Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ March 2015 Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship and Outreach The Messenger OF TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH A COURAGEOUS LENT As Epiphany came to a close, we concluded our teaching series on Christian identity by wrapping everything up in the knowledge that we are children of God: we are chosen, forgiven, invited into our Father s life and work, and growing in the family likeness to become like Jesus. As we finished the series, we noted that we all respond to the one call to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, following will take a unique shape in each one of our lives it won t look the same for any two people. We noted, also, that it is in the process of following that we are made to be like Jesus from the inside out, so that we not only do what is Christlike on the outside, we are motivated from a heart like Jesus. This Lent, we continue to explore that theme in our sermon series Becoming Like Jesus: Cultivating Christian Character. By the time this Messenger arrives in your hands, we will have already talked about how the pursuit of character, of virtue, takes courage. It is no easy journey. It is not easy because, first, we won t like what we find when we allow Jesus to show us our own hearts. Secondly, it is difficult because it hurts to die to self, to die to old habits and ways of living without God. Finally, it takes courage because this is a lifelong journey. Cultivating character takes great courage. But it is worth it! To cultivate character is to bring the inner and outer lives into congruence, to not only do what is right on the outside, but to want to do what is right on the inside. It is to be motivated by the right things, to live and act out of a heart like Jesus. Isn t that what we ultimately want? To no longer want to do wrong, but to do right even when no one is watching? This isn t an exercise in self-help or of fake-it-till-you-make-it. Cultivation is a deliberately chosen word. Cultivation requires time and patience. You plant the seed, you tend the soil, you water it, and you wait for it to grow. The growth, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, comes from God. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow (1 Cor. 3:6). We don t make plants grow, we only provide a good environment for growth to take place. Cultivation reminds us that it is God s work, not ours. It is a work of grace. It is our prayer that you will join us in this journey of cultivating Christian character. For those who are brave enough to embark, or go deeper, on this journey, we will explore how the distinctly Christian character of faith, hope, and love are produced in the soil of gratitude, humility and penitence. When faith, hope, and love actually abound in our lives, when they are more than words but are the experience of a deep well of character, then we, like Jesus, will live in deep peace, joy, and freedom. Then we will shine forth a different way of life to those around us who need Jesus. May this be for all of us a courageous Lent of Becoming Like Jesus. Your Brother in Christ, Fr. Karl+ 1
The Character of the Christian Family The imagery of the Lenten journey reminded me a passage of St. Augustine s monumental work The City of God a passage that bowled me over the first time I read it. He characterizes the Christian family as pilgrims on a journey to a heavenly country. On the other hand, the non-believing family lives only for the present pleasures of this life. Augustine writes: A household whose life is not based on faith is in pursuit of an earthly peace based on the things belonging to this temporal life whereas a household whose whose life is based on faith looks forward to the blessings which are promised as eternal making use of earthly things like a pilgrim in a foreign land, who does not let himself be taken in by them In other words, the Christian family has a special character or virtue: The Christian family, being on a journey, maintains a focus on the destination and keeps alive a sense that our ultimate purpose is to enjoy the presence of God forever. The Christian family still goes about the normal business of life work, school, sports, etc. but always with a sense that there is more to life than the normal business. How can we cultivate this awareness of our pilgrimage in our families this Lent? Let me suggest that regular times of family prayer, bible reading and discussion of the things of God are great places to start even, say, once a week. These practices don t transform us, but they do keep alive our awareness of the God who can. Blessed Pilgrimage, Fr. Joe + 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 at the Kyrie hymn Youth Group - Sundays: 5:30-7:00 pm 3/1 Youth Group 3/8 Game Night (5-7:30 p.m.) 3/15 Youth Group 3/22 Outreach (TBD) 3/29 NO Youth Group First Intentional Holy Communion Preparation Sunday, March 22 9:30-10:15 a.m. This class is designed for baptized children in 1st grade or older, who have either not yet received Communion, or would like instruction. Students First Intentional Communion will then take place on Easter Sunday. Contact Fr. Joe Youth Group Game(s) Night Lenten Quiet Day Retreat March 8 5:00-7:30PM Quiet. Meditations. All welcome. Mark your calendar Saturday, March 14 From 9am to 1pm 2
