One Year in Forever - Vision Sunday
I, Frog, set the vision for the year in two sermons at the start of January in All Saints with some reflections on Jude 20-25. 'One year in Forever'
I have two inspirations for 'Vision Sunday' - the first is Mike Breen, of 3Dministries, now in the USA, but once at St Thomas' Church in Sheffield used to do one, and when I was on my placement there, training how to become a Good Anglican Vicar I saw how helpful it can be. the second is Rev T J Gaster who went to glory in 1909, but was the founder of All Saints and preached an 'annual address tto the members of his congregation' every year from 1867 to 1908.
This is my 6th and so far they have proved to be really important for our life here in Peckham.
We have built on this by publishing a diary for the whole year, and for 08/09 this has focussed on our mission activities - you can have a look at the online one here:
One of the things that struck me from Jude is that evangelism is seen as MERCY - 'show mercy to some, snatching them from the fires of judgement, and rescue them'.
I think this is really helpful, as we Christians can tie ourselves up in knots about what should be a natural and merciful part of who we are.
We can all invite, introduce, and enthuse.
Introduce - we have a best friend in Jesus, and it would be impolite not to make an introduction of him to our friends.
Invite - we have a feast laid on, a banquet which is free, and we have the invitation available, but we need to deliver this. The Alpha course is a great way of doig this.
Enthuse - we naturally talk about a great film or book, why not naturally talk about what God has done and is doing in our life?
Can we make this year count in the perspective of eternity - in what we do, in what we spend money and energy and emotion on. May it be a year that really counts in the eyes of God.
Vision Sunday AM
Vision Sunday PM
