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THE BETHLEHEM
Hebrew for House of Bread
September 2014
E-Mail: bsacrament@sbcglobal.net
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 wifes 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 brothers church home over the last 10
years of his life. There were about 500 people who attended this service, many of whom I
hadnt 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 mens 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 brothers favorites and then 90 minutes
of his friends and family reminiscing about the blessings and follies of Ericks life. At the
end, the pastor encouraged people who were moved by my brothers 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 Gods 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 brothers 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 didnt 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.

Im 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+

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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. Marys 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 Gods 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 Marys
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
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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, Charitys 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! Thats right In
the short 8 year existence of Charitys 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? Heres how:
Generous donations of clothing, household goods, and furniture from you
Unselfish giving of time by well over 100 volunteers who staff Charitys 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

Whats the next milestone to reach? We dont 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 Charitys 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
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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.

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PARISH HOSTED DEANERY IX ANNUAL PICNIC AND BARB-QUE
On Saturday, August 16,
YOUTH
BBQ CHEFS
FELLOWSHIP
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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 Cruz38th Wedding Anniversary

12 Bill Frady

14 Debbie Lange

24 Clint and Alissa Williams-3rd Wedding Anniversary

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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
thefrylings@sbcglobal.net

See you in the garden!

Rector Search Prayer Group
Meetings

Rectors search prayer meeting on
Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. except on
the 17
th
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 Lords 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 Ukuleles, guitars,
harmonicas or just yourself. Its
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.
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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
cssquared@roadrunner.com
A reminder that you can conveniently donate electronically to The Episcopal Church of the
Blessed Sacrament and/or The Childrens 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: bsacrament@sbcglobal.net
Web-site http://www.bsacramentchurch.org/
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE
BLESSED SACRAMENT
1314 North Angelina Drive
Placentia, California 92870-3442


ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED