2007 Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Today was the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. The morning temperature at Mount Olympus was 43°F under clear skies, down the hill a mild marine layer brought the cloud deck all the way to Tavern Road. Temperatures by the start of the service were in the very high 60°s, the sun was warm and bright. The almost perfect weather brought 23 people out, including Patti Jones who is moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon next week.

Dying to Know?
Father Acker continued his short series on Death from the Christian Perspective. If, like the Sadducees, you do not believe in life after death, then like atheists, you really won’t find this topic all this interesting. After all, for a Sadducee, if you are dead, you are dead; as they say at the end of the MASH PA Announcement, “That is all.”

For the vast majority of people, those of faith and those not, there is something more. If you are a Christian, it is more complicated and a whole lot less scary. For Christians, death and dying is not about coffins and mortuaries. It is the end to an attempt at a holy life here on earth, transitioning to a truly holy life in heaven through a holy death. This series is far more about living than about dying; just as the actual act of dying is only a segue in life from here to there.

The life everlasting is more than the immortality of the soul. As Christians we see life as sacramental, that is the outward and visible as a sign of the inward and spiritual.

The sacramental life of eternity we see is no Hindu merger into a universal soul. We don’t order a hot dog and say, “Make me one with everything.”

Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Jesus came as a person to known as a person by individual persons—by you.

Our name of Blessed Trinity is about God being known in the relationship of persons:

• Father
• Son
• Holy Spirit.

God is a personal God, not The Force, but a personal God who knows you. Life, eternal and mortal, is all about knowing personally, not impersonally.

“Do you know Jesus Christ?

“Is Jesus your personal savior?

“Have you been saved?

As Christians, of the Anglican arm, our view of life is that of the Bible. We look to Jesus’ words and actions, the Holy Scriptures, as the Word of God.

To God, the Creator, each individual person is valued.

“Before you were born, while you were being knit in the womb, I knew you.”

That is God’s definition of your being, your person.

God values you, not by absorbing you into the cosmic “over-soul.” He values you in your being known.

Our being coming to completion, to its fullness, is what God knows of us. Our living and our dying to new life is our fulfilling what God created in us. Dying is much like graduation from a course of any kind, with another following it. Much of the fear we associate with dying is the fear associated with any graduation.

Sacramental life is for bringing about the qualities of your individuality—the outward and visible with the inward and spiritual.

God created us individually in His image. Our individuality is not due to our own “self-creation, self-generated source of being, independence” or any other new age claptrap. We are each specially and custom made by God, a God who knows us far better than we seem to know ourselves. We find true meaning in collaboration with others, in common union, or communion with the “fellowship of saints”, fellow Christians.

So, what does this mean in terms of death and dying?

When we die, we leave this world, our imperfect bodies, behind. We join God in heaven as individuals. Dying is merely the path out of this world, for us to heaven; with other destinations for some.

Hap Arnold read the Epistle for today, on behalf of Greg Chase who had laryngitis, which came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning at the Seventeenth Verse of the Fourth Chapter. Typical of Paul, he uses a spiral argument with a seemingly confusing structure to further instruct the people on how to become the New Man. Our nature is not good, but rather straying from good. We have to work at good, by ourselves good is not attainable, but through Christ, we can attain good. Paul asks us to lie no more, particularly to ourselves, but rather to “speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” If we are angry, we must “let not the sun go down upon our wrath.” We should not live off others, but rather, “labour, working with our hands the thing which is good, that we may have to give to him that needeth.” Speak good, speak that others might learn. Put away ill feeling, give in to God and be “kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” God wants us to be happy, to be good and to enjoy life. If you find this no other place, listen to the words of St. Paul.


This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.


The Gospel was written in the Fourth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the First Verse. Jesus came upon “a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Present were scribes of the temple. They thought to themselves., “This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. Sometimes we are tempted to view the troubles of this world as the only issues we have to confront. Surely the trouble we have here pales to that we have if we make the wrong choices here and end up in the pit. Many can heal the palsy; only through Jesus can our sins be forgiven. In this case, the sins were forgiven and the problems of this earth resolved. The power of Jesus was again made manifest.

Jesus entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.



Sermon - Sharing God’s vision
In today’s Epistle to the Ephesians, as in much of the New Testament, on first reading Paul seems to focus an awful lot on lusts of the flesh, sin, and the fallen state of our being men and women.

This understanding, or lack of understanding, has many people saying, “All you Christians seem to talk about are Sex and Money.”

While that seems to draw a lot of people to television shows, it is not much a draw for Sunday services.

That is not Paul’s message, in today’s Epistle or anywhere else.

Listen as Paul describes the kind of life God wants us to live:

• Tell the truth, to your neighbor and everyone else;
o No lies
o No pretense
• In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other;
o We have a lot of neighbors;
• You can be moved to anger;
o Never let anger winter over, ever let the sun go down on that anger;
o Do not give in to revenge, for in revenge is the devil found;
o Give no foothold for Satan in your life.
• Hold an honest job so you can even help those in need;
o Help those in need;
o Encourage the lazy to be givers, not takers;
• When you speak, make your words worth hearing;
o Speak so you help others
o Talking so that every word you speak helps others, and they see it as a gift.
• If you will let Him, the Holy Spirit will move and breathe in every part of your life, So that your living warms the heart of God.
o Be always ready to forgive with real compassion reflecting Jesus’ forgiveness.
o Remember what you have been taught by Christ

God knows what is best for us and shares that knowledge. Will we listen? We need to share that knowledge with those around us.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported anniversaries today. Today, we celebrated Greg Chase’s 59th birthday today.

