THE BETHLEHEM Hebrew for "House of Bread" - Blessed Sacrament, Placentia
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THE BETHLEHEM
Hebrew for “House of Bread”
March 2021
E-Mail: office@bscplacentia.com
Website: http://www.BlessedSacramentPlacentia.org
The need for forgiveness on this Lenten journey!
"Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn
others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will
forgive you." -- Luke 6.37
Within this season of Lent, we are taking the sacred path of knowing
the importance of forgiveness. According to several parishioners
that have approached me over the last couple of months, our parish is
about ready to see renewal in new and exciting ways in our near
future and that an area that has created blockage for such renewal to transpire is due to
the need of full forgiveness.
There are those that harbor the past with disappointment, anger, frustration, fear and are
in desperate need to forgive those that have hurt us deeply in any way yet are stuck to do
so. Perhaps it is forgiveness of ourselves for what we have done that can cause such
divisiveness in our lives, or the need to forgive a Layperson or clergy in the church that have
done something to us that has required forgiveness. No matter who or how painful or gut-
wrenching the past circumstances were, God wants us all to discover full healing and
transformation on this Lenten Season; to see new options to spiritual wholeness, so that we
can truly connect with the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.
Our Lenten Series on “The Need of Forgiveness” has provided new insights for the over 20
participants who have made a commitment to fully participate in finding out how to forgive,
how to let go of the past hurts and pains through forgiveness, how to stop the cycle of pain
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that we all can relate to when we may never forget. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean
that the person is not guilty of whatever they did to upset us. Forgiveness does not mean
forgetting. Rather, forgiveness means letting go of the pain the incident is causing us and
giving it to God.
This is a time to take Jesus’ words above to heart and for all of us to discover through our
Book Study (The Book of Forgiving by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter, Mpho
Andrea Tutu), Spiritual exercises, journaling, insightful teaching from Guest clergy who are
also Psychotherapists to help in the counseling process and sharing powerful group
interaction, how to choose forgiveness and to let go of the pain one step at a time.
The best part about the program is that everyone learns and grows from each’s own level of
faith and understanding and that everyone is respected for where they are coming from.
There will be those that just wish to listen and there are those that desire greater
conversation and interaction. There is even time set aside for those who desire personal and
confidential one-on-one for counseling. Wherever we are at, all are welcome to explore ways
towards healing and reconciliation in new ways on this path through the wilderness. If you
desire more information, please make sure to review the E-Tidings article about our Lenten
Series and come and join us on ZOOM.
Blessed Lent,
Fr. Barrett+
Page 2
SHARING AND CARING IN FEBRUARY
Our Deacon’s
On February 18
Pantry is now
LAUNDRY
Well Stocked!
LOVE
helped
42 people
Thanks to all who donated
non-perishable food items
Wash 470 loads,
and cozy blankets!
spending $529.75.
THANK YOU
to all our faithful donors!
THA
N KS a
MAR lso to
IE,
THE
LAU B
NDR USY BE
AND Y ATT E
END
SEVEN ANT
HER
BAGS
HUS
B AN
D!
Of Non-perishable food items
Delivered to the
TWO LARGE
Friendly Center.
BAGS OF
Female Hygiene Items
Delivered to the
Friendly Center
Page 3
MARCH FOCUS AND MORE
The Friendly Center Easter Basket Drive is happening this year!
Let’s help them reach their goal to collect 1,000 Baskets!
Each Basket should contain:
1 Hygiene item
1 Small gift item
1 Chocolate bunny
Easter candy
Please bring your baskets to church no
later than Palm Sunday, March 28.
Over 900 children received a toy on Christmas morning thanks to those who gave to Friendly
Center’s Annual Toy Drive in December. Although the toy drive and distribution looked
different than previous years, due to Covid19, its impact was surely just as big—especially
for families who had faced unemployment, illness and other challenges in 2020.
(Blessed Sacrament Church was listed in the top ten donors!)
We also helped them reach their goal of providing 400 Turkey Baskets to families in need..
