2007 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

Today was the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity. There was much tropical moisture in the air, thunderstorms were forming in the east by the end of the service. The hottest Sunday of the year, temperatures were in the lower 90°s with humidity hovering around 65 percent. Like last week, except hotter. Even with the heat and Labor Day weekend, we had 18 people present.

As this, the first Sunday of September, is the Labor Day Weekend, the Free Teen Guitar Class did not play. The next FTGC Sunday will be the first Sunday in October. There is a new class starting in September, see the church website for details of the new class:

http://www.alpineanglican.com/guitar.htm

or the FTGC site:

http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com/

Every couple of years, Father Acker does a series of instructional Holy Communion services. He provides contemporary footnotes as it were for the service. This gives us a chance to find out why we do what we do and what it means. This is not only interesting but fun and you have a lot more appreciation of what we are doing each Sunday. If all works out according to schedule, the instruction will last six weeks or so.

Part II: Mass of the Catechumens
The first part of the service was originally known at the Mass of the Catechumens. In the early Church those who were preparing for Baptism and Confirmation were called catechumens. This was the only part of the service they were allowed to see or hear until after their baptism.

We start with two things that are uniquely Anglican: the Collect and the Ten Commandments.

Collect for Purity
A collect is a prayer which collects all of us to our common purpose of worship.

The early church Collect for Purity, found in the Sarum Missal dating to 780AD, was uniquely preserved by the English Church. This prayer asking God to give us purity of heart and mind so we may come before God’s presence. We are reminded that God knows our innermost thoughts and desires.

The Ten Commandment and the Summary of the Law
On occasion the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments), or regularly the Summary of the Law, are reminders to us of our Christian duties and the perfection toward which we strive in Christ. The recitation of the Ten Commandments is uniquely English. Usually these were recited separately; and often recommended as a form for private preparation. The usage was a carryover emphasizing their “recitation in English”, the language of the people as opposed to the previous use in Latin.

Kyrie Eleison
“Lord, have mercy upon us” is the remains of a litany of intercession that was abbreviated. In earlier centuries and even today in the Eastern Orthodox Church the service would run two or three hours. We know we are not perfect, failing to keep God’s laws. We cry to God for His mercy.

During Lent we use the fuller form, the Great Litany. The Great Litany was also one of the first prayers rendered into English from the Latin.
 
Salutation
The ancient greeting in the Lord was common in Old Testament and New Testament times. This is the greeting of the priest and congregation as we join to pray together.

Propers
The Collect of the Day and the Lessons are called the Propers. They are fitting or proper for the particular day or occasion. In the Propers we hear of God’s love for us and His plans and actions for our salvation. As the line of the well-known hymn says, “…between our sins and their reward, thou hast set the Passion of our Lord,” Jesus comes to heal the separation caused by our sin. The Propers are planned that we might hear the whole of God’s Word to us. Historically, this has been a yearly cycle of Propers dating from the 5th and 6th century.

Collect of the Day
“There are two, and only two, prayers of the Church given in the New Testament. Both of these are in the Acts of the Apostles, and both have a striking similarity to the prayers we know as Collects. They are:

‘Thou, Lord Which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou has chosen, that he might take part of this ministry and apostleship…’ [Acts 1.24-25]

‘Lord, Thou art God, Which hast make heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy Holy Child Jesus, Whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontzious Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that the sings and wonders be done by the Name of Thy holy Child Jesus.’ [Acts 4.24-30]

In both of these prayers, the address, or invocation, is a prominent feature; and in the later it occupies more than two-thirds of the whole prayer; while the actual supplication itself, though in both cases of the highest importance possible, is condensed into a few simple words. These Apostolic prayers, therefore, bear a great resemblance to Collects…” [John H. Blunt, Annotated Book of Common Prayer, p.242]

Again, the Collect of the Day is a brief prayer that collects our intentions for this particular day and asks for God’s assistance in a particular aspect of our individual and common life. This theme is reflected in the lessons for the day.

Structure of a Collect
1.      Invocation
2.      Reason for the petition
3.      A single petition & hoped for benefit
4.      Mediation of Christ and/or praise.

Bible Readings
The bible readings are for us to hear God speaking to us. As part of the Proper for the Day, the themes of the petition are mirrored in the Lessons.

It should be noted that Holy Communion was celebrated for 20 years before Paul wrote his first Epistle. The Collect and Readings were to hear the Word of God. As the New Testament books were written and popularized, it was the Epistles and Gospels which dominated the weekly appointed readings. At various times the readings included Old Testament portions and Psalms to supplement these themes.

Epistle
The word Epistle derives from the Greek word for letter. The Epistle is customarily from one of the letters in the New Testament written to the new Churches. It gives us instructions on Christian living. The Epistle may also come from the Book of Revelations to Saint John and from the historical Book of the Acts of the Apostles. These also provided instruction in times of persecution of the faithful and life of the Apostolic Church.

It was customary for the people to be seated during the instruction. Instruction was the purpose of Paul’s letters and the reason the other letters were read by the early Church. As with much of our service the reading of the Epistle has a manner directed by the rubrics:

¶ Then shall the Priest say the Collect of the Day. And after the Collect the Minister appointed shall read the Epistle, first saying, The Epistle is written in the — Chapter of —, beginning at the — Verse. The Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle.
 
The Epistle was read from a Lectern on the South end of the Altar, known as the “Epistle side.” You can see that the Priest’s Large Print copy of the Prayers sits on the Epistle side. The Acolyte then moves the Book to the North end of the Altar to read the Gospel. Hence the Gospel side of the Altar or church.

It was customary for everyone to stand when the Acolyte bowed at the center of the Altar with the Book moving it to the Gospel side. Unlike the Epistle which was for instruction, The Gospel was seen as the Personal Word of God, Jesus’ words to us, and so we stand in his presence to hear his words.

The 3nd century book called Apostolic Constitution, one of the earliest Christian writings outside of the New Testament describing Christian life and worship says, “When the Gospels are in reading, let all the Priests and deacons, and all the people stand up in great quietness; for it is written, ‘Be still and hearken, O Israel;’ and again, ‘But do thou stand here and listen!’” [Blunt, p374]

The Gospel was read from the North side, as a witness to the invading hordes of the Northern Barbarians as opposed to the faithful people of God to the South, meaning the Holy Land. The North side is known as the Gospel side of the church worship space. This made even more sense when building were not positioned so that the altar faced east. East was the direction of the sunrise and was considered the top of the map in ancient days. When you thought of the Holy Land the Mediterranean was at the bottom and the Arabian desert at the top. The mountain ranges went laterally across the map. Epistle & Gospel sides are part of church geography. Hence, entered from the West, the ocean—the traditional place of the Baptistery, water of Baptism.
 
In large churches, the Epistle and Gospel were chanted or sung as there were no “sound systems”. The sung words would carry much better being sung than spoken. Today we sometimes use chanting to add to the solemnity of the occasion.

There is a liturgical principle noted by Dom Gregory Dix that “the more solemn the occasion the more ancient the form” or the more resistant to change. We may have a sound system, but I’m more likely to chant the Gospel or other parts of the service on special occasions, like Christmas or Easter.

Reading of the Gospel
As the priest announces the Gospel, he makes the Sign of the Cross on the opening words of the text. Then we trace the threefold Sign of the Cross with our right thumb on our forehead, lips, and chest.

This symbolizes our desire to
1.      accept our Lord’s teachings with our minds,
2.      proclaim them with our lips,
3.      and hold them in our hearts.

As directed in the rubrics on page 70:

¶ Then, all the People standing, the Minister appointed shall read the Gospel, first saying, The Holy Gospel is written in the — Chapter of —, beginning at the — Verse.

¶ Here shall be said,

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The priest reads the Gospel

¶ And after the Gospel may be said,

Praise be to thee, O Christ.
 
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the short summary of the Christian Faith defined by the whole and undivided Church. It is one of the four elements seen by Anglicans as fundamental, in which we will find Christian unity. (Scripture, Sacraments, Apostolic Order).

The Nicene Creed is divided into three parts, each describes the three persons of God in bringing salvation to us.

During the section about Jesus, some people participate in a Manual Act of genuflection (bended knee) or go down on one knee during the Incarnatus  “And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.” In genuflecting we are showing to God our great appreciation for becoming Man to save us all, and rising again to have our humanity taken up into heaven.

At the end of the Creed describing our life in the Holy Spirit, we say “And I look for the Resurrection of the dead.” At this fundamental Christian belief, some people participate in a Manual Act of making the Sign of the Cross at this point reminding us of our need for a resurrected body and asking God’s blessing that we may be raised again to life everlasting.

Solemn bidding to Holy Days
After the Nicene Creed comes the rubric:

¶ Then shall be declared unto the People what Holy Days, or Fasting Days, are in the week following to be observed; and (if occasion be) shall Notice be given of the Communion, and of the Banns of Matrimony, and of other matters to be published.

The Prayer Book has a calendar of days in the very front. Sundays & Prayer Book Holy Days were printed in Red ink—Red Letter. Minor feasts and minor saints were printed in Black ink.

On average there are between one and two Prayer Book Holydays each month.

Sermon
After the foregoing rubric comes the rubric:

¶ Then followeth the Sermon. After which, the Priest, when there is a Communion, shall return to the Holy Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient.

The Sermon was usually preached from the Altar steps, or from the gallery, or the Chancel Rood Screen—a central place where the Preacher could be seen and heard. The Pulpit first came into use English use in the 14th century. Not being a modernist, I preach from the “foot of the Altar.”

The Sermon should a commentary on scripture as it is applied to our daily Christian living. It is begun with an invocation of the Holy Trinity, as it is to be the meaning of the Word of God and not personal opinion. We are to hear how God’s Word, both feeds and molds us, nourishing our souls and forms. In scripture we are to hear God’s intentions for our individual lives. Thus, the Sermon not only increases our understanding of the scriptures, it helps to impress on us God’s loving purposes for the world.

