Canadian Mennonite
Abbotsford Assembly Special Report
July 4-7, 2007


Built to Last assembly logo

Challenge, communion highlights of final worship service

Abbotsford, B.C.

A worship and communion service with the week’s theme, “Built to Last,” ended the Abbotsford 2007 on Friday night.

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Janet Plenert, executive secretary of MC Canada Christian Witness, presented the message based on the life of William Wilberforce, the 18th century British MP, who, after his conversion to evangelical Christianity, boldly led the campaign against the slave trade at the risk of his own popularity. Plenert challenged the audience to envision a new heaven and a new earth based on the vision described in Revelation 21, saying the foundation Christians are building on Earth with God’s people is a foundation of God’s love.

“William Wilberforce dared to imagine a world that could be more like God wanted,” she said. “What restless spirit might there be in our imagination? In 2007, what kind of world should we be imagining?” Plenert concluded with the call: “Are we willing to boldly move forward with God to see his kingdom come, his will being done on earth? This is our challenge.”

In keeping with the idea of building, the children of this week’s assembly did their part to help build God’s kingdom on Earth in a practical way. It was announced at the service that the sale of necklaces they had made as a craft project had raised $1,192.13 for missions projects in Thailand.

As they had done in each worship service of the week, participants themselves modelled “building” through liturgy, acting out each of the “Built on…” themes with sign language. A conference choir that had sung at an abbey in Mission the previous afternoon provided worship music.

Various ministers helped serve communion during Friday’s final worship service.

Photo by Amy Dueckman

The communion service was led by MC Canada denominational minister Sven Eriksson and served by various MC Canada pastors from stations decorated with stones symbolizing the theme of the week.

Fittingly, the service ended with a rousing congregational rendition of No. 606—“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”—and the South African song, “Ameni,” that was introduced earlier in the week.

—Amy Dueckman

Music played a large role in all of the worship services at Assembly 2007 in Abbotsford, including at Friday’s finale.

Photo by Amy Dueckman

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