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ANiC news
ANiC and ACNA events calendar
March 30 – Christ The King (Toronto, ON) – The Rev Len Finn inducted as rector
April 8-10 – Ontario clergy silent retreat near Orangeville
April 13, 7pm – Ordinations to the priesthood of the Revs Geoff Chapman, Mike Chase, Jordan Senner & Alistair Stern at Sojourn Church (Vancouver, BC)
April 13, 3pm – Welcome service for new South Asian plant in Brampton, ON & induction of rector
April 24-26 – Women of the Word workshop for women in ministry in Vancouver
April 26 – Ordinations to priesthood of the Revs Jon Vickery & Terry Lamb, Resurrection (Kelowna)
May 2 – Dr John Goldingay speaks on the Psalms at Good Shepherd (Vancouver, BC)
May 5-8 – Clergy and spouse retreat, Malibu Camp, BC
May 7 – Anglicans for Life conference, St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON)
May8 – March for Life, Ottawa, ON
May 9 – Anglicans for Life wrap-up and prayer time
May 10-17 – Bishop Azad Marshall (Diocese of Iran) ministering to AMMiC South Asian churches
May 14, 10am – Bishop Azad Marshall to speak to AMMiC clergy, Good Shepherd Vancouver
May 16-19 – BC A4D chapter men’s weekend.
May 27-July 7 – Bishop Abraham Nhial (Diocese of Aweil) ministers to AMMiC Sudanese churches
May 29-June 1 – BC A4D chapter women’s weekend.
May 30-31 – Catechists training for Sunday School & children’s ministers, St John’s Richmond (BC)
May 31 – "Recovering the Ministry of Blessing" seminar will be held at New Song (Port Perry, ON)
June 25-28 – Anglican Church in North America Assembly 2014 at St Vincent College, Latrobe, PA
November 5-7 – ANiC Synod 2014 in Ottawa, ON
Welcoming a church so new it has not yet been named!
We are welcoming our newest member, a church plant in Brampton, ON which is focused on ministry to those from South Asia, especially Pakistan. On Palm Sunday, April 13 3pm, Bishops Charlie Masters and Stephen Leung will lead a special service of welcoming this new ANiC church plant and inducting the rector the Rev Wilson Nazim. The service will take place at Heart Lake Baptist Church, 10245 Kennedy Road North, Brampton.
ACNA Provincial Assembly – ANiC delegates wanted
With our Province’s General Assembly in just a few months – June 25-28 at St Vincent College, Latrobe, PA Pennsylvania – Bishop Don Harvey is compiling a list of ANiC’s official delegates for both Provincial Council and the Provincial Assembly. There are openings for five clergy, five lay and four youth delegates for the Assembly and one lay delegate to the Provincial Council.
Yes, there’s a catch. All delegates will pay their own expenses as ANiC’s finances do not allow us to sponsor delegates. Please note that registration prices rise after March 31. See details here.
This will be a momentous Assembly as it will see the installation of our next – as yet-to-be-elected – Primate and an opportunity to farewell Archbishop Bob Duncan. Over 1000 Anglicans from across the country and guests from around the world will be gathering. And an all-star lineup of speakers will be leading plenary session and workshops.
If you plan to attend the Provincial Assembly and are willing to serve as a delegate, please email ANiC. From the responses received, Bishop Don, in consultation with the House of Bishops and others, will select our official delegates with the intention of achieving as much regional representation as possible.
Plan to visit ANiC’s booth at the Toronto Missions Fest, April 4-5
Local Missions Fests offer a great opportunity to build relationships and worship with Christians of other denominations. Already this year ANiC congregations have participated in Missions Fests in Vancouver and Edmonton. Now preparations are well underway for our participation in the Toronto Missions Fest, April 4-5. For more information, see the Missions Fest website and plan to attend to encourage our volunteers and partake in the services, workshops and learning opportunities. Please pray for the volunteers and organizers, headed by the Rev Barbara Richardson, and especially for good opportunities to build relationships and effectively communicate ANiC’s story.
Report from Edmonton Missions Fest
ANiC’s participation in the Edmonton Missions Fest in February was coordinated by Christ the King (Edmonton) and included volunteers from Holy Trinity – Filipino (Edmonton) and Living Water (Athabasca). Was it worthwhile? The volunteers’ comments were “very positive… all considered it to be a great experience and [they] fielded lots of questions. They were surprised at how many people came to the booth saying: “What are you doing here? You support same sex marriage.” [This offered] quite an opening for a discussion about ANiC! ...everyone appreciated the booth’s artwork and loved the Anglican questionnaire.” See a photo on the ANiC website.
