The Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus

These are three pieces of service music with which we have all become familiar; we use them every Sunday in our worship :

·   The words of the Gloria in Excelsis (Glory in the Highest) came into normal use in the church in the 11^th century, but the words and form of this glorious song of praise have their roots in Jewish Temple worship during and before the time of Christ. 

 

·   The Sanctus is adapted from Isaiah 6:1-3,  “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted...and above him were seraphs...calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his Glory.” It had been part of Jewish morning worship and became a normal part of the Christian Eucharistic liturgy in about the 4^th century. 

 

·   It has also become the custom of the Church to attach to the end of the Sanctus what is known as the Benedictus (Blessed is He) from John 12:13.

A word about the General Confession and where it is located in the liturgy

Those who worship with us at Holy Trinity, North Augusta have probably noticed that our Sunday liturgies place the General Confession in one of two places.  There is significance to each location:

A.      The Confession placed at the very beginning of the service: (Book of Common Prayer 1979 refers to this as the “Penitential Rite”)   Each Sunday in procession we ceremonially move into God’s presence and are called to worship with Opening Acclamations.  This is followed with the Collect for Purity, acknowledging to God “all hearts are open” and from Him “no secrets are hid.”   We ask God to “cleanse our hearts” so that we can indeed approach Him in true worship.    Part of our cleansing is to confess those things “done and left undone” in our lives over the week; therefore, the General Confession becomes very appropriate at this point.  The Priest pronounces that God does indeed forgive us and considers us cleansed.  We move on joyfully and unencumbered into worship with the singing of the Gloria or another Song of Praise.

B.     The Confession placed after the Readings, Sermon and Prayers of the People:  At this point in the liturgy we have heard God speaking to us in the readings, sermon and prayers.  These things often prepare us for true confession and convict us of those things “done and left undone.”  The General Confession, therefore, also serves us very well at this point in the liturgy.  Furthermore, this immediately precedes our expression of reconciliation with our neighbor in the Passing of the Peace and our expression of union with God in Holy Communion, both for which confession is a key component.

A Vision for Vestry Leadership at Holy Trinity?

At our last vestry meeting, this vision was offered for the ministry of the vestry at Holy Trinity:

·         Not just business managers and parish administrators, but spiritual leaders.

·         Focused on letting God shape our church… calling on God … waiting on the Lord.

·         Focused not just on programs and buildings, but on people and growing their relationship, knowledge, obedience and service to the Lord.

o   Calling people to a balanced (Benedictine) spirituality of being, knowing and doing the things of the Kingdom… a balanced and holistic spirituality involving all of life.

o   Promoting God’s purpose for the church (which in the example given by Christ in the Gospels are two things…proclamation and healing [healing being both redemption from the brokenness of this world and transformation into wholeness and holiness]).

·         Fostering an environment in this church family where transformation, health and wholeness can happen.

·         Projecting a parish vision that we are people with a mission and purpose…          

o   That our mission is God’s mission locally and globally and that we exist for that purpose.

o   That we are to be a congregation focused outwardly in both proclamation and service.

o   That our invitation is to “Come and See.”

·         Building on the strengths of this congregation.

·         Delegating ministries and tasks… involving people, raising up new and anointed leaders.

·         Leading by word and example toward sacrificial giving of time, talent and resources for the growing of the Kingdom of God in this place.

Kanuga Renewal Conference: Bishop Mike Hill

This past week a group from Holy Triniity attended  the Renewal Conference at Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC.  We learned much from the keynoter, the Rt. Rev. Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol, England. The worship and music were also a wonderful part of this conference.  Here are some nuggets from Bishop Hill’s teachings:

TRANSFORMATION

The Christian life is predicated on transformation.  Christian growth and transformation involves movement in both wholeness [physical, emotional and spiritual healing] and holiness [sanctification and growth into Christ-likeness)].  Growth is the normal condition for all followers of Christ.

But not all transformation and change is good.  In that light, three questions…

What do you desire to become?

What does God desire that you become?

What are you actually becoming?

A problem is that many of us get stuck in this process of Christian transformation.  Life can become hopelessly full of brokenness, dysfunction, sinfulness or inappropriate behavior.  We can get caught up in such things as un-forgiveness, self-absorption, selfishness, just to name three big ones.

AN OBSTACLE TO TRANSFORMATION- NOT KNOWING TRUTH

(Not knowing what God desires that we become)

To make progress in the spiritual life requires that we know what is right and good from God’s perspective.  God’s Grace is at the center of the Christian Life, but so is Truth.  Without Truth we baptize (declare holy) anything in the name of God’s grace and call it God’s good and perfect will for what He wants us to be or do.

AN OBSTACLE TO TRANFORMATION- UN-FORGIVENESS

We can find ourselves caught up in what seems like permanent un-forgiveness.  For anyone who is stuck in the past and in un-forgiveness, you know how this can impede spiritual growth.  If we allow it, we can be the permanent victim of trauma, wounded memories, abuse, and broken relationships.  What sanctification (growth) offers is the possibility of becoming victors rather than victims.  Nelson Mandela said, "Un-forgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping that the other person gets sick."  We settle for life as it is rather than life in abundance as God offers it. 

AN OBSTACLE TO TRANSFORMATION- COMPLACENCY

The world’s agenda makes it easy for the devil to dictate what is important to us.  Growth may not even be on your agenda.  Without intentionality toward “sanctification” spiritual health and wholeness does not happen, nor does the abundant life God promises.  None of us set out to be spiritually mediocre or luke-warm followers of Christ.  We need to have as a goal allowing God to recalibrate our lives such that what is important to God is important to us: corporate worship, study of Scripture, service, being in Christian fellowship and service.

