Pray for Peace

The news reports of the horrific incident in Orlando, Florida, early Sunday morning that left 49 young adults from the LBGT community dead evoked a broad range of responses from people across the country and around the world. Many of us with friends and family that are part of this community felt an immediate visceral response as we grasped for answers to questions of: Who would do this? Why? How? The hours following the first reports provided only partial answers at best which, when coupled with the steady stream of stories of good information mixed with misinformation, added layers of frustration to the heaviness and sorrow we were already experiencing. We want answers to those questions that are continuously cycling through our minds, hoping answers will come; however, there are some things we already know. We know there are families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, others sitting bedside in hospital rooms with family members clinging to life as they hope and pray that the physical and emotional wounds will heal. Intensified fears in the minds of many people have increased levels of anxiety in families and communities. How do we, as people of faith, respond to acts of terror and the aftermath left in its wake? Hopefully, our first response has been to pray for the families of those who lost loved ones and for healing of those injured. As followers of Jesus, we are taught to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us even though this is a difficult, sometimes impossible, task. We should pray for ourselves and for those who do not yet know the experience of God the Creator of all life and the source of peace that passes all human understanding. May it be so.

Wednesday Evening
This evening Dr. Roxburgh begins a study of the “Missional Church” especially as it is depicted in the Book of Acts. You will want to be present and participate in this study and discussion. Our Fellowship Supper starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by Prayer Time at 6:00 p.m. The time of study begins at 6:15 p.m.

Then Sings My Soul…

This Sunday, Dr. Roxburgh begins a sermon series entitled “Then Sings My Soul.” The three remaining Sundays in June will each feature a homily crafted around this theme and some of the truly great hymns inspired by faith, love and hope. The titles and texts for each Sunday are as follows:

June 12: Hymn of Faith – My Faith looks up to Thee: Scripture – Galatians 2:15-20
June 19: Hymn of Love – Love Divine: Scripture – 1 John 4:7-21
June 26: Hymn of Hope – My hope is built on nothing less…. – Romans 5:1-11

Each Wednesday evening, Dr. Roxburgh will lead a Bible study and discussion on the “missional church.” The text for the study is passages from the book of Acts. Studying Luke’s historical account of the acts of the apostles is important to better understand the formation and growth of of the church as Christianity spread. We will discuss what the apostles understood the mission of this early movement to be and what we understand it to be 2000 years later. These are wonderful opportunities to worship, study and grow as a community of faith.

Pentecost

Alistair McGrath describes the Holy Spirit as the ‘Cinderella of the Trinity’. He says that ‘the other two sisters may have gone to the theological ball but the Holy Spirit got left behind’. Certainly many Christians would confess that their notions of the Holy Spirit are decidedly hazy and Pentecost is that major festival in the Church’s year which attracts the least attention.

Neglect of the person and work of the Holy Spirit can lead to distortions in our understanding of God, the doctrine of Scripture, the nature of the Church, and the liberty of Christian experience. When the Spirit is forgotten or suppressed, the church is seen as an organisation rather than a living organism.

The scene of the Spirit’s work of grace is amid the most inward dimensions of human consciousness. There is nothing too sinful for the Spirit to cleanse, or
too weary for the Spirit to refresh, or too dead for the Spirit to breathe life into again.

The Christian festival of Pentecost will, be celebrated on May 15. As well as reflecting on the ministry of the Spirit in the homily for that day, on two Wednesday evenings, before and following the day of Penteocst, we will focus our studies on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

Join us on all three occasions to discover the gift of God’s love which has been poured into our hearts. (Romans 5:5)

“What is an Evangelical?”

Worship this past Sunday was especially uplifting. The moving words from Jeff Prince, newly ordained deacon, evoked many thoughts and feelings expressed to Jeff by individuals in the laying on of hands. We were again reminded that we are all called to be servants, for we, like the early apostles, have been redeemed and called to follow and emulate the one that came to serve, not to be served. It is always a joy to see individuals grow in faith and to respond to the call of Christ by stepping into leadership roles when asked by their church family. It was a wonderful day in the life of Southside Baptist Church.

This Wednesday, Dr. Roxburgh will lead a study entitled, “What is an Evangelical?” This series of studies has been informative and has prompted some very good questions and discussion each week. Thursday evening, you can join us for a time of reflection and meditation when we gather for the Contemplative service in Memorial Chapel. The quiet, meditative atmosphere provides a great opportunity to clear one’s mind and focus on that which is really important. This half hour has become a very important time of worship for many of our members. Please join your church family for these opportunities to grow in your faith and in relationship with one another.

Holy Week

People in the Scottish highlands imagine that the way in which to measure the height of a mountain is to the plumb the depth of the loch which lies at the foot of the mountain because the two measurements are thought to be identical. In a similar way, the dimensions of Christ’s love for us are to be discovered by plumbing the depths of the love which he showed for us on the cross, when he loved us and gave himself for us. It is only as we contemplate the final events of our Lord’s life on this earth that we discern the length and the breadth, the height and depth of the love of Christ.

Holy Week helps us to trace the dimensions of our Lord’s love for us. I want to encourage you to fully participate in our journey together, following Jesus through our Holy Week services. The services are not stand alone events but part of an experience that fully engages us in the story that shapes and defines our lives.

On Palm Sunday we will reflect on the ‘Servant King’ who enters into the city, not riding in a triumphant procession but on a donkey.

During our Good Friday service, we will explore one of the final expressions of our Lord’s love for his family and his followers as he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son’ and then he said to the disciple, ‘here is your mother.”

On Easter Sunday we rejoice in the presence of the Risen Christ as we reflect on the message of the angels, “He is not here! He is risen!”

Let’s join together as a community of faith to explore the meaning of Holy Week.

Read the Southside Columns here.

When I Survey…

In the town where I was raised, on the west coast of Scotland, there stands a ‘market cross’. It is located in the very heart of the community, close to the post office and banks, near to a grocery store, a butcher’s shop and a bakery. It speaks of a time when the cross of Jesus Christ occupied the center of all human experience, standing where the main streets intersected, where people met to gossip, where justice was often done and in whose shadow went on the business of buying and selling. The cross which is still at the heart of our faith as Christians.

Like a great piece of architecture, such as a cathedral, the cross is something which we are called upon contemplate and consider over and over again so that we can discern the ‘length, breadth, height and depth of the love of Christ..that surpasses human knowledge.’ During Lent, the focus of our homilies will be on ‘surveying the wondrous cross.’ In one sense, we can never fully comprehend the mystery of the death of Jesus Christ. We will never fully plumb the depth of its meaning. Like Paul, we glory in the cross, awe-struck by its wonderful mystery, but admitting with Martin Luther that ‘the wisdom of the cross is hidden in a deep mystery.’ We are always aware that the cross is not something which waits for our questioning, but something which questions us.

Join us on Sundays during Lent to allow the cross to change the way we look at our life in the world.

14 February – The cross of the dimensions of God’s love
21 February – The Cross and human ambition
28 February – The Cross and human evil
6 March – The Cross and human failure
13 March – The Cross and reconciliation
20 March – The Cross and the crowds

Real Religion

This Wednesday, in keeping with the themes from the book of James that describe “Real Religion,” the mid week Bible Study will center on the theme of “security and contentment.” Dr. Roxburgh will begin the study with a look at one of the minor prophets, after which Dr. Rusty Bennett and two of his staff members from Collaborative Solutions, Inc. (www.collaborative-solutions.net) will make a presentation on the work this organization does in the area of housing. Come and hear as these individuals share about this outstanding organization that makes its home in SSBC’s building.

This Sunday, a special worship service is planned in observance of Black History Month. Dr. Banks describes this service in the paragraph below and from what is planned, it will surely be a service that inspires and lifts everyone’s spirit. Be a part of this spiritual service as we celebrate that we are all one in Christ Jesus.

130 Years of Ministry

Sunday was an extraordinary day for Southside Baptist Church as we celebrated the 130th Anniversary of ministry in this community. The reminders of the faith, commitment and fellowship of members through the decades inspired us as we were challenged to respond to the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Thank you to all who helped make this such a special occasion. Those helping with preparation, worship leaders, members, guests, greeters, hosts and outstanding cooks all played a role in this wonderful event. I look forward to more opportunities to experience the sweet spirit of love and cooperation seen and felt in worship and in fellowship around the table. It was a great day!

Wednesday evening, Dr. Roxburgh continues the study of themes from the Epistle of James. In addition, Lisa Isay, Executive Director of Bridge Ministries, one of the non-profits hosted at Southside Baptist Church, will be with us to present how Bridge Ministries meets the physical needs of their clients and how we participate in their efforts. This is a great opportunity to see how both faith and works are essential in being the persons Christ has called us to be. Join us for this time of fellowship around the table followed by Bible study and thought-provoking words.

Celebrations

This evening, in the mid-week service, Jenny Lessman and a few others from the mission team to India will give an update on the two missions that Southside Baptist Church helps support there. This presentation is part one of a three-part study on themes from the book of James and the Minor Prophets that Dr. Roxburgh is presenting during the month of January. The theme this week is the teaching from James that real religion consists of, among other things, looking after widows and orphans in their distress. We look forward to hearing from the mission team this evening.

 

Then, this Sunday, Southside Baptist Church celebrates 130 years of ministry in the Southside community. We celebrate this milestone acknowledging the faith, vision, determination and sacrifice of those who gathered on Sunday afternoon, January 17, 1886 to organize a Baptist church, and those who in each generation since have taken up the mantle of their calling to be witnesses through word and deed so that persons in this community and beyond would come to know the love, mercy and grace of God. The opportunities for worship and ministry today are possible because faithful believers followed God’s guidance through the decades. We rejoice and give thanks for what God has done in the past and is doing now in and through Southside Baptist Church. May we live each day with a renewed commitment to being the presence of Christ as we look with eager anticipation to the days ahead.

Worship at Southside: Singing the Psalms

The book of Psalms has been a source of spiritual reflection for God’s people down through the centuries. Martin Luther spoke of it as “a Bible in miniature.” It is representative of various literary genres, diverse historical periods and expresses different theological themes. They constitute a profile of biblical theology, with expressions of faith from various parts of the history of God’s People.

The Psalms are not generally the voice of God speaking to us, but are rather the voice of human experience and encounter, gathered over a long period of time, and yet with an amazing amount of authenticity and contemporary significance. They help us to see how the life of faith encounters all types of human experiences, enabling us to turn to God for help.

The Cistercian monks at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, England, perhaps took it too far when they stated that you had to be able to recite the whole of Psalms in Latin before you could move from being a novitiate to the next level within the Monastery!

The Psalms have been used liturgically in worship. They have been used devotionally and pastorally down through the centuries. Our Lord would have heard the Psalter read in the synagogue and would have sung verses in worship.

Over a five week period, we will explore the significance of the Psalms for various aspects of the life of faith in our morning homilies on Sunday mornings.