2007 Pentecost Sunday commonly called Whitsunday

Today was Whitsunday or Pentecost Sunday. While it was a bit foggy down the hill in the early morning, the weather in Alpine was bright and clear; the summer heat is beginning its manifestation. Despite the weather, we had 21 people.

The Pentecost art show was back giving our church a lovely look along one wall.

The Confirmation and Reception class have come and gone, we are now moving to an ongoing class covering membership in our church. At Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity, we are very fortunate in many ways. Being a very small church, it is hard to blend in with the crowd. By virtue of the fact that you attend the church, you quickly become active, we just don’t have enough people for a “crowd of extras” to develop. Our members, like the members of the human body each have a function in the body of believers that is the church.

As members of the church, it is up to us to invite new people to join us. Invite, that is all, no pressure, just a heartfelt invitation to enjoy what we enjoy. But, you should know about the church before you join. You should know what a church believes before you’re part of it.

As Christians, we share a common faith, beliefs, purposes, commitments and way of living, as Anglicans, we have our own way of living out that faith and observing the traditions of the common faith. As a member of our church, the gift of God to us, you need to not only invite people to church and make them welcome when they arrive, but you need to be able to answer basic questions about our beliefs. To follow the will of God, we must spread His word, and that of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. To follow that will, we need to grow as a healthy family.

We need to be able to explain the Anglican way of thinking:

Scripture
Reason
Tradition

There is a reason those three words are everywhere, from our bumper stickers, to our patches, to our websites all the way to our cake at the Beadle's Party. Our lives are centered on Christ, with Scripture, Sacrament and Spirit forming the Anglican way of life.

If you have not heard these comments from people at churches or about church, then you need to listen harder:

• It’s scary not knowing what I’m getting myself into;
• I wasn’t involved & participating in any ministries, I just went to church;
• I didn’t have anyone to turn to;
• I needed help to forget my problems;
• Even though I was a Christian before, I want to feel like part of the church;
• I wanted to fill that empty part of my life;
• I want to have people who will be there for me, to pray for me, to have a home.

We intend for every person to be part of our church family; to learn about being involved; to study Scripture; to experience the Sacraments; to receive the Holy Spirit.

Yet, you do not have to be a member of the church, you can just attend on Sundays. At the same time, you need to know that in membership, you find ownership, in ownership you find oneness with others headed in the same direction, a sense of purpose often missing.

This may not be your church, but it should be: Jesus gave it to you personally.

Jan Macauley read today’s Epistle, which came from the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter Two, beginning at the First Verse. “When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Ten days after Jesus’ ascension, the apostles were gathered in the upper room, wondering what was coming up next, perhaps recalling Jesus’ promise this Comforter He had promised, when “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The day was the day of Pentecost, or the fiftieth day after the Passover. There were many Jews gathered in the city. As the apostles spoke, each heard them in their own native tongue at the same time. The epistle recalls the universality of God’s message to each of us, each in our own language. It also makes clear that our worship should be in our own native language, not in a foreign tongue as the Romans once did with their Latin Mass. God wants His Word to be clear to each of us.

Today’s Gospel started in the Fourteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, beginning at the Fifteenth Verse. Jesus tells his disciples, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.”

Today we celebrate the fulfillment of Jesus promise that the Holy Ghost would be sent to provide us with the understanding of His Words. His promise of the Holy Ghost was fulfilled; we are still struggling to fulfill our part of the bargain to not only hear His Words, but to follow them.

Sermon
Today we celebrate Pentecost. You may have noticed: Anglicans are not Pentecostals; but the Gift of the Holy Spirit is fundamental. We are not known as Evangelists, yet no one follows the Gospel more closely. As a play on the current saying, this is your great grandfather’s church. If it was good enough for God, is should be good enough for you!

Alice and I were on a trip this past week to Northern California. While traveling, we had the first corn on the cob of the season. It was wonderful! There is something about that first sweet and tender ear of corn. What is it? The first fruits of the crop, not the old tired and tough leftovers from the year past.