There are more nuggets yet to be mined from our time with Bishop Hill.   Stayed tuned.

"Unattached" Christians

The Barna Research Group, a Christian polling organization, identifies a small segment of the Christian population they call the “unattached.”  The unattached consider themselves to be Christian but without any personal interaction with a regularly-convened, mutually supportive faith community.   According to Barna, many of the unattached revel in their independence from church families and ecclesial structures.  
 
I am sure the reasons for being among the unattached varies, but probably a popular sentiment among them is, “Church wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for all those other Christians.”  Some of you reading this right now may hold this sentiment.
 
Let us look at this, however, from God’s perspective.  Consider why God created us in the first place.  In short, is to be in a loving relationship with Him and, by extension, in a loving relationship with each other.   We were created out of love to be the objects of God’s love.  Additionally we were created “in His image” and therefore called to love with that same unbounded, sacrificial, unconditional, divine love with which God first loved us (1 John4:19).  From this it would seem that stepping away from intentional fellowship of God’s people is not a very Godly option.  God did not create us to be Lone Ranger Christians.
 

To better understand this, look at where all of Scripture and Salvation History is pointing; that is, the destination or telos of redeemed humanity, to use the biblical Greek word for it.  Our destiny as God’s people is to be gathered into the full presence of,not only God, but each other... into what we call the Communion of Saints.   The Church here on Earth (what the Church Fathers called the Church Militant) is the embryo of the Communion of Saints in Heaven (the Church Triumphant).  In Christian community God is teaching us to love others as he first loved us.  In a way, to shun community now is to miss the dress rehearsal for that great gathering with the Communion of Saints

In what sense is America a Christan Nation?

Source unknown… my apologies

          In what sense can America not be called a Christian nation?

·         Not in the sense that Christianity is the established religion or that the people are in any manner compelled to support it.  On the contrary, the Constitution specifically provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

·         Neither are we a Christian nation in the sense that all its citizens are Christians.

On the contrary, all religions have free scope within our borders.

         ·       Nor are we a Christian nation in the sense that a profession of Christianity is a condition for holding office. In fact, the government as a legal organization is independent of all religions.

but, America is a Christian nation in the sense that Christian principles are enshrined in the founding documents of the nation.   

Do we have a Godless Constitution?

The founding documents (Constitution, Bill of Rights and other Amendments) heavily quote other documents as sources of our founding principles and ideals.  34% of these quotes are Scripture. 
 

What are some of the ideals of our nation as expressed in its Founding Documents?

·         Humble recognition of God’s blessings and providence.
·         Constitutional limits to Government.
·         Government under the consent of the governed.
·         Separation of powers.
·         Established rights of the governed that government constitutionally cannot breach.
·         A Republican form of government.
 

What is Historical Revisionism?

It is the attempt to alter the way people view their own history and traditions for the purpose of persuading them to accept a change in public policy or in societal values and norms.

 What is Pluralism?

Healthy pluralism is tolerating the expression of any and all religious beliefs in either the private or public arena.  This is a founding principle of our nation and is reflected in the founding documents of this country.  Dysfunctional pluralism is the prevention of such expression in the public square.  Today, because of a revisionist interpretation of the 1^st amendment, the only beliefs allowed to be expressed in the public arena are cultural are secular beliefs.  The secularization of American society is in a very real sense making secular beliefs the established religion.

What is Progressivism?

One facet of modern the Progressive Movement is that it is intimately tied to modern liberalism and the politics of the welfare state and the re-distribution of wealth.  Progressivism holds that this transformation of society can only be achieved by a centralized government that has sufficient power to remake society and our economic system.  This necessitates revisionism and/or the remaking of the founding principles of the nation (such as limited government, self-determination, and free markets, and the economic rights and the initiative of the individual).

In what ways should churches be involved in politics?

Churches may not:

1. Endorse or oppose a particular candidate.

2. Contribute to or raise money for a candidate.

Churches may:

1.    Speak up for the Christian principles on which this country was founded.

2.    Register their members as voters.

3.    Pass out Voter’s Guides.

4.    Invite all the candidates to speak.

5.    Speak directly about specific issues and legislation (abortion, marriage, etc.)

We're Having a 'Faith Alive' Weekend!

Where?

The Church of the Holy Trinity

Sweetwater Center, 160 Merovan Drive

North Augusta, South Carolina 29860

When?

May 11-12

Friday evening, beginning with supper at 6:00 pm

Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Saturday evening, beginning with supper at 6:00 pm

What?

It is a weekend in which approximately 16 visitors (including children and teenagers) will be coming into our parish to spend this time with us.  They are fellow Anglicans who are offering to tell us something of their faith journey and encourage us in ours.

There will be a strong emphasis on youth and teens, and we are all encouraged to invite quests, young and old, to come be a part of this weekend.

Why?

Faith Alive is an opportunity for us to grow together, find answers to Faith questions together, renew our Faith commitment to God together, and support each other in our mutual Faith journeys.  One of our parishioners here at Holy Trinity wrote this to me about Faith Alive:

As a new returnee to church after a period of more than 20, I was offered the opportunity to attend a Faith Alive weekend.  To be honest, it was the best weekend spent in a long, long time.  I recommend it no matter where you are in your Faith or  relationship with God.  It will change not only the way you understand your Faith, but also show you that Christians know how to have fun, laugh, learn, grow and become strong in their faith together.

How?

Sign up by calling or emailing Paula Wahl at 803-341-0512 or pawahl@mac.com, or by putting your name on the sign-up sheet on the table in the parish hall.  This weekend promises to be a significant milestone in teh life of this yet very young church family.  Guests are very welcome. This will be a good time to see, hear and experience what the Lord is doing among the folks of Holy Trinity.