Building the Lord S Church Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline

CALIFORNIA DIGEST2011

A Newsletter for New Church residents and friends of California July

1

Building the Lord’s Church
Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline

(Taken from
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will

build My church and
the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”

(Matthew 16:18).

What would you do if someone told you to build a church? How would you begin? What would you make the church out of and where would you build it? These are important questions, because the Word tells us that right now the Lord is building a church on earth, and He wants each one of us to help Him. Imagine what it would be like to make the most beautiful church building on earth. You could make the walls out of beautiful stones and the roof out of the finest woods. You could even put gold and all sorts of precious gems inside. But when you finished making this beautiful building, do you think you would have a church that the Lord would be happy with? Is there anything more to a church than just a beautiful building?

Of course, we know that a church is far more than just a building. Your church would also need people to come to it. Without people, your church would just be a big empty building; it would really be no church at all.
Now suppose you went out and got hundreds of people to come to your church. Suppose you had many songs the people could sing, choirs that could make beautiful music and priests who could say wise things. Do you think you would then have a church that the Lord would be happy with? Can you think of one more thing that you would need before the church could be called a true church? What is the one thing that really makes the Lord’s church on earth? Of course, it is the Lord’s Word. Without the Word, we would have no church at all.

It is not a big building that makes a church, nor is it many people, great choirs, or wise ministers. Only the Lord’s Word makes a true church—and es¬pecially our love and understanding of His Word. Nothing else is more important than this. Unless we love the Lord when we come to church, all the most beau¬tiful things inside that church are useless. Our love of the Lord Jesus Christ is the true church on earth.

This is what the Lord was teaching His disciples when He said to Peter, “On this rock I will build My church.” What rock or what “truth” do you think the Lord was talking about? Where was the Lord going to build His church? The Lord was speaking about the great truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one God of heaven and earth. He was teaching His disciples that His church grows on the one truth that the Lord Jesus Christ reigns. Wherever this truth is present, the Lord’s church will grow. This is the “cornerstone” for the Lord’s church on earth.

Do you know what a cornerstone is? Sometimes, when workmen are buil¬ding a church, they take a special stone and place it in the foundation. If you have ever visited the General Church’s Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, you might have seen the cornerstone for that building. There, the cornerstone is different from any other stone in the building. All the other stones have been carved into square blocks, or beautiful designs have been made on them. But the corner¬stone is just the way the workmen found it: it has not been carved. It is the one stone that has not been changed at all. In a sense, the cornerstone is just the way the Lord made it. And the same is true with the cornerstone for the Lord’s church on earth. The truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is God is a truth so beautiful that we cannot change it in anyway; we cannot make it more beauti¬ful than it already is. It is the true foundation for the Lord’s church on earth.

Sometimes a family may live far away from a church building. Sometimes this means that people have to worship in their home instead of going to a big church. Maybe you worship in your home each week. From what we have been talking about, we can see that this really does not make much difference in the eyes of the Lord. As we saw, it is not a big building that makes a church, nor is it the presence of many people. What was the one thing that we said really makes the Lord’s church on earth? It is our love and understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ in His Word. As long as this is present, then we have the most beautiful church of all, even when we hold church in our homes. Your friends may sometimes ask you where your church is. And you can tell them the great truth that the Lord’s church is where His Word is and where He is loved above all. This is the most beautiful church.

Amen.

A New Church Revision of The Word

We are happy to announce the publication of the first New Church translation of the whole Sacred Scripture in English. It will be available as of June 19th, including a companion booklet which explains the reasons why we need a New Church translation, as well as some of the things a New Church translation can convey to the reader.
At the Assembly we gave a presentation describing this revision of the Sacred Scripture done in the light of the Writings, and why this is necessary for the New Church. For those who did not make it to the Assembly, most of the content of the presentation appears in the companion booklet.
Ordering information for this book, for those interested:
-Price is $25.00, plus postage.

A note on postage: Because of the size of the book you might wish to find a ride for your order. We may be able to send books with people traveling to make visits or attending some of the summer camps.

-For orders/questions by email:
-By telephone:

Denise Hendricks 610.756.3564 or

Kate Pitcairn, 610.756.6140 x 208
Mail should be sent to: Kempton Project, c/o KNCS, P.O Box 140, Kempton, PA 19529
Checks can be made payable to KNCS.
Thank you for your interest!
The Revisers (Rev. Stephen Cole, Rev. Andrew Heilman, Roy Odhner, Kate Pitcairn and Rev. Lawson Smith)

Eldergarten 2012

Eldergarten 2012 is now well along in the planning stage. We invite all those interested who are 50 years of age or older to join us for this event, January 22-26, 2012, at the Duncan Conference Center, about six miles south of the New Church at Boynton Beach.

