you are one of them, because you, too, are from Galilee.”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">71 Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know the man you are talking about!”</span></div>
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<span class="" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">72 Just then a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows two times, you will say three times that you do not know me.” And he broke down and cried.</span></div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-46356715928262912442020-04-03T12:34:00.000+02:002020-04-03T12:53:27.709+02:00Should we keep calm and carry on?<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: calibri light, sans-serif; font-size: 28pt;">Should we keep calm and carry on?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">- Rev Angus Kelly</span><br />
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In 1939 the British government introduced this poster in preparation for World War 2. They produced 2.45 million copies and yet the poster was rarely displayed:<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Keep Calm and Carry On" is a typically stiff upper lipped stoic response to the difficulties that we face. Right now I think everyone is doing their best to keep calm and to carry on as if everything was normal. <b>But it is not normal.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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When we realised that we had to reduce the numbers at church and then probably shut the church's doors for a bit the first thing on my mind was to try to keep things as 'normal' as possible. I wanted to film the church service at the pulpit - using the usual format for the service. I've also tried really hard to get video and voice messages from folks at church to keep us feeling 'connected'. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Work continues for many people as if it were normal. Instead of meeting in board rooms we are meeting on Zoom, Skype, Facebook etc. and we long for the return 'to normal'. Yet at the same time we incorporate the ‘new’ realising that many of these technologies could be very useful in a new future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As we integrate this new normal – you will ask us how we feel. We will tell you that we feel like we're in a dream or watching a movie. It feels like reality at the moment is a kind of out of body experience. Things seem a little out of joint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is what grief feels like. This is emotional shock. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And our bodies have a programmed reaction to that - they are programmed to mourn. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To become sad. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To sleep more than usual. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet - because we're trying so hard to 'Keep Calm and Carry On' we will do laps around our lounges, wear a suit to video conferences and personally I'll try to make April Fool's jokes and get myself and those around me to laugh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sensing the new levels of stress our children will act out here and there and we are quite likely to get a bit grumpy with them because we’re also stressed and all of this can easily cycle into an unnecessary fury.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We all need to give each other a few extra meters of space.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A verse that has been bouncing around my head is the question that the Psalmist asks in verse 5 of Psalm 42:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Why, my soul, are you downcast?<br /> Why so disturbed within me?<br />Put your hope in God,<br /> for I will yet praise him,<br /> my Saviour and my God.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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It is very easy to go straight to verse 5 and carry on with the positive end of the Psalm about the hopeful promises of God but to get to verse 5 the Psalmist prays through the first four verses. In our ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ world we need to realise that to carry on is possible – but to keep calm we might need to first have a bit of a wobbly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Primal Thirst<o:p></o:p></h2>
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<img alt="Deer in creek | Animals beautiful, Cute animals, Animal pictures" height="200" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/e0/2e/abe02ee181f9a9d611b4947db647ba82.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; padding: 5px;" width="150" /><br />
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Verse 1 - As the deer pants for streams of water... is not just a pretty picture. In my imagination I see Bambi lapping the waters of a cool forest stream. But in reality the deer's primal thirst for water will drive it to distraction. Hungering and thirsting are deep and primal desires common to animals and humans. The wildly migrating herds of the savanna are not putting on a show for the nature programs. They are desperately racing towards food, water and life. Their journey is a matter of life and death.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we are thirsty we will go to great extremes to find what we need to quench that thirst. Good thirst knows that water is what is needed. Yet through addiction many of us have programmed ourselves to thirst for the wrong things. That is why addiction is so hard to beat. Your body has learned to quench its primal thirst for life giving water with a desire for drugs, sex, sugar, affirmation at work, alcohol, power, money – all of these things that we believe will quench our thirst but are actually more like trying to drink salt water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thirsty is a simple illustration of the way in which we feel out of place in the<o:p></o:p></div>
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world right now. Our experience of the current reality as something from a movie or from a bad dream is a signal to our inner being that we should not be calm. The stream where we used to find our cooling and calm water seems to have moved or dried up. Maybe it has gone underground.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A month or so ago a friend and I went on a hike that was poorly marked. We didn’t know it was poorly marked when we left but as we went on our journey the little arrows tied to trees became fewer and fewer. We could only assume that what we were on was a path because there seemed to be a little bit of order in the chaos of the brambles and bushes that were cutting our legs in the early morning dew. It was a stressful hike. When towards the end of the hike we found the clearly marked path again we walked and laughed with a new sense of certainty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is as if the familiar paths that we would take to find the water and comfort we are used to have all suddenly been overgrown and disrupted. We thirst for the comforting stream but all we find is a forest whose trees seem to have somehow shifted in the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A thirsty deer will not be able to 'keep calm and carry on' but will do all in its power to find the water it needs to stay alive. To get to that water it will attempt to jump across great ravines, climb unfamiliar paths and even crouch do drink where lions are prowling. During times of calm and serenity this deer looks like Bambi but when we are thirsty and displaced our longing becomes primal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Weeping and Mourning<o:p></o:p></h2>
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I'm not saying I'm a tough guy - but it has been a long time since I've cried properly. I'm actually a very sentimental person; I cry so easily when I hear good news or bad news - when I baptise children and bless marriages. But to say that tears have become my food is to say that I have wept so much I can taste it. I remember doing that when I was a child, but as an adult my tears have been far more sentimental.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If we "Keep Calm and Carry On" without mourning our losses we won't be able to carry on. Right now, on day seven of South Africa's lock down and having kept our eyes on events in the rest of the world there is a sense of calm and we’re not sure if it is the ‘calm before the storm’ We know that our government has acted quickly and this lockdown has been amazingly peaceful (all things considered) but our levels of uncertainty are extreme.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Psalmist weeps and bargains, longs for normality: "how I used to go to the house of God..." (4). But right now we are stuck in that moment of not knowing what will happen next. This contributes to that feeling of disjointed dreaminess.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a disconnect between our being and doing, our knowing and acting. If you are used to security, regular income and a comfortable life - right now you cannot be certain that things will continue this way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are encouraged to ‘stay strong’ and not to feel sorry for ourselves because you will always be able to think of someone worse off than yourself and someone better off than yourself. In South Africa the law for the lockdown insists that people don’t go running, cycling or taking their dogs for walks and some are phoning in to the radio stations to complain. Considering everything else that is happening this seems like a silly issue – but I mention it because on the surface it is a silly issue. But to the person who is stressed about what is happening now it is a controllable moment of normality that they long to exert their control over. A daily ritual or habit that gives them a sense of control in a generally out of control world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this experience of stress right now is not about them. It is about you. If you don't deal with <b>your </b>experience of this moment you won't be able to help others through theirs. In hospital ministry I realised that different people respond differently. Each of us experience our trauma in our own way. One person's cracked rib is another person’s amputation. The eco-system of things that make you 'you' mean that you will experience this crisis in your own way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One person’s greatest stress is not being able to take their dog out. Another person won’t be able to feed their family. Chances are the person who wants to walk their dog will be positioned to make a lot more noise than the person without air time wondering where their next meal will come from. Be careful not to diminish your own displacement by just telling yourself it ‘could be worse.’ Deal with <b>your </b>grief as small as it may seem in the context of everything that is going on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These things that worry and upset you are more important to you than you realise and they often reflect a deeper soul reflecting reality than you are consciously aware of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I used to go to the house of God<o:p></o:p></h2>
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The Psalmist weeps with longing for the familiar interactions, smells and sounds of a festival at the temple (Verse 4). For many of the faithful this lockdown will disrupt their traditional celebration of Easter. This festival is so important because it confronts our pain and darkness – our relationship with all that is cruel and evil – as we think of Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. It acknowledges our displacement and lostness on the journey through Holy Saturday when the disciples remain hidden in the upper room in the shock of what has just happened. And then on Easter Sunday the reminder that evil does not have the victory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Where O death is now thy sting? Alleluia<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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In South Africa Easter is a big deal. It has served as a moment of remembering the possibility of victory over evil, sin and death, the grace of Jesus’ forgiveness and vindication in an unjust world. An anchor of certitude in a chaotic world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Psalmist teaches us to weep for what we have lost: “These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng and led them in procession to the house of God.” (4)<o:p></o:p></div>
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For this moment you're trapped in the machinations of a world in transition. There are cogs and grinders spinning all around you and bits and pieces of your being and knowing will get squashed, mangled and reshaped. As the saying goes: "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." But it will only make you stronger if you consciously incorporate this moment's reality into yourself. If you allow yourself the time to weep, sleep and mourn. To grapple with the "Where is your God?" question (3) and to pour out your soul (4) and to remember your reasons for mourning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why my soul are you downcast?<o:p></o:p></h2>
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In a ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ world where everyone seems to be coping better than you you might feel a bit silly to feel downcast. You need to know that you’re not the only one feeling that way. The Psalmist seems perplexed. He talks to himself. Encourages himself:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Verse 5 - Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him my saviour and my God.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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This is important – but more is needed. You can’t just chant yourself into positivity. Trite sayings like ‘Your altitude depends on your attitude’ are not actually that true. Good rhymes and rhythms don’t necessarily produce good theology or good people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is not a promise that positive thinking will drive all your problems away. It is just a small candle flickering in a dark room reminding you that a light shines and darkness can not overcome it. You are not without hope – and even if everything else is lost one thing will always remain. God. And the reason for our being – the opportunity to praise him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Psalmist also reminds us of the nature of God. Not just a God up there demanding our worship but God who is as the Psalmist writes: “my saviour”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Christians we load the ‘my saviour’ title for God with New Testament imagery. The imagery of Christ on the cross to save us from sin and death. But the Psalmist writes before that time. The Psalmist has come to know that God is the kind of God who reaches out to us when we are lost and losing – lifts us up – and saves us. Saviour is not just a New Testament term – this is the God who rescues from hopelessness who lifts us out of the depths. A God who loves and redeems. And always works to lift us up from our places of brokenness and despair.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My soul is downcast within me<o:p></o:p></h2>
