What is Ancient Future
July 16, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
May this find you well and flourishing in the mind of Christ Jesus.
Since Pentecost we have been intentionally engaging the world and declaring the wonders of God. Celebration Sunday exceeded our very high expectations. Vacation Bible School at Loveman’s Village took us to places we had not been both literally and spiritually. People’s lives were touched and some children devoted their lives to Christ for the very first time. What a joy it was to take the Gospel to the streets and see our parents, youth and children revved for mission. Simply put, it was awesome.
We will not rest in what He has already shown. We continue striking out with a longing to see even more of God’s glory. You have probably seen the banner announcing our new service of worship at 9:00 beginning August 10, 2008. In this letter, I will say more about the services and the very first thing you can do to insure the Lord’s will is fulfilled.
Core to our conviction is a blending of Ancient and Future. We want to embrace the forms and practices, both Ancient and Future that advance the Kingdom of God by facilitating a deeper and more abiding walk with His son Jesus and the praise of His holy name. The new service, to be offered at 9:00, will emphasize the Ancient while retaining the Future. We are moving to what a generation after my own might call “unplugged.” This service will exclude drums, electric guitar, and video projection. We will include a printed order of service. Like our present service, it will include Spirit-filled preaching and Holy Communion. The expression of music will lean more in a classic direction, making greater use of hymns (and perhaps even ancient chant).
The present service will move from 10:00 to 10:30. It will continue to emphasize the Future while retaining the Ancient. Music will lean even more toward the contemporary. Room will also be made for more spontaneity such as testimonies.
At both hours, there will be Christian Education for all ages. For those who use Sunday to deepen their walk with Christ through study, you can attend worship and then Sunday School or vice versa. More choice will enhance our program as will a new emphasis upon information leading to transformation. More specifics will come to you via another letter.
We envision that the time in between services, from 10:00 to 10:30, will be used to meet new brothers and sisters in Christ and further the wonderful relationships we all have. Toward that end we will be enhancing our sweets and the quantity and quality of our coffee.
You might be wondering what part you can play in bringing about the Lord’s will in this new expression of St. Peter’s. First and foremost, pray. Pray for a hedge of protection around our efforts and that fruit will be borne to the glory of God.
Next, you can worship with us regularly. The people of God are meant to assemble at least weekly. We do so to offer thanks and praise to God and as a witness to the world. While others are worshipping the pillow, we assemble to give praise to God for His greatness. While others are worshipping the greens, we assemble to give thanks to God for the blessings we receive during the week or for the strength made available to us to sustain us in a time of trial. Because of our deep relationship with God we order our lives differently than those without faith. Our weekly gathering boldly declares the difference in our priorities and says so to the world in a very public way.
Of course given the freedom in Christ we enjoy, we are able to travel and thus we at times necessarily assemble elsewhere and with other Christians for worship. To God be the Glory wherever we are. Yet, I urge you to exercise your freedom by altering your schedules to worship here at St. Peter’s for a season even ten to twelve straight weeks. In doing so, both services will be quite full and those drawn to us will experience all the zeal among the wonderful people God has knit together here at St. Peter’s. Our contagious faith will be an instrument of God to advance His work in this particular vineyard.
It has been said that a person’s check register says much about a person’s values. In an age where TIME is money, I wonder if our calendars do not say as much or more. Please give prayerful consideration to making adjustments in your plans for late August and throughout the Fall. Let your time reflect God’s desire to build up the local church that He might use it to His glory!
Under His Mercy,
John D. Richardson