If you have interest in attending and are not already on our mailing list, please contact . We will acknowledge your inquiry and put you on our mailing list to receive registration materials this summer. All registration materials will be sent out via email. Completed forms will be returned to us via regular mail, including registration checks.

We will not be finding places for you to stay in private homes. If you have friends or family with whom you plan to stay, please contact them now to make arrangements.

You will be asked to include this information on your registration form. Otherwise we will be able to offer you pleasant accommodations at the Duncan Center at a very reasonable cost. Each room accommodates two people and has a private bath.

Cost for basic registration is $175 per person—including opening barbecue, meeting facilities, coffee breaks, four lunches, and a banquet—plus a sunset cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway on the Yacht Lady Atlantic. This cost is firm for all registrations received by September 15, 2011.

After that date the fee will be $200. Fee does not include housing.

We hope to hear from you soon.

-Bob Brickman, Director

Camp Menucha, near Portland, OR

August 20-23, 2011

The NorthwestNew ChurchDistrict, theLight for Life New Church (Seattle) and Northern Rockies New Church invite you to join us at Camp Menucha nearPortland, OR (see on August 20, 21, 22, 23 (Saturday PM to Tuesday AM) this summer.

The campfocus will be A New Freedom in Human Life. We hope you’ll take part in our talks and discussions, as well as good food, informal fun, singing, worship. Ministers Martie Johnson,EthanMcCardell and Dan Goodenough will present their different thoughts, and lead discussions on topics about a new inner freedom, and how it affects us personally, and what it means for our relationships, for society, and for world cultures.

If you haven't already, please sendrequests for information to Peggy Andrews at or PO Box 99, Corbett, OR 97019.

Ivyland New Church Boardwalk

On Saturday, June 4th, the Board of Directors and members of Ivyland New Church and members of Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley walked their 5 km/3 mile BoardWalk in a joint fundraising event. Huge thanks to all our volunteers, walkers and donors who helped us raise a collective $8100, which will be split evenly between the two organizations! We couldn’t have done it without you.

Swing by anytime to see what we’re up to, or, even better, come visit us in person. We’d love to see you!

San Diego New Church Members Visit the Philippines

By Franklin Rogers

L – R NCCS Head Teacher Veronica Cayabyab, Elwita Dela Cruz, Asst. Bishop Trevor Moffat, Nette Baltazar, Rev. Septhan Baltazar, Bishop Ian Arnold, Rev. Merlita Rogers

Rev. Merlita Rogers, Franklin Rogers and Elwita Dela Cruz visited the Philippines to attend the graduation of the Bataan New Christian Church School (NCCS) on March 26, 2011. Joining them were Bishops Ian Arnold and Trevor Moffat from Australia, who also conducted clerical meetings with pastors from Bataan, Pampanga, Manila and Cavite, and held seminars for church members on the theme, “The New Church is Bible Based.”

NCCS graduated 27 Kindergarten and 29 Preparatory students in its’ ninth year of operation. Lead by head teacher Veronica Cayabyab, the school continues to enjoy exceptional prestige in Bataan Province for its excellence in character development and preparing community children for entrance into elementary school. We were honored to have Mrs. Leticia A. Orpiano, a representative from the Department of Education, attended the graduation ceremony.

Picture on left - Kindergarten “Top 1” Reigner

Picture on right - Preparatory “Top 1” Vernice

On the morning of graduation day, Bishop Arnold and Assistant Bishop, Trevor Moffat, conducted a baccalaureate service for the children and parents in the church building adjoining the school. Leading the Lord’s Prayer was Preparatory First Honor graduate, Vernice Arielle F. Rodriguez. Reigner Bong Gerald T. Araza was First Honor in Kindergarten

Reciting the Lord’s Prayer in English at the Baccalaureate Service

The graduation ceremonies commenced with the Lord’s Prayer led byPreparatory Second Honor, Rain Gerardhin M. Esconde. Diplomas and honor awards were handed out by the visitors from abroad. Vernice delivered a remarkable valedictory speech in English from memory, prompting immediate, warm congratulations from the guests of honor. The graduates entertained attendees with singing and dancing.

Church and school building undergo roof repairs

Immediately after graduation, the present facility began repairs in advance of the rainy season. This was done just in time, as the first heavy rain from a typhoon came in early May. Treasurer Helen Baltazar reports, “We have big expenses to the church collection for this year because of church repaired roof and gutter.”

Expansion Hopes

NCCS looks forward to expansion, enabling it to accommodate more children. Its reputation has parents lining up before sunrise on registration days to seek admission for their children. Sadly, many have to be turned away for lack of space. (Enrollment for the coming school year was scheduled on May 16 for Preparatory and May 18 for Kindergarten.)

Now do you believe in angels?