DAUGHTERS OF THE HOLY CROSS Our DHC have a new project for Flood. We are asking our parishioners to help by bringing the following items: toothpaste small bars of soap disposal razors toothbrushes small shampoo A collection basket will be in front of the church, and it will be picked it up every Sunday. 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 12th All are welcome to attend the classes. Continue to hold the Architectural Committee in prayer as they work with Klassen in design development. We are on schedule to move into construction by next January. We are still in escrow on our property and await the city s recording of the parcel sometime in late March. TIME CHANGE Don t forget to change your clocks when you go to bed on Saturday, March 7th. Remember - it s Spring Ahead! SENIOR SINGLES All single people, who are seniors, are invited to join our group for lunch on Sunday, March 1st. We will be going to Coconut Joes right after the 10:30 service. If you have any questions, please call Janet Poteete at 872-0842. HOLY BAPTISM The next date for Baptism will be on Sunday, April 12th. If you or your child are ready to be baptized, please call the church office to make arrangements. 3 NEW(ER)COMERS CLASS March 28 9am-2pm 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 28th, from 9 a.m., to 2 p.m., at the Trinity Offices (5100 California Ave. Suite 108). What will we do? Food! Light refreshments and lunch Instructed Eucharist why we do what we do in worship Basic Anglican beliefs The mission and structure of Trinity Call the Church Office (861-6020) to register. TRINITY STATS Attendance February 1st 188 February 15th 219 February 8th 210 February 22nd 207 Giving Year-to-Date January Actual Budget Actual Budget Income $62,895 $44,441 $62,895 $44,441 Expense $46,188 $46,658 $46,188 $46,658
In The Parish Family Congratulations to Corine & Darren Bogie on the birth of their new son, Roland. Monica Ayuso, who received the International Women s Day Award in the Education Category. This is given in recognition for her superior achievement. It has taken many years of steadfast dedication to reach this point. In Sympathy to friends and family of Jeannette Kastorff, who died on February 9th. Services are pending. to Nicki Biggs and her family on the recent death of her mother, Marion Pidgeon. to Joy Rose on the deaths of her son-in-law s father, Edward Hafey, and also her cousin, Bea Doklas. 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 John Cronen Marlene Watson Mike Young Rosella Burr Mike Chase, Jr. Patty Smale Joshua Lewis Emma Young Debbie Gibson Reginald Bogie Guy Lingo Rob Sawyer Cecile Bagwell EASTER AT TRINITY CHURCH HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm Sunday - March 29th Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Palm Procession at 10:30 a.m. Children s Activity at 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday - April 2nd Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar at 7 p.m. Good Friday - April 3rd Good Friday Service at 12:30 p.m. Easter Day - April 5th Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. (only one service) Children s Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m.. 4 If we have omitted your birthday, please call the office (861-6020) and give Tara the date. 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 23rd. GUEST WHO DINNERS All are invited to attend our Guest Who? Dinners on Saturday, April 25th, at 5 p.m. Meals will be served in the homes of some of our church members, which makes this a wonderful way to get to know each other. A few days before the dinner, you will learn where you will be eating, and what other guests will be joining you. Tickets are $10 and will go on sale on March 15th. Child Care will be provided at the church office for a small charge.
Trinity Anglican Church 5100 California Avenue Suite 108 Bakersfield CA 93309 March 2015 WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Morning at St. John s Lutheran Church 8 a.m. Holy Communion (1928 Prayer Book) 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion (Rite II) Thursday Morning 10 a.m. Healing Service 5100 California Avenue Suite 108 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Young Kevin Ray John Cronen Anne Giles Marilyn Brown Ron Christolear Lynne Hall Guy Lingo Steve McCalley Jeff Mendoza Chad Savage Olga See Mark Smith 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 OUR STAFF Sue Wagner, Director of Music Tara Michaels, Office Manager Kendi Miller, Bookkeeper The Messenger 5