This morning I had planned to go to St Thomas Episcopal Church (5th Ave & 53 St, two blocks south from FAPC; http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/) at 9am. I never got there on time for service. I want to explore more of the Episcopal church than just going to All Saints (60 St & 2nd Ave). I still see it as too formal and too traditional, too close (little to no differences) to the Catholic church that has always confused me.
So far, I've felt more at home at FAPC and accepted by its members since the beginning of this journey about five months ago. I don't consider myself Presbyterian although I understand and accept much of the ideology. I'm still merely a Christian.
Showing posts with label episcopal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label episcopal. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
oh well
I wasn't very eager to go to the Episcopal service (10am). I'd rather much more hang out at FAPC. I'm definitely considering just going to the Bible studies at 9:30am at FAPC next week.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
selling my faith
I tried to coax three good friends of mine to go to a church of their liking. By no means, are they atheists, but they've refused so far.
1. One said that he's a better Catholic that I am. Well I'm not sure if I'm really Catholic after all. So I guess he's right, but that's no excuse not to go to church.
2. Another one (also raised Catholic) said that she was upset that I'd mentioned that she was not in God's grace. She said that my attitude was draws her away from church.
3. Yet the third one (probably raised Episcopal) never responded. At least, I under her since she lost her baby girl not even three weeks after been born. How could a person love someone (God) who takes away what/whom one holds most precious?
In few words, I've failed for the time being in my attempt to save the soul of each of my friends or at least his/her sanity.
One thing that religion does is bring an internal peace to an individual. If my friends don't care about a God figure, at least religion can take the stresses of life in general.
What's my reason? Of course, I'd appreciate the salvation of my tortured soul as a friend (#2 above) called it, but that not my immediate goal. I want that internal peace.
1. One said that he's a better Catholic that I am. Well I'm not sure if I'm really Catholic after all. So I guess he's right, but that's no excuse not to go to church.
2. Another one (also raised Catholic) said that she was upset that I'd mentioned that she was not in God's grace. She said that my attitude was draws her away from church.
3. Yet the third one (probably raised Episcopal) never responded. At least, I under her since she lost her baby girl not even three weeks after been born. How could a person love someone (God) who takes away what/whom one holds most precious?
In few words, I've failed for the time being in my attempt to save the soul of each of my friends or at least his/her sanity.
One thing that religion does is bring an internal peace to an individual. If my friends don't care about a God figure, at least religion can take the stresses of life in general.
What's my reason? Of course, I'd appreciate the salvation of my tortured soul as a friend (#2 above) called it, but that not my immediate goal. I want that internal peace.
what I think about religion
I guess that religion will remain a strange factor in my life. I do enjoy pornography and other improper non-Christian behaviors, which I've been trying to avoid.
In the past several months, I've tried to avoid Catholicism. Surprisingly I went to an Episcopal church, All Saints, this past Sunday. Episcopalism is merely an extension of Catholicism and I found this past Sunday's service fairly uptight (just like a Catholic mass) without the freedom that Presbyterianism gives me.
I guess I'd become a member of the FAPC congregation after all. Maybe this why tomorrow I'll go to a group at FAPC on technology at 7pm. I'm so eager to do something at this church (like helping with the website). Perhaps I might merely be looking for some level of acceptance from my "peers." Perhaps I'm just getting "old" and I need some assurance that my life has had some meaning. Either way, I'd never felt this way for any church of any denomination. Does this mean that I'm a reformed Protestant now of some sort?
Living in NYC, one has as many faiths to chose from. Well I don't know what to think at this point. Yes, this was an experiment to find God in different ways (roads), but which is the right one for me? Should I also try Islam and Krishna in search of God regardless of the human name given to him (Jehovah, Allah, Krishna, Buddha, etc)? By the way, how can we be so sure that God is a man? I can't respond so many questions right now, but could I ever?
In the past several months, I've tried to avoid Catholicism. Surprisingly I went to an Episcopal church, All Saints, this past Sunday. Episcopalism is merely an extension of Catholicism and I found this past Sunday's service fairly uptight (just like a Catholic mass) without the freedom that Presbyterianism gives me.
I guess I'd become a member of the FAPC congregation after all. Maybe this why tomorrow I'll go to a group at FAPC on technology at 7pm. I'm so eager to do something at this church (like helping with the website). Perhaps I might merely be looking for some level of acceptance from my "peers." Perhaps I'm just getting "old" and I need some assurance that my life has had some meaning. Either way, I'd never felt this way for any church of any denomination. Does this mean that I'm a reformed Protestant now of some sort?
Living in NYC, one has as many faiths to chose from. Well I don't know what to think at this point. Yes, this was an experiment to find God in different ways (roads), but which is the right one for me? Should I also try Islam and Krishna in search of God regardless of the human name given to him (Jehovah, Allah, Krishna, Buddha, etc)? By the way, how can we be so sure that God is a man? I can't respond so many questions right now, but could I ever?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
double duty on 01/04/2008
CONTINUOUS REFERENCES TO CHRISTMAS
All Saints Episcopal Church (60th St & 2nd Ave; http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/)
1. The Episcopal church is too much like the Catholic church, perhaps almost identical. The only difference I know of is that a vicar (priest) can get married.
