Luke 21.25-36

In Luke 21.34 it says: "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap." We believe that Jesus will come again and that we will see him coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Therefore, the entirety of our lives are to be lived for him — we are to live holy lives — loving the Lord our God with all of heart, soul, and might — and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. But instead, we allow the cares of this world to weigh us down and cause our hearts to grow cold to the ways of the Lord.

We give into competing with our neighbors about who has the fanciest car — we compete with our co-workers for raises and promotions, not caring if we leave them in the carnage of our own self-absorption. We let someone driving too slow or too fast allow us to lose our focus on loving our neighbors. We allow gossip and back-biting to steer our angry and vengeful thoughts towards family and friends. We settle into lifestyles that promote bad health — justifying all of that by saying that we will live differently starting January 1^st. We settle into the warm and inviting hell — where we could make ourselves the center of the universe — and constantly turn in upon ourselves and gaze at our own insignificance. We comb the aisles of clothing and toys — hoping against hope that something will bring us happiness. We worship the gods of commercialism — bowing before their plastic altar — as we sign our lives away to Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express. We search for the cheapest goods and services — the whole time riding on the backs of modern day slaves that work in sweat shops that span our globe — in places like Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico — names that are emblazoned on the backs of plastic angels that announce a phony “Joy to the World!”

And Jesus says to us, in the midst of our depravity — guard your hearts against the cares of this world — the cares that take your focus off of the ways of Christ — and instead flee from the wrath to come.

Advent - Give us Rest!

December - a month that oftentimes causes our blood pressure to go up. During this Advent we pray that "God will give you rest." We would like to invite you to come and worship with us and learn more about the rest that is found in Jesus Christ. We will be focusing on the Gospel of Luke during this time --- below you will find a schedule of our services. We have a warm and passionate atmosphere where God will meet you as you are. Sunday morning worship is at 9am at Chandler's Wharf in their Atrium (225 S. Water Street - at the corner of Ann Street & Water Street in downtown Wilmington) We have a place for you!

Sunday, November 30th @ 9am: "Oh Great God, Give Us Rest" - Luke 21.25-36
Sunday, December 7th @ 9am: "Have You Seen This Place, It's All a Mess" - Luke 3.1-6
Sunday, December 14th @ 9am: "Take This Song, From a Crooked Heart" - Luke 3.7-18
Sunday, December 21st @ 9am: "Open Up Heaven's Glory Light" - Luke 1.39-55
Wednesday, December 24th @ 9pm (gathering at Hell's Kitchen - 118 Princess Street): Communion & Candlelight Service - Luke 2.1-20
Thursday, December 25th @ 10am (gathering at Azalea Nursing Home - 3800 Independence Blvd.): Visiting & Singing at the Nursing Home

"The Barge"

This last Sunday we celebrated our time on "The Barge".  It was so cold ------ which I think was a good reminder of why we need to go inside.  When you don't have walls up at a church ------ both metaphorically & physically ------- there is some extreme discomfort that comes with that.  But, we have also experienced what worship can be like.  It can be in open spaces, it can be in the public square, it can be easy & simple, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money, it can be open to people from all walks of life, and it can be a time to live into God's Kingdom in imaginative and creative ways. 

As I have reflected back on our time of being on "The Barge" I am overwhelmed with the generosity of Carl Marshburn, who owns the Henrietta III and "The Barge".  He has been so kind to us and so generous with his resources.  I can't say thank you enough. 

Also, I am in awe of the many people that have made The Anchor their home through our time on "The Barge".  You all have truly been a blessing to me and words cannot express how grateful I have been to journey with you all through this time.  You all are passionate in your love for the Lord and in your love for one another.  I have beautiful images in my mind of standing and singing ------- and people are walking along the River Walk getting a glimpse at what "church" can be.  I have images of eating donuts and drinking coffee ------ and in that simple moment walls of division come tumbling down through that grace-filled act.  I have images of dogs coming to worship -------- and in that simple act God smiles as all creation tells of God's glory.  I have images of strangers holding hands and praying ------ I have images of people sharing their experiences with tear-filled eyes ------- I have images of reading scripture -------- I have images of black people & white people & asian people singing with one voice ------- I have images of children running -------- and in that moment, I hear Jesus say: "I make all things new". 

Thank you for a great summer of worshiping together with all of you saints of God.  I am humbled by the fact that I can call all of you my friends.  Let's live lives that are radical ------ and let's do it together.  Let's cast aside all the religious baggage, and the dividing walls of hostility.  And instead let us live lives for the common good ------- for in that grace-filled act we are proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

Hebrews 11.1-19

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Hebrews 11.1-19.  This has one of the most famous passages from Hebrews in it.  It is verse 1: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  This sets up the rest of the 18 verses.  Over and over again we hear the words "by faith".  We see "by faith" in vv 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 17.  And in the midst of this pericope we then hear of a longing for a heavenly city.  In v16 it says: "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one."  The question that comes to me from this verse is whether we desire that better country? that heavenly one?

In Burlap to Cashmere's song titled "The Other Country" they sing:
Draw near the lamb's awaiting
Where the river runs thru the sky's align
From that painting of a ship
We have all been chosen
To the painter's creation
In his dream design
I can feel it over the line
I see the other country
I see the other side
Do not be afraid of this earthly city
Do not be afraid when the pharaoh's nigh 

In the midst of the stressful and divisive political season let us remember that we do not need to be afraid of the pharaohs that are trying to divide us and strike fear into us.  Our hope is in something greater than the republican party or the democratic party.  Our hope is found in something that is bigger than the political juggernaut that is trying to destroy everything in its path.  Instead, we as the church see something different.  We see with eyes of faith another city ----- a heavenly city ------ a better country.  For the slain lamb of God has called us to his side.  And uses people like us to make things new.