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Our Psalmist didn’t end with the positive encouragement of verse 5 – asking his soul: “Why are you downcast?” And responding with the instruction: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” As if this verse would lift us up and cheer us up – and we’re tempted in our times of crisis, or when others are going through theirs to say ‘pull yourself together,’ ‘keep calm and carry on.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead, the Psalmist goes on: “My soul <b>is </b>downcast within me.” This sadness of soul is real and needs to be dealt with. To deal with this downcast soul he will ‘remember’ God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>My soul is downcast within me; therefore <b>I will remember you</b> from the land of the Jordan…<br /> - <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Ps 42.6" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2042.6" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Psalm 42:6</a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The Psalmist gives us a signal of his geographic position. Quite far from Jerusalem, about a week’s walk to the temple. Yet this journey could have been hampered at various times by political circumstances in the region. As far away as he is from the temple that symbolises God’s presence he knows that God is still with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU0jiOVhe0l05dHYP5adQYNUPPjphXQRpLZplbdhtB9tti6ZMDKPXXCWosMEruPbb5E-1BVgy2FmfUjulZuvCCvE0-Gyp3r4WFiQ-4054uiTOFJLc7ppu6iLIUcSNUAjbGZBefYkMZNOZ/s1600/ancient-israel-judah-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #888888; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgU0jiOVhe0l05dHYP5adQYNUPPjphXQRpLZplbdhtB9tti6ZMDKPXXCWosMEruPbb5E-1BVgy2FmfUjulZuvCCvE0-Gyp3r4WFiQ-4054uiTOFJLc7ppu6iLIUcSNUAjbGZBefYkMZNOZ/s320/ancient-israel-judah-map.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="235" /></a></div>
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Deep calls to Deep<o:p></o:p></h2>
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The Psalmist has shared his primal need for God’s comfort and strength, a thirsty soul. At this time of disruption we are thirsty for ‘normality’ and to know God’s presence with us wherever we are. This disruption has led to mourning and weeping and even some doubt about faith. He longs for the opportunity to go to the house of God and be united with the congregation. During this time of disruption we can identify with all of these feelings. This brings him to the point of asking his soul: “Why are you downcast within me?” And reminding himself to put his trust in God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But he does not deny his reality: <b>My soul is downcast within me.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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For the healing to begin he will ‘remember’ God. We can remember in many different ways. The most simple way is the way that we recall someone’s name or a fact in a history test. This remembering is deeper than just ‘recall.’ When I imagine the word ‘remember’ I think of it like I think of the dry bones in Ezekiel, as the bits and pieces are brought together I like to think that they are re-membered. Being pulled together in a kind of reality. If you miss someone you love your ‘remembering’ of them will be much deeper than just recall. In your imagination you will remember a kiss, a smell, a texture, a hug; some words or a manner of expression.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This ‘remembering’ of <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Ps 42.6" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ps%2042.6" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Psalm 42:6</a> and <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Psalm 42.4" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%2042.4" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">4</a> is a sensual kind of memory – recalling sights, sounds, experiences and feelings. To do this kind of remembering we need to stop everything else and engage ourselves fully in the moment. As Christians our highest act of worship is an act of remembering that involves actions, breaking bread together with glad and thankful hearts. Remembering how Jesus broke bread with his disciples.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can’t keep calm and carry on if you don’t stop and remember what you are missing, what you have lost. Your soul needs some healing. And so we surrender to the deep:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Deep calls to deep<br /> </i><i>in the roar of your waterfalls;</i><i>all your waves and breakers<br /> </i><i>have swept over me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><i><sup>8 </sup></i></b><i>By day the Lord</i><i> directs his love,<br /> </i><i>at night his song is with me—<br /> </i><i>a prayer to the God of my life.<br />- Verses 7 and 8<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The ocean near my home is incredibly cold and I don’t swim as much as I would like to. But I love swimming in the breakers and waves; I like to hold my breath and be carried tumbling and turning under the water. At a site where I recently camped with my family there was a roaring waterfall. So heavy that I couldn’t quite stand under the fall of the water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Right now, just like in the case of ocean waves and wild waterfalls you are subject to currents and forces that are way beyond your control. This is emotionally and mentally traumatic. But as humans we have ways of dealing with these things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Psalmist reminds us to ‘remember’ and I advise that this ‘remembering’ be a deep kind of remembering a kind that takes time. This remembering may be accompanied by mourning, an acknowledgment of sadness. And in remembering the Psalmist offers us verse 8:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>By day the Lord directs his love,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>at night his song is with me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Earlier on I mentioned that the paths and ways that we knew to get to the water we need have all been disrupted. All the changes that have just sprung on us have messed up our usual paths. The trouble is a lot of life happens without much thought. You know your ways, you know how to communicate in real life, your usual interactions are well practiced.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though you didn’t realise it every night as you sleep your brain does some shuffling and rearranging of the information it took in during the day. This rest time for the thinking parts of your brain helps you to cope with the challenges of each day in the most brain efficient way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of a sudden new maps and processes have been forced upon you. You will find yourself feeling quite tired and you will be working from home. The temptation will be to work extra hours. With a disrupted economy you will feel you have to earn your wages and you will have a new sense of ‘insecurity’ in your employment. You desperately need a rest. But you just can’t take one. And once you’ve worked late into the night your sleep will be so disturbed by your stress that your brain won’t get a chance to re-integrate the new information.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your brain wires itself when you exercise, when you relax. When you are concentrating it just keeps running. If you don’t do the leisure things your brain will become like Eskom and will have to start load shedding because of inadequate maintenance. If you’re stuck at home for a change you’ve become used to the mindless wait in the traffic or on the bus. You’ve been able to walk and take a lunch break in a context different to your home. You’ve had stimulating leisure conversations in addition to stressful work conversations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If businesses that have suddenly introduced work from home strategies do not also inform their employees about the need for some neural balance they will find that the ‘brains’ of their operations will begin to malfunction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To cope with the sudden changes you are going to need more rest than usual. And the Psalmist reminds us:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>By day the LORD directs his love,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>at night his song is with me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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You are not alone in the hurry of the day. God’s love is with you. And at night as you rest and recalibrate for tomorrows challenges – God’s song is with you. Singing order and beauty back into your life the way the Spirit moved over the waters at the beginning. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A while ago I was on a retreat where the leader reminded us: ‘Sleeping is just resting in the smile of God.’ I love that image. And I am reminded of the need to sleep, to do mindless unproductive stuff. To let my brain be rewired as I simply let God do what God does. Directing his love, singing his song.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then we can start to think about what it might mean to keep calm. Don’t carry on. Recalibrate. Everything the world is going through is not normal. You’re allowed to weep. To sleep. You need to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You probably want to eat too. Your brain actually uses a lot of energy to do its rewiring, you might need to eat some extra brain food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And your body will work against you a bit. It will ask for sugar – and once its caught on to the idea of extra naps it might become greedy for even more sleep. Just monitor yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why have you forgotten me? (Verse 9)<o:p></o:p></h2>
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The Psalmist doesn’t promise and end to pain through positive affirmations. He knows God’s love and yet still wrestles with feeling abandoned and forgotten. In verse 10 he says that his ‘foes’ taunt him all day long saying: “Where is your God?” We can imagine a faithful servant being taunted by people who don’t believe. But we also know that our ‘foes’ are deep inside us. They are usually the things inside us that compete for ‘god status’ – finance, relationships, health, cars, power, popularity, careers, certainty… Things that we thin are important but we know are not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can turn that question around: “Where is your God?” and ask ourselves who will be our god at this time? And we will work in our hearts and minds to make sure that our God will be the LORD who directs his love toward us and sings over us. The LORD who we know saves us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Put your hope in God (Verse 11)<o:p></o:p></h2>
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You don’t have to keep calm, but you will be able to carry on. Not because everything is easy to deal with. Not because you are strong and powerful. But because God is good. In verse 11 the Psalmist asks again: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” We are not invited to dismiss the reasons for our uneasiness at this time. We are invited to investigate these questions. Our souls are disturbed. Why? Because the world is changing at a pace we had not anticipated. Everything that used to be vaguely predictable is now chaotic. We’re allowed to not be calm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But a quiet whisper audibly echoes through the rush of waterfalls and crashing of breakers:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Put your hope in God,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>For I will yet praise him,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>My Saviour and my God.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><i>Verse 11<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The last words of this Psalm: “My Saviour and my God.” Remind us that we surrender ourselves to a God who saves us. We do not try to do this on our own. I’m reminded again of the words we pray at communion:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>It is your nature always to have mercy and on that we depend.</i></div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-7528757566916148702018-06-05T12:32:00.001+02:002019-09-22T16:12:08.061+02:00Communion - Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 11<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<div class="MsoTitle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Communion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fq_o2phnx6rg5XaJDmnYJS07e7FA_vADFVB0FX71QzA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">wrote</a>
this for those who help to distribute communion to those who are sick or
housebound, but I realize this will also be a helpful reflection for all who
partake in communion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When people
are sick or housebound they are unwillingly absent from the communion
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On such occasions the Communion
Stewards will offer to take the consecrated communion to them during the week
following the service of Communion on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h1>
<span lang="EN-US">Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paul offers
stern words for the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and makes
several important points:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">1 Corinthians 11:17-22<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">17 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now in the
following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it
is not for the better but for the worse. <sup>18 </sup>For, to begin with,
when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you;
and to some extent I believe it. <sup>19 </sup>Indeed, there have to be
factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine.
