There are times when this letter simply needs to catch up on some news. This week’s news takes the form of some of my visits and experiences; observations that might be useful in whatever context we find ourselves in.
Our title is taken from that expression “a month of Sundays”, a phrase meant to suggest a very long time. An average month contains four Sundays. The particular Sunday of November 27th found me attending four services in one day (Kerry happened to be away on an Advent retreat with an old friend). It emerged as a richness of experience. This newsletter will talk briefly about those experiences.
Each service had its contribution to my life in Christ, each was used to touch me in particular ways. I mention them because I have often found that intentionally visiting other churches accomplishes several things;
- It shows me that God speaks in other traditions apart from my own.
- It lets me hear with “new ears” the word of God in free church, liturgical and presbyterian context…
- It gives me ideas for personal spiritual formation and for sharing with others.
- I am taught that Christian “orthodoxy” has many faces. Especially important is the way traditions that use the lectionary engage scripture more comprehensively and thoroughly than many of our Baptist churches do. (There are sometimes problems with interpretation but at least the scripture is read).
- Lastly, visiting other churches helps me to be thankful for my own church and its tradition.
I began my first Advent Sunday at St. John’s (Shaugnessy) Anglican Church, the largest evangelical Anglican community in the country. It was a 7:30am communion presided over by a very exuberant intern and Dr. J.I. Packer. The interim was at great pains to say that while Advent did represent the beginning of Christmas and the coming of Jesus we should in fact have on eye firmly on his return as well. It was quite correct theologically but I wondered whether we could have Christmas first. It was a service attended by about 3 dozen (don’t worry, they average well over a thousand in the rest of their services). What particularly moved me was the wide use and range of scripture, the timelessness of words and especially the “general confession” and “collect” that I have often heard from this tradition. I make these prayers available here and add the general prayer for the church, one of the best “set” prayers I know outside of scripture.
Prayer for the First Sunday Advent
The Collect
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkenss, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in the great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever. Amen.
Prayer for Forgiveness
The Communion
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against they Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of they Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect for Communion
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Church
Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where any thing is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, furnish it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make it whole again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The second service (it is now 9:30) I attended was 10th Avenue Alliance in Vancouver. This church has become one of the key places for both young people and Regent College students under the creative leadership of Ken Shigematsu. I was encouraged to hear both the Advent season explained and the active prayer support for people after the service. A young man I know from a previous church had just experienced the death of his father and was reluctant to go forward for prayer; I connected him with volunteers and saw how he was met and welcomed by them. Two other things. Ken was preaching on the book of Ruth and used the image of a Tapestry. Ken used a series of paintings (rendered on power point) by a local artist Barbara Februar to capture the evolution of a life; once sparse and distressed moving to a more textured and rich place in God. It was a wonderful exercise. Speaking of art…the adults (after the children had left for Sunday School) were given paper and pencil to draw the most memorable Christmas image. A lump of coal goes to the congregant who drew a dollar sign (I kid you not) and full marks to Daryl Johnston (a Regent College faculty member) who drew a sketch of his grandmother’s house. 10th Avenue Alliance is active and alive in the heart of the city. It is a renewing and encouraging place.
Eleven in the morning found me at West Point Grey Baptist (actually 11:10), a place where I have many good memories and friends. I found such a remarkable balance; the marking of Advent, a complete and eclectic range of music, a clear structure yet an overriding informality. West Point Grey used a fold art format for their calendar; a simple order of service backed by a full month of events which, when folded out looked like a cross between a poster and a placemat from The Spaghetti Factory. Point Grey has a wide range of ages, a sense of community (over a hundred registered for Advent dinner) and at least two very gifted preachers, David Morrison and Mark McConnell. The West Point Grey Fellowship meets simultaneously with the Point Grey congregation and is led by Rev. LynnLi. I will get back to the preaching at West Point in next week’s newsletter as David was personally very helpful in the teaching. I left the church that morning encouraged by God and welcomed in his name.
The first Sunday in the Christmas season is marked by many of the Vancouver churches by a carol and choir festival. This year was no exception. Two things were particularly exceptional; we had our service at the same time Vancouver was hosting the Grey Cup and, while the attendance was down a little the praise, and singing, leading and reading by Joy Fellowship members and teaching by Jonathan Michaels made for wonderful energy. It is hard to free time in the season (the second Sunday in Advent might be a better, less competitive time) but for those of us who care it is a glorious beginning to a busy season.
There is my month of Sundays; all in one day, regardless of the culture or context, all in the name of one Lord Jesus Christ. Even now, Lord Jesus, come into our experience of this season.
Warmly,
In Christ,
Jeremy Bell
P.S.
My father, Roy Bell, turned 80 on December 5th. My parents (Roy and Elizabeth) have been in pastorates, in England, Moncton, First Vancouver and Calgary as well as the Principal and faculty of Carey Hall. While there are many other things to say as a family member, Mark Buchanan put it best when he said many of us have benefited from Roy’s mentorship and ministry. Thanks be to God.