Both the Turkey Basket drop-offs and distributions were successfully adapted to adhere to
safety guidelines, helping the annual event continue in the midst of a very different
Thanksgiving holiday.
A PRAYER FOR EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT
Loving and merciful God, you bestow your grace on all of your
children: Remember our sisters and brothers here and
throughout the world who, in partnership with Episcopal Relief &
Development, strengthen communities, empower those in
poverty, nourish those who are hungry, heal those who are sick and uplift those affected by
disaster; so that your Kingdom might be known to all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reign with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
If you need further information please contact
Outreach Coordinator, Marion Hetherington at
714-595-4219 or send her an email at cssquared@roadrunner.com
Page 4
LOOKING AHEAD—MARK YOUR CALENDARS
PALM SUNDAY
March 28, 9:00 AM .
In-person service & live-streaming.
MAUNDY THURSDAY April 1, 7:00 PM both In-person indoors and live-streaming.
GOOD FRIDAY April 2, 12:00 PM Both In-person indoors and Live-streaming.
7:00 PM Stations of the Cross with music. Live-streaming.
EASTER VIGIL April 3, 8:00 PM Diocesan-wide. Live-streaming.
EASTER SUNDAY April 4, 9:00 AM In-person indoor service and live-streaming.
Reservations required in advance
(Masks and strict social distancing with limited attendance required at all
In-person services.)
( Please check with E-Tidings for updates. Schedule subject to change.)
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Sunday, March 14th.
Remember to forward your clock one hour
(if not automatic) before retiring on the Saturday
evening before.
Page 5
Annual Report from the Rector
What a joy it was for 58 people to gather for our Annual Meeting on ZOOM back on January
31st. And yet with our over 100 members in our parish, we want to make certain everyone has
heard what may be also called the “State of the Parish” address.
Based on our Annual Report and the individual ministry reports of our parish reviewed, it is
evidently clear that Blessed Sacrament is on holy ground with a holy mission in sight! God is
blessing us continuously with new members, new ministries, new technology and new
resources, even through the challenges we have all faced in this unprecedented time. We
have continued to be connected as God’s people through Christ.
Through such tumultuous times, our parish has been the Beacon of hope to our members, to
our various outreach programs, to our local community. Blessed Sacrament is that “intimate
church behind the post office” that is small, but mighty! We have demonstrated such
continued generosity and commitment through the power of the Holy Spirit repeatedly
within each of us. It is an absolute witness of God’s love in action everyday and we give God
thanks and praise for you all that are agents of Love, change and reconciliation.
The manifestation of God through us is in our Annual Report. If you have not read it yet, I
encourage you to review it on our E-Tidings and/or our parish’s website. It is a wonderful
testimony of the many ways Blessed Sacrament has given in time, talent, and treasure in such
vibrant ways. The unpredictability and transforming leading of our gracious God have greatly
strengthened us, equipped us and improved our visibility in our community.
2021 will be another opportunity for us to share the Mission and Vision Statement of our
parish: “We are answering the call of Jesus to follow the Gospel, we honor the dignity
of all God’s children and strive to grow together in prayer and spirituality. It is our
vision to making our Lord Jesus Christ visible to the world through our word and
service.” We started the New Year off right with our three Baptisms, two confirmations
and one Reception—all outdoors in front of our parish for all to see and live-streaming. We
have gained seven new members in our church in the last few months and have more people
exposed to our vision than for many years in our parish, thanks mostly to social media.
In what ways are we going to move forward by the continuing leading of the Holy Spirit?
Mark my words, for I believe that due to our socially deprived society at our present time,
that by this Christmas we will see a major surge of business and ministry prosperity,
committed in-person social justice events and an increased attendance of in-person worship
indoors and full fellowship. Yet, currently, we still give thanks to God for the technology
that we have been utilizing through various platforms: new opportunities for Christian
Education, Worship, Board meetings and gatherings of various ministries.