<sup>20 </sup>When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s
supper. <sup>21 </sup>For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes
ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. <sup>22 </sup>What!
Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the
church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you?
Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Context<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the time
of Paul’s writing the communion was combined with a love feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was obviously more than the sip of wine
and piece of bread which we enjoy today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The beauty of this meal was that the hungry would be fed; Jesus action
of blessing and multiplying the loaves and the fish would be celebrated with
every great communion feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
divisions emerged the rich didn’t seem to want to wait for the poor ‘one goes
hungry and another becomes drunk.’ (Verse 21).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Communion was a time for unity; yet the communion itself fostered
division in the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The importance of Unity<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is for
this reason that we are ordered in our communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we become members of the church we are
in fellowship (koinonia) with the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As members of a church we recognize the authority of ordained clergy to
preside over the communion table for the sake of our unity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This unity is not just the unity of our local
church, but the unity of the church all over the world and across denominations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ministers are trained and ordained as
ministers of Word and Sacrament in order to ensure the unity and orthodoxy of
the church’s message and practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you are
not a member of any church then you might as well serve yourself
communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not a member of
any church then you might as well baptize yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when you do these things you are separating
yourself from a larger community gathered at one table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As church members we submit ourselves to this
discipline as we submit ourselves to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We believe Jesus wants the church to be one, we believe the table should
be one, and we acknowledge in keeping with the tradition of the church and the
scriptures that God, through the Holy Spirit calls people to lead and hold
authority in such a way as to maintain the order and unity of the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Within the
local Methodist Church this unity is maintained by participation in a circuit
of churches deliberately located in a variety of socio-economic areas that
ensure that the same minister who presides at the table in a wealthy suburb can
preside at the table in an impoverished settlement and act prophetically in the
interest of unity and table fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The church communion table is symbolically linked to the Temple table
for the Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23 & Exodus 37:10-16.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is
important to stress the symbolic unity of the church and the significance of
table fellowship when taking communion to people at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also important to make every effort to
bring people to church rather than take communion to them at home; but frailty
and logistics mean that we should practice the maximum amount of grace in our
administration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Love Offering<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the end
of each Communion Service we usually take up an offering for the love fund of
the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This excerpt from the
writings of Justin Martyr describes Sunday Worship around AD90 includes a
description of what deacons do, which is effectively the task of Communion
Stewards in the Methodist Church today:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">[1] On the day which is called Sunday, all who live in the cities or in
the countryside gather together in one place. [2] And the memoirs of the
apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as there is time. [3]
Then, when the reader has finished, the president, in a discourse, admonishes
and invites the people to practice these examples of virtue. [4] Then we all
stand up together and offer prayers. [5] And, as we mentioned before, when we
have finished the prayer, bread is presented, and wine with water; [6] the
president likewise offers up prayers and thanksgivings according to his
ability, and the people assent by saying, Amen. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">[7] The elements which have been “eucharistized” are distributed and
received by each one; and they are sent to the absent by the deacons. Those who
are prosperous, if they wish, contribute what each one deems appropriate; and
the collection is deposited with the president; and he takes care of the
orphans and widows, and those who are needy because of sickness or other cause,
and the captives, and the strangers who sojourn amongst us—in brief, he is the
curate of all who are in need.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1 Corinthians 11:23-26<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Institution of the Lord’s Supper</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(Mt
26:26–29; Mk 14:22–25; Lk 22:14–23)</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">23 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For I
received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the
night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, <sup>24 </sup>and when he
had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do
this in remembrance of me.” <sup>25 </sup>In the same way he took the cup
also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this,
as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” <sup>26 </sup>For as
often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-GB">Institution<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is fascinating to follow the debate
through the ages over what made the bread and wine the body and blood of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that the earliest
church was quite satisfied with understanding it to be symbolic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Paschius Radbertus in around the 8<sup>th</sup>
century who first articulated a doctrine of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">transubstantiation<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>.
</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the reformation Luther proposed
an alternative theology, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">consubstantiation<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modern understanding is more comfortable with
the earlier more symbolic understanding:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.23<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
crucified and risen Christ is present in the Holy Communion in accordance with
His promise in the word of Scripture, in the community of the faithful and in
the elements of bread and wine. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">These
are the body and blood of Christ not in the sense that they cease to be bread
and wine but in that they receive a new meaning as representing the person of
Christ who has given Himself on the Cross and now meets with His people. His
presence depends upon His own promise; it is discerned and appropriated by the
faith of His people. </b><br />
</span></i><!--[if supportFields]><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">(Methodist Church of
Southern Africa, 2016, para. 1.23)</span></span></i><!--[if supportFields]><i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></i><![endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">However we approach this sacrament we
respond in faith to Jesus words when he says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">This
is my body that is for you. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB">– Verse 24<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
</i>– Verse 25<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Jesus then gives the command, which Paul is
passing on again to the church:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Do
this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. </span></i><span lang="EN-GB">– Verse 25b<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Jesus seems to be instructing the church to
do what he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give thanks and break
the bread; repeat his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lift the
cup and repeat his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so doing, Paul
says “you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The earliest communion was linked to the
celebration of Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bread and
the wine spoken of as flesh and blood would remind the participants of the lamb
that was slaughtered on the eve of the exodus, of the blood that was painted on
door ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of God’s power in delivering
the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the supper is transposed
into the time of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A reminder of
how Jesus was slain for us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A reminder
of how we are saved by this action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Communion thus comes to mean so much more
than just bread and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about so
much more than just whether this bread is the body and this wine is the
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It becomes about knowing Christ
died for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And his death offers us
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we ingest the bread and the
wine we partake in his body and blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are inextricably connected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">According to Matthew, Jesus words are a
little different; he says: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Poured out
for many</b> for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). Paul’s words are
closer to Luke’s record of the last supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Poured out for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">many<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b>reminds us that Jesus is the host
at the table and it is up to Jesus to choose who he invites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are we to turn anyone away?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-GB">1 Corinthians 11:27-34<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Partaking
of the Supper Unworthily</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 14.15pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">27 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-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. <sup>28 </sup>Examine
yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. <sup>29 </sup>For
all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment
against themselves. <sup>30 </sup>For this reason many of you are weak and
ill, and some have died. <sup>31 </sup>But if we judged ourselves, we
would not be judged. <sup>32 </sup>But when we are judged by the Lord, we
are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 14.15pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">33 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So
then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one
another. <sup>34 </sup>If you are hungry, eat at home, so that when you
come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I
will give instructions when I come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unworthy Manner 27-28<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paul has
already described what this ‘unworthy manner’ describes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It describes greed and division, insufficient
attention to care and love and justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He uses a strange turn of phrase:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A reminder
that our greed at this table is unacceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ESV Study Bible offers this comment:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">11:27</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unworthy manner</b> probably refers to the
incompatibility of the Corinthians’ divisive arrogance as compared to the
sacrificial, others-oriented nature of Jesus’ death. A broader application of
this principle would encourage believers to examine their own lives (see v. 28)
and to repent and ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin before partaking in the
Lord’s Supper. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">guilty concerning the
body and blood</b>. Jesus’ body was broken and his blood shed for others. Thus
the selfish behavior of the Corinthians is a sin against others, but it also
represents a profaning disrespect for Jesus himself.<br />
</span><!--[if supportFields]><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-US'><span style='mso-element:
field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM
CSL_CITATION
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<span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">(Crossway, 2008: 1 Cor 11:27)</span></span><!--[if supportFields]><span
lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:
EN-US'><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Togetherness
is essential to communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we take
communion it is important to ask ourselves if we have treated others in a way
that makes us unworthy of the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a reminder, if celebrated weekly or monthly to live in a way that honours
the presence of the body of Christ in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Converted to energy that gives us the power to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not by bread alone but sustained by Christ’s
love and power within us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
solution Paul offers: “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and
drink the cup.” (28)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We should
follow the Psalmists advice – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 18.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">19:12</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But who can detect their errors? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Clear me from hidden faults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 18.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">14</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">be acceptable to you.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US">Ps 139:23</span></sup><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Search me, O God, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and know
my heart <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">test
me and know my thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 17.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -7.65pt;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US">24</span></sup><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>See
if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-left: 18.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Paul offers us more comfort:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But if we judged ourselves, we would not be
judged.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this, Paul seems to agree
with 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When we take communion we should begin with
heartfelt confession and self examination.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Drinking Judgment on
Themselves 29-30<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paul’s
words here are quite harsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He attaches
sickness, illness and even death to those who have not partaken of the meal in
a worthy manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without ‘discerning the
body’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ‘discerning the body’ has a
double meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognizing in faith that this bread and wine
is truly Christ’s flesh and blood in a deeply real symbolic sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds us of salvation, Christ’s service
love and our dedication to that some way of love in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Second:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognizing, as further raised in Paul’s
letter to the Corinthians that the gathering of the church is the body of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To eat without really ‘seeing’
the body of Christ around us is to curse ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are
some practical ways in which this kind of behavior could lead to our illness
and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is that by disregarding
the body we lose out on the help and healing they might have to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the next chapter Paul will remind the
church that some have the gift of healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Holy Spirit allots these gifts to each one individually just as the
Spirit chooses (1 Cor 12:11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
miss out on the whole body we miss out on the healing and health that Christ
has to offer us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Healthy
participation of the whole body in the whole body of the people of Jesus is a holistically
healing and renewing act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James also
reminds those who are sick to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ask for help:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 14.2pt; margin-right: 24.05pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">14 </span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Are any among you
sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over
them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. <sup>15 </sup>The
prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone
who has committed sins will be forgiven.<br />
- James 5:14-15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Style1">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">First James insists that those who are sick
should reach out to the ‘elders’ or responsible leaders in the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many who are sick don’t let anyone know but
become irate when they weren’t visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the elders come they will ‘anoint with oil in the name of the Lord’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the time of the early church oils and
infusions were used as medicines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Community connection facilitated effective healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-GB">1 Corinthians 11:33-34<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Paul closes with a lesson in basic table
manners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lesson we could all
learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he promises, before he moves on
to chapter 12 and 13 where he will emphasise the Spirit giftedness of every
believer and the supreme gift of love, that he will give them further
instruction the next time he sees them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you go and visit the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
you share communion; you won’t know exactly what to do – and Paul knows that he
is leaving the community with some instructions and the capacity also to figure
things out as they go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Figuring it out
as you go is a part of the gift that the Holy Spirit has given you in guiding
you in your ministry as a disciple of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h1>
<span lang="EN-US">Bibliography<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
<!--[if supportFields]><span lang=EN-GB><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL
{"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]}
CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Crossway, E.B. by. 2008. <i>ESV Study Bible</i>.
