1. What do we believe? Weekly Worship Sept 10, 2011 Christ Church United, Deux Montagnes

2. One church, Four kinds of believers Rom 14:1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with--even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Rom 14:1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with--even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.

3. Ritual of Gathering: One: Though the storm clouds of doubt and fear threaten to overcome us All: God leads us into ways of peace. One: When the darkness of war and the deep pit of anger reach toward us All: God lifts and carries us through the darkness with hope and light. One: Lord of hope and life, be with us today. All: God of mercy and peace, lead our lives. AMEN.

4. Prayer of Approach We sing and speak your praise, O God, grateful for the many ways in which you have healed us. Keep our hearts, our minds, and our spirits open to learn ways in which we can offer healing love for others. We ask this in Jesus name. AMEN.

5. Hymn VU 806 VU 806 O God our Help in Ages Past

6. Mainliners Four kinds of believers Rev. Warren Volmer, Lakefield Ont. Biblical theology based on scholarly interpretations Practical implications of the gospel- living social justice Theres something true and divine behind it all, but it has human hands on it. Im not a literalist Jesus is a role model for living Accept evolution, many paths to God 44%

7. Intuitives Four kinds of believers Rev. Bruce Sanguin, Vancouver BC Feel the presence of God, comfortable with ambiguity Prayer is very important The Bible is part of my relationship with Jesus Jesus is a role model for living, political rebel and prophet Religion should go beyond telling about God and encourage experience of the Divine. 35%

8. Traditionalists Four kinds of believers Traditionalists 13% Four kinds of believers Rev. Nick Phillips Carman United, Sidney Mines NS. Faith based on more literal interpretation of the Bible. Divided on Creation vs Evolution Divided on other religions as paths to God Heaven and hell are real places Christ crucified, risen and exalted, at the centre of our lives and at the centre of the church.

9. Non Conformists Four kinds of believers Rev. Nancy Steeves Southminster-Steinhauer United, Edmonton, Alta. Rooted in Christian tradition, but with an emerging spirituality. Divinity permeates everything, but God is not a personality Jesus was real human whose reform of Judaism started a new religion. Rarely pray Admiration for moral teachings Strong concern about climate change 8%

10. Where are you? Romans 14: 1 - 14

11. Who is God? Hymn: VU 651 Guide me O thou Great Jehovah

12. Who is God? God is the one only living and true God, a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable. God is the one only living and true God, a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable. God is the Creator, Upholder and Sovereign Lord of all things God is the Creator, Upholder and Sovereign Lord of all things God has created and is creating. God works in us and others by the spirit. God has created and is creating. God works in us and others by the spirit. God is Holy Mystery, beyond complete knowledge, above perfect description. God is Holy Mystery, beyond complete knowledge, above perfect description. None of the above, God is……… None of the above, God is……… 2) Do you personally believe in God? Yes No It depends what you mean by God. Yes No It depends what you mean by God.

13. Who is God? 3) Please choose the one that best describes your sense of Gods presence I have direct ongoing sensory experiences of God I have direct ongoing sensory experiences of God I have an intuitive sense of something beyond myself I have an intuitive sense of something beyond myself I have an intuitive sense of something within myself. I have an intuitive sense of something within myself. I have not experienced Gods presence. I have not experienced Gods presence. 4) My relationship with God is: Close On-again, off-again Ambiguous Non-existent Close On-again, off-again Ambiguous Non-existent 5) How comfortable are you with feminine images of God

14. When I visualize God I picture……..

15. Mainliners: God who has created and is creating Intuitives: God is experienced as Holy Mystery Traditionalists: God is the one only living and true God, a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable. Non conformists: Permeates everything but is not a personality

16. Let us Pray: Holy One, Comforter, Disturber Interpreter, Enthuser Heavenly friend, Lamplighter We pray that your presence be made known here, that we hear your voice and feel your love. Amen Adapted from A Wee Worship Book, Wild Goose

