I had very little time to post over the weekend and I'm now catching up with myself and giving some thought to what happened.
Between us my wife and I attended morning service at three churches. Mrs MP led at one church in the circuit, I led at another and then returned to our own church as a member of the congregation (well Frances Young was preaching and it is always worth the rush from one service to another!).
At the service where I led, I stuck to the lectionary. The story of the tower of Siloam is always a stark starting point.
The congregation seemed larger than when I was there last year. We sang "On a hill far away", better known as "The rugged cross" and the mood changed dramatically. My prepared sermon felt distinctly lightweight and I changed it in mid-flow. For the first time in many years I felt the liberty to preach about salavation and our impending death. At first I thought several people looked uncomfortable but as we concluded by singing "Just as I am" I really felt the Spirit move.
Frances took a very different approach to the same reading, focussing on the equity of God's love, but I notice that she too had chosen "Just as I am". Again our congregation was larger than normal. Following problems paying our gas bills we are meeting in the foyer during the winter months. This has created an intimacy that has been misssing since our recent turmoils. There was the feeling of unity and love that first bought me to the place all those years ago.
Over lunch my wife told me of her experience. The congregation seemed larger than previous, this being a church that seemed to be teetering on the first slopes of decline. She felt there was a real spirit of commitment and enthusiasm. What had particularly moved her was that an 11 year old girl had joined the congregation. She had no connection with the church, but wanted to find out what happened there.
We felt really blessed and really encouraged. Perhaps the patient work of so many Saints, many of them now in Glory, is about to pay off?
A revival in Methodism within our circuit would spark a revival right in the heart of England. We continue to pray.
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I was off-plan and preaching at a URC church. I felt impressed to use the other lectionary passages as well and to pick up on the parable of the fig-tree.
There is a clear warning of judgement in all the passages and I looked at this, but then 'God's ways are not our ways' and he offers Grace like the rain and snow. He digs round the roots of the fig-tree.
I felt that this old and seemingly declining congregation was being offered the chance of renewal. The reaction of the congregation after the sermon was encouraging. It would seem that they had heard that message. They desperately need consistent biblically informed leadership, just like the Methodists.
And one other thing, I chose 'Just as I am' as well.
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