Wheaton, Ill: Crossway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Methodist Church of
Southern Africa. 2016. <i>The Methodist book of order: the laws and discipline
of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Saint Justin Martyr:
First Apology</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">. 90. [Online],
Available:
http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html [2018,
June 05].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if supportFields]><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
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mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span><![endif]-->
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">transubstantiation</b>. The
theory of the Eucharist officially taught by the Roman Catholic Church.
According to this view, during Communion the substance or essence of the bread
and wine is miraculously transformed into the body and blood of Christ, even
though the “accidents” (outward appearances) of the bread and wine remain the
same.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3725573033722104026#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">consubstantiation</b>. The
theory of the Lord’s Supper most closely associated with the Lutheran
tradition. Martin Luther taught that the body and blood of the Lord is present
“in, with and under” the actual bread and wine. This was in contrast to the
Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation, which taught that the bread and
wine were transformed into the real body and blood of Jesus upon their
consecration by the presiding priest.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-42786903499268652042018-01-08T11:14:00.001+02:002018-01-08T11:14:48.152+02:00“Consider it, take counsel and speak out.”<div id="compose-container" style="direction: ltr" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/EmailMessage"> <span itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization"><span itemprop="name" content="Outlook Mobile for iOS"></span></span> <div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">This is among the worst passages of the Bible… Even Dexter would cringe...</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">Judges 19:22 While they were enjoying themselves, the men of the city, a perverse lot, surrounded the house, and started pounding on the door. They said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so that we may have intercourse with him." 23 And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Since this man is my guest, do not do this vile thing. 24 Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now. Ravish them and do whatever you want to them; but against this man do not do such a vile thing." 25 But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine, and put her out to them. They wantonly raped her, and abused her all through the night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. 26 As morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light. </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">27 In the morning her master got up, opened the doors of the house, and when he went out to go on his way, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. 28 "Get up," he said to her, "we are going." But there was no answer. Then he put her on the donkey; and the man set out for his home. 29 When he had entered his house, he took a knife, and grasping his concubine he cut her into twelve pieces, limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 Then he commanded the men whom he sent, saying, "Thus shall you say to all the Israelites, 'Has such a thing ever happened since the day that the Israelites came up from the land of Egypt until this day? Consider it, take counsel, and speak out.' "</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">I really hate this passage. </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">I don't want to read it. I want to cut it out and burn it. If I got to edit the Bible this is something I would like to leave out.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">But it is there.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">There are so many things to discuss in this passage but the part that comes to mind is verses 29 and 30.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">Over the past few years the world has become more aware of the evil that we do. Chemical warfare in Syria, sexual abuse throughout the world, slavery, racism, evil and injustice. In South Africa the 'Rainbow' nation is rising up to say that you can't just paint a giant rainbow over our problems.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">We need to face the reality of our problems.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">This is the emotion that Judges 19:29-30 brings to mind.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">After the concubine has been raped to death - the Levite cuts her body into pieces and posts pieces to each of the twelve tribes of Israel.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">This is not a parcel that anyone would want to receive. Some severed and bloody body part.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">This gruesome act highlights the plight of all the victims of injustice and violence.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">With the message:</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">"Has such a thing ever happened…. Consider it, take counsel, and speak out."</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">I want to ignore the horrors, the rapes, the injustice, the hopelessness of the children of our land. I want to ignore the things that ministry brings me into contact with.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">But we need to be confronted by the gruesome reality of what is happening.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">Consider it, take counsel, and speak out.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">My reaction to the news of brokenness and injustice - the suffering of God's people is often similar to the reaction that I'd have if I got a parcel with a severed limb in it. I'd be shocked, disgusted, traumatized but I'd quickly drop it and get the necessary therapy to help me forget.</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">But what about the response the Levit counsels:</div> <div><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">"Consider it, take counsel and speak out."</div> <div><br> </div> <div class="acompli_signature"></div> </div> </div> revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-7887662095591587412017-12-21T09:37:00.000+02:002017-12-21T09:46:56.450+02:00Psalm 72 - a Prayer for our Leaders<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;">South Africa waited for the ANC to make a decision at the national conference last weekend. The contest was between Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa won by a hair's breadth. As I was reading Psalm 72 in preparation for Christmas season preaching I thought it was a fitting word of prayer for anyone in power. So here is my reflection from my prayers this morning. In the form of an open letter to the president.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear ANC President Ramaphosa,</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">This is my prayer for you, a reflection on Psalm 72 a song sung when Kings were crowned in the time before Christ. Some of the verses of Psalm 72 are good words for a President in our time. The prayer of verse 1:</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Psalmist prays that the king would want the sort of justice that God wants. The kind of righteousness that God wants. The God of the Hebrews, the God of Christians is a God whose primary characteristic is to lead people out of slavery and into freedom. To lead the people into ‘Shalom’, into peace. This peace is not platitude, but real peace - born out of justice and righteousness. Sometimes the word ‘shalom’ is translated as ‘prosperity’. South Africa needs to be led into justice with grace and peace. This is the will of God. </span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a difficult direction to lead in, inequality in our land is positively mountainous - but my prayer is that you will be ‘endowed’ with justice and righteousness; the heart of the love of God for all of God’s people. So that you will be able to lead us all into ‘prosperity.’ Prosperity is not having an overly big house and stupidly powerful cars and more than enough money. Prosperity is having your daily bread, security, the leisure to rest, the freedom to live a dignified life and to share with others.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">This prosperity - this Shalom - is the product of justice and righteousness.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">2 He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.</span></div>
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As the Psalmist leads us in prayer for the King it is interesting that he speaks to God in this way - he could say: “He will judge ‘his’ people…” But instead the Psalmist says: “<span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;">He will judge </span><span class="c5 c7" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">your</span><span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;"> people…</span><span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">” All people everywhere are created in God’s image. All people are sacred, wonderful, fearfully made. If the King is endowed with God’s justice, then the King will lead God’s people in God’s way. </span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Psalmist realises God’s special concern for the afflicted ones. Those who live in dire poverty, those who are sick, those who are mentally ill… all of these people are God’s people. It will be your task to lead us into justice; especially for the weakest, the most downtrodden, the most easily abused. The poor, the elderly, the mentally ill and the orphan are the most neglected in our land - with God’s heart, lead them (and all of us) with justice. </span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">It is the King’s task to ‘judge’ God’s people. To judge is to see what is wrong and implement a process that will redress those wrongs. As the King judges - the King restores justice. I pray that you will have the courage to lead South Africa into justice. </span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Sadly the mountains of our land, especially the highveld mountains with their rich deposits of ore have been pillaged. The wealth did not bring prosperity to the people - instead they brought slavery to some and an overabundance of wealth to others; much of that prosperity has left our shores. But, there is still enough in our land to ensure that each and every citizen has what they need. The nations of the world recognize the wealth of Africa; they take advantage of our economic and social tensions to drive us into debt - Africa has enough; Africa has more than all the other nations of the world. Yet our people live in dire poverty.</span></div>
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It seems that the promise of verse 3 is dependent on the realisation of verses 1 and 2 - the need for justice; especially for the afflicted. The hills, says the Psalmist will yield the ‘fruit of righteousness’ - these ‘fruits of righteousness’ refer to character - fruit of the Holy Spirit according to Christians: <span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;">generosity, gentleness, kindness, joy, peace, self control, patience, peacefulness etc.</span><span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> But they are also literal fruits to feed the hungry.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">How economists manage the circumstances that lead to the most beneficial extraction of minerals and production of food is such a complicated matter that I don’t fully understand how it all works. The tensions of mine ownership, land ownership and risk / benefit / cost are for economists to debate. But I know that if we find the right balance we will be able to create an economy in which there is economic security for all people.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Someone has said that a truly just society is one where anyone would be happy to be born to any family, race, or place because every child would always have all the opportunities they need to determine their own future. This is not the case in South Africa. Children are the victims of our unjust past; especially in terms of the education that they are destined to receive. A good King ‘saves the children of the needy’ - sets up a decent future for these children. To save our children we need to make sure that no matter where you were born you will have the resources and the help needed to become who you were meant to be.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Free education for all depends on a healthy economy and a healthy economy depends on good quality education for all. This is the nuclear power plant that we need. And the true beginning of radical (roots based) economic transformation. Solid investment in education. Especially in education for those who are born into the most dire situations of poverty.</span></div>
