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Epiclesis... An Ancient-Future Faith Community |
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The Season after Pentecost, 2012 |
Monday, June 4 |
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The Ancient-Future Faith Network | |
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Greetings!
 Over the last year or so, several of us have been working toward the launch of "The Ancient-Future Faith Network" (AFFN).
The vision for the AFFN, that we believe is God-inspired, began to come together when several of us sensed that the Spirit was especially at work in the renewing of the church and her worship. We began hearing from like-minded people every week-- sometimes daily-- who hungered for depth in worship, for a spirituality that would link them with countless generations of believers before them, and who desired to walk out their baptisms in a community that would call them to live an authentic faith.
And so the AFFN sprang up from the grassroots, from genuine need, and from the hearts of many whose passion unites them in a desire to come together in a common vision.
The desire of the AFFN is to grow and facilitate a network of like-minded individuals and churches. At its core is the 2006 "Call to an Ancient-Evangelical Future". But the association is not so much about doctrinal bona fides as it is about mutual encouragement and resourcing. The very heart of the Network is its growing number of members. Our desire is that members will find in this virtual community of faith a vibrant place for interaction.
A bit later this month, the AFFN will have its first annual gathering in Orange Park, Florida. Would you please be in prayer for that event? Author Christopher Hall (Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers) will be the special guest.
Meanwhile, if you'd like to learn more about the AFFN, read some of the wonderful materials posted there (including the 2006 "Call"), check out the growing Network members list, or read some Scripture and encouraging words from the Church Fathers, please click this link and visit the site today.
Bless you, friends, and do let me know if you have any thoughts, questions, or ideas.
The Lord be with you!
Pastor Chris |
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In This eNewsletter Issue |
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Sunday Worship...
10:30 AM
The Carmichael Chapel (on the campus of the Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church) 4600 Winding Way Sacramento, CA 95841
General Information Line: (916) 572-9113 
Epiclesis is a Constant Contact 2011 All Star Award Winner |
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Epiclesis in the Media
Radio Outreach Begins This Week...
Part of our local media project launches this week with some educational "spots" on local FM Radio 103.9, "The Fish", that will talk about what "Ancient-Future" means, plus encourage folks to learn more and continue the conversation on our website.
By the way, after a few weeks of those educational pieces, we're giving the community a gift, also on "The Fish": A weekly series of encouraging Scripture and words from the early Church Fathers. Our hope is to help believers learn about their rich Christian heritage and how the "road to the future runs through the past."
Be on the lookout, won't you? And please be praying that they'll expand the Kingdom as we help remind people why they were born and how they can be a part of God's story.
If you'd like to listen to the spots, please click here.
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Pastor to Pastor
Henry Wells Interviews Pastor Chris...
 Last week Pastor Chris appeared on local Sacramento radio station KFIA with host Henry Wells on his long-running program "Pastor to Pastor". Henry is the Pastor Emeritus of Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, a beloved local figure and a mentor and friend to Pastor Chris. Henry and Chris talk about the challenges of doing church in a postmodern world, discipleship, what it means to be "Ancient-Future" and how in the world to spell "Epiclesis".
Special thanks to Henry and the staff and engineers at KFIA for their invitation, affirmation, and wonderful hospitality.
Would you like to listen to the interview? Please click here for the link.
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Family Worship
Church Family Shares on June 17...
In some ways, every Sunday is a family worship day at Epiclesis-- we embrace whole family worship in our gatherings. But here's something extra special to mark your calendars for: One of our church families, the Fickenschers, are going to lead worship on Sunday, June 17 (which also happens to be Father's Day!). And here's the best part: They're going to show us some of the ways they worship as a family in their home-- and they all have a part to play!
Mark your calendars, bring your families (and some family guests), and join us on the 17th.
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An Ancient-Future Quote to Note
Knowledge Puffs Up
 It is better and more profitable to belong to the simple and ignorant class, ...than by imagining ourselves learned and skillful, to be found among those who blaspheme against their own God by making up another god as the Father. Paul exclaimed, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." He did not mean to attack a true knowledge of God, for in that case he would have accused himself. He knew that some, puffed up by a false claim to knowledge, fall away from the love of God. They imagine that they are perfect because they propose the idea of an imperfect Creator.... Now, there can be no greater conceit than this: that anyone should imagine he is better and more perfect than He who made and fashioned him, gave him the breath of life, and commanded him into existence. It is therefore better that one have no knowledge whatsoever of any reason why a single thing in creation has been made, believe in God, and continue in His love, than to fall away, puffed up through knowledge of this kind, from that love which is the life of man. Instead of searching after no other knowledge than the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Son of God who was crucified for us, such a person falls into impiety by subtle questions and hair splitting expressions.
-Irenaeus
 Want to check out a daily Scripture verse, artwork, and some words from the Church Fathers? Please click here to visit the beautiful Chapel of the Ancient-Future Faith Network and try it today.
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Epiclesis Website Tip of the Week:
We've just added a category of audio content on the website for the radio spots we're producing for local station 103.9, "The Fish". Want to check them out and listen? Try this this link: Epiclesis Radio Spots. |
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