The Jews had three pilgrim feasts:

• Passover
• Pentacost (Shavuot)
• Tabernacles

We are reminded that the Jesus was crucified on the Passover feast and rose from the dead. His resurrection took place on the first day of the week after the Passover Sabbath, the same day the Jewish people offer the first fruits of their harvest. This is carried over in Paul’s reference to Jesus as the First Fruit of our salvation. When the Jews revolted against God and Moses while he was up on the mountain, the quelling of the insurrection resulted in the loss of 3,000 leaders. The descent of the Holy Ghost resulted in the addition of 3,000 souls to God’s army.

There are parallels between the events of the Old Testament and those of the New, but no coincidences.
 
Pentecost, the celebration of the “First Fruits”, is the Jewish pilgrim feast held 50 days after Passover, the first of the two great gifts of Judaism: The Giving of the Law; Second great gift: Temple.

In the Old Covenant, God gave the Law—keep My commandments and enter into relationship with God—To be God’s people. To be perfect as God is perfect: Holy and righteous. God gave them directions to the way of righteousness—“do this and live”. Pentecost was the celebration of God being their God and them being His people: the First Fruits!

Fifty days after the Passover, God sent the Holy Ghost to be our Holy Comforter and Holy Spirit to give us understanding of His Word. We know this Sunday as Whitsunday or White Sunday. In ages past, Pentecost was a very popular day for baptism. After their baptism, the newly baptized would put on white robes, like the description of the angels and to remind all of their very temporary state post-baptism, of being without spot.

Pentecost is not about us “speaking in tongues!” It is about God’s universal language being heard by all at the same time in their own language. It is about God being with you everyday to speak to you. To be present with you: a daily relationship with God; God acting and directing our lives everyday.

It is natural to pray to God for what we want, what we really need it to be able to listen when He answers. As Samuel said, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

If you will listen to Him, you will know what God wants. Now, will you do it?
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

Name Tags
We had no new nametags today.

After Church Hospitality
We almost had no after church goodies today. Holly did not forget, she honestly had no independent recollection she was bringing the goodies today. Yet, they magically appeared, there were the best brown sugar and oatmeal cookies your Beadle has ever had, some cupcakes and cinnamon pound cake and a fruit plate. All excellent, but not as good as the cookies!

Barrista Don Patton was hard at work today on behalf of Tim’s House of Coffee. We all marvel at Don, who does not drink coffee. He makes the best coffee of any of the barristas. This is now apparently a fact, as Tim asked him what he was serving and followed it up with, “Man, this is great coffee!” Words that have never passed the Command Master Chief Brewer’s lips before.

Father Acker made his customary wonderful low carb lemonade which your Beadle not only loveth, but consumeth in copious quanities.

People in our Prayers
Travel
Betsy and Marianne are on travel for the next week.
Donna and Hamish are on travel.
Chris, Stephanie, Alex and Andrew are on travel.

Sick or in need of healing

Betty Cooke
Diane Chase
Muriel Pappin

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

Miney Farrell is doing well. She asks your prayers for Bertha Rose’s balance problems which are compounded by her blindness. Miney would also like to come to church at least once a month. So, if you live in, or pass by El Cajon, perhaps you would pick her up. For information on this opportunity to serve, talk to Father Acker.

Barbara Emrich wishes she had better mail service as she has to wait for Father Acker to bring her the Beadle’s Report.

Evelyn Hunt is is at home, but still not able to drive to see Gene who said, “No use complaining.”

Lorraine Winkles thinks she is having some improvement. She’s been down with this very painful version of chicken pox since Christmas.

Donna Dingwall is doing quite a bit better and is in fact on travel at present. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Back Door Lending Library
The Back Door Lending Library is happy to announce the availability of 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.

The Lending Library is a resource you need to use. Most of the books are short, understandable, but very powerful. Also, if you have any books you would like share, please bring them in.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer
While not strictly part of the Front Door Lending Library, we have some personal 1928 Prayer Books. A church in Florida disposed of a nice quantity of personal hardback 1928 BCPs in excellent to new condition, which we were lucky enough to acquire. There are some on the Front Table. We have plenty, although we only put out a half dozen at a time. They are yours to take home as your very own. The only thing the parish asks is that if you ever go to the dark side, please return it. Otherwise, it is yours forever.