2. It has a similar service structure than a Catholic mass, including kneeling when the bread and wine are presented.
3. The service is somewhat recited, which makes it hard to hear and worse yet comprehend at times.
4. The biggest difference to a Catholic mass was that the congregation stands during the reading of the New Testament is read.
5. Another huge difference to the Presbyterians is that the congregation is the "people" and not the "ministers" of the church.
6. I didn't like it as much. It was rather dull. Yet I couldn't stop weeping thinking of my sick child.
7. Will I come back? Yes, I would to prove my point or to simply decide if I should just go to a Catholic or Episcopal church. The latter is doubtful.
SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (5th Ave & 55th St; http://www.fapc.org/)
1. The services are very rock n' roll and open to talk about sex (NEXT Ministries meeting, about 12:50pm to about 1:45pm with Rev Paul Rock)
2. Rev Black Scott Johntson makes the sermons entertaining with constant references to society, news, movies and science fiction. They are in common English, not recited.
2.1. The latter is still proof that science fiction has lots of its roots in religion.
3. I was more than excited to take communion today (a dry piece of white bread and some grape non-fermented juice, probably Kedeem).
4. Will I come back? Of course, I will since I like this church.
5. There's no 5 this time.
All Saints Episcopal Church (60th St & 2nd Ave; http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/)
1. The Episcopal church is too much like the Catholic church, perhaps almost identical. The only difference I know of is that a vicar (priest) can get married.
2. It has a similar service structure than a Catholic mass, including kneeling when the bread and wine are presented.
3. The service is somewhat recited, which makes it hard to hear and worse yet comprehend at times.
4. The biggest difference to a Catholic mass was that the congregation stands during the reading of the New Testament is read.
5. Another huge difference to the Presbyterians is that the congregation is the "people" and not the "ministers" of the church.
6. I didn't like it as much. It was rather dull. Yet I couldn't stop weeping thinking of my sick child.
7. Will I come back? Yes, I would to prove my point or to simply decide if I should just go to a Catholic or Episcopal church. The latter is doubtful.
SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (5th Ave & 55th St; http://www.fapc.org/)
1. The services are very rock n' roll and open to talk about sex (NEXT Ministries meeting, about 12:50pm to about 1:45pm with Rev Paul Rock)
2. Rev Black Scott Johntson makes the sermons entertaining with constant references to society, news, movies and science fiction. They are in common English, not recited.
2.1. The latter is still proof that science fiction has lots of its roots in religion.
3. I was more than excited to take communion today (a dry piece of white bread and some grape non-fermented juice, probably Kedeem).
4. Will I come back? Of course, I will since I like this church.
5. There's no 5 this time.
Friday, January 2, 2009
15 weeks later
So 15 weeks later, here I am still going to a Presbyterian church every Sunday. I feel very comfortable in this church. Is feeling too comfortable a bad Christian thing? Maybe it is.
Nonetheless I'm seriously thinking to continue shopping around and go to an Episcopal church. There are two that have caught my attention All Saints (http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/) and Saint Thomas Church (http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/) (in order of importance to me). Now am I betraying the Presbyterian church if I go to the Wednesday service after work? Then again I could go to church on Sundays (11:15am) and Wednesdays (6pm).
Nonetheless I'm seriously thinking to continue shopping around and go to an Episcopal church. There are two that have caught my attention All Saints (http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/) and Saint Thomas Church (http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/) (in order of importance to me). Now am I betraying the Presbyterian church if I go to the Wednesday service after work? Then again I could go to church on Sundays (11:15am) and Wednesdays (6pm).
Thursday, January 1, 2009
09/20/2008 (first time in a church in so long)
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
(founded 1808, 200 years of service)
Service from 9:30 to 10:30am
Pastor Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnson
"My Lord is my shepherd I shall not want"
* Vulnerable God who knows what it is to be shepherd (flesh, prompt to pain, etc)
** Me feeling not worthy, sitting in the back row to left (upon entrance), with tears
http://www.fapc.org/
Christ Church (United Methodist)
Park Ave & 60 St
Service from 11 to ? (walked out)
* Not a planned stop, drawn into it, but no sermon almost 30 minutes into the service, so walked out
** Me feeling extremely alien listening to too much singing from the choir, no substance
All Saints Church (Episcopal)
230 E 60 St, NYC
* Missed Sunday only service, 10 to 11am
* Next service Wednesday 6 to 6:30pm
http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/
(founded 1808, 200 years of service)
Service from 9:30 to 10:30am
Pastor Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnson
"My Lord is my shepherd I shall not want"
* Vulnerable God who knows what it is to be shepherd (flesh, prompt to pain, etc)
** Me feeling not worthy, sitting in the back row to left (upon entrance), with tears
http://www.fapc.org/
Christ Church (United Methodist)
Park Ave & 60 St
Service from 11 to ? (walked out)
* Not a planned stop, drawn into it, but no sermon almost 30 minutes into the service, so walked out
** Me feeling extremely alien listening to too much singing from the choir, no substance
All Saints Church (Episcopal)
230 E 60 St, NYC
* Missed Sunday only service, 10 to 11am
* Next service Wednesday 6 to 6:30pm
http://www.allsaintsnyc.org/
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