The Messenger March 2016 DEEP LENT, DEEP PEACE On the second Sunday of Lent, we looked into the text of Philippians 3:17-4:1 where Paul encourages us to live in the freedom and peace of Christ as we live not according to our appetites, but as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. In that passage, Paul describes those who are ruled by their sensual appetites; for food, sex, money, comfort, and so on. They don t just struggle with those appetites, they are given over to living for them and glory in doing so. My hope is that none of us intentionally live to cater to our appetites and that none of us are glorying in doing so. My hunch, though, is that many of us do struggle with the power of our appetites. It is my belief that as we engage a Deep Lent, we will experience Deep Peace, and I think that as we explore a bit more of Philippians, we find that Paul gives us some guidance on how to break the power of our appetites and experience the peace of Jesus. Paul understands the complex connection between our heart, mind, and body, but also offers some strikingly practical steps toward freedom from the power of our appetites. He writes this: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:4-9) There are three things here that go hand in hand in working against the power of the appetites. First, rejoice in the Lord always. When we rejoice in Christ, when we experience joy in Him and delight in His love and care for us, we experience the reward. One of the reasons our appetites have so much power is that we experience a fleeting reward. While we can t manufacture feelings of joy, we can intentionally put ourselves in positions where we are more likely to experience the joy of Christ. For example, fellowship and worship are two places we often experience the joy of Christ. Second, give thanks. One of the reasons our appetites have such power is that we focus on what we don t have, what we think will satisfy us if we could only get a little bit of it. One way to break the focus on what we don t have (and think we need) is to give thanks for what we do have. When we fill our minds with the evidence of God s goodness, that insatiable desire for more grows weaker. When we give thanks, we make ourselves aware of God s goodness in our lives. Third, we set our minds on things that reflect God s goodness and beauty. In other words, when we find ourselves tempted to cater to our appetites and sin, we replace the thought. So often when we try to resist temptation, we become so focused on what we are trying to resist that we make it bigger and bigger in our minds. Instead, if we decide instead to think of something else, something that draws us to the experience of God s goodness and beauty, the temptation eventually falls away. These three go hand in hand: Rejoicing, giving thanks, and setting our minds on praiseworthy things. Together, they have great power to break the grip of our earthly appetites so that we can live more deeply in the freedom of God s grace and power, so that we can live in deep peace. Yours in Christ, Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship and Outreach
Rites of Initiation: A (very) Old Idea The Early Church I am thinking from 100-500 AD was very serious and intentional about initiation into the Christian community of the church. The problem that the church dealt with was this: How do we take pagans, who know nothing of the ways of God, and teach them to be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven? The answer lies in the combination of instruction and worship, or catechesis and liturgy. Pagan converts would be given instruction in the beliefs and practices of Christianity during the season of Lent. They would engage in spiritual disciplines, such as fasting. They would pray with the church regularly. All of these activities would gradually change the habits of their hearts. The gloriously climactic moment would come at the Easter vigil when they would receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. There is a related question in Family Ministry today: How can we take our children, essentially pagans by birth (let the reader understand), and teach them how to be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven? I think the answer is very much the same as before. We draw the children into our fellowship through a combination of instruction and worship. On the one hand, we teach the faith to our children by simply talking about it on a regular basis. On the other hand, we allow them to participate in the prayers and worship. This will allow our God -talk to root itself more deeply into their hearts, shaping their wills, shaping the habits of their hearts. This can (and does) happen at church. It can happen at home. There are also two upcoming opportunities for instruction. First, on Sunday, March 13th I will teach a class on Holy Communion for children who are preparing for their first intentional Communion. Parents may decide when their children are ready, but this is typically somewhere in the vicinity of 1st grade. Second, Confirmation Class will begin on Sunday, April 3rd for 10th grade and above. Trinity Family Ministry Growing Together in Christ Sunday School on the Campus of St. John s Pre-K 8th Meet in the Sanctuary and then process to class after the prayer of blessing. Youth Group - Sundays: 5:30-7:00 pm 3/6 Youth Group 3/13 Special Game Night (5-7:30 p.m.) 3/20 Youth Group (Easter Drama Prep) 3/27 Easter No Youth Group NEW(ER)COMERS CLASS March 12 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. If you are new(er) to Trinity and would like to know what Trinity has to offer, make some new friends, and learn how to get more involved and how to become an official member, join us on Saturday, March 12th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Trinity