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Why We Gather on Sundays
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| Written by David Hudson |
| In the Book of Matthew 18:20, Jesus teaches us the importance of meeting TOGETHER! "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." We can eat alone, and pray alone, but we must come together in order to be and experience the body of Christ. Our coming together is more than functional or efficient; it is NECESSARY! It is how we find out who we are in relation to Jesus. Not only did Jesus talk about the benefits of gathering in assemblies; it was his daily practice. If fact, it was such a noteworthy event when he went off by himself to pray, the Gospels make specific mention of these special occasions. At times the disciples often missed Jesus' presence. Do we? Do we recognize Jesus in our midst? Or do we fail to recognize our Lord in our songs, the sermon, the Eucharist, and in the face's of our fellow congregants? Yet, through his promise and our faith he is with us anyway, recognized or not. So we come together, forming our community, and trusting Jesus to be present in these gatherings. "Jesus teaches that we are not suffieient in and of ourselves. We need one another to complete our basic identity as members of the body of Christ. There are many things we can do alone, but becoming Christ's body is not one of them." Peace, Dave Hudson (adapted from The Sunday Assembly, Augsburg Press) 12-10-2008
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The Lord’s Prayer—Bell Ringing
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| Written by David Hudson |
| During our liturgies, while the congregation prays together the Lord's Prayer, you may have noticed that a bell in the tower is being rung (or rung via the pipe organ). Although a 20th century interpretation of this practice suggests that (1) the rings recall the Holy Trinity or (2) the three rings represent God, Jesus, and the coming of God's Kingdom as evidenced by the words which invoke the striking of the bell. However, this old practice is not for the sake of the congregation at worship inside the building. In most churches that ring the Lord's Prayer Bell, it is the smallest of the bells which is rung, and easily identified. The intention is that those who are unable to attend, and within earshot, will be able to hear the bell being rung and participate with the congregation in praying the Lord's Prayer. Usually bells have names, and this one is always called the "Pater," after the Latin name of the prayer, Pater Noster, or Our Father. In Germany this bell was often called the "Kartoffelglock" (Potato Bell). In many places it was the custom for the servants to attend worship early in the morning, a shorter service, and then to return home to prepare the meal for the family whom they served. The family would attend the later and longer service; so when the servants in charge of the meal heard the Pater (Lord's Prayer Bell) being rung they could both pray with the congregation where the master was worshiping, and know that it was time to put the potatoes on to cook because the family would soon be home for the noon meal, hence, the “potato bell.” (adapted from Zion Lutheran Church, Indiana, PA. website) 12-04-2008
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Forgiveness
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| Written by David Hudson |
| In keeping with PM's blog offerings of prayer from the assisting ministers, I offer my personal forgiveness prayer from Saturday's sermon. It comes as a response to the command of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-9.
"Heavenly Father, Thank you for forgiving me, a sinner.
I will (want, desire, need) to forgive _______ for the harm (name it) caused to me.
I will (want, desire, need) to not hold on to the resentment I feel, and ask that you change my feelings.
My heart is receptive so I will receive those new feelings you give me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
Peace, Dave Hudson
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