Third Sunday of Advent
Dec. 17th, 2006 09:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hermionesviolinThis morning I went to church at Trinity Boston (11:15am), which is a bit of an impressive sanctuary.
Despite having read the Sunday Services page, it hadn't clicked for me that I was choosing Sermon over Eucharist. Which would have been my choice if I had to make one, but I've come to expect Eucharist as a given at an Episcopal service, so I was a bit jarred.
The stand/kneel/sit directions were written into the program, which I prefer to the "BCP -- go!" approach I stumbled through at St. James.
After the Opening Acclamation they did the Lighting of the Advent Wreath, but with no specific mention of any weekly theme. Boo.
I continue to not be grabbed by the music. (The Hymnal 1982, blue) One of the hymns reminded me in melody of "Our God, Our Help In Ages Past," though. And one ("Savior of the nations, come!") was by Luther, which amused me.
We said/sang "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever," three maybe four times (Invitatory, both canticles). I prefer the "is now and ever shall be" Gloria Patri I grew up with.
They did the Apostle's Creed. I don't like the Harrowing of Hell, "i believe in the Holy Ghost" seems a random beginning to the last section, and I like the sound of "one holy catholic and apostolic church" (versus "the holy catholic Church"). Looking back at the Nicene, though, it goes into much more detail about the Holy Spirit (and lots of other bits), which can be problematic (I'm thinking of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
glacierscout saying, "there really is a lot of room for a diversity of positions about what each of the creedal statements means."). The Apostles' states belief in "the resurrection of the body" which always strikes me, and looking back at the Nicene, it has the broader, " We look for the resurrection of the dead." sk8eeyore: in LTJ's Creed book, does he do both creeds?
Lord's Prayer was "trespasses ... For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
In the prayers after the Collect of the Day, the Officiant called all the leaders by their first names (George, Mitt, Deval, Tom, etc.) and prayed for leadership, soldiers, peace, etc. in a way that actually didn't make me feel very uncomfortable.
Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Second Lesson read at 6pm only, so we didn't get Philippians 4:4-17 (which always makes me think of you, of course)
Luke 3:7-18
The sermon (Rev. Michael B. Dangelo) was about expecting and expectations, and it wasn't bad, but. Talking about Ancient Israel and the Messiah, he talked about how God offers us limitless possibilities, but that limitless possibility is really difficult to live into, so we create limits and expectations.
I went down to coffee after service, but it was just coffee, so I turned around pretty quickly.
The insert with events had at the bottom of the first page:
Statement of Affirmation
Trinity Church in the City of Boston welcomes and honors everyone. In accordance with our baptismal covenant, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We strive to include all persons without regard to sexual orientation, race, nationality, gender, family configuration, ethnic background, economic circumstances, difference in ability, culture, or age. Our love and acceptance of each other embody our commitment to unity with God and each other in Christ.
***
My amusement of the day: On the Red Line home from church, these two guys (probably mid-20's) were talking and one says to the other: "I was looking at this website that [air quotes] rates [/air quotes] movies, and they were giving all my favorite movies 4's and 5's -- out of 10. So I looked up Gladiator, like: I'm gonna kick your ass if you only give Gladiator a 4 or a 5. It only had an 8.1. You can view results, and there were people giving it a 1. How can you give Gladiator a 1? Unless you're like a hippie who hates violence."
I actually have yet to see Gladiator, so I have no real opinion on it, personally.
[I pulled up Gladiator on IMDb and lo, 8.1, so I'm thinking that must be the site he was talking about.]
***
Nobody told me that Wedding Wars doesn't just have Sean Maher but has him playing a gay man whose boyfriend is played by John Stamos. [I glossed right past the![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-syndicated.gif)
whedonesque announcement.] I didn't see it but was informed by ranaeressea.
***
Today was less with the motivation than I had hoped for, but I realized Secret Slasha fic is due Dec. 21 and actually wrote it. Anyone wanna beta?
I also reprogrammed my VCR now that all shows are in winter recess. (Ari, they reran the VMars season opener, so I have all of this season so far on tape for you.)
return dates:
CSI: Jan. 4
WaT: Jan. 14
Heroes: Jan. 22
VMars: Jan. 23
HIMYM: ?
***
Frank Crowley (whose wife my high school best friend interviewed for our AP US History WWII project) died. Funeral's on Saturday.
Despite having read the Sunday Services page, it hadn't clicked for me that I was choosing Sermon over Eucharist. Which would have been my choice if I had to make one, but I've come to expect Eucharist as a given at an Episcopal service, so I was a bit jarred.
