May 4, The Third Sunday of Easter
Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 1:50PM More Thank You’s From Easter
Organ Restoration
The organ restoration project is now complete. Everything that was specified in the contract is done. There is one more extra piece to do and that is that Manuel Rosales the organ builder will install some lights to illuminate the organ pipes that front the choir. So the organ is done and it sounds wonderful.
At the Great Vigil of Easter on Easter morning, Bishop Jon Bruno personally thanked the organ builder, Mr. Manuel Rosales for all his work in restoring the organ. Also thanked was Arthur Omura who was one of the technicians that worked on the organ, but who was also serving as substitute organist for us due to Barbara Trevino’s illness.
The donor of the funds to the organ restoration wishes to remain anonymous. We owe the donor a great debt of gratitude.
Looking forward we have two events later in the year. On September 28, we will do a special Evensong service and a parish dinner to commemorate the conclusion of the Church’s construction 125 years ago. At that time we will re-dedicate the organ. Then later on Thursday October 6, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will have a dinner and organ recital at Church of the Angels to celebrate the restoration.
Lytch Gate Restoration
On Easter Morning Bishop Bruno honored and thanked Jim Goltz and Eileen Wakiji for funding the restoration of the Lytch Gate on Ave 64. This was a project left over from the centennial restoration in 1989-1990. We just ran out of money and energy. The roof that was on the Lytch Gate was of the same material that was on the Church roof prior to its being replaced with slate.
Parishioner Dwight Bond, who is an architect came up with the design for the Lytch Gate Renewal and shepherded the project to completion . The Lytch Gate and Church Sign now matches the Church itself with a slate roof and a copper ridge and flashing.
Both the organ and the Lytch Gate are set to last another 125 years.
We thank Jim and Eileen for their generous gift for the life and work of our parish.
New Rugs for the Parish Hall Living Room
With the proceeds from the sale of knitted items last Christmas, Hands of the Angels purchased two new rugs for the Parish Hall Living Room. Previously, the carpet in the Living Room was replaced by a laminate wood floor. Over the years the carpets in the Living Room have deteriorated due to heavy foot traffic and the inevitable spills of coffee and other drinks. The laminate floor was to be a solution to that problem. Good as it looked and indestructible as it is, it still appeared to be a bit bare. Hands of the Angels took money that parishioners had donated for their knitted items and paid for two new rugs to go under the coffee table and conference table. It looks very nice and we can see where our craft purchases have gone. We are grateful to them for their gift.
One Other Recognition on Easter
Parishioner and Catechist Georgie McAdams was honored by Bishop Bruno on her receiving her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. This degree had an emphasis on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and provided an in depth exploration of Scripture and Theology to enable Catechists to better understand the background to the presentations given in CGS. Georgie has been at this for several years and her completion of the course is a great achievement. Our children benefit greatly from her efforts.
Chitra Rao to be ordained.
Our Ministry Study Year person, Chitra Rao has been cleared by the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Los Angeles to be ordained as a deacon. Chitra and others will be ordained on Saturday, June 7, 10:00 a.m. at the Pro-Cathedral of St. John downtown on Adams Blvd. As the event draws closer, we’ll have more details.
Emmaus Road
Emmaus Road has begun a new book, Jesus, by Fr. James Martin SJ. We’ve read two other books by Fr. Martin, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, and My Life with the Saints. Fr. Martin is an engaging writer and we look forward to a good time with his book. Here’s a brief description. James Martin, SJ, gifted storyteller, editor at large of America magazine, popular media commentator, and New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, brings the Gospels to life in Jesus: A Pilgrimage, and invites believers and seekers alike to experience Jesus through Scripture, prayer and travel.
Emmaus Road will read Chapters 3 & 4 for Monday, May 5.
Hands of the Angels May 10,
The Hands of the Angels Knitting group meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall Living Room. Everyone is welcome to join and if you’d like, learn how to knit. The next meeting will be Saturday May 10, 10:00 a.m. Parish Hall Living Room
Coffee Hour Sign Up: May and June
We need people to volunteer for Coffee Hour for both services at all Sundays in May and June. See the calendar for dates. You are welcome to email your sign up to the office or sign up after Church.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
May 4, 2014
CGS Level I
Last week, children in the Level I atrium made a discovery about what happens when we plant one small grain of wheat. At first look, the seed looks lifeless, some said “dried up” or “dead.” In three separate pots, we planted similar seeds [from the same package of the original] over three-week increments. When we revisited the single seed, we compared it to those we planted. We saw some plants with a seed attached but with roots and a green stem. In another pot was the thin outer cover of the seed or the seed coat with lots of roots and a long green stem attached. In the third pot, the first week planting, we didn’t find any seed but the green stem looks just like the others we found. If we let the plants grow further, we would have a sheath of wheat filled with seeds.