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The second part of verse 4 - ‘he will crush the oppressor’ is also a tough one. Who is the oppressor that needs crushing? The problem of politics in South Africa is a lack of debate which stems from identifying everyone other than us as the ‘oppressor’. People are more united by what they are against, than by what they are for. Bell Pottinger recognised that you could justify a lot of bad decisions by identifying an enemy named <span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;">White Minority Capital</span><span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> and then inciting anger and violence against this ‘oppressor’ as a rallying cause to protect people who were corrupt and engaged in oppressive activities themselves.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Perhaps the best way to ‘crush’ oppressors is to name them honestly. To educate and inform each other about how our attitudes become tools of oppression. To liberate oppressors from being oppressors by showing them - and leading them - into a better way. </span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Instead of creating a world where we each try to out oppress each other - through honest engagement perhaps we can reach a place where oppression is identified and rooted out - and thus crushed in a way that does not lead to more oppression. This will take bold leadership - and sometimes will lead to uncomfortable conversations. But we need you to lead us and inspire us into this direction.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">5-7 He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">At this point the Psalmist starts to point towards a more Divine King (God) than an earthly one. But this is the hope of the people - that truly anointed kings. Kings endowed with God’s justice and righteousness as verse 1 prayed - will rule with God’s heart. It is not the person in power, but in terms of the Psalm, God’s Holy Spirit endowing the King with Godly wisdom that is in power.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">As we read the Old Testament we discover only a few good kings. Power has a tendency to make even the best kings go bad. See Saul, David, Solomon all the Kings of Israel. They get it right sometimes but only when they place their heads hands and hearts firmly into the head, hand and heart of God who guides them. Psalm 146:3 reminds us:</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">“You can’t depend on anyone, not even a great leader. Once they die and are buried, that will be the end of all their plans.”<br />- Psalm 146:3</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Even great leaders will die. The majority of religions believe that each of us will have to answer to the creator for the decisions we made in our life times. As a president - the decisions you make will have a lot more consequence than most people’s decisions. And so I pray that you would have the integrity to lead us into justice with grace.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">8-11 His kingdom will reach from sea to sea, from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. The peoples of the desert will bow down before him; his enemies will throw themselves to the ground. The kings of Spain and of the islands will offer him gifts; the kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him offerings. All kings will bow down before him; all nations will serve him.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Again - the Psalmist is praising a Divine King. At Christmas time we are reminded of the sages who came to lay their gifts at Jesus’ feet. A fulfillment of these words about Godly Kings. For a while the world looked to South Africa as a model of reconciliation and restoration. The most powerful rulers looked to us for advice and help in matters of diplomacy. Do the difficult task of leading us into justice - and the world will look to us. We will see foreign investment, we will wield influence without using force and violence. South African can show the world a better way.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">12-14 He rescues the poor who call to him, and those who are needy and neglected. He has pity on the weak and poor; he saves the lives of those in need. He rescues them from oppression and violence; their lives are precious to him.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Psalmist keeps coming back to this theme. It is almost the primary task of the King to see that the poor, needy, weak, neglected, oppressed and violated are rescued. One area in which we need to see real radical transformation is in the cause of justice for the poorest and weakest. In the Western Cape we see too few police in the poorest areas and lots in the richest. It is this kind of distribution of resources that reveals our priorities. Crime in the suburbs and against the rich seems to garner all of the media’s attention. But what about the poor? </span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">As a person in power it might be tempting to see the rich investors as your most precious citizens. But a godly King will lead those rich investors in such a way that the poor, needy, weak, neglected, violated and oppressed are rescued. Because all people are precious to God.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">15-17 Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba; may prayers be said for him at all times; may God’s blessings be on him always! May there be plenty of corn in the land; may the hills be covered with crops, as fruitful as those of Lebanon. May the cities be filled with people, like fields full of grass. May the king’s name never be forgotten; may his fame last as long as the sun. May all nations ask God to bless them as he has blessed the king.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">With South Africa’s divided politics whoever is in power is guaranteed to have a lot of enemies. You became president of the ANC with a very narrow margin of victory. It looks like the next national elections will further erode the ANC’s power. This is not always a bad thing. Democratically elected officials need to remember that they in some way also represent the people who didn’t vote for them.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">As citizens we have a responsibility to pray for good leaders. To support them with our prayers, deeds and taxes. Even if we didn’t vote for them.</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">18-20 Praise the LORD, the God of Israel! He alone does these wonderful things. Praise his glorious name for ever! May his glory fill the whole world.<br />Amen! Amen!</span></div>
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<span class="c3" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">This is the end of the prayers of David son of Jesse.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">As the Psalm draws to a conclusion - David points firmly in God’s direction. It is only in God’s power that a leader can lead in God’s way. And so we pray that a new leader would lead in such a way that God’s glory would fill the whole world.</span></div>
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In the final verse, we read the comment: “<span class="c5" style="font-style: italic;">This is the end of the prayers of David…</span><span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">” As David writes this prayer we know that he doesn’t pray for himself; but rather for his son, Solomon, and for the legacy of Kings that will follow.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Your time of leadership will come to an end, just as David’s did. You might not achieve all the goals you set out to achieve - but - when the time comes; hand over gracefully - with a prayer that bestows as much blessing and hope as this one does.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">God bless, strengthen, guide you, and endow you with justice and righteousness to lead this nation into justice with grace and peace.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">This is my prayer for those who lead our nation at this time.</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">God bless,</span></div>
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<span class="c1" style="font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Rev Angus Kelly</span></div>
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revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-30331446600593207682017-09-07T17:50:00.002+02:002017-09-07T17:50:28.284+02:00Can I get my child baptised if I'm not a member of the church?<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 21pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can I get my child baptised if I’m not a member of the church?</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way I see it - when you bring your children to be baptised you are asking to be a member of the church. So yes - you’re welcome to join the church and get your children baptised all at once.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When parents bring their children to be baptised we ask them to publicly make the following commitments:</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I ask you now to respond to God's love and grace to your child / children by making these promises:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you love these your children, caring for them in body, mind and spirit?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you ensure that they are nurtured in the faith and life of the Christian community?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you set before them a Christian example, that through your prayers, words and deeds, they may learn the way of Christ?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With God's help we will.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The minister says to the godparents:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you help these parents to nurture their children in the Christian faith?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> With God's help we will.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you love these your children, caring for them in body, mind and spirit?</span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I always remind prospective parents of children to be baptized that they are very good at making sure their children are cared for in body and mind. Planning education, diet, healthy activities etc. But the greatest worry is ‘</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spirit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nurturing our children spiritually?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaching them to pray?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaching them to worship?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teaching them to serve God?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Helping them to realise that they are not just body and mind, but they are soul too.</span></div>
<h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you ensure that they are nurtured in the faith and life of the Christian community?</span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We live in the age of individuality and isolation - but Jesus calls us into community. Jesus teaches enemies to sit together around the same table and share bread and wine. Jesus says to the most deplorable sinners: “Your sins are forgiven…” Jesus calls us to be together with those whom he loves - and not just the people that we love.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be a Christian community we need to learn to be a diverse group of people together. People who speak different languages, think different thoughts - and occupy different economic positions.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is not easy; it goes against our </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">better</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> judgment sometimes. Jesus calls us to make an effort to be a part of something greater than ourselves.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do this by creating a church community. Old and young, rich and poor, black, white, normal and odd who gather together as often as possible to break bread, to pray and to hear God’s word together.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do this by creating a Sunday School and Youth Groups where children can meet together to learn worship and grow.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of the people who ask if their children can be baptised are not currently part of a Christian community.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having babies tends to isolate people. Sunday morning is that one chance to sleep in - to clean up - to rest and restore. Being part of Christian community becomes too difficult a burden to bear.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In short - we expect you to be a member of the church in order to make this commitment. The good news - we have low standards and high expectations.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our high expectations: You devote yourself to becoming Christ-like and you help others to do the same.