Religion & Values » holiday

Edmond church encourages community’s participation

Carla Hinton — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:19:56 +0000

Events are popping up fast and furious, so much so that I will be posting many of them on this blog. This is another effort to spread the word about upcoming events in theOklahoma City metro religious community and around the state.

Church invites community to be part of Christmas musical experience

EDMOND— Rehearsals for the musical Christmas narrative “One Incredible Moment” will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 9, at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.

This year, marks the fifth year for the holiday event will be presented by First Presbyterian-Edmond. Unlike past performances, this year’s cast and crew positions are open to Christians of every denomination from every community.

“Actors and singers and crew members of all ages in any Christian denomination are invited to become the heart of this Christmas drama, Jim VanHemert, minister of music at First Presbyterian, said.

VanHemert said everyone who shows up for rehearsal will be accepted into the production.

“One Incredible Moment” was written by minister and best-selling author Max Lucado. Set to music by Tom Fettke, noted composer of Christian music, the production depicts the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Originally written as a cantata, the musical presentation was adapted into a Broadway-style musical by Terry Attebery, veteran director and drama coach who lives inEdmond.

For more information, contact Attebery at 341-5069 or via email at Ö attemusic@cox.net; or VanHemert at 341-3602 ext 281 or email Ö jvanhemert@fpcedmond.org. Also, interested individuals may simply show up for rehearsals at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Performances of “One Incredible Moment” are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Dec. 13-16 at the church. Admission for open seating is free. Reserved pew seating is $10 per ticket. Tickets for reserved pew seating are on sale at Ö oimtickets@gmail.com.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

A witty “Passover Rhapsody”

Carla Hinton — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:00:33 +0000

I found a Passover video on the Internet that is both witty and charming.

The eight-day Jewish holiday begins at sundown tonight.

This video, found on the Aish.com website (a Jewish content site), shares the story of the Israelites flight from Egypt to freedom in a most unique way — which is what Passover is all about.

Hint: If you like Queen’s 1975 classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the Muppets, ,you’ve got to see this video: “Passover Rhapsody.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Palm Sunday: Will Oklahoma City Thunder fans skip church?

Carla Hinton — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:55:56 +0000

Oklahoma City Thunder games on Sunday are no surprise these days, since humble star Kevin Durant (shown below) and the wildly popular Oklahoma City NBA team have played quite a few games on Sundays.

But this Sunday, April 1, Thunder game time is noon.

And here’s the thing: This Sunday, April 1 is Palm Sunday, the day Christians commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, one of the most significant time periods on the Christian liturgical calendar.

How many Thunder fans are going to skip church to get the game or at least watch it on TV?

Should they be afraid that a lightening bolt from the sky will rip them to shreds if they nix their church plans in favor of watching the Thunder battle it out with the Chicago Bulls? Would that thought keep them out of the arena seats or off the couch instead of in the pews?

Who knows?

I do know that many churches offer several Sunday worship services and some Thunder fans could always go to an early service which would give them time to get to the arena in time for tip-off. Others could simply miss the first part of the game and catch as much as they can after church. Some churchgoers who are Thunder fans (but not ticket holders) will catch the game on TV, maybe a little later than usual. And if this isn’t a good time for the DVR and TiVo, I don’t know what is.

Still, many fans will hate to miss any part of the game that will pit Durant, Westbrook and the rest of the Thunder against Derek Rose and the Bulls. Should be a super intense take-no-prisoners game — the kind of game fans love to see … as long as their team wins.

So pastors, if there are some folks missing from the pews on Palm Sunday, don’t be too surprised. It’s no joke (April 1 is April Fools Day), just some avid fans showing their support for their team.

They do say that sports is a religion.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

It’s interesting to note that the Thunder will play on Easter Sunday as well (Remember, they played on Christmas Day, too) .

If game time was set for noon, now that would be something to talk about. But, as it happens, tip-off is 6 p.m. for the April 8 game which will have the Thunder facing the Toronto Raptors.

Rockin’ Rosh Hashana and a Tweet New Year

Carla Hinton — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:21:02 +0000

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year begins at sundown today.