Jobs posted on the ANiC website
Several new jobs have been posted on the ANiC website along with previously posted, but unfilled, positions. St John’s Richmond (BC) is looking for two individuals to assist part-time in youth ministry and music ministry. Previously posted positions include a rector for Christ the King (Edmonton, AB), a part-time pastor for St Andrew’s (Delta, BC) and a youth and children’s minister at New Song (Port Perry, ON).
Opportunities for clergy to refresh and recharge
Silent retreat in Ontario – Bishop Don Harvey will conduct a silent retreat for clergy On April 8, 5pm – April 10, 11:30am at a Christian retreat centre near Orangeville. The theme of the retreat is “I have chosen you and ordained you” (John 15: 16); the time will allow reflections on ordained ministry. See flyer for more information, and email the Rev Barbara Richardson for information on costs and registration.
Clergy & spouse retreat in BC – Clergy and their spouses are invited to a retreat, May 5-8, at Young Life’s Malibu Camp in spectacular Princess Louisa Inlet. This retreat at Camp Malibu replaces the annual Cedar Springs clergy retreat (in Sumas, Washington). The speaker is the Rev Jim Salladin. See the flyer for more information.
Anglicans for Life Canada
The Canadian chapter of Anglicans for Life will launch with a one-day conference at St Peter & St Paul’s (Ottawa, ON) on May 7. The March for Life in our national capital is the following day, May 8. See the the ANiC webpage for information on the conference and ANiC’s participation in the March. Also see an article by the Rev Vicky Hedelius, director of Anglicans for Life Canada.
Bishop Abraham Nhial (Sudan) to visit ANiC Sudanese congregations in Canada
ANIC’s Asian and Multicultural Ministry (AMMiC) has invited Bishop Abraham Nhial, of the Diocese of Aweil in the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan, to minister to the various communities of Sudanese immigrants across Canada, from May 27 to July 7.
Toronto Anglican 1000 regional summit postponed
Due to the number of other activities scheduled for this spring, including the ACNA Assembly this June, a decision was made to postpone the Anglican 1000 regional church planting conference originally scheduled for May 20-24. The hope is to reschedule at a time when more people will be able to attend this important event.
Parish and regional news
Celebration Church (Barrie, ON) is sending a team to Cuba, leaving March 24, to meet with Anglican churches there to explore the possibility of forming a church-to-church partnership. The team is also packing educational and health supplies for those they will be meeting. For more information on the ANiC/Cuba church partnership opportunity see the ANiC website – and read more about Celebration’s mission team.
Church of All Nations – Japanese (Vancouver, BC) has a new website which also features the New Eden gardening ministry.
The Table (Victoria, BC) is featured in another article, this time, an Anglican 1000 story which tells how this “non-traditional” church plant has grown, since it launched in 2010, to an average of 120 at its large group “Big Table” gatherings. The Table is comprised of a number of community “local Table” groups as well as outreach ministries, such as “Table Conversations”, which offer both a sense of community while lovingly challenging cultural norms and prevailing worldviews.
New Song Anglican Church (Port Perry, ON) – In a short article beginning on page 31 of the current edition of Faith Today, Karen Stiller, senior editor at Faith Today and wife of the rector of New Song, the Rev Brent Stiller, recounts the “painful and marvel-filled journey” of leaving one denomination and planting a new ANiC church.
St Peter’s Fireside (Vancouver, BC) is offering a workshop called “Would Jesus Tweet? The Bible, Social Media & You” on March 29, from 10am to 3:30pm, at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver. The cost is $20 includes lunch. See the church website for more information.
Be sure to email your parish news to Marilyn Jacobson.
Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) news
Stories of ACNA church plants
Read the encouraging stories of two more ACNA church plants: St Thomas’ in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina and Church of the Outer Banks which intentionally reaches out to the surfing community around Nags Head, North Carolina. Also a story about ACNA’s “newest bishop” – Bishop Mark Zimmerman of the Anglican Diocese of the Southwest – provides much encouragement, as well.
Nashotah seems to be backing down
Under intense criticism, the dean of Nashotah House, Edward Salmon, seems to have backed down. While the dean’s invitation to Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC), stands, the word is that she will not preach while at the seminary, but will meet with faculty and students and give a eulogy for a student – who was also a member of TEC’s Executive Council – who died in early March while studying at Nashotah.
However, the crisis is far from papered over. An alumni board member has written a damning open letter recounting board meetings, ignored guidance from the board, and inexcusable actions by the chairman and dean. He demands a meeting of the board prior to the Presiding Bishop’s visit.
