teaching + worship
Holy Lent. . . Holy Week
February 2nd, 2012
Passion to Pentecost by Linda McCray
We are coming to my favorite time in the church year: Lent, Holy Week and Easter. As an apprentice of Jesus, I love telling and living into this story. I invite you to come along with us this Lenten season on an adventure of joyful reflection.
SCHEDULE:
Ash Wednesday* (2/22) :: 7pm
Palm Sunday (4/1) :: 10am
Maundy Thursday (4/5) :: 7pm
Good Friday (4/6) :: 7pm
Holy Saturday (4/7) :: 7pm
Easter Sunday (4/8) :: 9am & 11am
Services are held at:
Holy Trinity Church
Needham Chapel / Vanguard University
55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa [map]
SHROVE TUESDAY – 2.21.12 – 6:30-8:30pm
Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) is the last day before the beginning of the season of Lent. We will be having a time of food and fellowship, which is a tradition rooted in the Medieval Christian practice of using up all the cream, eggs, and fat in the house before the Lenten fast. This year the following two families will be hosting a Shrove Tuesday dinner of pancakes, eggs, etc.
NORTH COUNTY
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Location: The Johnston Home, 2936 Sequoia Ave, Fullerton
RSVP: johnston2936@sbclobal.net
SOUTH COUNTY
Time: 6:30-8:30
Location: The Hunter Home, 2451 Orange Ave, Costa Mesa
RSVP: michelle.n@myholytrinitychurch.com
*Ash Wednesday locations:
South County: 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
North County: 2936 Sequoia Ave, Fullerton
Reflection: Passion to Pentecost
I symbolized the five wounds of Christ with the abstract element of red drips of paint, resurrection with gold drips upward, and Pentecost with a few white brushstrokes evoking a dove and the color red flaming down from above. To capture feelings of grace, light and God, I use a number of techniques including the old masters’ use of glazes to capture luminosity. I integrate found objects that abound with symbolism, such as sand from Jerusalem. The triptych format of three panels is a symbol for the Trinity that we see throughout history, especially in early altarpieces. The torn-like edges symbolize that they are a part of something much greater.
Artist Statement
My goal for the abstract spiritual original paintings I create is to translate sacred realities into a contemporary visual language to ignite spiritual imagination. There are a number of ways to translate transcendent reality into paint. To form visible signs of invisible grace, I use abstraction which—so powerfully through color, line, and texture—speaks directly to the heart. I layer my paintings with symbolism for those who choose to read them cognitively. While these paintings have specific religious meaning to me, I hope they invite you to reflect on spiritual realities dear to your heart.
My art direction is connected to the long tradition of artists who have turned to a world we cannot see except through faith. I could not ask for a richer history to follow. The Spirit has motivated art making over time in many cultures. Today, mainstream contemporary art and sacred art are worlds apart. As G.K. Chesterton, an early twentieth century writer wrote “In the beginning there was art for God’s sake, then in the Renaissance there was art for man’s sake. Beginning with Impressionism there was art for art’s sake. Now, unfortunately, we have no art for God’s sake.”
I strive to bring back art for God’s sake.
Blessings and all good things,
Linda
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Epiphany
January 7th, 2012
On January 6, Christians around the world celebrate the Feast of Lord’s Epiphany. On January 8 we enter the liturgical season of Epiphany. Epiphany means “manifestation.” To Christians, the concept of “manifestation” means that which was obscure or hidden has now become widely known or revealed.
Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, comprise a three-fold sequence of celebrations that commemorate the dawning of God’s Great Light of Life in the person of Jesus Christ. This triad celebration inaugurates the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and punctuates the new year with emphasis on the Light that has shone in the face of Jesus Christ.
In Advent, Christians look back on the first coming of the Light of the world which was shaped by the centuries old promise that God would shine in the midst of a people who walked in darkness. We now presently wait expectantly in hope for his second coming and the dawning of his glorious reign at the end of the age.
In Christmas-tide, Christians celebrate the nativity of that Great Light. All that has been promised has now come in Jesus, God’s Son. The Word of God has been made flesh and dwells among us and we behold his glory full of grace and truth. Immanuel – God with us.
In Epiphany, Christians embrace the Light that has come and anticipate divine manifestations in our daily lives.
The narratives of Christ’s life that contour the liturgical season of Epiphany are the coming of the Magi to the Christ-child, the baptism of Jesus, the miracle of water turned to wine at Cana, and the transfiguration of Jesus before his disciples. These stories flood our imagination and worldview with the knowledge that God reveals himself to his people and informs us that he is still a God of “epiphanies” - we can see glimpses of his glory in our ordinary daily lives! Therefore the season of Epiphany is marked by attentiveness as we seek and watch for encounters with God.
However, Epiphany also emphasizes witness. In Epiphany we learn that those who are enlightened by the Great Light of life go and tell others about it!
The season of Epiphany might be best summed up by the disciples’ wish to “see Jesus” (John 12:21) and by the two invitations of our Lord: “Come and see” (John 1:39) and “Go and tell” (Mark 5:14; also the commissioning of the twelve to be sent out to preach, Mark 3:14).
We understand what it means to have a “personal epiphany” - to discover clarity through a new insight or thought, or in other words, to experience an “ah-ha” moment. But in the Christian liturgical year, Christ-followers embody the season of Epiphany by our intention to see Jesus, by our attentive observation to what he reveals in our personal encounters as well as how he operates in our daily circumstances, and by our witness to others. In our personal encounters with the risen Lord of light, we see light: this is when true transformation takes place (2 Cor.3:17-18.) And, we take that which we have seen, heard, and handled and go our way telling others of the great things he has done for us!
Jesus said of himself: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Jesus also said to us: “You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before everyone in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matt.5:14,16
Mary Oliver succinctly described Epiphany:
PAY ATTENTION
BE ASTONISHED
TELL ABOUT IT
Prayer:
Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. Amen.
Category: Messages
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Holy Trinity Church Art Work
June 21st, 2011
We invite you to enter into this “all church” construction piece.
During the season of “Ordinary Times” The church focuses on GROWTH. This art piece will develop over the course of the next 24 weeks.
Instructions:
Your part doesn’t need “artistic” ability – but it does require you take some quiet moments of reflection with God to honestly discover where you are in your present season of life and how you might describe this present moment in one word or simple phrase.
- On the attached card write, paint, draw a symbol or glue a picture of that which best describes your present state.
- Bring your card to church the following Sunday. Give your card to Joe, Michelle Pritzl or Beth.
- Your card will be added to the ongoing art work.
- Small children who want to be involved may bring a small “object” no bigger than a Lego, small car or cross to affix to the art piece. If you want to add this small object please bring it back to church A.S.A.P!
Your contribution to this art work is considered priceless! Thank you.
Category: Messages
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Yorba Students Create Club to Help Homeless
February 11th, 2011
NEWS :: Yorba Academy of the Arts Middle School 8th grader, Brenda Rodriguez, wanted to start a student club on her campus, but not just any club. She approached Yorba Counselor, Mr. Eddie Espinosa, with a unique request to start a club to help the less fortunate in her community… [read - PDF] Source: http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us
Category: Messages