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our low standards: According to our </span><a href="http://methodist.org.za/sites/default/files/fileuploads/The%20Methodist%20Book%20of%20Order%20Revised%206%20Oct2014.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘Book of Order’</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (AKA rule book) - </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3.1. The conditions, privileges and duties of membership in the Methodist Church follow the tradition common to the Methodist People from the beginning. Membership is not conditional upon the profession of theological tenets, or dependent upon traditional authority or ecclesiastical ritual. It is based upon a personal experience of the Lord Jesus Christ, brought about by the Spirit, ranging from the earliest signs of Divine Grace in the soul to its crowning blessedness in the joy of ‘perfect love’, and upon a sharing of such gifts of grace with others seeking or enjoying a similar experience.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3.2. All persons are welcomed into membership who sincerely desire to be saved from their sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and show the same in life and conduct, and who seek to have communion with Christ Himself and His people by taking up the duties and privileges of the Methodist Church. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to my interpretation of the above, if you can answer yes to these questions - you count as a member:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you want to be more like Jesus?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you need all the help you can get?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you want to be all the help you can be?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even if you haven’t been to church for the last 20 years - you are always welcome back. Life with kids is crazy busy - but we’d love it if we could help each other along the way.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By coming to church as regularly as possible you do an important part of what you promise to do when you bring your child to be baptised:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 - Care for them in body, mind and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spirit.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 - Nurture them in the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">faith and life of Christian Community.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 - …</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third commitment we ask you to make is the hardest:</span></div>
<h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will you set before them a Christian example, that through your prayers, words and deeds, they may learn the way of Christ?</span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the hardest thing that we parents are asked to do - not just to to tell them about Jesus - but to show them what Jesus is like through our words and deeds. Our children’s first impressions of God come through our example. To do this difficult task we need all the help we can get and Jesus offers us all the help we need:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through the renewing power of God the Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through reading the scriptures and praying.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through supporting each other in a diverse Christian community as we gather to worship God and share communion.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None of us are ‘there yet’ but we’re all a work in progress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 20pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before the Baptism</span></h1>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before the baptism those bringing their children to be baptised and the whole congregation affirm the following together:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you turn away from evil and all that denies God; </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And do you turn to God trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and in the Holy Spirit as Helper and Guide?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the grace of God I do.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To everyone present:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and Earth?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the people of God?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Together we confess our faith in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and we commit to resisting evil and allowing Jesus, our saviour to be our rescuer and the Holy Spirit to be our guide.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our confession of faith in Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a summary of the Apostle’s Creed - an ancient summary statement of the faith of the earliest Christians:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 7pt; margin-left: 17pt; margin-top: 2pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 7pt; margin-left: 17pt; margin-top: 2pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 7pt; margin-left: 17pt; margin-top: 2pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 7pt; margin-left: 17pt; margin-top: 2pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 7pt; margin-left: 17pt; margin-top: 2pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amen.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please speak to me or contact the office if you would like to have your child baptised. Baptism services take place at least once every three months at any of our three services on a Sunday.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God bless,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rev Angus Kelly</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also Please see:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/oe1v4tinwatjcfw/FAQs%20about%20Baptism.pdf?dl=0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frequently Asked Questions</span></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/55mqadsvzu3mji3/Baptism%20confirmation%20and%20reception%20into%20membership.pdf?dl=0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liturgy for Baptism and Confirmation</span></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://goo.gl/forms/iiGoXdY6c6qjYqYY2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Submit your Details for our Membership Role</span></a></div>
revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-33365012293154250932017-01-18T18:37:00.000+02:002017-01-18T18:37:05.758+02:00Hi Tech Preacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mr77lakAt62dMFtE34ZKY8h-vewEBRTQkjBYfdvN74oCNeqOBuTFXMeVoEy77rzBPLZ51CGsiWqiYuO5uxVW696TSwdhcESNsKpQkmGv8uX0XvAWZnERxZMr3xwJbu0Y9ZjNy5BLmsK9/s1600/15940445_10154126162217805_1794320291450983776_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mr77lakAt62dMFtE34ZKY8h-vewEBRTQkjBYfdvN74oCNeqOBuTFXMeVoEy77rzBPLZ51CGsiWqiYuO5uxVW696TSwdhcESNsKpQkmGv8uX0XvAWZnERxZMr3xwJbu0Y9ZjNy5BLmsK9/s320/15940445_10154126162217805_1794320291450983776_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2>
Logos Bible Software</h2>
You really have to just visit their website to see what Logos is about. https://www.logos.com/<br />
To
buy the whole thing is quite pricey - but lucky for me I was a very
early adopter - when it was still called 'libronix' and I bought my
first package on a sale at Scripture Union years ago - when it still
came in CD form.<br />
<br />
Mostly I use the NRSV with Greek and Hebrew parallels.<br />
I find the Anchor Bible Dictionary very useful.<br />
And the IVP Bible Background commentaries and dictionaries.<br />
<h2>
Kindle</h2>
Kindle is really useful for preaching prep. I am
frustrated by not being able to lend people my books - but I'm also
pleased that I'm not constantly losing books. Best thing is I can make
the most of any moment. Kindle on my phone, iPad, PC, and Kindle means I
can highlight and annotate wherever I am and those highlights are
available when I check in to my PC.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Duet App</h2>
It is great to be able to connect in a second screen via
USB through the Duet App. Running books, libraries etc. all on one
computer I can easily glance from left to right at all my windows.<br />
<br />
This
is also helpful when planning worship - I set up the presentation
program on one screen and keep all the order of service lists etc. on
the other side.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Macbook Pro - 2011</h2>
Macs are expensive. But after 5 years this
one is still running strong. Battery life is significant - lasting
about 5 hours at a time. Included programs like Keynote and Pages + the
upgrades of the OS for free make a mac a no brainer. Only problem is
they're getting more and more expensive :(. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Microsoft Word</h2>
I like Microsoft Word because I can use shortcuts
for Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3 formats and write a structured
document quickly. I can also use the 'Draft' view in order to minimize
my word processor into the left hand corner. revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-48136173405837869392016-10-31T09:10:00.000+02:002016-10-31T09:14:33.982+02:00#Halloween Taunting the King of Babylon Isaiah 14 - Bible StudyMany Christians have made Halloween about the devil.<br />
<br />
The truth is it is not about the devil - it is about the soul. All the scary stuff is meant to invite you to take a good look at your soul; is it a ghostly rotting corpse - or a shining light?<br />
<br />
Medieval morality plays were designed to 'scare the hell' out of you. A character who did something evil was carried off by people dressed as demons - and a character who did what was good would be rescued by beautiful angels. The night of "<i>All Halo's Eve" </i>became an opportunity to think of the darkness and torment of crooked souls; following the night of terror - a day of hope - all souls day. A reminder that human evil can be defeated. Souls do not need to be ugly.<br />
<br />
The prophet Isaiah warns Israel about her impending exile under the evil, tyrannical, Babylonian King. He tells the Israelites that this King will eventually be overthrown and the people will take up a taunt against the king of Babylon. This kind of taunt is a part of the theological thinking behind a festival like Halloween.<br />
<br />
A reminder of mortality.<br />
A reminder of justice in death - the great equalizer; a warning taunt to tyrants.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Isaiah 14:4-23</h3>
<i>...you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: <br /> How the oppressor has ceased! <br /> How his insolence has ceased! <br /> 5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, <br /> the scepter of rulers, <br /> 6 that struck down the peoples in wrath <br /> with unceasing blows, <br /> that ruled the nations in anger <br /> with unrelenting persecution. <br /> 7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; <br /> they break forth into singing. <br /> 8 The cypresses exult over you, <br /> the cedars of Lebanon, saying, <br /> “Since you were laid low, <br /> no one comes to cut us down.” <br /> 9 Sheol beneath is stirred up <br /> to meet you when you come; <br /> it rouses the shades to greet you, <br /> all who were leaders of the earth; <br /> it raises from their thrones <br /> all who were kings of the nations. <br /> 10 All of them will speak <br /> and say to you: <br /> “You too have become as weak as we! <br /> You have become like us!” <br /> 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, <br /> and the sound of your harps; <br /> maggots are the bed beneath you, <br /> and worms are your covering. <br /><br /> 12 How you are fallen from heaven, <br /> O Day Star, son of Dawn! <br /> How you are cut down to the ground, <br /> you who laid the nations low! <br /> 13 You said in your heart, <br /> “I will ascend to heaven; <br /> I will raise my throne <br /> above the stars of God; <br /> I will sit on the mount of assembly <br /> on the heights of Zaphon;<br /> 14 I will ascend to the tops of the clouds, <br /> I will make myself like the Most High.” <br /> 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, <br /> to the depths of the Pit. <br /> 16 Those who see you will stare at you, <br /> and ponder over you: <br /> “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, <br /> who shook kingdoms, <br /> 17 who made the world like a desert <br /> and overthrew its cities, <br /> who would not let his prisoners go home?” <br /> 18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory, <br /> each in his own tomb; <br /> 19 but you are cast out, away from your grave, <br /> like loathsome carrion,<br /> clothed with the dead, those pierced by the sword, <br /> who go down to the stones of the Pit, <br /> like a corpse trampled underfoot. <br /> 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, <br /> because you have destroyed your land, <br /> you have killed your people. <br /><br /> May the descendants of evildoers <br /> nevermore be named! <br /> 21 Prepare slaughter for his sons <br /> because of the guilt of their father.<br /> Let them never rise to possess the earth <br /> or cover the face of the world with cities. <br /><br />22 I will rise up against them, says the LORD of hosts, and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, offspring and posterity, says the LORD. 23 And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog, and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction, says the LORD of hosts. </i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Scary Bits</h2>