What looks to be dried up, lifeless really isn’t. It is full of abundant life. It goes through a changing process, from small to big. We call this presentation the Mystery of Life and Death. It helps us to deepen our appreciation for the Paschal mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus. The grain of wheat is used to lift up the mystery of death for the child, to ponder its stage of transformation that leads to ever more abundant life. The Rite of Christian Burial tells us, “In death, life is not ended; it is merely changed.”
We use the presentation to help us with our everyday living as well as to expand our knowledge and understanding of God, Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. The purpose of this one is to aid in the understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus as well as the death of a loved one. It gives an image of hope for eternal life.
Today, we are revisiting the image of the Good Shepherd in a different way. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls his sheep by name around the altar table to be with them in a most particular way – in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine. The words he spoke over the bread and wine at his Last Supper with his friends, words which the priest proclaims during the Eucharistic Prayer, express Jesus’ desire to remain with all people of all times, offering himself completely on our behalf.
In working with this material, we are lifting up the Good Shepherd’s presence with us and for us in the Eucharist. Additionally, we extend the opportunity for the child to fuller participate in the Liturgy, and to appreciate the unity of Scripture and Liturgy.
Music with the Angels
Our Concert Series for Church of the Angels 125th Anniversary, Music with the Angels, will have three offerings in the month of May.
Sunday May 18: 4:00 p.m. Red Car Trolley
This vocal quartet performs an eclectic blend of music ranging from sacred to secular, classical to contemporary, and featuring original compositions by Southern Californian composers (including Church of the Angels' Music Director, Jim Stanley).
Thursday and Friday May 22 & 23, 7:00 p.m. Salastina Music Society: Mozart Masterpieces
In a rare presentation, Salastina Music Society performs the complete cycle of the 6 string quintets composed by W.A. Mozart, which are generally considered to be some of his most beautiful works. The six masterpieces will be performed over two consecutive evenings. KUSC's Brian Lauritzen will host, providing illuminating details about each of the works to establish historical and artistic context. Tickets available at the Salastina Society website: $40/both nights or $28/one concert when purchased online; $35/concert at the door; $10/students and church members.
Saturday, May 31: 3:00 p.m. Wessex Consort:
Alta Cappella Music from Germany and the Low Countries
The Wessex Consort presents a program of Renaissance wind-band music from Germany and les Pays-Bas. Featuring works by Franco-Flemish masters, quirky character pieces and even a few tenorlieden, the Alta Cappella (rauschpfeife, shawm, dulcian, and sackbut) will be complemented by recorder quartet (featuring an astonishing consort built by Charles Collier), broken consorts with crumhorns and bagpipes, and voice. Freewill offering. More info at www.wessexconsort.com
Food For Thought
On the Food for Thought Table this weekend two articles about how religion can both help and hurt.
1. Sacred and Profane: How Not to Negotiate with Believers. This is an article from The New Yorker, by Malcolm Gladwell that explores the misunderstanding between law enforcement and the Branch Davidians at Waco Texas leading to the storming of the compound and death of many people.
2. A Long Obedience. New York Times Columnist David Brooks reflects on the Exodus event and the Passover for insights into a quality of leadership where one leads not by commanding, but by obeying something higher than oneself.
Further Out
Barbecue for Parents and Children: Sunday June 8, 4:00 p.m.
Fr. Bob and Tracy will host their “beginning of summer barbecue” for parents and children. This is a chance for parents and children to have fun fellowship with one another or one of life’s most amazing journeys. There are not only the school aged children that we see coming into Church at the Offertory, but now a large number of new parents with new young children. We hope that all of you can attend.
125th Anniversary Activity: Renewal of Wedding Vows
On June 21 we will be celebrating one hundred and twenty five years of marriages at Church of the Angels by renewing the vows of every couple in attendance who was married here. The ceremony will begin at 2:00, reception to follow. If you know someone who was married here and we might not have their contact information please send their home or email address tochurchoftheangels125th@gmail.com. Questions may be sent there as well or you may send them to Rebecca Woods atcoaweddings@gmail.com. Wedding dresses and pictures welcome."