After Church Hospitality
Today Marianne and Betsy Lane brought the goodies and what a feast! Left to right on the table, we found two kinds of macadamia nuts, salted and honey mustard; blueberry muffins and three kinds of vegetables, with two kinds of dip.



Tim’s House of Coffee provided the drinks under the direction of Barrista Ben Lizak. Once again, Father Acker got up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade, a sacrifice much appreciated by your Beadle.

New Nametags
We no new nametags today. In fact, we kind of lost a nametag, with Patti and George Jones moving next week to Klamath Falls, Oregon:

Travel
Tim and Jan are on travel this week.

Sick or in need of healing
Diane Chase
Muriel Pappin
Fran Dexter
Martha Stevens

Betty Cooke has good days and some not so good. She occasionally gets picked up to go out to lunch from time to time. She and Shilo, her cat, are enjoying the sunshine streaming in her living room as she’s has a makeover going on in her front yard. Betty is slowing down a bit, but still likes to go out to a late lunch, if anyone cares to stop by.

Victor – Donna Dingwall’s husband, is recently out of the hospital and is in need of prayer for increased strength. Please pray for his rapid recovery.

Marie “Rede” Acker – Father Acker’s mother broke her good shoulder on 14 July 2007. She is well in to major rehabilitation for her right arm and shoulder has healed. Please pray that she will do her best to overcome this problem.

Evelyn Hunt is doing very well. She will be coming to church once a month with her daughter Kathy.



Annie Springer made it to church again this morning. She still has vision problems precluding her from driving right now. They are working on stabilizing her diabetes and high blood pressure medications. Your continued prayers are asked for stabilization of her medications, as well as improvement of her vision. In addition, please pray for strength for the Springer family. They are a great team working together with God’s help.

Lona Walsh (Wanda Michaelis' mother) surgery has been put off.

Miney Farrell is doing great. Thanks to Greg Chase, she will in here at least once a month.

Lorraine Winkles is showing small increments of improvement with a prolonged case of shingles. She appreciates our praying for her on Sunday mornings.

Donna Dingwall is doing well enough that she and her family were able to do a bit of travel. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Back Door Lending Library
We have some new Amazing Grace books of several flavors, in addition, there are still several sets of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, as well as some background books on the series. There are plenty of sets, so don’t be shy. There are also Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer & Bibles
During his many travels and general rooting around, your Beadle has come across some very nice personal 1928 Prayer Books, including a couple with Hymnals attached and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.

A word in Hymn 204 that I do not understand - DESCRY
I love our current communion hymn - Humbly I adore thee, verity unseen, (Hymn 204) but there is a word in Verse Four that I am not familiar with – descry.

Jesus, whom now veiléd, I by faith descry

The word descry comes from the Middle English. It means more or less to catch sight of. More technical definitions from Webster’s 1913 are:

1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover.

2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal.

3. Discovery or view, as of an army seen at a distance.

4. Catch sight of

Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate? Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material. Help us help you. Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer. Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know. But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.

The Anonymous Little White Trailer
For some months now, we have had a lovely trailer to carry our church in, a Church in the Box, so to speak. While very nice and handy with its spacious interior and neatly organized shelving, it is somewhat non-descript, anonymous so to speak. No more! After today’s Vestry Meeting, Father Acker, the Beadle, the Under Beadle and the Deputy Beadle changed all that.

Missionary Diocese of Viet Nam
If you did not get the initial briefing on the Anglican Missionary Diocese of Vietnam, please look at the Beadle’s Report for 22 July 2007.

Funding for the initial phase is complete. The operation is underway. Bishop Boyce and Father Mai completed the meeting in Vietnam and trained twelve candidates:

• Nguyen Huu The
 • Nguyen Ly

• Huynh Ngoc Thien • Ynien Apor
• Nguyen Quang Dang • Nehermi Apor
• Nguyen Van Thanh • Le Khanh Tan
• Nguyen Binh An • Pham Ngoc Hue
• Bui Quang Trung • Name yet to be released

We expect a briefing on the meeting from Bishop Boyce and Father Mai later this week. At that point, we will have a better sense of what is needed going forward. We will revise our Phase II plan and start solicitations for funding this second phase. We note that there is no Book of Common Prayer currently available in Vietnamese. This will be a priority, in addition to funding the new priests and deacons.

Phase One is complete, more money will be needed for Phase Two. This is the most cost effective way your Beadle has seen to spread the Word. There is ZERO Overhead, One Hundred Percent or more of what you contribute goes to the end user. Your Beadle is in front of this project and trusts you will follow him with your heart.

Archbishop Chew, of the Province of Southeast Asia, and Bishop Ackerman are planning to meet in November to discuss possible cooperation on the Missionary Diocese of Vietnam.

We invite you to join in the prayers we have been praying each night that:

• The people of Vietnam will not lose their ardor for the church;
• The people here will provide the support they can;
              and where prayer is most needed:
• The church hierarchy will not place roadblocks in the way of the Lord's Work.

Epistle Readers
In response to requests from the congregation and the readers, we will be posting the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report from henceforth. This way, you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.

Date Reader

21 October 2007 Holly Lizak
28 October 2007 Jack Arnold

Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. The pre-service class is back. Father Acker is dying to get on with Death from the Christian Perspective. If you talk to anyone at today’s service, you will find out the class was not what they expected! Death has no hold over a Christian, death is not to be feared. Through Christ we conquer death. This is an interesting class series. Don’t miss it! Come to church so you won’t want to wait for the Beadle’s Report to find out what happened.

See you next week on Sunday!

Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report without photographs is available at:

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com