At the beginning of our trip to Europe we spent a couple days in England. We really wanted to see Westminster Abbey but didn't want to pay a lot of money for a tour that our kids would be less than excited about. Our hostess told us there were evening services that were sung and if we attended one of those we could see inside as well as experience worship at the historical place. After a day of walking and sightseeing we stopped along the river for a chocolate and banana filled pancake to fill the bellies of our 2 hungry (and slightly cold) kids. We walked past Big Ben all lit up and the House of Parliament. We crossed a square of tents where Occupy Wall Street has taken to London and then across the large lawn to the church. We'd seen it earlier in the afternoon but lit up in the evening it was so cool against the sky. I was a little excited to enter into a place that has stood for so long. When we walked in there was a small group of people gathering in the choir area for the Evensong service. Greeters were so friendly and helpful and seated us right in the center to see well with the kids. As I watched people come in, some were obviously visitors traveling from afar like we were. Others were regulars as the greeters recognized them by name. We sat down and picked up the program. At the top was a paragraph that took my breath away.Believers have met and held daily worship services here for over 1,000 years.As we participated in the service we joined the others in the Apostle's Creed, declaring Jesus as the Christ. This was astounding to me. For 1,000 years believers have met together to declare Christ as Messiah - Son of God, Savior. What significance a place like that has! What a privilege it was to participate with the larger Body of Christ not just geographically in that moment and space, but in eternity as we joined the many before us to have done the same.We set out to sightsee in London, and see we did. We saw a glimpse into time the way God sees it. And we were once again humbled at the grace of our amazing God and Savior who chooses to use us in some of His plans.
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AuthorsCarolyn & (sometimes) Ty Archives
March 2016
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