Hi Prezy,

I made it to Sunday 9.30am communion and worship service at St Albans family church (Anglican). Hymns and sermon a blessing. With the theme on true meaning of Christmas.

Don’t be too hard on the Catholics. If you study a bit of church history one finds much has changed for the better within the establishment. We ‘Protestants’ still are inclined to be a bit ‘bigoted’ (though personally I have moved on from being such) toward them and we must remember they are Christian. Years of bigotry, with the GRC and associates, does take its toll in our attitude and unless one is familiar with the RC church of today, one will continue to have wrong thoughts at times, not withstanding, the Presy’s follow the Westminister Confession which walks that line in part. 

Fww, we had around  100 attend, it is just a small church, and there where three handicap souls in wheelchairs that took part in communion. Such a blessing to see them give their all to the Lord

God Bless

Ralph

Hi Ralph, glad you had a blessed Christmas. Although there can be no denying that the RC church is a christian organisation, and we have a lot to thank them for, I was a RC much longer than I was in GRC and my experiences were mostly not very positive! My opinions of the RC church were developed before revival, and because of the lack of real substance in the RC church, led me to revival, that turned out worse unfortunatly. I went to mass with an open mind, and hopefulness but I was very disapointed.

Hi Prezy,

I'm pleased you're found your niche in the Presbyterian Church.  Many ex Revivalists are at a disadvantage because they fear the mainline churches and are suspicious of Pentecostal ones and most others after all they've been told.  I have never been to a Presbyterian service.  They have a beautiful little old Church down the road from me which I admire when I go past.

It's nice to feel free to visit other churches.  A while back I attended a Christening in a large Lutheran Church and found it has a quite similar liturgy to that of the Catholic Church.  I guess that's understandable.  Also a friend has children in the Anglican Cathederal Choir (the choir fully outfitted with cassock and surplice) and it was so nice.  I've been quite a number of times.

There is very little difference between the Anglican and Catholic liturgy.  If anything the Anglicans are closer to the (vernacular) wording of the old Roman Rite (Tridentine) of old English Catholicism before the split in the 1500s.  Catholics on the other hand moved over to the New Order (Novis Ordo) after Vatican 11.  Moves are now afoot, with some already in place, to bring Catholic (English) liturgy back to the wording of the Tridentine.  As one of the Catholic clergy put it "we are becoming more Anglican!"   Many Catholics were upset with the changes made under the "New Order" and I'm sure they will welcome a return to the wording of the old rite.

Looking into the liturgies,  regardless of slight variations there is much to commend them.  The Confiteor following the opening exchange of blessings is always a good start.  The declaration of belief (Creed) the giving glory to God (Gloria) is another positive.  I'm surprised at no bible readings on your Catholic Church Christmas visit, they are ALWAYS read by the lay and a good sermon directly relating to the readings is given.  The resitation of the Lord's Prayer and the sign of peace (handshake or hug) aptly comes before the Communion.  I think this is the format in both Anglican and Catholic services, although I'm unsure of the Confiteor in all Anglican Churches.  Anyway in both I like the service,  the hymns and the reverence and respect throughout - no mobile phones ringing or people messaging on them!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year. God Bless always.

EV

Hi Earth et Prezy,

Long time no hear but see you on FB occasionally.

I am attending a Family Church (Anglican) in Herne Hill after being much indecisive of which church to be involved with. (Notwithstanding I had a bit of stern prompting by my ‘mentor’ to find one and stick with it.Lol)

It is an evangelical church and I find much of what Earth has mentioned but without the ‘trimmings’ nor a fixed set of ceremonies, words, etc., that are used in the traditional Anglican church. Though they hold an earlier service which caters for those who like the more traditional service, which I’m yet to attend.

What I do notice in the ‘worship singing’, the words sung give the glory to our God and Savior as the focal point. Unlike the Revival and Pentecostal type churches that emphasize more on what God can do for us (“It’s all about me”) rather than serving and giving Him the glory.

Unfortunately, Revivalist ‘bigotry’ towards the Christian churches will continue until Jesus finally returns and then we shall see justice prevail.

May God richly bless.

Ralph

PS Wishing a Happy New Year one and all.

Hi EV and Ralph. The RC service had a nice little choir that had obviously put a lot of practice time in for the Christmas service. Unfortunatly, almost everyone didnt sing along, but talked amongst themselves. There was about 600 people there I would estimate and it was sad that there was so little order or apperant care for what was going on. Im am sure though this was unusual and I know in my own denomination there are vast differences when visiting other churches around the place. There was a Prezy church not far from where I went at Christmas, but I found it also very disapointing. Just not a welcoming place, and even the pastor wasnt very inspiring. I do remember back in the early 80's visiting the RC church at Caslemaine and I have no doubt God was amongst those people. The Prezy church at Swanhill is also very good. I guess at the end of the day, the denomination is not as important as the minister, church leaders and the congregation. of course the Inverleigh Presbyterian church is the best.lol
Hope all have a great, happy and safe new year. Also thanks to those who supply and adminster this site.

Hi Prezy and Ralph,

Around 600 at a church service is a very large group, cathedral size.  There would have been visitors over Christmas and some who come for events only, like Christmas and Easter, bless them.  It's a pity that some churches are not more welcoming;  it makes all the difference when you can feel the warmth and friendliness in the people.

I had a good experience while on holiday last September.  A large old Gothic style RC Church with a very tall spire caught my eye and I decided to attend morning Mass as the next day was Sunday.  With camera in hand I arrived about an hour early to take photos, being enthusiastic about old architecture and this one was impressive. 

The stained glass windows from the inside were magnificent.  I was told by some people organising things at the entrance that the church dates back to the 1860s and much of the interior was donated by various parishioners over the years.  When I asked if I would be allowed to take some photos of the interior they were happy with that and wanted to put lights on.  I used the camera flash and discretely took about 12 photos of the windows, the beautiful raised wooden pulpit and the choir loft with the heavy wooden rails before settling down to wait.  First impressions were that it was an older church community until 5 minutes before the start when family groups, young adults and youth begain streaming in and the church filled to capacity.  The lights were on and the entrance hymn was loud and enthusiastic as were the other hymns.

The readers used the raised wooden pulpit, the priest who stood in front gave a brilliant sermon.  He and some of the church members come together every Wednesday evening to study the readings and he included some of their thoughts on the theme. 

As I left, the people I'd spoken to earlier stopped me and one couple wanted to take me on a sightseeing tour of the area.  Some younger ones joined us and half an hour later I was still there talking to a young teacher who teaches at the school behind the church.

Lasting impressions are of a strong, vibrant, friendly community which I hope to visit again.

EV