ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 19, 2021I love the words of James G. Kirk (not to be confused with James T. Kirk) who wrote about the concept of Emmanuel: “Your footsteps shall accompany us, your breath shall give us new life, your arms will console us, and your hands will be there to welcome us home” (from the book, “We Gather”). God is often described in grandiose style, so over the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 18, 2021Yesterday, Cypress Creek Christian Church hosted an Advent Service for the Coastal Plains Area of our denomination. The Rev. Peggy Edge preached what I would describe as her retirement sermon, though I’m certain she will still preach. The service concluded with a reception to honor her. For many, and I include myself among them, her specific work in the Regional Church and the gifts she
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 17, 2021I was teaching a Bible Study a number of years ago and asked the group a question: When was the last time someone said to you, “I love you”? Some of the folks were quick to give examples from earlier that day or a few days before. But one older woman, a bit of a quiet recluse, said she could not remember the last time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 16, 2021It was really nice to have some representatives of Brite Divinity School (the Graduate Seminary at Texas Christian University) at Cypress Creek Christian Church last Friday. They were here for Martha Bissex’s Memorial Service. Dr. Newell Williams, President at Brite Divinity School, offered the closing remarks and the Benediction. Martha and Earl created a scholarship fund at Brite, a way of supporting future ministers. In
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 15, 2021Tradition around Advent has given us a single word of focus for each week. They are: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Why not generosity or kindness? Why those four? There are a lot of so-called explanations, but I don’t believe historians would give much credence to them. And other traditions assign other symbols and words to each of the four weeks of Advent. This Sunday
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 14, 2021What do you call success? What does the church consider to be a great turnout? I was thinking about this on my drive back from visiting my sister yesterday. The Christmas story has no one being present at the time of the birth, outside of the Holy Family. Here was the grand entrance of Jesus, and only later did a handful of shepherds (we don’t
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 12, 2021Prayer for the Week: I had two people who commented about the opening prayer from Sunday’s worship, and so I am modifying it for today’s Ecclesiological Etching. Holy and Magnificent God, as we continue to move through the Season of Advent – a time for thoughtful reflection – we find something building within us. There is an anticipatory joy that is expanding within us, stretching
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 12, 2021Salvation is one of those loaded words. Though I love the word, I am very cautious about using the word because of how it is heard in certain circles. For some, it is nothing more than the ticket to the afterlife. It is as if Jesus provided us an escape capsule that we jump into at the point of death. I do not believe that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 11, 2021I enjoy what some would call deep theological conversations, but I also recognize that such heady exchanges are not for everyone. Amidst all the eschatological, ecclesiological and teleological discussions, the simple word, Emmanuel, is what brings joy to my heart. In Matthew 1, we learn that the child being born into the world will be named Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” You can
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 10, 2021It was Bing Crosby who made the song, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” famous in 1943. This was during the height of the United States’ involvement in World War II, yet the song has maintained it poignant influence on generations since. It does not matter the cause of separation, there is something about Christmas that only intensifies the hurt and longing. It’s just another date