september bethlehem newsletter

THE BETHLEHEM

Hebrew for “House of Bread”

September 2014

E-Mail: [email protected]

Web site: http:/www.bsacramentchurch.org/

A Monthly Message from our interim priest, Rev. Christopher Potter.

What our rituals say about us…

As most of you know, last month I attended the funeral of my brother Erick. He had suffered for 3 years with the effects of a particularly rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. In the last months of his life, he was slowing down, having frequent seizures and he had become more dependent on his wife’s loving care and on his family for physical and spiritual support. I thank you for your prayers during his last days and appreciate your presence as we walked through the valley of

the shadow of death.

In his final days, many people came to his bedside to say their goodbyes – a few of whom were from his church in Redlands. They were delightful and loving people who extended to my brother, through prayer and conversation, encouragement and blessing. We got to talking about his funeral and how the family and the church would coordinate his service in light of how Erick wanted it to be celebrated. When the day arrived for his memorial, we gathered at a location in Redlands that was my brother’s church home over the last 10 years of his life. There were about 500 people who attended this service, many of whom I hadn’t seen since our childhood. The church is described – and can only be described – as a Mega Church. Its claim of non-denominationalism was made clear from the marquis on the main road welcoming your arrival to where we eventually found our seats inside. Obviously the newest building on the block, I had heard how my brother, a Civil Engineer, had helped

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build and sustain this place. He was very vocal about his love of Jesus and how he heard that message “loud and clear” through the preaching at this church.

As I walked into the church, I was astonished at what I did not find there! It is an enormous auditorium with seating for over 3,000 people with huge television screens and gigantic mega-amps for music. It seemed completely appropriate for a concert or a lecture. What I could not find in that place was an altar, a cross, a pulpit, not a statue, a candle nor any semblance of what I have called “church” my whole life. The only icon of any sort that I saw in the church – and I am being truthful here – was a twelve-cylinder racing engine in the middle of the men’s bathroom! I suspect it was an attempt to bolster the male mystique.

The service too, was very different than with what I have known. The pastor got up and started things with a brief prayer quoting five separate and distinct lines of scripture. We heard two recorded songs that were said to be my brother’s favorites and then 90 minutes of his friends and family reminiscing about the blessings and follies of Erick’s life. At the end, the pastor encouraged people who were moved by my brother’s story and were willing to turn their lives over to Christ to raise their hand and be welcomed into the fold of the Church by the forgiveness of all their sins. That was it. Nice. Comfortable.

I make no judgment about this church and my experience there. Certainly filling up that church with 3,000 people three times on a Sunday morning attests to its value and popularity to many.

The experience did make me appreciate anew what we have in our tradition – whether during a funeral or when we gather for Eucharist. The symbols of our faith and belief – crucifixes, altars, pulpits and statues reassure me of God’s presence in a place that is set apart to welcome God. These things raise my thoughts to the holy and speak to my soul in words and phrases that cannot be translated into English or any earthly tongue.

Our rituals – words, music and movement – have a language and import all their own. During my brother’s funeral, I kept waiting for the words, “yet even at the grave, we make our song: ‘Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,’” but I never heard it. Being baptized in the church meant that my brother was “a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.” I never heard about the virtues of his baptism. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear these words until I did not hear them. Our prayers speak to the soul. They have meaning and form and structure; their significance, however, is profound and impenetrable.

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It is the bounden duty and service of the people of this parish,

being part of the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, to worship God as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, to become saints,

and to make disciples of all people.

I’m certain that a source of pride for many members of non-denominational traditions is that neither the ‘trappings’ of liturgical furniture nor the complexity of ritual hampers them. Many may even search for this refuge from discouraging past experiences in churches like ours. I was left pondering, however, how hard it must be to communicate the language of the soul without rite and ritual, liturgy and prayer. Music, altar calls, moving stories about life-changing faith in Jesus can inspire devotion and elicit emotional responses I am sure.

So, I found myself feeling relieved and delighted that our traditions aim beyond the emotional, stirring the soul to faith instead by beautiful music, ritual, prayers and movement. At Blessed Sacrament, these things are especially elevated and honored. The traditions here speak with ineffable words to the core of who you are. There is no compromise on the quality of worship offered. These acts are not words and gestures that become old or tiresome for their too-familiar ring. How many of us would grow tired, for example, of hearing words of love repeated from our parents, our spouse or our children?

There are other traditions, other ways in which people use rite and ritual to express themselves. They are no less – and no more – valid than ours, but lend truth and definition to who the worshippers are and to their experience of God. Each praying community is unique and each finds its own ways to express itself. Beautiful to behold is the perfect union of liturgy and the community gathered in prayer. The best of these liturgies have become touchstones by which the community tests the faithfulness to its identity and accordingly adjusts its vision without shame or hesitation.

As you prepare to call your next rector, remember that the liturgy here is a mirror by which we see ourselves in relationship to God and our response to his invitation to the Kingdom. The Eucharist is the finest prayer we have and our best way to be at peace – with fearlessness and determination to live as joyful members of His Kingdom.

Peace to you.

Christopher+

Thanks to all who gave school supplies for local school children who seek homework assistance at the Friendly Center of Placentia. Your generous donations helped fill 14 backpacks. A thank you letter from St. Mary’s Shelter to those who gave to our May Ingathering:

Please check Sunday Bulletins for future project requests.