<h3>
The Welcome Committee (Isaiah 14:9-11)</h3>
<i>9 Sheol beneath is stirred up <br /> to meet you when you come; <br /> it rouses the shades to greet you, <br /> all who were leaders of the earth; <br /> it raises from their thrones <br /> all who were kings of the nations. <br /> 10 All of them will speak <br /> and say to you: <br /> “You too have become as weak as we! <br /> You have become like us!” <br /> 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, <br /> and the sound of your harps; <br /> maggots are the bed beneath you, <br /> and worms are your covering. </i><br />
<br />
The New King James inspired New Revised Standard Version gives these verses a beautiful dark poetry. This is the stuff of horror movies.<br />
<h4>
Verse 9 - Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come...</h4>
Sheol is the name for the place of the dead. It is almost as if the writer is reveling in death's hunger for the soul of the king of Babylon. If that wasn't scary enough:<br />
<br />
<i>it rouses the shades to greet you...</i><br />
<br />
The NIV is probably a little less scary - and a bit more explanation occurs in the translation:<br />
<br />
<i>The grave below is all astir to meet you at your coming; it rouses the spirits of the departed to greet you— <br />- Isaiah 14:9 (NIV)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This is the stuff of Halloween... an open grave with scary spirits waiting to greet you. The King of Babylon, just like all the rich, powerful, arrogant, evil leaders who have gone before him and will come after him will be met by 'the spirits of the departed'.<br />
<br />
Got goosebumps yet?<br />
<h4>
Verse 10 - You too have become as weak as we!</h4>
As we remember the beginning of this passage - verse 4 says: <i>'You will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon...'</i><br />
<br />
I think the reader is meant to imagine all the 'spirits of the departed' especially 'those who were leaders of the earth' in ghostly forms taunting the King of Babylon:<br />
<i>"You too have become as weak as we!"</i><br />
<br />
I imagine this taunt in a hissing, evil voice repeated again and again.<br />
<br />
<i>"You too have become as weak as we! You have become weak like us!"</i><br />
<br />
Those who taunt the king of Babylon are making the king of Babylon afraid of death. Reminding him of his mortality.<br />
<i> </i><br />
Got goosebumps yet?<br />
<h4>
<i>Verse 11 - ...maggots are the bed beneath you, and worms are your covering.</i></h4>
I don't think this verse needs much explanation. Maggots and worms swarm around decaying flesh. Isaiah's imagination allows us to feel them gently tickling. They really do give me the creeps.<i> </i>Imagine waking up to that sensation.<br />
<br />
Got goosebumps yet? <br />
<h3>
Verses 12-17 - The Folly of Pride</h3>
The King of Babylon was the leader of a great super power. Verses 12-18 describe his power... <i>"...the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms..."</i> He called himself the 'Day Star'; the King James renders this 'Lucifer' which means bringer of light and has become a common term for Satan.<br />
<br />
In his arrogance, the king of Babylon used all of his power to do evil.<br />
<h3>
Verse 18 - Cast out from the grave</h3>
This really is the stuff of a great horror movie. Isaiah is describing a truly tormented soul - the kings of the nations may rest in their tombs (Verse 17) but the king of Babylon is so evil that the grave casts him out... and he is doomed. Either to die exposed - not buried. Or - and this is a scarier interpretation - doomed to not die, but to be like:<br />
<br />
<i>'loathsome carrion, clothed with the dead... like a corpse trampled underfoot.'<br />- Verse 18</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Now remember this is a taunt... this is very angry, hurt people, bent on revenge telling the king of Babylon what might happen to him. Telling him about what awaits him in death... a great humbling.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Verse 23 - Hedgehog...</h3>
<i>And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog...<br />- Isaiah 14:23</i><br />
<br />
And finally - to taunt the king of Babylon and point out just how insignificant his life is. Isaiah tells the people to tell him that hedgehogs will inherit all his wealth. Little creatures that live under bushes and really couldn't care about all of his power and influence.<br />
<h2>
Goosebumps<i></i></h2>
The taunt of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:12-23 is meant to scare the hell out of you. It is meant to make you think about your soul, with sober fear, you are meant to turn to God. It is like learning to drive carefully by almost having an accident when you were driving foolishly.<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-26192970289209101532016-08-26T16:44:00.001+02:002016-08-26T16:44:02.930+02:00Praying thanks...John Ortberg speaks of writing a thanksgiving letter to someone you're grateful for. Write it, make an appointment to see them - and then read the letter to them.<br />
<br />
You can imagine receiving such an appointment as a little bit awkward. But it would be quite moving.<br />
<br />
Writing the thanksgiving letter and reading it would also be quite an experience.<br />
<br />
How about with God?<br />
<br />
When we say grace before a meal, when we express our thanks in songs and prayers of praise at church - do we really feel the gratitude.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-36505837500342117972016-08-16T10:05:00.003+02:002016-08-16T10:09:18.533+02:00The art of talking to your soul...<br />
I've been reading <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Keeping-Caring-Most-Important-ebook/dp/B00GRZDCAW/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=#nav-subnav" target="_blank">Soul Keeping</a> </i>by John Ortberg. Something that has struck me is the idea of talking to your soul. Especially this verse in Psalm 42.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
11 Why are
you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in
God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. <br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
- Psalm 42:11</div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
It made me think of the nature of a conversation with your soul. In conversation as if I was separate from my soul. There is some wisdom in saying talk to your soul.<br />
<br />
This is different to talking to yourself.<br />
<br />
When you talk to yourself YOU feel pressure to respond. So you say to yourself: "Cheer up!" But you don't - and then you feel guilty for not listening to yourself.<br />
<br />
When you talk to your soul you accept your sadness - and you say to your soul; as if it was separate from you - "Cheer up!" And there is no pressure for you to respond. You are talking to something deep inside you. And you are allowed to speak to yourself quite freely and honestly without feeling guilty about not cheering up - not listening to yourself.<br />
<br />
And so the Psalmist talks to his soul: "Why are you cast down? Why are you disquieted?" And the Psalmist advises his soul: "Hope in God" Witnessing and encouraging: "I shall again praise him, my help and my God."<br />
<br />
Try it.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-50152139665165644662016-07-19T10:40:00.003+02:002016-07-20T10:01:30.857+02:00Inner ChildI often dismiss the Spiritual Advisors advice to me to nurture my 'inner child'.<br />
<br />
I remember my father talking to me in the car one day when I must have been about 10 years old. He said "Pog," (that was my family's nick name for me) "you've lost your laugh." I remember the laugh that I had lost - it was a belly laugh; my daughter has it... it rumbles up from deep within her and bursts out of her mouth when something is funny.<br />
<br />
This morning Facebook reminded me of a memory of my son, 5 years ago when he was 2 years old eating a chocolate cupcake with a smile as wide as the moon. And chocolate everywhere.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJuuhhYqoiHUyh9GcJiIska-p1qRuoH-jeAOUtpCkm_pJ-_h_uAPy0qtVaBUv34T_VlFkbRQ6BScawnuuL91VDDXoqWR7-YLDoG0oUKjt5HoNPjTK8OxeX3qHsln0ZxHqkKMukHnP2wI/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJuuhhYqoiHUyh9GcJiIska-p1qRuoH-jeAOUtpCkm_pJ-_h_uAPy0qtVaBUv34T_VlFkbRQ6BScawnuuL91VDDXoqWR7-YLDoG0oUKjt5HoNPjTK8OxeX3qHsln0ZxHqkKMukHnP2wI/s320/cupcake.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Last night after story time I asked my children: "How can I pray for you?" My son asked that I pray that he passes his tests at school.<br />
<br />
As I look at the nearly 2 year old and the 7 year old that he has become I am sad to see that his 'inner child' is slowly being buried beneath the cares of this world. I know that my 'inner child' is also firmly buried under the pressure of day to day life. And I'm sad to confess that I might be a part of the team of circumstances that are slowly pressing his 'inner child' into submission.<br />
<br />
But God created me in his image. That inner child - in its purest form is God's image in me.<br />
<br />
So I'm learning to rediscover that 'inner child'.<br />
<br />
I'm learning to play more games and not take life as seriously as I seem to be taking it at the moment. On the weekend we bought Nerf Guns and shot each other; I need more of that.<br />
<br />
I need to watch less news and listen to less talk radio and learn to dance and sing more.<br />
<br />
Jesus reminds us:<br />
<br />
<i>"...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."<br /> - Matthew 18:3</i><br />
<br />
So - pray for us, pray for our humanity, pray for me pray for the safety and security that every child of God needs.<br />
<br />
And play more.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-19828713116108873502016-07-13T09:38:00.001+02:002016-07-13T12:09:29.311+02:00Samaritan #livesmatterThis past Sunday the gospel text was The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) we also read from Paul's letter to the Colossians 1:1-14.<br />
<br />
The Parable of the Good Samaritan essentially answers two questions: "What does love look like?" And "Who is my neighbour?"<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
What does love look like?</h3>
Love doesn't look like a Priest who walks past a half dead body on the side of the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. The priest is a symbol of somebody allegedly caught up in loving God. The Levite, who also walks past the half dead body is allegedly somebody who rigorously enforces and keeps God's laws. But neither reflect God's law or God's love.<br />
<br />
The Samaritan turns out to be the only one who reflects God's love to the beaten and broken man lying on the side of the road.<br />
<br />
Modelling this kind of love is the condition says Jesus, for <i><b>inheriting eternal life</b></i>.<br />
<br />
For being an heir, a child of God.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Who is my neighbour?</h3>
Who is my neighbour / who are the children of God that I should love? The answer that Jesus gives to the lawyer is the example of a Samaritan. The answer for you and I is - whoever you are most prejudiced against. Samaritan lives matter. They are just as much God's children as you or I.<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Disillusioned</h3>
I became disilusioned. South Africa and the rest of the world are engaged in horribly hateful racist rhetoric. I wish I could dismiss this as fanfare but we see it and experience it on a daily basis. I start to think that there is no hope for the world because even Christians seem to forget Jesus' call to us to get over our prejudice and love our various Samaritans the way God loves them.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Rekindled</h3>
In Colossians Paul writes to a church of people whose '<i>love for all the saints</i>' (Colossians 1:3) is making them famous. This is not love for saints in heaven; or for fellow Christians. This is love for all the children of God who are holy to God because they are created in God's image. <br />
<br />
Samaritans, gentiles, <i>red and yellow black and white they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the children of the world.</i> Paul celebrates this community that is learning to love because they have heard the gospel news about Jesus and have 'understood God's grace in all its truth.' (Colossians 1:6).<br />
<br />
The good news of God's love for you helps you to realise God's love for you and your Samaritan neighbour... And everyone else.<br />
<br />
<h3>
All over the world </h3>
Paul also says that '<i>all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.</i>' (Colossians 1:6). I can easily be overwhelmed by the bad news of hatred and bigotry. But in faith I believe what Paul is saying - and I need to take up my place in this growing fruit bearing tree. Learning to love my personal Samaritans like the Samaritan loved; like God loves. <br />