One good thing about Pulpits, many were inscribed with “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” The Preacher is not to preach personal opinion or theory, but God’s Word. Likewise, the Faithful were to recognize if the Preacher was preaching something other than the Word of God. That is what the trap door was for! The Senior Warden and the Beadle are already planning how to build a pulpit with a trap door! If it isn’t the Gospel don’t listen to it—find some place where you receive Word and Sacrament.

In the early Church, the Catechumens would leave after the Sermon.

Alice Acker read the Epistle, which came from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, the Third Chapter beginning at the Sixteenth Verse. Paul reminds us, “To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” The law, which came 430 years after this covenant, did not supercede the law. The law was “added because of transgressions, til the seed (Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made … Is the law then against the promises of God?” No. “… for is there had been a law given which could have given life, … righteousness should have been by the law.” For the wages of sin are death, all sin and only those whose sins are set aside by the sacrifice of Jesus are freed from their debt.

“To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

Today’s Gospel started in the Tenth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Twenty-Third Verse. Jesus tells one of the New Testament’s most widely spread stories, that of the Good Samaritan,.

Jesus was talking to the people, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” As was often the case, Jesus let the man answer his own question in response to a question from Him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?”

The man answered well, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

Jesus confirmed his answer, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

But, the man wanted more and asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

Among the Jews, it was clear they were to “Love thy neighbor as thy self;” but their view of their neighborhood was not too wide. From Jesus story and question come a clear answer as to how big our neighborhood might be.

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?

To this question, the man answered, “He that shewed mercy on him.”

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

“Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he depar-ted, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Sermon - The Middle Way
Protestants believe the only way to salvation is “By the Grace of God.” Roman Catholics believe that salvation is dependent on doing God’s will here on earth. As Anglicans, we are clear that while salvation is clearly “By the Grace of God”, we are mindful of our Lord’s caution that “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus was very clear, God’s Grace would come to us freely, yet not without cost. We were to follow His words, to do His will, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” It is not enough to believe and accept Grace, you must act on the beliefs. Unacted on belief is of no positive value. If we claim to believe, yet in actions do not demonstrate that belief, are we not like the man describe in Luke, Chapter 11, Verses 24-26?

“When the unclean spirit hath gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and not finding it, he saith, I will return to my house, whence I came out.  And when he is come, he findeth it swept and embellished. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and entering, they dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

We should be reminded of the very true saying,

Actions speak louder than words.

Remember, there is no book in the Bible titled Beliefs of the Apostles.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
No reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Alice Acker had signed up for goodies today. Your Beadle thinks that when she did, she forgot she was going to be on vacation this week and that it would be the hottest Saturday of the summer. Alice passed by the dog nut shop and picked up two dozen of their finest. Your Beadle reports the dog nuts were very readily received and only a few made it home with Nick for a snack. Just in case there were some points counters, Alice brought some lovely Thompson Green Seedless grapes which were cool and crisp.

Coffee got off to a slow start as our Barrista forgot the coffee had to be unloaded from the trailer. Not to worry, it was all set before the organist arrived. Father Acker’s lemonade was outstanding as usual.

Travel
No reported travel.

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

Marie “Rede” Acker – Father Acker’s mother broke her good shoulder in a fall Saturday morning 14 July 2007. She is back home with her husband Jack. Please pray for her rapid recovery.

Annie Springer is recovering at home from a kidney infection. Your prayers are asked for her completed recovery and for strength for the Springer family as she gets well.

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

Barbara Emrich was moved to the Southside of Jacob Health Center. The dining/common room where Barbara spends a good part of the day has floor to ceiling windows looking out into one of the garden areas.

Miney Farrell is doing great an looking forward to getting back to church in the next week or two.!

Lorraine Winkles is finally recovering from shingles. She still has continuing discomfort, but thinks things are improving slightly.

Donna Dingwall is doing well enough that she and her family are going on travel this week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Rest in Peace
On Wednesday, 15 August 2007, Gene Hunt passed away after declining health. Over the past few weeks we have been praying for him as he passed from this world to that of our Lord. Please pray for Evelyn and her family as the mourn his passing and for the repose of his soul. Evelyn is planning on a graveside service but no date at present.
  
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

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 and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.


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.

Missionary Diocese of Viet Nam
No movement this week, good or bad. 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.

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.

We hope to be able to complete funding by the end of next month. We need additional funds. Father Acker is approaching all the various Anglican churches, but if you know someone outside the church who might like to help, call Father Acker. This is the most cost effective way your Beadle has seen to spread the Word. Your Beadle is in front of this project and trusts you will follow him with your heart.

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

9 September 2007 Dru Arnold
16 September 2007 Hap Arnold
23 September 2007 Jan Macauley
30 September 2007 Stephanie Boyd
7 October 2007 Alex Boyd
14 October 2007 Greg Chase
21 October 2007 Holly Lizak
28 October 2007 Ben Lizak

Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Summer is in full swing. We have a lot of people on travel. The Continuing Education Class for the next Sunday or two will be an instructional Holy Communion. Father Acker will be providing contemporary footnotes as it were for the service. You will have a chance to find out why we do what we do and what it means. This is not only interesting but fun and you will have a lot more appreciation of what we are doing each Sunday. 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