The Messenger Church in an Age of Spectacle
Magnolia Baptist Church
"Every person a place to serve and a place to belong." November 2012
This past summer I watched Meredith Viera interview Danny Boyle, this year’s Olympic Opening Ceremony director. Viera posed a difficult question to Boyle: She inquired how Boyle’s ceremonies could ever supersede the Opening Ceremonies from Beijing in 2008.
Internet memes, the most outlandish stunts and the “biggest and the best” of whatever our endeavor is.
Boyle’s answer was wise. He replied that, in essence, it was impossible to top the Beijing ceremonies, so he would simply attempt to create an Opening Ceremony that was faithful to the heritage and contribution of the United Kingdom.
The Church possesses the Gospel of God become human, living and serving among us, dying a sacrificial death on a cross, being resurrected to new life and giving the gift of His Spirit. On its own terms— God became human!—this truth supersedes any sort of spectacle we might hope to generate of our own effort.
It was, I think, the perfect answer. But then the Opening Ceremonies began. If you watched the Opening Ceremonies this year, you understand Boyle’s project was hardly a model of understatement. It was a celebration of the highest order featuring Queen Elizabeth, James Bond, Mr. Bean and a legion of Mary Poppins battling He-WhoShall-Not-Be-Named. Perhaps Boyle believed he could not compete with the Beijing ceremonies. But he was, at the end of the day, creating an event that can only be described as spectacle.
720 S. Magnolia Anaheim, CA 92804
Over against the society enamored with spectacle, the Church has been given something completely different.
But, in practicality, even those of us in the Church seem to believe we need a bit of spectacle. The spectacle of the Church focuses on service, hiddenness, the washing of feet and self-sacrifice. This is exactly opposite of what most of us are used to. And so we are caught in a dilemma.
Of course, spectacle is the steady diet of those who exist in the 21st century.
Each week where both believers and non-believers sit—ready to varying degrees—to hear the good news, people gather, but instead of seeking an encounter with the living God. We gather to experience music that moves us, preaching that inspires us, and community that connects us. But what we really want is spectacle.
We fill our time with the most recent
We long to see something great and
often fail to miss the call of Jesus to be something great. We long for spectacle, yet we miss that the church might be the greatest spectacle on earth!
same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13 thru 16 reads
The church, with all of its problems that people bring, is not a freak show at which people point and stare, but rather is a grand spectacle for the world to see the truth, power and love of Jesus Christ.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the
Eye Glass Collection Drive
Let your light shine that others see your good works and glorify God. Be the spectacle the world longs to experience. Glad to be your pastor, Jeremy
Find out how you can make a difference...
Have you filled a shoebox before?
It’s not too late to do one this year! We are even providing the boxes for you. Just visit our display table in the courtyard for gift ideas and your “How to Pack a Shoe Box” brochure.
We are collecting READING GLASSES in various strengths for two separate mission ministries -- Nicaragua and the Indian Reservations. If you would like to participate, all you need to do is buy a pair (or several!) and drop them off at the Welcome Booth in the collection box on Sundays. Contact Denise Mitchell (714 620-6232 or denisedenurse@aol.com) with any questions.
Then grab a box, fill it, use the label “Boy” or “Girl” and mark the appropriate age level. Samaritan’s Purse suggests a gift of $7.00 per box for shipping. Thank you so much for your participation!
Women’s Missiona Contact Person: L lesleyjean46
In
Magnolia Baptist’s early years WMF was known as the Women’s Missionary Society, and consisted of several circles named after missionaries currently supported by the North American Baptist Conference. Now they are known as the Women’s Missionary Fellowship, one group of ladies meeting at Sue Frenzel’s home for over 25 years. One thing that has never changed is the White Cross work of rolling bandages from strips of sheets donated by the congregation. These bandages are sent to Cameroons & Nigeria for use in clinics & hospitals there.They meet on the second Thursday morning, October through May.
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BOXES MUST BE RETURNED BY NOVEMBER 11TH!
Any questions, contact: Carol Sundman (714) 828-3452
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ary Fellowship - MBC Lesley Steenbergen 6@yahoo.com The meetings consist of White Cross work, devotional and prayer time, followed by lunch. This group has existed since the very beginning of Magnolia in 1956. Prayer requests include the health of several of their members with chronic problems (Sue Frenzel, Marilyn Miller, Helen Gibbs), God’s blessings on those in Cameroons & Nigeria who receive the bandages rolled during the meetings, and that the Lord will use the ministries for His glory that are listed in the GO Partners handout as WMF focuses on them during each meeting’s prayer time.
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Lesley Steenbergen Jake Sawyer Andrew Samp Carol Compher Adam DeClercq Jo Bicknell Frances Moore Lisa Conway Ernie Ledesma Charlotte Spahr Jerry King Joanna Zug Joanne Barker Joseph Keleher Roger Tsuda Haley Borg Jean Hansen Leonard Johnson Mike Steenbergen Richard Steenbergen Werhner Orilla Lea Bell Steve Spykerman Glenda Ledesma Krista Keleher Mary McGunigale Sarah La Counte Joni Kiker Jonathan Taylor Raylynn Borg Judi Raper Michelle Whelen Jose Avila Dan Gustavson Jan Carlo Viray Patti King
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Steve & Julie Spykerman John & Lisa Conway Rob & Jeri Hipp Lindsey & Gina Climer Ray & Jean Hansen Darin & Staci Myers Larry & Bev Soeltz Wendell & Yolanda Newsome Noel & Jocelyn Sicat Corey & Brenda Wylde Byron & Correen La Counte John & Julie Showalter Adrian & Sandra Lopez
Women's Ministry
Save the Date
Women's Christmas Breakfast with the girls Saturday December 8th 9:00am
Start your day off right... Enjoy breakfast, music and a fun time with your friends. Check the bulletin and the church website for more information
Ladies’ Retreat: January 18-20, 2013
Cost: $162 juliegrahamshowalter@gmail.com
Scrooge's Christmas
A Musical Christmas Treat for the Whole Family Friday, November 30th - 7:30pm, Saturday, December 1st 7:00pm Sunday December 2nd 10:30am