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I believe that during this time now, we are called to take care of what we have been given
and to prepare in our hearts for an Advent like no other. The fall will bring a transition and
the winter will be bringing new hope and joy. By 2022, we will see new changes. As just a
sampling, we will see transformation with the beginning construction of our recently city-
approved Santa Angelina Senior Citizen housing project on our campus. This Mission and
extended outreach of our parish to the needs of our local community will bring new
opportunities for all of us.
We will also be focusing again on reactivating our Children and Adult Sunday School
programs, as well as find ways to nurture the spiritual needs of local College-aged students.
During 2021, let us continue in thought, word, and deed to walk by faith and not by sight. Let
us continue in time, talent and treasure to pave the way in the love of Christ in continued
faith-filled generosity and vision. Let us continue to walk the way of Love and not be weary
or fearful.
Through God’s abundance, let us continue to do what the Most Rev. Michael Curry shares
with us in being agents of transforming Love, Change and Reconciliation: “Love is a firm
commitment to act for the well-being of someone other than yourself. It can be personal or
political, individual, or communal, intimate, or public. Love will not be segregated to the
private, personal precincts of life. Love, as is read in the Bible, is ubiquitous. It affects all
aspects of life.”
Thanks be to God! AMEN!
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AT HOME ON SHROVE TUESDAY
Above and right:
Fr. Barrett and James Baxter (Brother-in-
Law) and Sparky, who can’t wait to dig into
Penny’s delicious blueberry and banana
pancakes with applesauce and sausage
patties. Mmmmm, delicious!
Left:
Celebrating
Mardi Gras Style
at the home of
Tom Johnson and
Carol Ann Miller.
Page 8CHILDREN LEARNING CENTER UPDATE
As we come up on the year anniversary of COVID-19 becoming a part of our daily life I focus
on trying to find the good that has happened this past year.
I am thankful to all of you who came out and supported our Rubio’s fundraiser in which we
made over $200 thanks to your help! I am pleased to say we have been approved for our
second PPP loan along with the church. This, of course, would not have been possible without
the support from Tony Spinogatti, Adriene, Allyn and Fr. Barrett.
I am also feeling so thankful to report that we have seen an increase in our attendance,. We
now have three days at full capacity! I truly feel God has been by our side this whole time
and has been watching out and guiding us through this last year. It is only by His grace that
we are still here and thriving, and looking forward to what this year brings us.
Fundraisers coming up – We will be having another Savers fundraiser. This time we will Only
be accepting soft goods, for example, men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing (new or gently
used) all types of bedding, towels, hats, gloves, belts, shoes, totes, backpacks, purses, table
linens & stuffed animals.
We are also planning a modified Auction and yes;the infamous quilts will be a part of it. We
are looking for donations of ONLY new items. It will be more like an Open House with baskets
on display for a few days where bids can be placed. Look for more info when all is
coordinated.
Blessings,
Tracie Donaldson, Director
CLC Children in
Church and at Play!
Page 9The Episcopal Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Placentia.
Mission Statement
Answering the call of Jesus to follow the gospel, we honor the
dignity of all God’s children and strive to grow together in prayer and spirituality.
Vision Statement
Making our Lord Jesus Christ visible to the world through our word and service.
REV. BARRETT VAN BUREN, PRIEST
ALLYN LEAN, SENIOR WARDEN
SANDY BERGERT, JUNIOR WARDEN
DIANE COMPTON, DEPUTY JR. WARDEN
PATTY BELL, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
NEXT BETHLEHEM DEADLINE for the APRIL 2021 ISSUE will be
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021
Please send your articles to our Editors
Marion and Theo Hetherington at
cssquared@roadrunner.com
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE
BLESSED SACRAMENT
1314 North Angelina Drive
Placentia, California 92870-3442
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
U E
ISS
THE BETHLEHEM
Phone: (714) 528-2995
Fax (714) 528-2997
E-Mail: office@bscplacentia.com
Website: http://www.BlessedSacramentPlacentia.orgYou can also read
