We live in a very cynical era where institutions are constantly being undermined and overthrown. This is leading to a great deal of instability and vice (in the name of “freedom”). Christians need to take this chapter to heart and ask themselves how they are interacting with society. We are not called to separate and throw rocks from the outside. We are also not called to have no opinion. It is difficult, but we must model honor so we can call to account when necessary with our hope set on the eternal.
I would also encourage you to read the GSFA statement as well. I began my ministry in the midst of this turmoil and it won’t be going away anytime soon. Be assured by Church history. There are many attacks on the Church and there are lions of the Faith and quislings in every generation. But God is true to His promise that she will endure. If you have questions about Anglican polity or how godly authority works or this news I will be hosting Collects, Coffee, and Conversation this Sunday at 10:00AM.
This past Sunday can only be described as a momentous occasion. I and always greatly humbled when I get to act on behalf of Church and Apostles to bring someone into the Faith but this baptism was extra special because I got to see Taylor brought into the Household of God by his best friends who have been working with him, teaching him the Catechism. One of these friends was just recently baptized himself!
As those who have been set apart we are “Elect Exiles” scattered throughout the world but united in Jesus Christ. This week we have been focusing on three questions:
In what areas of your life would thinking of yourselves as “elect exiles” change the way you think, feel, or act?
How is it possible - and right - for Christians to rejoice in trial (I Peter 1:6-9)
What stops us from greatly rejoicing during “various trials”
I have been thinking on these questions this week and I hope you have too. They are challenging because they confront us in our comfort.
All Souls’ Day and Christian Funerals are tender times when the living are reminded of God’s love and provision. This is meant to prepare the soul and comfort the heart of the living, the dying, and those surviving. The prayer book anthems and our hymns do the same. They do not avoid death. It is a force to be reckoned with! They focus on Jesus and the Christian resting securely in Jesus.
It can be difficult to leave work at work. Whether our jobs require us to take work home or work just “lives” in our head, part of being a good spouse, friend and disciple is to set boundaries. I have found this prayer from the St. Augustine prayerbook helpful. Perhaps it will help you.
Let us Pray,
Let me set aside the day’s work, with its disappointments or accomplishments, tasks accomplished and those that remain to be done; let me leave all this aside, so that none of it will distract me from those I love and who love me. You have given me work to do for the greater good, and you have given those closest to me to love that we might find joy in each other. Give me wisdom to respond to your call in both and to receive them both as gifts from your hand. Amen. (St. Augustine’s Prayerbook Revised, 51)
Many people make a key mistake in finding Anglicanism - they find it as an answer to seeking what is ancient and not what is true. They conflate verity and antiquity or, more plainly said, they confuse the old with the true. There is great wisdom and truth to be found in antiquity - to be sure - but the search is to find the Truth (along with the good, the real and the beautiful). Mistaking antiquity with truth leads people to fall for the false claims (sales pitches) made by the Roman Catholic and some Eastern Orthodox that, “This is the Church that Christ Founded,” or “this is the true Church,” and “we hold the authority.”
Today is Maundy Thursday which begins the "Paschal (or Holy) Triduum" for the western Church. "Triduum" simply means, "Three Days." These three days are a season within two seasons. In many ways they are the three days. The holiest time in our life as Christians around which the rest of our church calendar year is built. They bridge Passiontide with Eastertide. They are the heart of the Gospel.
Beginning the morning of Maundy Thursday, the prayerbook has us read Psalm 41, Daniel 9 and John 13:1-20.
In Daniel 9, the prophet confesses the sins of his people and asks for mercy. The Archangel Gabriel reveals to Daniel part of the future. Years later the "anointed one" will bring atonement and everlasting righteousness.
Maundy Thursday Evening we read Psalms 142-143 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-22. In this part of the Epistle St. Paul reminds the Church to flee idolatry. He then turns to focus on how we partake in and are united by the reception of the one body of Christ in the one cup which we bless and the one bread that we break we are one body. (vs 16-27).
The second lesson for both morning and evening on Maundy Thursday is John 13 which tells of Jesus’ washing his disciples feet and gives them a new commandment - that they love one another (Jn 13:34-35).
So we see at least three themes this Maundy Thursday:
God’s response and atonement for sin,
Our participation in one body in Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and
Jesus’ new commandment to love one another.
These are all different points to meditate on as the Triduum begins. I find the Passion of Jesus overwhelming in it’s entirety, but breaking the story apart helps us understand the significance.
We see a common theme - Charity (self-giving love). Charity of the Father in promise, of the Son in the act of atonement, and of the Holy Spirit in the love of each Christian connected to each other and to God.
As I meditate today, the hymn that runs though my head is a lesser known one - but one I grew up singing - entitled, O Love How Deep, How Broad, How Wide - particularly verse 4. (You can listen to it below)
Whether you are a parishioner, former member or friend of St. Anselm, I invite you to read the Triduum readings listed for these three days on page 744 in the 2019 BCP. Let them form you this week wherever you are and let your response of worship in Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday be responses to all God has done for you in His love. I know you will be blessed.
To do this it is important to understand that I along with each of you are “men under authority.” In the Church and we submit to Christ by the Scripture and as interpreted by the bishop’s teaching and canon law. In this all of us are our brother (and sister’s) keeper. These vows are daunting, but also precious things. Let us endeavor to keep them, the Lord being our helper.
Have you ever had a Roman Catholic say things like, "well Anglican priests are not real priests?" or "your mass is not real and doesn't count?"
While many Christians in the Anglican tradition simply do not worry about it, we should have an answer. Anglicans are an exception in the Protestant Church that retained the historic and ancient three-fold Holy Orders of 1. Deacon, 2. Priest, 3. Bishop.
Sunday, February 20th 2022 at 2:00pm will be the Dedication of St. Anselm Anglican Church as a Parish Church. Join us at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church for this historic occasion.
We continue in looking at the significance of the Dedication and Institution service. Today we switch to focus more on the Institution of a Rector. What is a “Rector?” It comes from the Latin regere meaning "to rule or guide.” It is the same root from which the English “Director” is derived. The Rector is the spiritual “ruler or guide” of his Parish. In Anglican governance ruling authority is split by canon (church law) between the Rector and the Vestry. In the last article you read how the Wardens hold temporal authority with the Vestry, today we look more deeply at the role of the Rector
The Rector holds authority in all spiritual matters in the Parish Church. This includes the selection of clergy, staff, programs, teaching, preaching, music and liturgy. He also sits as chairman of the Vestry and appoints most committees and ministry leaders.
Together the Rector and Vestry hold authority over the local congregation but they are both subject to the spiritual authority of the Bishop and Synod (essentially the congress of the diocese made up of lay and clergy delegates). It sounds complicated, but that is because there are many checks and balances in recognition that even in the Church the sinfulness of humans must be factored in.
In the service this Sunday you will hear the bishop read the “Letter of Institution” and then give it to the Rector. As the Rector receives it he says, “I promise to be a faithful shepherd to your flock, the Lord being my helper.”
The bishop will also ask God’s grace on the Rector to, “empower him with the truth of sound doctrine, and endue him with holiness of life.” In the epistle reading for the day St. Paul writes,
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
In addition to the checks and balances in the church and the mantles of authority, this also reminds us that though we have different roles we are all equal in the body of Christ. It is God who give us our roles to play and it is also God who gives us the grace to accomplish what He asks of us. While this is His promise, we still beseech Him to ever do so in singing the Litany for Ordinations.
As was mentioned in the last article, each part of the upcoming liturgy has a meaning. From the vestments and robes worn, things presented, hymns and scriptures selected, to our position and the prayers we pray.
Today I want to highlight the role of the wardens and how we honor their authority. In the Anglican tradition there is the Senior (or Rector’s) Warden and the Junior (or People’s) Warden. At St. Anselm the Sr. Warden is selected by the Rector and the Jr. Warden is elected by the sitting Vestry (who have been elected by the congregation). The Wardens together are the pinnacle of authority for the Parish Church in “things temporal” (property, assets, etc.). Together they represent the Vestry to the Bishop and Rector. Liturgically their position marked by 1) the robes they wear, 2) Their place in the processions and 3) where they sit for festal services and formal occasions. They traditionally sit in the back pew – the Sr. Warden sits on the right and the Jr. Warden on the left keeping a watchful eye on the congregation.
Today you will see them in ceremonial robes which have been supplied from Nigeria by The Rev. and Mrs. Joshua G. Ajayi. This tradition died away in America but is a noble one which we are bringing back to better demonstrate the dignity of the lay leadership. (Plus, they really look cool). In the future you will see them in different colors, to match the seasons worn only by the wardens.