I love music and I stumbled upon a holiday-themed music video that has gone viral. This “Rosh Hashana Rock Anthem” is cute and engaging so have a look.

Also, here is an interesting tidbit about Rosh Hashana for the social media fans out there. The Jewish New Year kicks off a season called the High Holy Days. This is the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
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A Tweet New Year

The first contemporary online synagogue, OurJewishCommunity.org, is tweeting the High Holiday services — Roshanah Sept. 28029 and Yom Kippur Oct. 7-8.

Hundreds of tweets will be sent out from the Twitter accounts of the online congregregation (@JewsOnline) and one of its rabbis, Laura Baum (@rabbi) during the evening and morning services. The tweets are to come from the liturgy that is used during the services, which also may be downloaded as a PDF.

“We’re rabbis who actually encourage people to talk during our sermons,” Baum said in a news release. “We want those attending our services online to chat with each other using social media. It’s great to see people engaging in conversation with each other.”

For more information, visit www.OurJewishCommunity.org.

Blueberry blintzes, oh my

Carla Hinton — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:37:46 +0000

As I predicted yesterday, I was surrounded by blueberry blintzes (pictured) today.

I visited Camp Chaverim, the summer day camp operated at Temple B’nai Israel and coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City.

I got there just in time for lunch and the youths were being treated to the blintzes with today’s meal.

It’s all because of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelities.

By tradition, many Jewish families eat dairy products and foods made with dairy products during this time. This custom is related to the verse in the Torah that says the Lord gave them the land of milk and honey. Besides blintzes, cheesecake and ice cream are favorite treats during Shavuot.

Marcy Price, programs director for the Jewish Federation, coordinates Camp Chaverim each summer. She said the campers will have ice cream sundaes tomorrow in conjunction with Shavuot.

Look for more information on Camp Chaverim in a future edition of The Oklahoman.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Getting to know Passover

Carla Hinton — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0000

In December, I got a kick out of a fun song created by a group of Jewish students in New York. The song was related to Hanukkah. The group, called the Maccabeats put Hanukkah-inspired lyrics, written by David Block and Immanuel Shalev, to Taio Cruz’s infectious tune “Dynamite.”

Now, if I had not known something about Hanukkah the song’s whimsical cleverness would have been lost on me.

I thought about that as I finished up my story on Passover, which can be found in today’s Oklahoman and online at NewsOK.com. I’ve done numerous Passover stories, but each year I learn something I didn’t know about the Jewish holiday, which begins at sundown Monday, April 18.

I thought it might be fun to create a little quiz about the holiday — for myself — as well as anyone else. It’s kind of a Passover 101 type of thing so scholars, don’t come looking for some profound question. This is just something fun and something that will perhaps help keep people interested in the holiday — Jews and non-Jews alike – on their toes. Much of this information I obtained from various sources, most specifically, Holidays on the Net. If you have to hunt for some of these answers or if these questions sparked more awareness and conversation, then the quiz has served a purpose.

Here goes:

Passover Quiz

1. What were the 10 plagues that the Lord sent raining down upon the people of Egypt when Pharoah refused to free the Israelites from slavery? Can you name them in order?

2. Where does the name of the holiday come from?

3. What is the name of the book that includes stories, prayers and songs meant to serve as a guide for the Passover Seder?

4. Passover is an eight-day holiday. Which two nights are considered especially holy?

5. Depending upon who you talk to, the Passover Seder plate traditionally includes between five and six food items. Name them.

6. Jews are forbidden to eat what food items during Passover (Hint read my story in today’s Life section!)?

7. How many cups of wine does each Passover Seder participant traditionally consume?

8. What do these cups of wine represent?

9. Another cup of wine is set out for which Passover Seder visitor?

10. What was Moses’ plea to Pharoah concerning the Israelites?

BONUS: OK, this is something I learned during my interview for my recent Passover story. Get this one right and you have definitely passed this quiz: Matzah making must be strictly timed. No more than how many minutes may pass from the time that the flour and water are mixed together until the time that the matzah is completely baked?

ANSWERS

1. Ten plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice (vermin), Wild Beasts(flies), Blight (Cattle Disease), Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness and Slaying of the First Born (answers from Holidays on the Net).