The stand/kneel/sit directions were written into the program, which I prefer to the "BCP -- go!" approach I stumbled through at St. James.
After the Opening Acclamation they did the Lighting of the Advent Wreath, but with no specific mention of any weekly theme. Boo.
I continue to not be grabbed by the music. (The Hymnal 1982, blue) One of the hymns reminded me in melody of "Our God, Our Help In Ages Past," though. And one ("Savior of the nations, come!") was by Luther, which amused me.
We said/sang "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever," three maybe four times (Invitatory, both canticles). I prefer the "is now and ever shall be" Gloria Patri I grew up with.
They did the Apostle's Creed. I don't like the Harrowing of Hell, "i believe in the Holy Ghost" seems a random beginning to the last section, and I like the sound of "one holy catholic and apostolic church" (versus "the holy catholic Church"). Looking back at the Nicene, though, it goes into much more detail about the Holy Spirit (and lots of other bits), which can be problematic (I'm thinking of
glacierscout saying, "there really is a lot of room for a diversity of positions about what each of the creedal statements means."). The Apostles' states belief in "the resurrection of the body" which always strikes me, and looking back at the Nicene, it has the broader, " We look for the resurrection of the dead." sk8eeyore: in LTJ's Creed book, does he do both creeds?Lord's Prayer was "trespasses ... For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
In the prayers after the Collect of the Day, the Officiant called all the leaders by their first names (George, Mitt, Deval, Tom, etc.) and prayed for leadership, soldiers, peace, etc. in a way that actually didn't make me feel very uncomfortable.
Readings:
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Second Lesson read at 6pm only, so we didn't get Philippians 4:4-17 (which always makes me think of you, of course)
Luke 3:7-18
The sermon (Rev. Michael B. Dangelo) was about expecting and expectations, and it wasn't bad, but. Talking about Ancient Israel and the Messiah, he talked about how God offers us limitless possibilities, but that limitless possibility is really difficult to live into, so we create limits and expectations.
I went down to coffee after service, but it was just coffee, so I turned around pretty quickly.
The insert with events had at the bottom of the first page:
Statement of Affirmation
Trinity Church in the City of Boston welcomes and honors everyone. In accordance with our baptismal covenant, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We strive to include all persons without regard to sexual orientation, race, nationality, gender, family configuration, ethnic background, economic circumstances, difference in ability, culture, or age. Our love and acceptance of each other embody our commitment to unity with God and each other in Christ.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and hermionesviolin reconciled.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
from the Christmas Song Generator.
***
My amusement of the day: On the Red Line home from church, these two guys (probably mid-20's) were talking and one says to the other: "I was looking at this website that [air quotes] rates [/air quotes] movies, and they were giving all my favorite movies 4's and 5's -- out of 10. So I looked up Gladiator, like: I'm gonna kick your ass if you only give Gladiator a 4 or a 5. It only had an 8.1. You can view results, and there were people giving it a 1. How can you give Gladiator a 1? Unless you're like a hippie who hates violence."
I actually have yet to see Gladiator, so I have no real opinion on it, personally.
[I pulled up Gladiator on IMDb and lo, 8.1, so I'm thinking that must be the site he was talking about.]
***
Nobody told me that Wedding Wars doesn't just have Sean Maher but has him playing a gay man whose boyfriend is played by John Stamos. [I glossed right past the
whedonesque announcement.] I didn't see it but was informed by ranaeressea.***
Today was less with the motivation than I had hoped for, but I realized Secret Slasha fic is due Dec. 21 and actually wrote it. Anyone wanna beta?
I also reprogrammed my VCR now that all shows are in winter recess. (Ari, they reran the VMars season opener, so I have all of this season so far on tape for you.)
return dates:
CSI: Jan. 4
WaT: Jan. 14
Heroes: Jan. 22
VMars: Jan. 23
HIMYM: ?
***
Frank Crowley (whose wife my high school best friend interviewed for our AP US History WWII project) died. Funeral's on Saturday.
God and hermionesviolin reconciled
Date: 2006-12-18 02:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 02:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 03:05 am (UTC)I have so much secret santa to write this week... yikes. I would be willing to beta yours if you'd like. I can do it when I should be writing my own.
beta
Date: 2006-12-18 03:13 am (UTC)Re: beta
Date: 2006-12-18 03:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:54 am (UTC)You need to go watch it. Now.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 03:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 03:53 pm (UTC)Beautiful scenery, fabulous characters, great dialogue, cinematic action, and chemistry between every single actor on screen.
What more could you ask for, really?