17. Who is Jesus? Hymn: VU 352 I Danced in the Morning

18. Who is Jesus? (Choose all that apply) Son of God Divinely inspired prophet Son of God Divinely inspired prophet Political Rebel Social Justice Advocate Political Rebel Social Justice Advocate Jewish reformer Somebodys invention Jewish reformer Somebodys invention Other ____________________________ Other ____________________________ 2) Do you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin? Yes No No Opinion Yes No No Opinion

19. Who was Jesus? 3) Please choose the one that best describes your beliefs about the resurrection: Physical return of Jesus body to life Physical return of Jesus body to life Spiritual return of Jesus that others felt Spiritual return of Jesus that others felt Its a story told to support the idea that Jesus was son of God Its a story told to support the idea that Jesus was son of God None of the above. It was ______________________ None of the above. It was ______________________

20. Mainliners: Jesus is a role model for living (Open arms for everyone) Intuitives: Role model for living, prophet, rebel, but main relationship is with God directly Traditionalists: Son of God, born of a virgin, my personal saviour. Non conformists: Jesus is a real human whose reform of Judaism started a new religion.

21. Let us Pray: Lord, make our hearts places of peace And our minds harbours of tranquility Sow in our souls true love for you and for one another; And root deeply within us friendship, unity and reverence. May we give peace to each other sincerely and receive it beautifully. Amen Adapted from A Wee Worship Book, Wild Goose

22. Who is Jesus?

23. Hymn: VU 581 When We are Living

24. Announcements Minute for Mission: African Appeal Minute for Mission: African Appeal Offering Offering *Offertory Hymn VU 542 We Give You but Your Own

25. Prayer To whom do you pray? GodJesusOther___________ I dont pray

26. The Bible I last read the Bible: I last read the Bible: Today this month this year over a year ago never Today this month this year over a year ago never Who wrote the Bible? Who wrote the Bible? God, using humans as scribes God, using humans as scribes Humans inspired by the Holy Spirit Humans inspired by the Holy Spirit Humans who were trying to advance religious understanding Humans who were trying to advance religious understanding Other ________________________ Other ________________________

27. Afterlife 4) What do you think happens after death? We go to heaven or hell depending on how weve lived our lives We go to heaven or hell depending on how weve lived our lives Everyone is reconciled to God and goes to Heaven Everyone is reconciled to God and goes to Heaven Our souls leave our bodies and live on in some form Our souls leave our bodies and live on in some form We are reincarnated as another person or animal We are reincarnated as another person or animal We cease to exist We cease to exist I dont know I dont know 5) Please select one response that best represents your beliefs: Heaven Hell is a real place, not of this world is a real place, not of this world is the best/worst parts of this world is the best/worst parts of this world may or may not be real, but Im going to live as if it is may or may not be real, but Im going to live as if it is is a myth is a myth

28. Other Beliefs Other denominations and faiths 1) Are all major world religions equal paths to God? Yes No Not sure 2) Do you believe that the Christian God is the God of other religions? Yes No Not sure 3) If you were to attend a service of another church which would you pick? Why? _________________________________________ 4) If you were to attend a service of another religious, which would you pick? Why?__________________________________________

29. Mainliners: Read the bible monthly Pray but dont always get answers Are unsure about an afterlife Intuitives: Read the bible monthly Pray often for centering and calm Souls live on in some form Traditionalists: Believe the bible is the Word of God, dictated or divinely inspired Believe that heaven and hell are real places Non conformists: The bible is not very important to faith Rarely or never pray This life is not a dress rehearsal for the next life.

30. Let us Pray: Generous God, you gave us voices, no two the same to praise you. Wise God, you gave us minds, no two the same, to know you. Loving God, you gave us hearts, no two the same, to live the life you give. Help us to be as welcoming and open as you are. Help us to believe Amen

31. Hymn: MVU 1 Let us build a house

32. Where are you? Romans 14: 1 - 14