Where did the term or name Pentecost come from?
Pentecost is an important Jewish and Christian feast. The Jewish feast of Pentecost, in Hebrew Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, arose as the celebration of the closing of the spring grain harvest, which began formally in Passover 50 days prior; there are numerous references to it in the Bible. From Rabbinic times, the festival commemorates the giving of the law to Moses at Mount Sinai.

On the Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus (50 days from the Passover in which He was crucified), the Holy Spirit, according to the Acts of the Apostles, descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire accompanied by the sound of a rush of wind, and gave them the power of speaking in such a way that people of different languages could understand them. The Christian feast of Pentecost is an annual commemoration of this event, and it is solemnly observed as the birthday of the church and the feast of the Holy Spirit.

In ecclesiastical calendars Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter and closes Eastertide. In the Western Church there are special observances, e.g., a penitential vigil, and in ancient times neophytes were baptized at this time. From the white garments of these converts comes Whitsunday, an English name for Pentecost. The great liturgical Latin hymns Veni Creator Spiritus and Veni Sancte Spiritus were composed for Pentecost. The Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday; until Advent the weeks are counted from Trinity.

What about the name?
Pentecost is also known as Whitsun (Whitsun Day) in the UK. The week beginning on Whitsunday is called Whitsuntide (formerly also spelled Whitsontide) or Whitsun Week.
In the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), E. Cobham Brewer tells us the origin of the term flows from Wit or Wisdom Sunday, the day when the Apostles were filled with wisdom by the Holy Ghost.
“This day Witsonday is cald. For wisdom and wit serene fald, Was zonen to the Apostles as this day.” Cambr. Univer. MSS., Dd. i. 1, p. 234.
“This day is called Wytsonday because the Holy Ghost brought wytte and wysdom into Christis disciples … and filled them full of ghostly wytte.” — In die Pentecostis (printed by Wynken de Worde).
However, it has also been suggested that "Whitsun" means simply "White Sunday".
In the Christian tradition, the Holy Wisdom of God (Hagia Sophia in Greek) is a divine attribute in which new Christians share to some degree through the sacrament of Confirmation, when they receive the Holy Spirit and share in Pentecost. Many churches are dedicated to it, the most famous being Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople). It is sometimes associated with a sainted martyr of the same name, Saint Sophia, whose daughters are Faith, Hope and Charity. Many icons depict the four together (an example is available here).
The Christian term "Pentecost" simply means "fiftieth" in the Greek language.

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 Catechism 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.

Bumper or Window Stickers
The church’s stickers are finally in. You can get them from the front door table or the Lending Library table, or ask Father Acker or the Beadle. If you are a long distance reader, you can request one from Father Acker or the Beadle.

Church Patches
The parish patches are in. They are embroidered, four inch and round. They are available either Velcro backed or plain. The plain are designed to be sewn on, the Velcro backed are designed to be stuck to furry Velcro patches sewn to the garment or whatever.

Opportunity to help the parish
The Vestry identified items that the parish now needs that were not in this year’s budget:

Trailer – Our parish is now the happy owner of a single axle 6X10 covered utility trailer with a side door. We will be putting it into service very quickly and hope to have the interior completed by the end of summer. We also are looking forward to getting out logo on the outside for advertising. If you would like to donate, you can write a check, or just add a bit to your normal contribution and put a note in the memo area.

Signs – Our Sunday morning signs have become quite worn. We are looking to get a set of new signs to match our bumper sticker and advertisements in the Alpine Sun, with snap on lower panels for times and special announcements. We are looking for people to donate towards that end. If you would like to donate, you can write a check, or just add a bit to your normal contribution and put a note in the memo area.

Advertisement – If you pick up the Alpine Sun, you will find a half page advertisement; at the suggestion and with the financial support of Muriel Pappin and a few others, we have committed to two months advertising to see if it has any positive effect. The advertisement follows the general layout of our bumper sticker and patches for “brand recognition.” If you would like to donate, you can write a check, or just add a bit to your normal contribution and put a note in the memo area.

Next Sunday
Next Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the start of the Green Season. We will be learning more about our church, maybe even about the Trinity, given the Sunday. Maybe the sermon will tie into the Trinity pre-service lesson. For sure? No and unless you come to the service, you will have to wait until you read the Beadle’s Report to find out.

This will be a great Sunday, do not miss it.

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