ACNA congregation builds a massive gothic structure to seat 1000
St Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee, Florida will move into a newly constructed 36,000-square-foot, multi-towered Gothic cathedral-sized building later this spring. Read the Tallahassee Magazine’s story about the construction of this building and the people who will worship there.
Favorable court decisions in Texas
Lawyer Alan Haley reports that the Texas Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the ACNA Diocese of Fort Worth in two cases. The Court ruled that the principle of “neutral principles of law” must govern court decisions regarding church property in that state rather than defer to the US Episcopal Church’s claim of ecclesiastical hierarchy. Both cases now return to the lower courts for further proceedings – but based on “neutral principles of law”, which is more favorable to the ACNA Diocese of Fort Worth’s legal argument.
ACNA’s Father Tory Baucum discusses his appointment by Canterbury
Anglican TV has posted a video interview with the Rev Tory Baucum in which he discusses his appointment as a Sixth Preacher at Canterbury Cathedral and his commitment to peacemaking.
Anglican Communion
GAFCon chairman’s March pastoral letter
In his March 24 pastoral letter Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (Kenya) focuses on the “absolute necessity of repentance in conversion and Christian discipleship… Revival is always preceded by repentance… The need for repentance, without which we cannot have true unity, is obscured when the authority and clarity of Scripture come into question. Sadly, this is the inevitable result of the Continuing Indaba project. By assuming that all differences are matters of context and interpretation, it becomes a way of affirming a false gospel.”
He concludes by focusing on the importance of Biblically faithful seminaries and the need for solid theological education. “The sustained renewal we look for will require faithful leaders who are soundly trained, able to make disciples and equipped to guard the people of God from the destructiveness of false gospels. So let us pray continually that God will grant us the gift of true repentance and that his Church may be united, restored and revived.” Read the full letter.
Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope sign anti-slavery commitment
Archbishop Justin Welby and Pope Francis are among those signing a joint statement condemning modern slavery which is estimated to have ensnared 30 million men, women and children in physical, economic and/or sexual exploitation.
Archbishop of Canterbury quietly meets with Global South Primates
At the invitation of Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis (Middle East), Archbishop Justin Welby flew to Cairo in mid-February to meet privately with the Global South Primates. George Conger, writing for the Church of England Newspaper has more on that meeting.
Video interview with Archbishop Justin Welby
You can watch an hour-long YouTube video in which the Archbishop of Canterbury covers a wide range of topics from his conversion to his job responsibilities and his views on various matters. He concludes by asking for prayer for three things: “for wisdom to know what to do because it is sometimes very difficult; secondly for patience to know when to do it because timing is often everything” and thirdly for courage to do it even when it’s going to be really difficult”.
International news in brief
Canada
Freedom of religion is at stake in a case before the Supreme Court of Canada involving a Quebec Roman Catholic high school which is being forced by the provincial government to teach students that all religions equally valid. See this Christian Post article for background and pray.
United States
The independent Diocese of South Carolina, which left the US Episcopal Church over a year ago, has accepted temporary “provisional primatial oversight from bishops in the Global South” and joined the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglican. The diocesan convention also voted to form a task force to “explore more permanent affiliation options” – including joining the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). In a recent Anglican Unscripted video, the commentators speculate that the reason the Diocese of South Carolina has not allied with the ACNA is the ecclesiology, specifically the proliferation of bishops – or “the purple haze”. For example, in the small geographic area of the Carolinas there are seven bishops in the ACNA and its affiliates.
In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala (Kenya), chairman of the GAFCon Primates, comments on the Diocese of South Carolina accepting provisional oversight from the GAFCon Primates and notes that GAFCon is a movement of unity for orthodox Anglicans. He also says, “The presence of leaders from the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) at the South Carolina Convention was a sign of hope for the future… Orthodox Anglicans should expect to find themselves converging…”
Also, in a recent court decision, the independent Diocese of South Carolina was successful in blocking the latest legal stalling tactic by its former denomination – the US Episcopal Church.
The Religious News reports that “Members of one of the largest congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have voted to leave the denomination, despite facing an $8.89 million cost for leaving. Menlo Park Presbyterian is based in the San Francisco Bay area and led by well-known author and pastor John Ortberg. It is the ninth-largest PCUSA church, with about 4,000 members, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice… The church voted to join a newer denomination called ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, which has attracted 115 other Presbyterian churches since it started in 2012.”
A group calling itself the American Anglican Fellowship has brought ecclesial charges against the Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. The letter bringing charges includes the following: “Many Episcopalians believe TEC has departed from the traditional faith…[and has pursued] litigious actions that have squandered an estimated $21.5 million in Church funds…. The litigation and punitive administrative actions are a discredit to all as they contradict (1) Christ’s teaching…(2) apostolic instructions… (3) policies of past Presiding Bishops allowing parish departures with property; and (4) practices of other denominations...” You can read the charges on Anglican Ink.