Month Theme Thought for the Month

September Labor of Love Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father: 1 Thessalonians

October Be Prepared Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps alight. Luke 12:235

Also remember, “a can a week to feed God’s sheep” and please use the green bags provided by Outreach for transporting any of your donations. Questions: ask Ned Bergert at 714-501-3858, or Marion Hetherington 714-528-9907

Thanks So

Much On behalf of the young moms and babies at Mary’s Shelter, I thank you for the scrapbooking materials and cameras you donated. We rely on friends like you to help us provide vital services for those in need. Thank you again for your gifts of love!!

KrisAnn Miller, receptionist

Out Reach Committee News

Milestones are markers constructed to provide reference points along a road. These can be used to reassure travelers that the proper path is being

followed, and to indicate either distance traveled or the remaining distance to a destination. – Wikipedia

How do we measure our lives? Milestones are one way – we reach specific goals or destinations and ‘plant’ a milestone to indicate a measure of our journey. There are many milestones in the life of a person, family, or organization: Marriages, anniversaries, births, graduations,

HIS House has certainly had many milestones in its 25 year existence. However, our thrift store, Charity’s Closet, created a most significant milestone in July this year when the level of support they have given to HIS House surpassed One Million Dollars! That’s right – In the short 8 year existence of Charity’s Closet, they have, to date, given One Million Fourteen Thousand Dollars to support the ministries at the shelter and second step properties. That is an amazing and wonderful milestone to reach.

How did we make it to this point? Here’s how: Generous donations of clothing, household goods, and furniture from you Unselfish giving of time by well over 100 volunteers who staff Charity’s Closet The incredible vision and leadership of two ladies, Barbara Goff and Cynthia Marshall, who took the notion of a thrift shop from concept to reality And the faithful customers who keep coming back

What’s the next milestone to reach? We don’t know. Part of the adventure of taking a journey is finding those points along the way that really have meaning. Will you help us reach the next milestone – whatever it is? We count on you to continue to bless us with your donations, contributions, volunteering, and prayers.

Stop by Charity’s Closet (134 N. Bradford Ave., Placentia) to shop, donate or sign-up to be a volunteer. You can help us reach the next milestone and perhaps in that process make a milestone of your own.

Blessings, Allen Sypherd, HIS House Board

Milestones

August was an active month for our parish family

We said “Good Bye” to the Classen Family, Steve, Kathleen and Becca on Sunday, August 3rd as they prepare to leave to Lake Oswego, Oregon. We sent them off with our gratitude, our love and blessings. We shall miss them !

On Friday, August 22nd Father Christopher and children from our Learning Center enjoyed their

Annual Teddy Bear Picnic

“The Angelinas” On Saturday, August 23 nineteen ladies from our parish gathered in prayer and fellowship.

PARISH HOSTED DEANERY IX ANNUAL PICNIC AND BAR—B-QUE On Saturday, August 16,

YOUTH

BBQ CHEFS

FELLOWSHIP

The Ukulele Club gathers at the Rectory on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. All ages are invited to join. For more information talk with Ashley Romero.

PARISH LIFE.…..reminders and celebrations

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

1 Nancy Doman and Robert Bell 8 Chris Asfour 10 Maribeth Ekey, Elsie Pope and Keylee Cruz 7th Birthday Chris and Anita Cruz—38th Wedding Anniversary 12 Bill Frady 14 Debbie Lange 24 Clint and Alissa Williams-3rd Wedding Anniversary

PARISH LIFE (mark your calendars)

GARDENING GUILD

In September we will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings, September 6 and 27. For more information please contact the Church Office or Devin and Sandy Fryling at

[email protected]

See you in the garden!

Rector Search Prayer Group Meetings

Rector’s search prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. except on the 17th September due to the regular Vestry Meeting.

Let us all pray daily: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Help me not

to hide from myself. Open my heart to your will for me and for my congregation. Help me to see where my own desires, needs and motivations may be getting in the way. Empty me; purify me; guide me as I seek to serve your will and your will alone. As I pray the Lord’s Prayer, help me to hear anew the familiar words, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” AMEN

Parish Monthly Bonfire

Saturday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your Ukulele’s, guitars, harmonicas or just yourself. It’s always a good time to hang out by the camp fire and make music and eat ‘smores.

Friday, September 5 Stations of the Cross

at 6:00 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS ON SUNDAY, SPETEMBER 7, 2014 Volunteer positions for teachers and aides are open so if you feel called to this ministry please contact Fr. Christopher or Patty at the church office.

NEXT BETHLEHEM DEADLINE Saturday, September 20, 2014

FR. CHRISTOPHER POTTER, INTERIM PRIEST

JEFF GREEN, SENIOR WARDEN BRIAN NICK, JUNIOR WARDEN

PATTY BELL, OFFICE MANAGER MARION & THEO HETHERINGTON, EDITORS

[email protected]

A reminder that you can conveniently donate electronically to The Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament and/or The Children’s Learning Center. As you contemplate future contributions, please consider electronic giving. Additional information is available from the church office.

Electronic Giving

The Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Placentia

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THE BETHLEHEM Phone: (714) 528-2995

Fax (714) 528-2997 E-Mail: [email protected]

Web-site http://www.bsacramentchurch.org/

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 1314 North Angelina Drive Placentia, California 92870-3442 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

september bethlehem newsletter

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