While browsing YouTube recently, I came across this recording of “They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love” by Jars of Clay, and thought it especially appropriate for this Week Of Prayer for Christian Unity. This is another group who I’d never heard of, but do rather like their sound, so will listen to again. I think the person who put the video together has done a good job of selecting images to illustrate the song.

Here are the lyrics:

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Today marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 to 25 January); although many Churches will do as we do at Godmanchester, and make it Sunday to Sunday.

This year’s theme, “All things in common” comes to us from an ecumenical group in Jerusalem.

Two thousand years ago, the first disciples of Christ gathered in Jerusalem experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and were joined together in unity as the body of Christ. In that event, Christians of every time and place see their origin as a community of the faithful, called together to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Although that earliest Jerusalem church experienced difficulties, both externally and internally, its members persevered in faithfulness and fellowship, in breaking bread and prayers.

It is not difficult to see how the situation of the first Christians in the Holy City mirrors that of the church in Jerusalem today. The current community experiences many of the joys and sorrows of the early church; its injustice and inequality, and its divisions, but also its faithful perseverance, and recognition of a wider unity among Christians.

The churches in Jerusalem today offer us a vision of what it means to strive for unity, even amid great problems. They show us that the call to unity can be more than mere words, and indeed that it can point us toward a future where we anticipate and help build the heavenly Jerusalem.

From the World Council of Churches Introduction to the theme for the year 2011

More information and resources can be found on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website, and the World Council of Churches website.

† † †

In working towards Christian Unity, we need to remember that unity doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity. Diversity doesn’t have to mean division. We’re different: let’s celebrate that. Different doesn’t mean wrong; it means different.

Joining in prayer for unity we join in the prayer of Christ, affirming his incarnation. Unity in diversity can express the diversity of the Trinity and explore the greatness of God.

Christian unity should be about coming together with our brothers and sisters; exploring our differences without feeling threatened by them. Then we’ll likely find that there are many more things that we have in common, than there are which divide us. This way, I believe, we can be truly united, or reunited, with our brothers and sisters from around the world.

Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles,
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’:
look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church
and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;
where you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

A Collect for Christian Unity,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

This phrase, “eternal unity of perfect love”, from the Collect for the First Sunday of Christmas, sums up rather well in its five words just what the God I try to serve is all about.

God exists outside of time, or perhaps that would be better turned around somewhat to say, time exists within God. He was here before time started, he will be here when time ends. And, despite what many people believe, he will have been here throughout the existence of time.

It would be possible for the world to be unified within God, if only the world’s peoples would believe it, and act upon it. But it’s never too late; just because the world is divided today, doesn’t mean it cannot be united tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after, or … some other day in the future. But we have to believe it’s truly possible, we have to want it, we have to reach out for it. God won’t force it on us, or we would lose our free will, and without that we can’t experience a truly loving relationship with God.

I guess regular readers will already know my views on love; it’s our very reason for being here. God created us because he wanted to love us, and wants us to love him. His love is perfect. But he’ll never force that love, to us or from us, because then it wouldn’t be love any more. God’s love for us is a gift to us that we can choose to accept or reject. Just as our love for him is a gift that we can choose to give or not, but he will always choose to accept it and never reject us.

Eternal unity of perfect love; just five words, but five words that describe and explain our God, perfectly. And so appropriate to be using them on this First Sunday of Christmas, when we’ve just celebrated his ultimate gift of love. When God put his total trust in humanity and became incarnate for us as a helpless baby.

God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Additional Collect for The First Sunday of Christmas
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

In today’s Collect, for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, we’re reminded that we are called to fullness of life. But what is it, what is the “fullness” we are all promised in this Collect and in the words of Jesus, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)?

It’s a gift of God. It’s the love of God revealed in Christ (John 3.16). It’s the call of Christ to be his disciples (John 1.35ff).

Fullness of life enables us to live as one of the flock of the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. Contrary to the popular way of thinking, fullness of life isn’t the increasing accumulation of rights, freedoms, joys, resources, and opportunities, although it’s true that it may lead to some of these. Fullness of life isn’t an add-on operation.

