St Peter’s
Location: Otipua Road (south end), Timaru
Denomination: Anglican
Website:
www.chch.anglican.org.nz/
kensington
Church Services: Sunday 8am, 10am, 7pm,
Wednesday 10am. There are also other services within the Kensington-Otipua parish
Groups: home groups, women’s group
My own visit
Date: 21 November 2004Service: 10 am, Communion
The building: Red relatively modern brick building, with steep roof. The church tower and window frames are blue, giving the church a lively look, though some may consider it kitsch.
The décor: Wood grain panelling lines the walls to a height of about 1.20m. Above that a dignified red wallpaper with patterns in gold covers the walls. Banners hang in many places. Along the southern side light filters through ribbed windows. The congregation is seated on wooden pews, some with kneeling benches. The wooden floor is covered by a light carpet along the centre aisle and at the front and back of the church. Towards the front of the church the floor gradually rises to the fully panelled sanctuary, separated from the rest of the church by the communion rail. Here the ceiling is higher and the light shines in many colours through the large stained glass window with a large cross at its centre. The pulpit seems no longer in use, as the screen for the OHP is mounted above it.
Smiling face at the door: I was greeted at the door and we exchanged names. The newsletter was pressed into my hands along with a mission magazine. The Prayer Books were already in the pews.
Start of service: I was a bit late (it took me longer to walk there than expected). When I got there they had just started on the liturgy of the confession of sins, followed by the prayer and declaration of forgiveness. This was followed by a Psalm said together, one side of the church alternating with the other in reading the verses.
Congregation (approx) 0-12: 3; 13-20: 1; 20-40: 2; 40-60: 15; 60+: 25
Liturgy: One of the alternative liturgies in the New Zealand Prayer Book (page 476ff) was used throughout the service.
Music: Worship songs displayed on the overhead screen were used. They had one to two verses and a chorus and sometimes a bridge. Generally they were songs of personal adoration. At the end a modern hymn with a few verses was sung. I didn’t know any of them, nor did the congregation seem too familiar with them.
Instruments: Keyboard and guitar. The guitarist and two others were also leading the worship by singing into their microphones up the front. There was also a drum kit up front, but maybe it gets used at the evening service only.
Children’s Talk: The children went out quite early on.
Sermon:
-Length: 25 mins
-Method: Taking a theme from one reading the
preacher expanded that, referring to many different verses and stories in the
bible, threading a winding way through many different loops to come back to his
departure point and launched into a conclusion. He had a soft, persuasive
voice, glancing at his notes freely. The sermon was delivered from the lectern
near the front pew.
-Bible reading: Psalm 46
-Content: Psalm 46 is a psalm of trust and
faith. God is more powerful than nature; he is the creator. Rather than fear
nature, be inspired by God!
When faced with the reality of war, including past and future events and battles yet to be fought, the writer remains secure in the knowledge of God. Faith, Hope and Love are unshakeable. God is a mighty fortress.
Even at the end of time we need not be afraid, even at the time of great tribulation. (referred to Matthew 24:1-31 and Revelation)
Jesus' ascension was personal, bodily and visible; we therefore should expect his second coming to be similar: personal, bodily and visible (referring to Acts).
God is in control despite appearances. We’re coming up to Christmas. Who would have planned the arrival of the Messiah in such a way? It may seem so insignificant, but God is in control.
Today there are wars and rumours of wars, there are many predictions of wars. In the 70s many young people believed that the world would be destroyed by a nuclear holocaust within their lifetime. Now we have predictions of ecological disaster, such as global warming. But God promised never to destroy the world by a flood again. The melting of ice-caps is reality – caused by the sins of individual and corporate greed, of our thoughtlessness and convenience.
In this situation we should be peace-makers. We should share love and be love. If we want to be a child of God, we are to be peace-makers. It’s not easy being a Christian, it’s not easy to care for the earth. It’s not easy following a crucified saviour. But appearances may deceive, for Christ rose again and gives us life.
God reigns in the heart of his people, who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
There will be an end and a final judgment. How should we prepare for such a time? Not by predicting when it will happen, but by being prepared and leading others to Christ. No-one knows the time when Christ will return (referring to the parable of the wicked servant, Matthew 24:48-51). The question of “when” is less significant if we are prepared. Relying on the Holy Spirit we should use our gifts. We need to spend time to deepen our relationship with God. We need to turn from the error of focusing “when” he will return to focusing on “who” will return (referring to the parable of the foolish virgins Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus will come again. This should lead us to do the work of the Lord (parable of the talent: Matthew 25:14-30). Use your talents to do what God wants! If God is for us, who is against us (Romans 8:31).
Other Highlights: The peace was quite an active time. People mingled throughout the church, greeting each other. Many shook hands or embraced each other.
Communion is very important. Of course there was the great thanksgiving. People came forward and knelt at the communion rail to receive the elements. Unfortunately a bit of wine was spilt, causing a minor stir in an Anglican church.
Wrap-up: The priest blessed the congregation and then the final hymn was sung. Finally the dismissal was said and people filed out of their pews.
After the service: Most of the congregation went to the back of the church to partake in morning tea. I talked with a few people about music, my family, the church, the importance of the example of older people in the faith and soccer.
Quality of morning tea: The tea was quite nice and the biscuits were good, though nothing special. When the first lot had run out another packet was opened so that those keen to get a bite would not miss out. They had one trolley for tea and one for coffee, limiting any delays in getting a drink and avoiding the congestion which can form around the sources of refreshments.
Reflection: Last Sunday I heard a sermon about the little apocalypse in the gospels and the danger of gleefully calculating the end of time (at a rather more liberal church in Auckland). It can too easily become a mindset of being proud that we alone are in the know, of having a certain power (not dissimilar to Gnosticism or magic). This was reiterated today, but in a rather more personal and probably more “evangelical” way. The expectation of the second coming is an encouragement to get involved, not be aloof from the world or even to live irresponsibly.
I missed singing hymns that I know or are easy to pick up. Somehow a Sunday service for me is also a time to be able to sing together an enjoy it. I want to make a joyful sound unto the Lord, even if the Lord has heard these hymns sung a thousand times.
4 questions:
Aspects of a. to c. all feature in the atonement. God’s
concern of solidarity with the poor is clear in the Old Testament, but yes,
Jesus’ death includes that too (d.). e.) would imply that communion (which
is linked to atonement) is just an act of remembrance nothing more, and
he wouldn’t agree with that.
Yes. Jesus came to fulfil the law, but brought it into a new light. By focusing too closely on the Old Testament we can fall into a rigid legalism. Rather we have to live by God’s grace.
For priests there are several elements:
- Call by God
- Call by the people
- Affirmation of the church
- Call to a particular place and people.
It may appear that other people are just chosen by something similar to secular elections, but he believes God is still present and active in calling these people. Sometimes the church gets it wrong, but the power of the Holy Spirit can sometimes be felt in the meetings of the leaders.
No.