A bear walks into a pub and says "I'll have a rum.................and coke." The bartender looks at him and asks; "Why the big pause?" ("paws" for my foreign friends who don't get American puns humor)
I have been in an Anglican church my entire life. My parents took me to church at an early age and I actually have fond memories of church. The thing is, I never knew it was an Anglican church. It was an Episcopal church. I learned much later that most of the world knows of the Anglican church. It is recognized as the official church of England. The church of Kings and Queens. Where all the royal weddings take place. Apparently in America we resent the fact that the church was founded in England so we changed the name to the Episcopal church. Can we do that? I guess some people thought we can. Episcopal means Bishop, which means the church is headed by Bishops. No Pope. But it really is Anglican. Now, in America, my church has split from the Episcopal USA church and we are back to the Anglican roots and name. But the Episcopal church is also still Anglican. Confused? So am I. A bit of church history here on the blog for you. It really isn't what this post is about, but it helps set the stage.
The priest always says "Blessed be God" then a pause, then "Father, Son and Holy Spirit". We then respond but that part isn't important here. I have always heard it like this. For the first time in my 40 years a priest stood in front of our church, and in one breath said the whole thing with no pause. Big deal you say? Well it is a game-changer to me. He said "Blessed be Godfather, Son and Holy Spirit." Godfather? I suppose I should have had images of the people that stand there at Baptisms and say they are the "Godparents" of the child. But I saw the movie version instead. Marlon Brando was now in our service and somehow we were wishing him to be blessed alongside his Son and the Holy Spirit. Good thing the Holy Spirit got in there, but it's no longer a three-in-one deal.
I have been in an Anglican church my entire life. My parents took me to church at an early age and I actually have fond memories of church. The thing is, I never knew it was an Anglican church. It was an Episcopal church. I learned much later that most of the world knows of the Anglican church. It is recognized as the official church of England. The church of Kings and Queens. Where all the royal weddings take place. Apparently in America we resent the fact that the church was founded in England so we changed the name to the Episcopal church. Can we do that? I guess some people thought we can. Episcopal means Bishop, which means the church is headed by Bishops. No Pope. But it really is Anglican. Now, in America, my church has split from the Episcopal USA church and we are back to the Anglican roots and name. But the Episcopal church is also still Anglican. Confused? So am I. A bit of church history here on the blog for you. It really isn't what this post is about, but it helps set the stage.Back to me. Since I have been sitting through the same Sunday service for more than 40 years, I have most of the service memorized. I could play the part of the priest if called upon. I suppose that would never happen, but if it did, I would be ready. I am the perfect understudy for this role. I know the lines and the hand motions.
On Sunday mornings our opening declaration is the same for most of the year. After the first song or hymn, the priest stands in front of the congregation and says "Blessed be God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Notice the punctuation. Semi colon after God. (History and then English lesson? What the heck is this?) This means we say God, we pause, then we clarify what that means to us. Three in One. Think of all the great sales pitches out there. Two for one. Buy one get one free. This is way better. Three in One. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All the same God. The explanation of this is for another time. This is about punctuation.
The priest always says "Blessed be God" then a pause, then "Father, Son and Holy Spirit". We then respond but that part isn't important here. I have always heard it like this. For the first time in my 40 years a priest stood in front of our church, and in one breath said the whole thing with no pause. Big deal you say? Well it is a game-changer to me. He said "Blessed be Godfather, Son and Holy Spirit." Godfather? I suppose I should have had images of the people that stand there at Baptisms and say they are the "Godparents" of the child. But I saw the movie version instead. Marlon Brando was now in our service and somehow we were wishing him to be blessed alongside his Son and the Holy Spirit. Good thing the Holy Spirit got in there, but it's no longer a three-in-one deal.I know I should probably never admit to these things. Somehow people want their worship leader to be thinking of things other than Marlon Brando. I can assure you it was just a passing thought. We went on to worship God who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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