Fullness of life is rather an invitation to faith in the midst of, and in spite of, death and limitation. It is a confession of our sins, but it’s mainly the confession of our faith, which leads us to believe in the One, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead; on the third day he rose again…” (from the Apostles Creed).

Fullness of life is in Christ and through Christ and “from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1.16). It’s Christ’s coming to us that allows us to work towards a better life for everyone. With his fullness we’re empowered to give breath to the exhausted. With his fullness we’re able to be in communion with each other. With his fullness we’re given the spirit of celebrating life, despite all threats and forms of death.

With Christ’s fullness we can look for new ways of working together, both locally and globally, while accepting our differences in a spirit of faith, love and, honesty. Our unity is found in Christ Jesus, who is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall, and the hostility, between us.

With Christ’s fullness our anxieties can be banished. And we can revel in the liberating love that is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gracious God,
you call us to fullness of life:
deliver us from unbelief
and banish our anxieties
with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect for The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

I came across reference to this Unison advert in an article I was reading, and managed to track down the actual advert on YouTube. It’s an incredibly cute advert — but conveys a real message (whether you agree or disagree with trade unions). And I thought the “unity” theme would be appropriate for this week, even if not actually Christian Unity.

Today marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 to 25 January); although many Churches will do as we do at Godmanchester, and make it Sunday to Sunday (from yesterday).

This year’s theme, “You are witnesses to these things” (based on Luke 24), was chosen by the Scottish Churches — who are also involved in celebrations for the centenary of the 1910 conference on the theme, “Witnessing to Christ today”.

During the past century reconciliation between Christians has taken on very different forms. Spiritual ecumenism has shown how important prayer is for Christian unity. Great energy has been put into theological research which has led to a large number of doctrinal accords. Practical cooperation between churches in the social field has given birth to fruitful initiatives. Alongside these major accomplishments, the question of mission has had a particular place. It is even generally held that the 1910 World Mission Conference in Edinburgh marked the beginnings of the modern ecumenical movement.

From the World Council of Churches Introduction to the theme for the year 2010

More information and resources can be found on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website, and the World Council of Churches website.

† † †

In working towards Christian Unity, we need to remember that unity doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity. Diversity doesn’t have to mean division. We’re different: let’s celebrate that. Different doesn’t mean wrong; it means different.

Joining in prayer for unity we join in the prayer of Christ, affirming his incarnation. Unity in diversity can express the diversity of the Trinity and explore the greatness of God.

Christian unity should be about coming together with our brothers and sisters; exploring our differences without feeling threatened by them. Then we’ll likely find that there are many more things that we have in common, than there are which divide us. This way, I believe, we can be truly united, or reunited, with our brothers and sisters from around the world.

Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles,
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’:
look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church
and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;
where you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

A Collect for Christian Unity,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

This phrase, “eternal unity of perfect love”, from the Collect for the First Sunday of Christmas, sums up rather well in its five words just what the God I try to serve is all about.

God exists outside of time, or perhaps that would be better turned around somewhat to say, time exists within God. He was here before time started, he will be here when time ends. And, despite what many people believe, he will have been here throughout the existence of time.

It would be possible for the world to be unified within God, if only the world’s peoples would believe it, and act upon it. But it’s never too late; just because the world is divided today, doesn’t mean it cannot be united tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after, or … some other day in the future. But we have to believe it’s truly possible, we have to want it, we have to reach out for it. God won’t force it on us, or we would lose our free will, and without that we can’t experience a truly loving relationship with God.

I guess regular readers will already know my views on love; it’s our very reason for being here. God created us because he wanted to love us, and wants us to love him. His love is perfect. But he’ll never force that love, to us or from us, because then it wouldn’t be love any more. God’s love for us is a gift to us that we can choose to accept or reject. Just as our love for him is a gift that we can choose to give or not, but he will always choose to accept it and never reject us.

Eternal unity of perfect love; just five words, but five words that describe and explain our God, perfectly. And so appropriate to be using them on this First Sunday of Christmas, when we’ve just celebrated his ultimate gift of love. When God put his total trust in humanity and became incarnate for us as a helpless baby.