England
Bishop Wallace Benn exposes the hypocrisy of the recent statement from the Church of England House of Bishops and the danger of the Pilling Report which triggered that statement. He calls the Pilling Report “ultimately blasphemous” and warns against participating in the report’s recommended “facilitated conversations” under the existing terms. He says “Bible believing Christians… must graciously stand up for and contend for… the clear teaching of Scripture, as the very soul of the church is at stake.”
Pakistan
The Anglican Communion News Service reports that the principal of the Church of Pakistan’s Edwardes College in Peshawar, Pakistan was beaten, threatened and told to leave the country by intelligence agents of the provincial government. “The Revd Titus Presler, College Principal since 2011, said there has been increasing pressure from the provincial government to take over control of the college.”
Iran
VirtueOnline reports that there are currently at least 49 Christians in Iranian prisons simply because of their faith. A recent UN investigation which lists the names of the 49 said, “In 2013 alone, the authorities reportedly arrested at least 42 Christians, of whom 35 were convicted for participation in informal "house churches", association with churches outside the Islamic Republic of Iran, perceived or real evangelical activity, and other standard Christian activities. Sentences range from one to 10 years of imprisonment.”
Egypt
A devastating article chronicles the systematic kidnapping of Coptic girls in Egypt. These girls and young women are forced to marry their Muslim kidnappers and convert to Islam. A Coptic human rights lawyer in Egypt says these kidnappings have escalated since the revolution and the number of girls kidnapped each year is now in the thousands. Once the girls bear children they are effectively entrapped in Islam as the law requires that children remain with the Muslim parent.
Nigeria
On March 14, more than 100 people were killed in attacks by Muslim gunmen on three Christian villages which saw hundreds of thatches-roof huts set ablaze. Thousands of Christians have been killed in recent years in the north and central parts of Nigeria in this orchestrated terror with little intervention by the government and military.
Canon Chris Sugden, writing on the Anglican Mainstream blog, recounts the role of the Anglican Churches in the developing world in transforming society, raising the status of women and promoting democracy. He points out the hypocrisy of the World Bank and western powers who are financially bullying Uganda and Nigeria for their stand on same-sex activities, but giving Russia – not to mention Islamic countries – a pass. He also reports the tactics used by the homosexual lobby to manipulate public opinion in Africa and why these countries are concerned.
South Sudan
Based on an interview with Canadian ambassador to South Sudan, the Anglican Journal offers a good assessment of the current situation as well as some background to the recent conflict. It reports, “At the time of the Jan. 24 ceasefire negotiated in Ethiopia by Africa's Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), unofficial estimates put the death toll at more than 10,000, with about three-quarters of a million displaced. Against this backdrop, nation building remains difficult.” Through ARDFC’s current project – building a pediatric ward for a clinic in South Sudan – we can be a small part of that nation-building.
Kenya
Bos News Life reports that “Suspected Islamic militants burst into a crowded church near the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Sunday, March 23, killing as many as four people and injuring 17 others…”
Resources
Resources for ministry
Cheap grace – Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship, describes one of the great enemies of Christ’s Bride, the Church:
“This is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs… Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without contrition. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
“Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price... It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows Him... It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His son: 'ye were bought at a price,' and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered Him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God...”
Reformation Anglicanism – ACNA Bishop Steve Wood (Diocese of the Carolinas) explores Reformation Anglicanism – which he calls “the most historic Christian tradition within Anglicanism” – and urges serious study, especially by ordinands.
False teachers – In a series on heretics, Tim Challies profiles the teaching of Pelagius which was addressed and condemned by successive Church councils in the early part of the 5th century. “Pelagius believed that man had not been entirely corrupted by Adam’s fall and that he could, by his own free will, do works that pleased God, and thus be saved. This led Pelagius to deny the doctrines of original sin and predestination, and to deny the need for special grace to be saved. Essentially, he believed that man is basically good and moral and that even pagans can enter heaven through their virtuous moral actions.”
Other articles profile Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, Ellen G White who was influential in the formation of the Seventh Day Adventists, and Charles Taze Russell who founded the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Resources for Christian living
Why Satan’s hates your family – Tim Challies explains how important a healthy family is to our understanding of God. He concludes: “Family teaches us about God’s nature, his gospel and his church, and family ministers to both the church and the world. No wonder, then, that Satan is always attacking the family and no wonder he will stop at nothing to attack your family. If he can destroy family, he can destroy these powerful metaphors and these powerful ministries. If he can distort or destroy the family, he can make the gospel opaque to those who are not yet saved.”
