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Epiclesis... An Ancient-Future Faith Community |
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The Season after Pentecost, 2012 |
Sunday, September 16 |
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Looks Great, Tastes Awful | |
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Greetings!
 Why is it that the desserts at most cafeterias look fantastic but usually taste like a paper towel? You go through the line and see a pie that you are compelled to get-- a vision of culinary loveliness with a towering meringue that would rival the Eiger. But, oh horror: When you finally eat it you quickly decide that it only tastes like the Eiger.
Or take the dessert tray at most restaurants: Your server, "Edward," brings around a tray of the most fantastic-looking ensemble of fudgey, gooey, creamy things that never really look the same when they get delivered to your table. Why? The dessert examples are made out of scoops of shortening and hardened dough and the like: They're fakes! They're fakes, people, do you hear me? They look terrific, but goodness gracious if you actually ate one of those things....
The prophet Amos told the people of Israel that God was not pleased with their worship-- that He was not impressed with their beautiful ceremonies and customary sacrifices. God knew that there was no goodness, no sincerity, in their hearts. Their worship was hollow. It might have "looked" great, but it "tasted" awful.
Christian friends, let's always be extra careful about what we bring to God, whether in worship, or in the privacy of our hearts: God knows what's inside. We may be able to fool fellow Christians. We may have a spiritual meringue that towers above everyone else's, but God knows the ingredients of our hearts. The Lord wants no fake worship. Let's keep up our beautiful songs and prayers and teaching, but let's also be full of unselfish goodness and truth on the inside!
Still meditating on the essentials,
Pastor Chris
 PS: Are you plugged into a "Christianity: The Essentials" small group? It's not too late to jump in and get started... and we have four groups, times, and locations to choose from.
Click here for more information. |
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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 Hosts One-Day Workshop: October 6, 2012
Are you interested in kids, their life in the church, and their ministry in the world?
Fresh off of an amazing presentation in Orange Park, Florida (where several of our leadership folks had the honor of hearing her) Dr. Connie Bull, a kids ministry specialist and member of the Ancient-Future Faith Network, is coming to Sacramento for a one-day seminar. Plans are still coming together, but mark your calendars now for Saturday, October 6 (from 9 AM to 3:15 PM), located at the Oak Avenue Free Methodist Church in Orangevale.
The event is open to the public and is aimed at church members, ministry leaders, parents-- anyone interested in kids and their life in the church. We're asking for a fee of $15 per person (kids are free) to cover lunch and our use of the facilities.
Kids of all ages will be an important part of the day, too. Want more details? Please click here.
Here's a handy flyer with clickable links to share with others: Handy flyer.
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It's Baaaack.
Once again, the entire population of our region will gather in Orangevale to witness the most amazing thing ever: The mother of all Yard Sales.
And once there, they'll find an amazing assortment of rummage and garage sale goodies. You can't miss this thing. And more important, your family, friends, and neighbors shouldn't miss it, either. We're raising money for previous and ongoing mission efforts, so the more the merrier!
Need more information or want to donate items? Please contact Norm. Please take note of this: We especially need your help the day before to prepare and price items. Can you lend a hand?
See you and yours on Saturday, October 20 from 8 AM to 4 PM, at 5310 Main Avenue, Orangevale.
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Bring a Dish on October 21
Here's something fun: We're planning an informal potluck-- oops, we mean "foodfest"-- for Sunday, October 21, following church. Just bring something yummy to share.
Immediately after worship, we'll set up a few tables in the chapel, a serving line in the lobby, and then hit the plates.
We've got refrigerator space for cold and frozen things, and if you want to bring something hot, please bring a crockpot, etc., to keep 'em warm.
One more nifty note: We'll be taking the time at our foodfest to show video and share stories about our recent outreach to the Navajo Nation, so be looking foward to that!
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An Ancient-Future Quote to Note
Glory to God...
 When we desire to be respected and loved by others, seeking only to experience a false joy, we lead a distastefully showy, miserable life. Then it is revealed that we don't love You and don't sincerely fear You. You resist the proud, but give grace to the humble. You thunder against the world's greedy pursuits, and "the foundations of the hills" tremble. But some people find it necessary to be loved and honored by others. The enemy of true happiness presses hard against us. He scatters his traps of "well done, well done" everywhere. He hopes that while we eagerly collect these praises, we will be caught suddenly. We will detach our joy from Your truth and fasten it to human deception. We will take pleasure in being loved and respected, not for Your sake, but in place of You. As a result, we will become like the enemy. He will own those who, not in harmony of love but in the fellowship of punishment, seek to serve him and to honor his dark, cold throne. He will own them by imitating You in perverse and distorted ways. But we, O Lord, we are Your "little flock." Own us, stretch Your wings over us, and let us escape under them. Be our glory. Let us be loved for Your sake and have Your word feared in us. --Augustine
 For a daily verse of Scripture, a word from the Church Fathers, some sacred art, or for brief bio sketches of the Fathers, visit The Chapel of the Ancient-Future Faith Network.
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Epiclesis Website Tip of the Week:
Brand new radio spots have been uploaded to our website. You may remember that we're producing a series called "A Word from the Church Fathers" for local Christian radio. Want to take a listen to the latest content? Please click right here.
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