God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Additional Collect for The First Sunday of Christmas
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

You call us to fullness of life

In today’s Collect, for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, we’re reminded that we are called to fullness of life. But what is it, what is the “fullness” we are all promised in this Collect and in the words of Jesus, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)?

It’s a gift of God. It’s the love of God revealed in Christ (John 3.16). It’s the call of Christ to be his disciples (John 1.35ff).

Fullness of life enables us to live as one of the flock of the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. Contrary to the popular way of thinking, fullness of life isn’t the increasing accumulation of rights, freedoms, joys, resources, and opportunities, although it’s true that it may lead to some of these. Fullness of life isn’t an add-on operation.

Fullness of life is rather an invitation to faith in the midst of, and in spite of, death and limitation. It is a confession of our sins, but it’s mainly the confession of our faith, which leads us to believe in the One, “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead; on the third day he rose again…” (from the Apostles Creed).

Fullness of life is in Christ and through Christ and “from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1.16). It’s Christ’s coming to us that allows us to work towards a better life for everyone. With his fullness we’re empowered to give breath to the exhausted. With his fullness we’re able to be in communion with each other. With his fullness we’re given the spirit of celebrating life, despite all threats and forms of death.

With Christ’s fullness we can look for new ways of working together, both locally and globally, while accepting our differences in a spirit of faith, love and, honesty. Our unity is found in Christ Jesus, who is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall, and the hostility, between us.

With Christ’s fullness our anxieties can be banished. And we can revel in the liberating love that is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gracious God,
you call us to fullness of life:
deliver us from unbelief
and banish our anxieties
with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect for The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from the 18th to the 25th January each year. This year’s theme is, “Reconcile Your People”.

In working towards Christian Unity, we need to remember that unity doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity. Diversity doesn’t have to mean division. We’re different: let’s celebrate that. Different doesn’t mean wrong; it means different.

Joining in prayer for unity we join in the prayer of Christ, affirming his incarnation. Unity in diversity can express the diversity of the Trinity and explore the greatness of God.

Christian unity should be about coming together with our brothers and sisters; exploring our differences without feeling threatened by them. Then we’ll likely find that there are many more things that we have in common, than there are which divide us. This way, I believe, we can be truly united, or reunited, with our brothers and sisters from around the world

Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles,
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’:
look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church
and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;
where you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for Christian Unity,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Each year the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is developed by one country which produces outline material that is adapted for use in other parts of the world. Korea is the selected country for 2009. And more information and resources can be found on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website, and the World Council of Churches website.

Eternal unity of perfect love

This phrase, “eternal unity of perfect love”, for me, sums up rather well in its five words just what the God I try to serve is all about.

God exists outside of time, or perhaps that would be better turned around somewhat to say, time exists within God. He was here before time started, he will be here when time ends. And, despite what many people believe, he will have been here throughout the existence of time.

It would be possible for the world to be unified within God, if only the world’s peoples would believe it, and act upon it. But it’s never too late; just because the world is divided today, doesn’t mean it cannot be united tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after, or … some other day in the future. But we have to believe it’s truly possible, we have to want it, we have to reach out for it. God won’t force it on us, or we would lose our free will, and without that we can’t experience a truly loving relationship with God.

I guess regular readers will already know my views on love; it’s our very reason for being here. God created us because he wanted to love us, and wants us to love him. His love is perfect. But he’ll never force that love, to us or from us, because then it wouldn’t be love any more. God’s love for us is a gift to us that we can choose to accept or reject. Just as our love for him is a gift that we can choose to give or not, but he will always choose to accept it and never reject us.

Eternal unity of perfect love; just five words, but five words that describe and explain our God, perfectly. And so appropriate to be using them on this First Sunday of Christmas, when we’ve just celebrated his ultimate gift of love. When he put his total trust in humanity and became incarnate for us as a helpless baby.

God in Trinity,
eternal unity of perfect love:
gather the nations to be one family,
and draw us into your holy life
through the birth of Emmanuel,
Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Additional Collect for The First Sunday of Christmas
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council