Being a Community of Grace

Grace is the unearned favor of God showered upon us and our lives.  Grace is God dealing with us not on our worthiness or merit, but on our needs, simply because we are the objects of His unconditional   love.  In God’s Church, this is the foundation  upon which the “Kingdom of God” is being built among us and within us.  Holy Trinity, as an outpost of the Kingdom of God, is therefore called to become a “Community of Grace,” dispensing the same God-like grace, compassion, care and unconditional love.

We who are tainted by sin and the ways of this world live according to our fallen human nature rather than as dispensers of God’s grace.  We find that for fallen humanity being a grace-filled community does not come naturally.  It does, however, come supernaturally, thanks be to God!  The gift of being dispensers of God’s grace comes through the inner working of the Spirit of God in us individually and in our community.  It is God who makes us a Community of Grace.  We are the recipient of God’s grace and therefore called to be an instrument through which that grace is extended to others. 

What does being a Community of Grace look like?

·      It is a place of unconditional love where people can be invited in just as they are…

·      A place where sinners can find forgiveness, sanctification and transformation.

·      A place that is a sanctuary for the broken-hearted, the traumatized and the spiritually wounded.

·      A workplace of the Holy Spirit and a crucible for growth and healing.

·      A community from which God’s Truth about life is taught, modeled and shared with the world. 

·      A people learning to be loving and gracious because we were first showered with God’s love and grace.

Fr. Rob+

Prophecies

What are prophecies?  Why has the Lord given them to us?  What are we to do with them?  How do we “test the words of the prophets,” as St. Paul writes?

Here is what the Bible has to say about the spiritual gift of prophecy?

1.   "Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy ... so that the church may be edified" (1 Corinthians 14:1, 5).

2.   The prophetic message is "a word appropriately spoken" (Proverbs 25:11) that originates from God.

3.   Prophecies are "good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29).

4.   “… don’t stifle those who have a word from the [Lord, but also] don’t be gullible. Check out everything” (Message, 1 Thess 5:19-21)

(As part of good church order, it is the role of those ordained to church leadership to affirm that a prophecy is indeed a word from the Lord.)

The Bible is clear about the purpose of prophecy:  "He who prophesies speaks to men for their building-up, encouragement and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3).  It can be God’s words of comfort, assurance, exhortation, admonition or correction for the purpose of revealing God’s presence and inspiring transformation among His people.  A prophecy is a word from God for the particular moment, given through a specific individual, to a specific person or group.

With all this in mind, I invite you to meditate on the prophecies below that God has given us.  What do you hear the Lord saying to you and to this church family

 

Spoken by The Rev. Nancy Kenney, Sunday Eucharist, August 25

I came to give you life.  I came to give you life in abundance.  Come to Me so you can live the life I came to give you.  Let go of the things of the world that hold you, so you can put your hand in mine and I can shower you with blessings.  I came to give you life, life in abundance.

Spoken by Nancy Hartley at Sunday Eucharist, September 1

My Children, do not fear the place of change and transition, what it might mean and the darkness of the unknown.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be anxious.  I am your God.  I am faithful to you. Press into Me. Rest in Me.  You are upheld by my hand. I walk with you.  I will do good for you.  Trust Me

 Father Rob

Blessing of the Animals

St. Francis Day Celebration

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 5, 10:30 am

All the Community is invited

Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity

160 Merovan Drive NA 29860

More info:  803-341-0075 or www.anglicanchurchoftheholytrinity.com

All creatures great and small are welcome. We will bless of our beloved pets with certificates commemorating the event for each of the animals.  There will also be music, cookies for the kids, dog biscuits for the dogs and cat treats for the kitties.  Just remember that dogs need to remain on their leashes, cats in their cages and fish in their bowls. Come join us for this fun occasion.  Be sure to invite the dog next door who you are convinced could use a blessing.