Rev. Brian Dixon (Interim Minister)
Worship Style - Traditional Baptist
We must admit that we selected this church for its musical offerings. Since both of us come from a traditional church upbringing, and since this was the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we were looking for Jesus in the comfort of some traditional music. So, having admitted that, it is only fitting to share with you the performed musical selections. The Prelude: Savior of the Nations, Come (Wolfgang Rubsam), and Solemn Prelude on Veni Emmanuel (Richard Purvis); The Anthem: Welcome the Babe (Natalie Sleeth); The Offertory Anthem: O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (John Goss); The Postlude: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Edward Wetherill). The music was beautifully offered to the glory of God.
As you may be able to tell by the musical selections, the theme this Sunday was "Peace." It was also the 73rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Rev. Dixon stated that peace is not normal to human life, that we must remember that evil is an ever present reality in our world. He suggested that some Christians are naive and believe that peace just will happen. ("If only everyone would agree with me"!) He further quoted Edmund Burke (Irish political philosopher), "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. (This is also the person who is known for the quote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.") Additionally, he quoted George MacDonald (Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister) who said, "The ultimate pacifist will give keys to a tyrant." Therefore, Rev. Dixon made the case that we do not have the luxury of being silent if we want peace.
Furthermore, Rev. Dixon stated his definition of peace: a state of harmonious relationship among individual nations. He believes that relationships must be primary and ideologies must be secondary.
Finally, Jesus looks for peace makers not peace keepers. (Matthew 5:9) Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. Since He atoned for our sins, Jesus is our atonement, and He makes us "at one with God."
Peace be with you.
Worship Style - Traditional Baptist
We must admit that we selected this church for its musical offerings. Since both of us come from a traditional church upbringing, and since this was the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we were looking for Jesus in the comfort of some traditional music. So, having admitted that, it is only fitting to share with you the performed musical selections. The Prelude: Savior of the Nations, Come (Wolfgang Rubsam), and Solemn Prelude on Veni Emmanuel (Richard Purvis); The Anthem: Welcome the Babe (Natalie Sleeth); The Offertory Anthem: O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (John Goss); The Postlude: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Edward Wetherill). The music was beautifully offered to the glory of God.
As you may be able to tell by the musical selections, the theme this Sunday was "Peace." It was also the 73rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Rev. Dixon stated that peace is not normal to human life, that we must remember that evil is an ever present reality in our world. He suggested that some Christians are naive and believe that peace just will happen. ("If only everyone would agree with me"!) He further quoted Edmund Burke (Irish political philosopher), "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. (This is also the person who is known for the quote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.") Additionally, he quoted George MacDonald (Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister) who said, "The ultimate pacifist will give keys to a tyrant." Therefore, Rev. Dixon made the case that we do not have the luxury of being silent if we want peace.
Furthermore, Rev. Dixon stated his definition of peace: a state of harmonious relationship among individual nations. He believes that relationships must be primary and ideologies must be secondary.
Finally, Jesus looks for peace makers not peace keepers. (Matthew 5:9) Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. Since He atoned for our sins, Jesus is our atonement, and He makes us "at one with God."
Peace be with you.