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Epiclesis... An Ancient-Future Faith Community |
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The Season after Pentecost, 2012 |
Monday, September 24 |
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Why Ponder Theology? | |
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Greetings!
 Believers have been pondering theology since the beginning of the church... sometimes in the oddest of places:
The fourth century Church Father Gregory of Nyssa said of his own odd times, "If you ask for the price of bread [at the shops], you're told the Father is greater and the Son inferior. If you ask 'is the bath ready?', someone answers 'the Son was created from nothing'."
Gregory lived in theologically stormy times and, in some ways, we ought to envy him: Too many Christians today are apathetic about our essential tenets-- maybe because some seem to make no practical sense. Thomas Jefferson, that well-known figure of the Enlightenment, once said, "When we have done away with the incomprehensible jargon of Trinitarian arithmetic...and gotten back to the pure and simple doctrines [of Jesus], we shall then be truly and worthily his disciples."
It's hard not to go with Jefferson on this one. The doctrine of the Trinity seems so complicated... so why bother with theology?
In our present small group study, "Christianity: The Essentials", we've been asking questions like the one posed by Jefferson: Does theology matter? Here's an answer we found when we turned to the Church Father Hilary of Poitiers' thoughts about theology being necessary for preserving the simple Gospel: "People who either accidently or purposely distort the message of the gospel...undercut the very truths that make a simple proclamation of the gospel possible."
In other words, it's not possible to preach the simple, but profound, Gospel if the foundational theological truths underneath it are being eaten away. We need to understand and internalize those truths so that we'll "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks [us] to give the reason for the hope that [we] have" (1 Peter 3:15).
You never know where and when someone might ask.
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 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
 On the Trinity...
If there was a time when the Father was not, then there was a time when the Son was not. If ever there was a time when the Son was not, then there was a time when the Spirit was not. If the one was from the beginning, then the three were so, too. If you throw down the one, I am bold to assert that you do not set up the other two.... If [the Holy Spirit] is not from the beginning, he is in the same rank with myself, even though a little before me; for we are both parted from Godhead by time.
--Gregory of Nazianzus
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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