November 30, 2009 by Chaplain Mike
Guest post today by Chaplain Mike Mercer…
Happy New Year!
If you or your church follows the Christian Year, you know what I am talking about. Yesterday was the first day of the church calendar, the first Sunday in Advent. The Advent season stretches over four Sundays and ends on Christmas Eve, when the celebration of Jesus’ birth arrives in full flower.
Advent is a time of anticipation, when we remember God’s promises and expectantly look for him to fulfill them in Christ. It is also a time of preparation, when we ask God to make our hearts ready to receive Jesus at his coming. Themes of Advent (which means, “the coming”) involve not only Christ’s first coming, but also his ultimate return to reign, when “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” that he is Lord.
Marking Advent can be one of the most counter-cultural activities in which Christians may participate. As the world around us works itself into a frenzy trying to keep up with holiday demands, believers can use this time for contemplation, spiritual practices, and simple good works of love for our neighbors.
The following video, “Christmas 101,” featuring Fr. Eric Dudley of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee, gives an overview of this season from a Christian perspective. I think you will find it winsome, engaging, and practical. Part 2 is due Dec. 6th.
I’d also love to hear from you about how you, your family, and your church practice Advent and prepare for Christmas.
MOD NOTE: Those of you from liturgical traditions: please help the uninitiated by defining terms and explaining practices that might be unfamiliar to those from other communities.
MOD NOTE: Has anyone watched the video? Responses? Would love specific feedback on Fr. Dudley’s teachings.
Christmas 101, Part I from St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Vimeo.
October 15, 2009 by iMonk
We’ve been talking the Evangelical/Protestant liturgy recently, so why not something to give us some background in an evangelical Anglican liturgy. I’ve been watching with great interest- OK, with undiluted envy- the growth of one of the new Anglican congregations in the southeast, St.Peter’s Anglican in Tallahassee, Florida. If you aren’t getting their podcasts, you are really missing a positive, exciting example of why ACNA churches are going to do some amazing things. (If you can, listen to the wonderful 4th anniversary sermon 10/11/09, Blessed to be A Blessing.) They have big plans.
A growing Anglican church has a lot of evangelicals to educate in the basics of liturgy. Rev. Eric Dudley is a wonderful preacher and a fine teacher. In this presentation, he takes an hour to guide you through the basics of Anglican liturgy. Many of you in the IM audience will learn a tremendous amount about the larger, deeper tradition in the Anglican and Episcopal churches. Listen to his explanation of not being “sermon centered” and what is an “Anglican altar call.”
The Nuts and Bolts of Anglican Liturgy from St. Peter's Anglican Church on Vimeo.
September 27, 2007 by iMonk
I’m absolutely enthused over two sermon podcasts I’ve been listening to for several weeks. Both are examples of Anglican/Episcopal Churches that are standing for historic orthodoxy, but also embodying the Gospel in relevant, lively, ground-level Christian communities. I want to recommend these podcasts for all my listeners. Both are simple outstanding, and both are lectionary preachers who take care of business in less than half an hour. What’s not to like?
One warning. This isn’t verse by verse exposition. This is preaching the Gospel lessons in the lectionary. Lots of application and encouragement to take the message and live it. LIVE IT!
First is Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee, Florida. A variety of preachers appear on the podcasts, but I’m especially impressed with Fr. Eric Dudley. Check out his current sermon on “The Street Smart Christian.” (If you are in the Tallahassee area, this is a great church. Check it out. I’m miserable that I can’t get there.)
The other is Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT. This is the church pastored by Ian Morgan Cron, author of “Chasing Francis.” What a fine preacher! So real and honest, and such outstanding wrestling with the application of the text to one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S. Listen to the current sermon “The Parable of the Unjust Steward.” I want to be this honest. I can’t forget this one and neither will you.
These aren’t high profile preachers, but you are really going to be glad you added them to your weekly podcast listening.