Thanks to generous donations, a large lot has been purchased across the street, but it will require tearing down a crumbling wall, clearing the land of trees, adding dirt to prevent flooding, putting up a new wall and eventually constructing a larger school building and playground, which we hope to accomplish within two years, God permit. Members from the Australian New Church are giving donations, as are members in San Diego.

Rev. Septhan Baltazar examines crumbling wall at new property

Pampanga Church Building Dedicated

During his spring visit to New Churches in the Philippines, Bishop Ian Arnold conducted a dedication ceremony at the church building in Pampanga province, adjoining Bataan province. He was assisted by Rev. Merlita Rogers from San Diego, Rev. Septhan Baltazar from Bataan, and Pampanga pastor Elpie Enriquez.

This building was begun after an initial donation from Duncan Smith of “Uses Worldwide”, matched by a donation from the Australian New Church. Funds to build an entrance portico and furbish the interior came mostly from a recycling program at San Diego New Church, headed by Jess Lagman. A music keyboard was donated by Demi Lagman.

L – R Rev. Septhan Baltazar, Rev. Merlita Rogers, Bishop Ian Arnold, Pastor Elpie Enriquez

Pampanga New Church building

Donations

If you would like to make a donation to the new church in the Philippines, send a check to:

Geraldo Gomes

1774 La Jolla Rancho Rd.

La Jolla, CA 92037

Make check out to: Universal New Church, and write for the "PhilippinesNew Christian Church School."

$250 covers one year of tuition and incidentals for a student, but ANY amount is appreciated. Thank you!

New Church Family Camp at Jacob’s Creek

July 28th– 31st

Thetheme for our camp this summer is"Innocence and Peace."

Jacob's Creek Family Camp is held at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Camp in the mountains of western Pennsylvania . A religious camp for all ages, it combines a

family vacation with an emphasis on the wonderful doctrines of the New Church .

(519) 893-0181Home (519) 748-5802Office

(519) 573-3565Cell (519) 748-5875Fax

@gmail.com

Palo Alto News:

In June, we were fortunate enough to welcome Rt. Rev. Brian Keith and his wife, Gretchen, to our congregation. It's always special to have a visit from the Bishops' office, and a great opportunity to find out what's happening in the Church beyond the confines of our congregation. There are interesting developments and challenges in the New Church around the world, and it can be useful to learn of them.

Recently, six candidates were ordained into the Clergy including two that have visited here - Ryan Sandstrom and Howard Thompson. Each of the six wrote their own statement of faith which was very inspiring! You may still see the ordination service in the archives of services at

Usually at least the last 9 services are archived. Keep at it until you find the second or third page of archives.

Rev. Dan Goodenough has reduced his regional activities in favor of more local ones, and as such, will cease to be our Regional Pastor effective June 30. In his place, Rev. David Roth from Boulder New Church will assume the duties of Regional Pastor for the West.

After this week's service, our next is on July 17th with Rev. Mark Perry, who will come up from San Diego. During July and August we traditionally cut back to one service per month. Stay tuned for news about our August service.
Hannah & Jonathan

Los Angeles News:

Summer in L.A. has better weather than much of the country, but lots less church.

Our service in July will be on the 24th when candidate Kamenan Atta returns to lead us. If you missed his visit in June, make sure to put this date on your calendar; he is enthusiastic and brings a tremendous perspective from both his native Ivory Coast and the church center in Bryn Athyn.

The schedule for the new year is still being worked out, but we will most likely have services at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, starting in September.

San Diego News:

The Perry family are going on vacation July 19th until Aug 4th. We will be spending some time in Bryn Athyn and North Carolina, OBX. Rev. Carla Friedrich will be having a Stay-cation at our house, cat and plant sitting while we are away.The San Diego New Churchwill have two services in my absence. Jess Lagman will be conducting a lay service on the 24th of July and retired minister,r Rev. Eldon Smith, will be officiating the service on July 31st.

We had a wonderful June 19th Service here in San Diego. What made the day was a wonderful June 19th pageant put on by the Sunday School children! They acted out the story of the Woman Clothed with the sun, and the great red dragon attempting to destroy the man-child about to be born.

A big thank you to Lyn Perry and Karin Heinrichs for all their hard work and organization.

First child to Christian and Lois Kahle will be baptized this coming Sunday July 17th directly following Sunday Worship atthe Church.

Stay tuned for the new, upcoming Journey Campaign - SHIFT!

-Rev Mark

Editor’s Note:

I had the pleasure of visiting my hometown of Glenview, Illinois in early July. While there, I attendedmy cousin, Ashley Smith’s wedding by the “Park Lake” (the community pond) on July 2nd and then my brother, Nathan Smith’s ceremony in the main chapel on July 9th.

The Rev. Peter Buss Junior (head pastor of the Glenview New Church) officiated both ceremonies and did a truly wonderful job. One of my favorite teachings of the New Church is that marriage is sacred and can last forever.