Offices (5100 California Ave. Suite 108). What will we do? Light refreshments Basic Anglican beliefs The core values, mission and structure of Trinity How to get fully involved at Trinity Call the Church Office (861-6020) to register. Blessings, Fr. Joe+ First Intentional Communion Preparation Sunday, March 13 9:30-10:15 a.m. The class is designed for baptized children in 1st grade or older, who have not yet received Communion, or who would like instruction. Students First Intentional Communion will then take place on Easter Sunday. Contact Fr. Joe CONFIRMATION CLASS Confirmation is open to adults and students 10th grade or higher Classes held Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 at St. John s Lutheran Six Weeks starting Sunday, April 3rd Contact Fr. Joe 861-6020 or joe@trinitybakersfield.com May 22nd - Confirmation with Bishop Menees Contact Fr. Joe for more information 2
In The Parish Family Our Sympathy to the family of long-time member, Mary Clifford. Please keep Mark & Juliet Smith in your prayers. Juliet is Mary s granddaughter. Fr. John & Judy Wilcox on the death of his brotherin-law, Les Turner. the Dyer Family on the death of Kathy s mother, Clara Moon. Ken Owen on the recent loss of his brother-in-law, Jerry Mullings. the Galagan Family on the death of Madeline. Congratulations to Chris & Sarah Thomas on the birth of Robert Gabriel, born February 23rd. FEED MY SHEEP Caring ministry Feed My Sheep is a caring ministry of Trinity Anglican Church that seeks to provide support for members in need. The ministry coordinates those who are able to provide food, rides, visits and reception help with identified needs. For those interested in being a part of this ministry, there will be an informational meeting on Sunday, March 6th, at 9:15 a.m. The meeting will take place at St. John s Church in the Jr. High 2 room. EASTER DECORATIONS Our Altar Guild will be decorating the church at St. John s for Easter. If you would like to make a donation towards the decorations, please call Linda Schuler or Tara, in the church office. Donations may be made in memory, in celebration, or in thanksgiving of someone or something. These requests need to be made by March 18th MARCH BIRTHDAYS George Giboney Helen Kotowske Jeff Mendoza Carolyn Foutch Myron Lewis Chris Olofson Sharon Mendoza Ken Miller Reagan Williams Jane Kleindienst Bob Norton Cindy Pinson Linda Lamirand Phyllis Herrick Suzanne Gray Emma Steward John Cronen Marlene Watson Patti Taylor Mike Young Ken Owen Patty Smale Joshua Lewis Emma Young Debbie Gibson Reginald Bogie Guy Lingo Cecile Bagwell TIME CHANGE! It s time to Spring Ahead. Don t forget to set your clocks 1 hour ahead when you go to bed on March 12th. This way you ll be right on time for church on Sunday morning. Easter Season Small Group Sermon Series Scenes from Heaven Six Visions of The Resurrected Christ This Easter Season, the Lectionary takes us on a tour of six Scenes from Heaven in the book of Revelation that show us the glory of our resurrected Lord and the joy that awaits His followers. Forget the chubby cherubs these powerful scenes are meant to astonish us and inspire us to faithfully follow our incredible Lord Jesus today. Series Starts April 3rd Not in a Small Group? Join one now! Contact Small Group Coordinator Garrett Ming gming78@gmail.com 3
Lenten Soup Suppers & Devotions Bring the whole family and your friends and join us for a bowl of soup and the service of Evening Devotions At First Congregational Church Stockdale and Real Roads HOLY BAPTISM Wednesdays, 6-7 pm Ending March 16 The next service of Baptism is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, 2016. If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, or if you have any questions, please call Fr. Karl. USHERS NEEDED We need one usher for the 8:00 service and one for the 10:30 service. If you are interested, please call Tara in the church office - 861-6020. LOOKING AHEAD PALM SUNDAY March 20th Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. MAUNDY THURSDAY March 24th Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar at 7:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY March 25 Meditations at 12:30 p.m. EASTER March 27 one service only Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. By the Grace of God The Right Reverend Eric V. Menees V Bishop of San Joaquin will ordain Ron Christolear To the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church Tuesday, May 3, 2016 5 Total Pledged: $2,694,606 Total Collected (1/31/16): $1,232,608 We are still awaiting the permit approval from the city. The appraisal has been completed and we are now working with the bank to finalize the loan process. Construction should begin shortly after the loan has been funded. TRINITY STATS Attendance February 7th 197 February 21st 210 February 14th 196 Giving Year-to-Date January Actual Budget Actual Budget Income $51,199 $47,500 $51,199 $47,500 Expense $43,375 $46,441 $43,375 $46,441
Trinity Anglican Church 5100 California Avenue Suite 108 Bakersfield CA 93309 March 2016 WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Morning at St. John s Lutheran Church 8 a.m. Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion Thursday Morning 10 a.m. Healing Service 5100 California Avenue Suite 108 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Young Dennis Gibson Ed Taylor Anne Giles Steve McCalley Guy Lingo Jeff Mendoza Chad Savage Olga See Mark Smith Priscilla Beck Steven Brown Phil Lamirand Sr. Warden Jr. Warden Treasurer Clerk 5100 California Avenue #108 Bakersfield CA 93309 661-861-6020 Office 661-861-6026 Fax office@trinitybakersfield.com www.trinitybakersfield.com OUR CLERGY The Rev. Karl E. Dietze, Rector The Rev. Joseph Lawrence, Assistant The Rev. John M. Wilcox, Retired The Rev. John LaMar, Deacon The Messenger