<br />
And also - learning to see the glimpses, the moments of Kingdom Brightness that shine through - Paul says the gospel is bearing fruit and growing.<br />
<br />
I see this in churches and community organisations that are talking about bigotry and prejudice. In Christians who are confessing and doing something to make a difference. In acts of solidarity rather than division. Because of the parable of the Good Samaritan I must also see this among people who are different to me... different denominations, even different religions.<br />
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Lets bear that fruit.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-36983317103967991902016-05-04T10:41:00.003+02:002016-05-04T13:35:38.695+02:00Words that spew...I was camping in Taizé, spending my days worshipping and praying. My nights sleeping in a tent. All my worldly possessions contained in a back pack. Every night I would wash the shirt I wore for the day and let it dry and wear the next one.<br />
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Taizé is a community of thousands of young people. Some come in groups, some come as individuals, some are older, some are younger.<br />
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I washed my precious T-Shirt and had my only other one on when a wild group of Italian teenagers threw water at me - I was in the line of fire during their game. Before I could catch hold of my words they burst out: "You stupid wops!"<br />
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Wop was a word I had heard from my grandfather. And all I knew about it was it was a derogatory term used during the war and I shouldn't use it to talk about people. In that moment of anger, frustration, primal rage - my mind looked for the meanest thing to say and threw it out of my mouth.<br />
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They were too busy playing their game to notice what I had said in a language they didn't understand. But it shocked me that I could say such a thing - having spent so much time praying, worshiping, studying the Bible - and doing all those holy things we love to do.<br />
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Jesus warns us:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’"<br />- Matthew 15:18</i></blockquote>
He then describes these things as 'coming out of the heart'.<br />
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These surprise utterances that we write, that we say, that we do - in our moments of anger. The mean things that we call those closest to us, or those driving past in a car who can't hear us reveal something about us.<br />
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Its like dishing up out of a pot that you know has been burnt at the bottom. You don't want to scrape up the burnt food so you dip gently. But in a moment of anger you scratch the bottom and bring out the worst and throw it out on the plate for everyone to see.<br />
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There is something ugly going on in our hearts. Deep down in the darkest places - an inner ugliness that comes up when we're at our worst.<br />
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I don't think anyone is immune to this ugliness.<br />
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What should we do when people put that ugliness out on facebook / twitter / radio / tv / public / election rallying...<br />
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Should we all point and laugh like we were innocent.<br />
Shall we condemn them to prison.<br />
Shall we use their failure to benefit our selves? <br />
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Grace has a way of taking the burnt bitterness at the bottom of the pot and cleansing it.<br />
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I kept thinking during the whole Penny Sparrow debacle that Madiba probably would have flown to her house and had a long chat with her to help her understand the foolishness of her thinking and her words. It would have been a hand of grace and an opportunity for heart searching, cleansing and reconciling.<br />
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And how many times do we have to do things the Madiba way? How many times must the reconciliation way trump our desire to point out the sins of others? I think Jesus has some ideas.<br />
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Instead of responding with vitriol and attempts at shaming and bullying perhaps there needs to be a grace filled response. A wise mother or father who would call one aside and say yes, but no. Or maybe we all just need to recognize the stupid things that young people do and say and know that we are not immune.<br />
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The more we look at each other. The more we live in the public spheres of twitter and facebook. The more chances we will have of seeing each others worst ugliness.<br />
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The more we need to offer - and graciously receive a hand of grace.<br />
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The alternative will be too costly to contemplate.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-7348190647484379222016-02-24T16:41:00.003+02:002016-02-24T16:41:56.262+02:00Church - What do I get?We were talking about tithing - about giving money to the church. Quite a lot of money in fact. I have a few opinions about this. I think the church's teaching on tithing is quite manipulative at times. I think Jesus wants you more than your money. But I do think that church members should contribute proportionally to the life and ministry of the church.<br />
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I find it amazing how the poorest of the poor struggle to put coins together to give their portion. And interesting to see how the wealthiest find ways and means to justify giving without much commitment - and when they give - to give with strings attached.<br />
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But now I'm being judgmental.<br />
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Like I said - we were talking about tithing - and the question was asked: "What do I get?"<br />
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I have to bite my tongue to keep myself from saying: "You get to come and die."<br />
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But it made me think about the temptation to answer the question: "What do I get?" I would love to promise you an air conditioned sanctuary; padded seats - and professional musicians to give you what you want. But that is not what is on offer.<br />
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What is on offer - is the opportunity to die to yourself and become part of something bigger.<br />
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When a friend of mine was talking about the decision not to have children I was struck by how much I thought I should encourage him to have children. As we discussed the options I found myself saying that having kids has taught me to live outside of myself. (I don't know if I convinced my friend to have children - but he now has two.) But one thing I want people to know is that tithing is the opportunity to give. And not to get.<br />
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What you do get (I hope) is a robust community dedicated to discipleship. Resourced to minister the truth of the gospel to both the wealthy and the poor. Resourced to co-ordinate the care of orphans; training of ministers and teachers, the building of hospitals. Resourced to communicate the good news of the Kingdom of God and all that that entails.<br />
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All of these things that you get are not for you. They are for God.revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3725573033722104026.post-57772884416610814052016-02-15T14:29:00.000+02:002016-02-15T14:29:14.188+02:00Super Confident Christians - Do not be afraid of them...<i>You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the LORD has not spoken?” If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it. <br />- Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NRSV)</i><br />
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Just before this verse Deuteronomy warns that false prophets; or prophets who 'presume to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded' (Deuteronomy 18:20) 'shall die.'<br />
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Whenever we speak of God I think we should whisper / cover our mouths in humility; it is a dangerous thing to stand up and say: "Thus says the Lord..."<br />
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If I feel 'led' this way or that; if I pray and agonize all night about the message I should preach on Sunday because I know not everyone will like it; and feel 1000% convinced that this is of God. When the the conviction / the fire in my bones (Jer 20:9) is so strong it bursts in me; I still never stand up and say: <i>"God has laid it on my heart to tell you this...</i>"<br />
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I won't tell you how much I've prayed, I won't tell you how I have sweated over what it is I have to say. I believe that if what I have to say is from God; then it will be the job of the Holy Spirit to say yes in you. And I want you to know that sometimes I don't pray or prepare as much as I should - just in case you start to think that everything I say comes from the same place of conviction.<br />
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In fact - whenever someone starts with: <i>"The Lord told me..."</i> or "<i>God has laid it on my heart to tell you..." </i> I shut down. I worry about the person speaking; are you going to implicate yourself in blasphemy? Rather - humbly say: Do you think God is telling us to do... Does that resonate with you and the Holy Spirit? <br />
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Even the council of apostles in Acts when confronted with a difficult and delicate Theological and church polity problem - after debate and discernment on the highest level simply responded with the words: <i>"It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." </i>Such a humble way for such authoritative people to speak. A way that offers you the chance to say in your heart - does this seem good to the Holy Spirit and to me. Resonance.<br />
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Jesus warns us: "<i>For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great sings and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand..." </i><br />
<i>- Matthew 24:24</i><br />
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Too often we think that this is all about people who come along and pretend to be Jesus; we'd see through that one straight away (although some people fall for the trick). False prophets are subtle; everything they say sounds Biblical; sounds orthodox - they encourage you not to think too much about what they are saying, if you correct them they tell you that you are judgmental or you lack faith.<i> </i><br />
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They never stand up and say Jesus is a monkey from Mars and you need to drink this cool-aid. They start by saying: The reason you don't have healing is that you haven't yet caught the tail of Jesus. Your church hasn't told you about the tail because they are afraid of its power... (They actually tell more believable and credible sounding stories but I liked the monkey example.)<br />
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The worry about the false prophets is that they target the kindest, sweetest, most innocent and lovely people. They promise a gospel that solves all the problems of the world with miracle cures and the kindest people wish that there hopeful stories were true. But the gospel is not the answer to our wishful dreams - the gospel calls us to the tough task of faithful, life sacrificing discipleship.<br />
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The worst example is the miracle healing crusaders that take up lots of cash to fly around in aeroplanes and some even charge money for you to go to miracle school. Normal - less spectacular 'honest to God' Christianity arrives in impoverished places; establishes schools, send graduates to varsity, establish hospitals and teaching hospitals... and miracles happen.<br />
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So - don't be afraid of those who speak to confidently about all the stuff they think God told them - and all the stuff they think God is doing; but they can't prove it.<br />
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Ask the questions.<br />
Dissect the answers.<br />
And if the answers are simply deflections or a call to 'just have faith'. Remind them that faith in Jesus is faith in a physically real - incarnational God. And not a case for 'just have faith'.<br />
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<br />revguskellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12929847564094987051noreply@blogger.com