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 03:18 pm (UTC)Yes, the Nicene Creed is more restrictive than the Apostle's Creed, because it contains clauses about the nature of the Son and the Holy Spirit that were part of very fundamental debates in the early Church history. The other really fundamental change is going from the "I" of the Apostle's Creed, which is still used as the baptismal creed to a "we" in the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is thought of as more the community beliefs, although it is left up to each of us to interpret what belief in each of those clauses actually means.
An exercise for most seminarians is writing their own creeds, and having them reviewed by their seminary professors. Few, if any can develop something as short and succinct as the Nicene Creed. Most end up looking like dissertations because the seminarians feel the need to define everything.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 03:36 pm (UTC)I qualify and problematize everything like whoa because information and understanding are so hugely important to me and everything is so complicated, so any personal creed I wrote would absolutely be a near dissertation. I wouldn't even know how to begin going about writing a community creed, though major factors in that include my own lack of belief as well as a lack of a clear sense as to what beliefs should be "required" and which are negotiable (which again goes back to a personal lack of belief and a discomfort around the idea of any human being knowing what the Truth is -- despite my simultaneous belief that we should quest to be said human beings).
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:37 pm (UTC)To me, lack of belief in the way that you express is not a real barrier to true faith. Belief isn't a matter of knowledge or creedal accuracy, it's simply a matter of going forth in your life. I don't need to know how or why a bridge will keep me from falling into a river. (well actually. I did need to know; as I went to college as an engineer). Real faith is walking forward in your relationship with God in spite of the lack of knowledge or certainty. You have that kind of real faith in spades, as these pages clearly show.
What has also comforted me is the belief that my relationship with God does not really depend on the strength of my belief in Him (Him/Her?). It really depends on the fact that God believes in me, and has been seeking me out. I don't see how God will ever turn away anyone sincerely seeking Him, and I expect that there are a lot of people out there who don't even realize that they're on a path that will eventually reach Him. If there was any heresy that I'd willingly subscribe to, it would be that of universal salvation - that it is God's will that everyone be in relationship with Him, and that god will do whatever he can to reach that goal.
I still love the intellectual discussions and the learning, but now they are a way to flesh out the relationship hat already exists, and not a way to establish that relationship to begin with.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-19 12:49 pm (UTC)If there is anything I have to believe, it is that God never turns his back. That no matter what I have done, no matter what my current level of faith, to connect with God, I have only to reach out. To go from there to a relationship with God however, I think takes time, effort, and action.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-19 06:35 pm (UTC)I heartily endorse the idea that God is near at hand, no matter where I am in my spiritual life. I also agree that the path that any person follows is unique to him/her, and that just because I might not follow the path that any particular denomination, sect or religion decress is the "right" one doesn't mean I'm on the wrong path.
I've seen too many people believe that they have to have everyting figured out about God before they can believe - they need to know so much before they have "faith" that what they seek isn't faith - it's certainty. I posted a long description of my own beliefs on my page, in response to a young man who grew up in the church, but then says he bacame an atheist because he couldn't completely understand God, and didn't think he could believe in anything he couldn't prove. At the same time, he acknowledges the desire to be a part of the loving, supportive community that he grew up in, and also says that he's tempted to pray for people who are in difficulties, before he stops himself and asks why he should pray to a God he doesn't believe in.
To me, his very hunger and thirst for community and his instinctive response to pray are all the proof needed that God is present in his life, and in fact, God is very near to him. As you correctly point out, going from faith to a mature relationship with God will take time, effort and action. Nonetheless, once a person can believe that God is present in his/her life, the relationship has already begun.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:12 pm (UTC)Arrgh...I'm glad I haven't been given that assignment yet; the very exercise would feel arrogant to me! (Another sign that makes me feel like I should go and be Orthodox...)
no subject
Date: 2006-12-18 05:43 pm (UTC)On the other hand, if you're that plainspoken, your future congregation will love you. There's an apocryphal story about the apostle John, who supposedly lived a very long life in Ephesus, the community that he founded. he was routinely aescorted to the front of the assembly hall for worship. One Sunday, a young presbyter, in the middle of his preaching, invited John to stand up and give a message. John stood up, and said "Little children, love one another.", and sat down. The presbyter was surprised, but thought that the shortness of the message was because John was unprepared.
The next Sunday, the same thing happened. The presbyter once again invited John to stand up and give a message. John stood up again, and said "Little children, love one another.", and sat down.
Afterwards, the presbyter aked John why his message was so short. John replied "If they would heed that message, there would be no need to preach another."