2. The holiday’s name — “Pesah” means “passing over” or “protection” in Hebrew. It is derived from the instructions given to Moses by the Lord. In order to encourage Pharaoh to free the Israelites, the Lord intended to kill the first-born of both man and beast. To protect themselves, the Israelites were told to mark their dwellings with lamb’s blood so that the Lord could identify and “pass over” their homes.

3. Haggadah

4. The first two nights of Passover are considered especially holy. On these nights, families hold their Passover Seders in which the exodus story is retold.

5. 1. Matzah; 2. Haroseth; 3. Parsley; 4. Bitter herbs; 5. Roasted egg; 6. Shank bone.

6. Bread and other fermented grain products.

7. Four.

8. The four glasses of wine are poured to represent the four stages of the exodus: Freedom, Deliverance, Redemption and Release

9. An extra cup is set out on the table for the prophet Elijah who is said to visit everyPassover seder?

10. “Let my people go.”

BONUS: No more than 18 minutes may pass from the time that the flour and water are mixed together until the time that the matzah is completely baked. If the process takes longer than 18 minutes, the matzah is not deemed kosher for Passover.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

12 Days of Christmas: Christmas quiz

Carla Hinton — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 22:57:36 +0000

Just how did Mary and Joseph make their famous trip to Bethlehem?

What did an innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph once they reached the crowded city?

The Rev. Joe Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, asked his congregation these and other questions during Dec. 19 services at the Oklahoma City church, 14700 N May.

Instead of a traditional sermon, Alsay surprised the church with a “Christmas IQ Quiz.”

The quiz drew some good-natured consternation as folks tried to answer questions about the traditional Christmas story. The short test also drew lots of laughter as Alsay proceeded to answer the questions.

“It certianly caught their attention,” Alsay said.

“What it also did is make people wonder. They say ‘I go to church on Christmas I know the story. I hear it every year.’ Well, Scripture itself does not say a lot about these things.”

For instance, Alsay said Scripture does not mention an innkeeper although it may be safe to assume that there was one who spoke to Mary and Joseph about ‘no room in the inn.”

Did Mary ride to Bethlehem on a donkey? Alsay said people historically traveled in caravans during biblical times so it is just as likely that she traveled by caravan.

“You wouldn’t want to make that trip by yourself,” he said. “Maybe she and Joseph had to foot it. We don’t know that there was a donkey. We can hope.”

Alsay said he got the quiz questions from a a list of such questions compiled by a professor. He said it’s interesting to see how people have filled in the empty blanks over the years.

Alsay said most importantly he likes to introduce different things like the quiz because it may spur people to go home and read their Bibles.

Also he said looking at the Christmas story with new, fresh eyes may spark a new and fresh relationship with Jesus.

“I hope that Christ can be born again in our hearts.”

And he said we may never know the answers to some of the questions. And that’s OK.

“Somethings we don’t know and that’s probably the beauty of it,” Alsay said. “That’s when faith comes in.”

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OK, if you are curious, you can take the quiz here. The answers are posted below the quiz.

——

Christmas I.Q. Test

As Long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on December 25. (True or False)
Joseph was from:

(A) Bethlehem (B) Jerusalem (C) Nazareth

(D) Egypt (E) Minnesota (F) None of the above

3.How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?

(A) Camel (B) Donkey (C) Walked (D) Volkswagen (E) Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey

(F) Who knows

4. Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became pregnant (True or False)

5. Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was born (True or False)

6. Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (True or False)

7. What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph?

(A)“There is no room in the inn.” (B) “I have a stable you can use.” (C) “Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some vacancies.”( D) Both A and B (E) None of the above

8. Jesus was born in a: (A) Stable (B) Manger (C) Cave (D) Barn (E) Unknown

9. A “manger” is a: (A) Stable for domestic animals (B) Wooden hay storage bin (C) Feeding trough (D) Barn

10. Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? (A). Cows, sheep and goats (B). Cows, donkeys and sheep (C) Miscellaneous barnyard animals (D) Sheep and goats (E) Lions, tiger and bears (F) None of the above

