I do not belong to the true church

Well, at least that is the opinion of the Vatican.

If you click on this link, the BBC reports a new document coming out of the Vatican that questions the authenticity of Protestant churches.

This of course has made a lot of people happy, and I say that sarcastically.

Seems like Pope Benedict plans to unify the church require that Protestant realize they are not true churches. Not exactly the way I would go......

07-08-07 => Yes, that is the date for today, July 8, 2007, but today it has a more significant meaning. As some of you know, I am an aviation fan, and a big fan of Boeing. Well today was a big day at Boeing, today they unveiled the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The is aircraft is a huge leap in aircraft design and will become the benchmark for the future. There are too many things to mention as to why this is such a great aircraft, I encourage you to go to Boeing's website and take a look for yourself.

The plane was shown to the world at around 7:30p.m. EST, and the Master of Ceremonies was Tom Brokaw, former Anchor of NBC Nightly News.

All I want to say, is it is a beautiful aircraft, and congrats Boeing. I can't wait to see it fly!

The picture in the post can be seen at Airliners.net, a great website for nerds like me.

Independence Day & Benchmark

Not a great 4th of July in Nashua......it is currently raining, and fireworks later seem unlikely. That's okay, we have had a lot of great weather recently and some rain is needed.

The 4th of July has further significance for the Wakefield clan as it marks my 1st Sunday at Nashua, NH in 2004. It has been 3 years since we came to Nashua and the time has seem to fly by. We are very encouraged by recent events and new opportunities and feel that year four should be very interesting.

So while you are enjoying the 4th where ever you are, we are thankful to be here in Nashua, serving the church and seeing God work. Nothing more rewarding, and we are very grateful.

Back from Memphis

As you have noticed, I have been a terrible blogger this summer. But at least for one week I have a good excuse, I was in Memphis.

The 35th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) met this past week in Memphis to discuss important matters and business.

It was a good meeting, I saw a lot of friends and had the opportunity to promote New England and invite people & churches to visit on a short term missions opportunity.

This meeting was particularly important as we had to deal with some serious theological matters. I won't go into the particulars, but some have said it was one of the most critical moments in the PCA. In the end, we made the right decision and I left Memphis thankful to be apart of the PCA.

What would Jesus buy?

Have you heard about Reverend Billy?

Just saw a feature on the Today Show on NBC this morning on the Rev Billy, who is not a real minister but does a parody on an old fashion street preacher.

His "gospel" is a bit different from mine, but still interesting. He preaches against consumerism, which is personally one of my biggest concerns with American Society.

A documentary on his ministry is coming out sometime soon, check out the website that promotes it.

There is also this article on Wikipedia.

Hey, I found something to blog about!

not blogging

Hey folks, I have no idea if anyone is reading this blog, but for the few who do I want to apologize for not keeping up with it through the month of May.

Honestly, it has seemed that there has not been much to blog about. Church wise, there are some things hopping that are very exciting, but nothing yet to blog about.

The NH political front has been somewhat quiet, except for the fact Hillary Clinton walked past my office building on Tuesday.

Religious news has been not very interesting ( in my opinion)

So I find myself posting sermon texts and that has been it.

Lastly, I have not been sitting in front of my computer enough to be blogging. I will make no promises come the summer, when I am hoping to get some time to rest and recreate. Blogging may continue to be light in June, July & August.

So there you have it, why I am not blogging, in a blog post. I hope this helps. For anyone who might be reading this blog.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

1Cor. 11:27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
1Cor. 11:28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1Cor. 11:29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
1Cor. 11:30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
1Cor. 11:31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
1Cor. 11:32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
1Cor. 11:33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
1Cor. 11:34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-26

Well, I have yet to "reform" my blogging ways. I will blame the heat this week, as it has been miserable for those who have yet to install their A/C Units. Check back soon, I should be back to blogging soon!

The Lord's Supper

17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Guest Speaker: Chris Accardy

Sorry about being bad on blogging. I have been jet setting and running around too much to sit in front of a computer and blog. Sorry about that.

This Sunday we are fortunate to have Chris Accardy, PCA minister from the Upper Valley. Chris will be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

3But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

4Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.

5But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

6For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.

7For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

8For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;

9for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake.

10Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

11However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

12For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God.

13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

14Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,

15but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

16But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.

hot off the press

Last June, at the General Assembly of the PCA in Atlanta, a committee was formed to look at the Federal Vision controversy. They were to write a report and submit the report the following year. Well they have done it, and to read the whole paper, click on the link below.

I have just started to read it, let me know what you think.

Proposed Position Paper on the Federal Vision

11 charged over Bible firm deaths

I read this on CNN's website.....

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Eleven suspects in the slayings of three Christians at a publishing house in eastern Turkey were charged with murder Sunday, court officials said.

The three victims -- one German and two Turkish men -- were tied up and had their throats slit on Wednesday at a publishing house in the town of Malatya that was at the center of protests by some nationalists because it distributed Bibles.

We are so insulated from many of our Christian brothers and sisters who are literally risking their lives so people can read God's Word. We need to always be reminded that the church in many parts of the world finds itself threatened and persecuted. All they were doing was publishing God's word, they were not out on the streets preaching the gospel or holding a worship service. Just printing bibles.

I find it amazing and ironic that these men were publishing bibles in the same places where the Galatians & Ephesians first read their letters from the Apostle Paul.

Grace Covenant in Blacksburg, VA

I know most of us have been overwhelmed with the news out Virginia Tech. I know for myself I am taking a break from the endless 24/7 news.

But on a positive note, the PCA church in Blacksburg, VA is helping with those who are dealing with the tragedy. There is a nice video at the Washington Post Website, click this link to see it.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The text for this Sunday's sermon is quite appropriate given the events of Monday in VA.

50Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

51Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

53For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

55"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

A Day to Mourn

I am sure many of you were saddened as you heard the reports come in today in regards to the many deaths at Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to that community as they deal with this enormous lost.

Pray for the ministers in particular who will need to help folks in the community deal with this violence and death.

There is one PCA Church in Blacksburg, Grace Covenant.

And the PCA has a campus ministry (RUF) at Virginia Tech.

Keep them in prayer this week as well as the other churches that are connected to Virginia Tech.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

35But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?"

36You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies;

37and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.

38But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.

39All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.

40There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.

41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42So also is the resurrection of the dead It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;

43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;

44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

45So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL " The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.

47The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.

48As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.

49Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

Resurection Sunday Report

I thought it would be nice to share the highlights of yesterday......

We had a number of visitors, I think the total was 13 people, which includes children.

Our attendance was up, the exact count I do not know but with all the visitors and missing regulars visiting family I was encouraged.

After the worship service, about 20 folks gathered at a member's home had a wonderful lunch complete with Ham & Lamb.

That's it. Overall I was encouraged as we mark our 3rd Easter Sunday with this congregation. We feel blessed to be here and have hope of what will happen in the future.

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

1Cor. 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
1Cor. 15:21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
1Cor. 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,
1Cor. 15:24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
1Cor. 15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
1Cor. 15:26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
1Cor. 15:27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.
1Cor. 15:28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
1Cor. 15:29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
1Cor. 15:30 Why are we also in danger every hour?
1Cor. 15:31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1Cor. 15:32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.
1Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
1Cor. 15:34 Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Maundy Thursday?

I had a church member ask me, "Where does the term Maundy Thursday come from?"

Now we as a church don't have a Maundy Thursday Service, although my first church we had one which I though was good.

The term "Maundy Thursday" originated in English Protestant churches. Wikipedia gives this explanation of the word "Maundy"

The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" (A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. The phrase is used as the antiphon sung during the "Mandatum" ceremony of the washing of the feet, which may be held during Mass or at another time as a separate event, during which a priest or bishop (representing Christ) ceremonially washes the feet of others, typically 12 persons chosen as a cross-section of the community.

I hope this helps!

Good Friday Service

At least since we arrived in 2004, we have not taken time to gather as a church on Good Friday.

This Friday, we will be gathering in Hudson, NH at Fox Hollow in their clubhouse to remember Good Friday. There will be scripture readings, prayers, music and we will celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Anyone is welcome to come, it will be less formal than a typical Sunday Morning Worship. I am looking forward to spending the time reflecting on the last hours of Christ.

Is. 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.