Language of debate – A LifeSiteNews article shows how, “The battle over ideas is the battle over definitions. Whoever controls the language controls the debate.” Actions and ideas which were once thought morally repugnant have gained traction as advocates, aided by the media, employ more appealing terminology. When we succumb to the sanitized terminology, the battle is all but lost. For example, it matters whether we call euthanasia “assisted suicide” or “dying with dignity”.
The rest of the story – While the media seek to portray the change in moral/sexual values as a virtual fait accompli – especially among youth – the fact is that vast numbers of Christian youth hold fast to Biblical sexual and moral values. But they need help learning to confidently articulate their position. A Breakpoint article explores this more.
39 Articles – In his continuing series of short YouTube videos, Canon Phil Ashey explores Article 6 – on the sufficiency of Holy Scriptures. See part one and part two. The 39 Articles are our “basic confession of faith as Anglicans”.
Prosperity gospel – Cartoonist Adam Ford nails it with his portrayal of the prosperity gospel.
Accountability – In his book, True Friendship, Vaughan Roberts advocates having close friends – accountability partners – regularly ask you “If you were the devil, where would you attack yourself?” See Tim Challies’ discussion here.
Prayer Book - A great two-minute animated video introduces the reason Archbishop Thomas Cranmer developed the Book of Common Prayer.
Biblical authority – A short video explains how the denial of Biblical authority undercuts the Christian faith. Truth and morality become subject to public opinion and the church, and ultimately society, collapses.
Passion Week visualized – A helpful “infographic” offers a chronological timeline of the major events in the four Gospels which occurred in the week prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
JRR Tolkien on sex and marriage – While his books steer clear of sexuality, JRR Tolkien’s letters to his sons offer considerable advice on sex and marriage. Albert Mohler writes, “…these letters represent, not only a hallmark of literary quality, but a treasure of Christian teaching on matters of manhood, marriage, and sex. Taken together, these letters constitute a priceless legacy…” The article is full of Tolkien’s advice and wisdom of the subjects of sex, morality and marriage.
Heaven is for Real – Listen to Pastor John Piper’s views on the popular book Heaven is for Real which purports to recount a child’s experience of heaven during a “near death experience”. Spoiler alert! He’s not impressed. In fact, Piper compares this genre of literature to necromancy and cites Isaiah 8:19 as he encourages us to look to God’s Word for our understanding of heaven.
Engaging science in church – A Christianity Today article points out that a major factor in so many young people walking away from the faith is the failure of the church to engage with science. For example, two-thirds of respondents in a study of 18-23 year olds believe that “the teaching of science and religion often ultimately conflict”. Another study found that, while “52 percent of youth-group teens aspire to science-related careers like biology, chemistry, engineering, and technology, along with the medical and health-related professions” only one per cent of “pastors or youth workers have addressed issues of faith and science in the past year”.
The good news, the author says is that “we don't have to have all the answers to our kids' (or our own) questions about the complex intersection of science and faith. We just have to be in the game. If we're willing to address the topic, people will listen eagerly and engage with us.” A program called “Scientists in Congregations” resources churches to begin the dialogue drawing on both their pastors and scientists in the pews. Read this important article and take action to stop the bleeding of young people!
On a related subject, a helpful Breakpoint commentary explores the difference between scientism –the philosophy of knowledge that ascribes to the sciences exclusive domain over all areas of human interest – and true science – which is the pursuit of knowledge within the prescribed bounds of the scientific method. Roughly, scientism says that only what can be demonstrated through the scientific method – the objective, observable world – is real. Human consciousness, for example, is considered illusionary. The author warns against accepting “the dehumanizing, imperialistic power grab represented by the philosophical viewpoint known as scientism”.
Big Bang and creation – The Times of Israel quotes physicist Nathan Aviezer of Bar-Ilan University who said that new evidence supporting the Big Bang theory makes it “…clear that the universe had a definite starting point — a creation — as described in the Book of Genesis” The article continues, “For believing Jews, the story of the Big Bang resonates perfectly with the story of creation told in Genesis, Aviezer said. “Without addressing who or what caused it, the mechanics of the creation process in the Big Bang match the Genesis story perfectly…” said Aviezer.”
Soul food
Just for laughs
Instead of John I call my bathroom Jim. It sounds better when I say I go to the Jim first thing every morning.
www.mikeysFunnies.com
Thoughts
We are never nearer Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love. ~ John Owen
And now a Word from our Sponsor
Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
…
Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Say also:
“Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!”
Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 ESV
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