The Nicene Creed is the most ecumenical of creeds, in that the Presbyterian Church (USA) joins with Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and other Christians who have all adopted this historic statement of faith. Our siblings in the Roman Catholic Church will often use the Nicene Creed as part of their regular worship practice. We will sometimes use the Nicene Creed – which was written between the years 325 and 381 CE (a loooong time ago). One reason why it took so long to write was that travel was difficult and the issues around writing a statement that captured the essentials of the Christian faith were many and varied.
One of my favorite lines in the Nicene Creed can be found toward the end – the line that says, “We look for the resurrection of the dead. . .” In the original Latin, the phrase here is “expecto resurrectionem.” No, this is not a spell that Harry Potter might say. Instead, with these words, those who wrote (and those who recite) the Nicene Creed are saying that we are expecting new life. . . a resurrection life.
Resurrection comes in many forms in the Christian life. Of course, there is the resurrection of Jesus – a pivotal event at the heart of our faith and the fulcrum upon which all of history sits (the central point upon which the entire history of the world pivots). There is the “resurrection of the dead,” that we are told to expect when God comes to reign in glory.
But resurrection isn’t just a powerfully grand event that we find in the Bible or are promised at the end of time.
Resurrection can also happen in small and beautiful ways in our own lives.
This past week, I witnessed a bit of resurrection. The last time BPC held a Vacation Church School, it was 2016. For a variety of reasons, we have not held VCS in NINE years. Now, I have heard legends about the VCS events from before my time – weeks when the church was bursting at the seams with people. This year, in conversations around the church office, we began to wonder, “What if. . . ?” and Michelle Jones began to put some plans in place to hold a high quality Vacation Church School for children. She arranged for volunteers, worked on curriculum, and got speakers from the community to come. She spearheaded the drive to advertise with our Director of Communications and they got the word out to the community. Did I expect resurrection? I don’t know. . . I sure did experience some resurrection, though!
This week, we had one of the most vibrant and fun summer activities our church has had in a long time. As a participant and a leader, I’ll tell you that it felt like a breath of fresh air – fresh faces, fun songs, lots of energy, dedicated volunteers, and a joyful experience.
VCS is not the only thing coming down the pike. In the coming weeks, we will be holding a Supplies for Success event and are preparing for our FALL Welcome Sunday on September 7. There is a LOT more on the way this Fall. Will it feel like resurrection? Perhaps, for some. I trust that it will feel good, regardless – one of the great joys of being part of a congregation into which the Holy Spirit is offering newness of life, deeper faith, and a greater love for God and God’s people.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “If God is For Us (Words to Live By)”
Read Psalm 124
Read Romans 8:31-39
Read or sing Hymn # 823 – “Shall Tribulation or Distress”