On Sunday the Wardens will hold a ceremonial key. On it the St. Anselm seal is emblazoned. It will be given to the Bishop by the Jr. Warden at the front door as a symbol of their acknowledgement of his spiritual authority. The bishop will return it back to the Sr. Warden who then will give it to the Rector later at his Institution recognizing that he is the spiritual authority as the bishop’s local representative. They give the keys also as a physical reminder that the church’s doors should be “open to all, that many would come to know the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.” (BCP, 519).
This upcoming Sunday marks a doubly special day for our congregation and the diocese. It is also a big day, personally for me too!
Parish Dedications/Consecrations are rare things today. I have only ever been to one in my lifetime. Partly this is because starting new mission congregations is difficult enough, but developing them into parish churches is especially challenging. Yet here we are, by God’s grace, dedicating St. Anselm Anglican as a “Parish” Church – a financially independent fully functioning congregation. Like all liturgy, the upcoming 2 o’clock service is not just fancy ceremony without meaning. Rather, it is ceremony that dramatically enacts a story in celebration. Whether you were there at the first living room meetings or just began attending this tells our story together. It is a story that has gone on for centuries as God’s kingdom grows. This week I will be publishing a series of small articles to you about the liturgy you will be attending with the goal of helping you understand and take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
WE BEGIN OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH IN THE COURTYARD
PROCESSIONS INTO THE CHURCH (Yes, there are two!)
We begin outside the building (weather permitting). The incense and cross lead the way along with all the attending members of the clergy. First the oldest holy order of deacons followed by those ordained into the holy order of the presbyterate (priests), followed by high ranking church officials such as canons, deans, and the archdeacon. (Some of you may recall that it was an archdeacon who dedicated Lakewood Anglican as a mission in October 2014) The laity follow this procession into the Church singing. The doors are then closed.
The second procession made up of the bishop, the rector-elect and his wardens comes to the church doors and the bishop knocks three times with his crozier (pastoral staff). The Wardens (elected heads of the Vestry and therefore the laity) hand him the keys and open the doors. He blesses the building thus beginning the dedication. The symbolism here is inescapable and shows the reality of 1 Corinthians 12:24-27.
God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (Corinthians 12:24-27, ESV)
The parish church is not owned by the bishop, nor is it independent of the larger church and controlled by the Vestry or unilaterally led by the pastor, rather, it is the work of all together called and ordered by the hand of Almighty God.
FOURTEENTH STATION - Jesus is laid in the tomb
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading:
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb. Matthew 27:57-60
You will not abandon me to the grave:
Nor let your Holy One see corruption.
Let us pray.
O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Pray for the Elderly
Pray that God’s strength and peace will be poured out on those who are advanced in years. Pray for them to be honored and cared for so that loneliness would be banished with lasting friendships and family bonds. Pray for grace and strength to deal with illness. Pray that their latter years will be significant, reflecting the glory of God. Pray for special protection from COVID-19.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS BEFORE THE ALTAR
Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us:
Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.
Let us pray.
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Cross
Standing or kneeling in front of the altar
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise you for your mighty resurrection;
by virtue of your cross joy has come into our world.
God be gracious to us and bless us:
make his face shine upon us,
Let your ways be made known on the earth:
your liberating power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God:
all the peoples praise you.
We glory in your cross, O Lord, and praise you for your mighty resurrection;
by virtue of your cross joy has come into our world.
Almighty God, as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son, may we know your love for us, that in humility, love and joy we may place at his feet all that we have and all that we are; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for you live and reign now and for ever.
Amen.
Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved mankind: Grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIRTEENTH STATION - The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Reading:
All you who pass by, behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed. Lamentations 1:12, 16
"Do not call me Naomi (which means Pleasant), call me Mara (which means Bitter); for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me."
Ruth 1:20-21
Her tears run down her cheeks:
And she has none to comfort her.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Pray for Refugees, Immigration and Racial Harmony
Pray for immigration to take place fairly and honorably. Pray for protection and provision. Pray for families to be reunited and for those desiring to return to homelands to be granted temporary asylum and swift repatriation. Pray for Christians to open their homes and neighborhoods in wise and helpful ways. Pray for the Gospel to be heard, drawing many to Christ. Pray that God will bring racial harmony; that long-standing offenses may be healed by the forgiveness that begins in Jesus; that Christians show honor and serve others in Christ’s reconciling power; that the beauty of distinctive languages and cultures would be on display in local churches.