11. Who saw the “star in the East.”(A) Shepherds (B) Mary and Joseph (C) The Magi (D) Both A and C (E) None of the above

12. What “sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for? (A) “This way to baby Jesus” (B) A star over Bethlehem (C) A baby that doesn’t cry (D) A house with a Christmas tree (E) A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (F) None of the above

13. What did the angels sing? (A) “Joy to the World,” (B) “Alleluia” (C) “Unto us a child is born” (D) “Glory to God in the highest. . . . “ (E) “My Sweet Lord”( F) “ Glory to the Newborn King”

14. There was snow that first Christmas (True or False)

15. The baby Jesus cried (A) When the doctor slapped him on the behind (B) Just like other babies (C) When the little drummer boy played his drum (D) He never cried

16. What is frankincense?(A) A precious metal (B) A precious fabric (C) A precious sap used in perfume (D) An Eastern monster story (E) None of the above

17. What is myrrh? (A) An easily shaped metal (B) A spice used for burial (C) A drink (D) An after-shave lotion (E) None of the above

18. How many “Magi” does the Bible say came to see Jesus ______________

19. The Magi found Jesus in a: (A) Manger (B) Stable (C) House (D) Holiday Inn (E) Good Mood

20. Where do you find the Christmas story in order to check on all these ridiculous questions?

(A) Matthew’s Gospel (B) Mark’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) All of the above (F) Only A and B (G) Only A and C (H) Only A, B and C

ANSWERS:

1. false

2. a

3.f

4.false

5.true

6.true

7.e

8.e

9.c

10.f

11.c

12.e

13.d

14.false

15.b

16.c

17.b

18.??? we know more than 1 could have been two, three, four

19.c

20.g

NOTE: Father Alsay wanted me to be sure to invite all my readers to St. Augustine’s Christmas Eve services set for 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 24. The church’s regular services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

An atheist Christmas coloring book

Carla Hinton — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:50:30 +0000

Atheist Christmas.

Sounds like a misnomer, perhaps.

Well, not if you follow the thinking of the “Atheist Christmas Coloring Book” which has been creaed for families “who want to enjoy a Christmas holiday free from religion.”

So says a news release from Mindposts.com, described as a place for rational parents, students and teachers to learn and share.

“There is no shame in celebrating Christmas as a time of love and joy,” the news release states.

“Families should share and celebrate the true roots of the season.”

Take a look at the book here: Atheist Christmas Coloring Book.

Rick Marazzani, MindPosts founder, said the coloring book provides “reason for the season” to firm up rational foundations for Christmas, and building the self-esteem of rational children.

“My wife and I are raising rational atheist kids, and in our house we celebrate Christmas,” Marazzani said, in the MindPosts news release.

“Tree and stockings, love and joy, food and cheer, family and friends. We continue our family traditions and enjoy sharing the fruits of our intelligence and productivity.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Technology to combat “Baby Jesus” thieves

Carla Hinton — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:39:00 +0000

Think twice before you steal “Baby Jesus” from the manger: Technology is now helping to combat a unique kind of thievery during the holidays.

A company called Company Brickhouse Security is offering to place free GPS trackers on Baby Jesus statues to keep them from being stolen from Nativity scenes.

Apparently the company also has offered the devices to Jewish communities to keep their menorah candle holders from being taken during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

A Boston Fox News affiliate reported that Company Brickhouse Security said the tracker means that if a thief makes off with the Baby Jesus statue or any other cherished item that it is attached to, a church, synagogue or other grop can log onto a computer or mobile phone to track the missing items.

Here’s more about this latest blend of technology and faith: “Churches Fit GPS to Baby Jesus to Stop Nativity Thefts.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Online Advent calendar

Carla Hinton — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:46:24 +0000

Trinity Wall Street is one again offering an embeddable online multimedia Advent calendar.

This year’s calendar “Love Revealed” will use music, video, photography and Scripture to tell the stories of young people across America who are growing into wisdom, advocating for change and creating a better world.

The calendar will be offered from Nov. 28 through Dec. 25.

In its news release, Trinity Wall Street said the multimedia calendar will focus this year on innovative church programs that are enriching the lives of young people.

Access the calendar here Love Revealed or go online to the following link: www.trinitywallstreet.org/advent

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor