Beadle’s report 27 January 2008
Today was Sexagesima, the second Sunday before the beginning of Lent. Last Sunday it we had misty rain and temperatures in the low sixties. Today it was raining cats and dogs, temperatures were in the mid-fifties, but 21 people managed to make it to church.
Sexagesima is the second Sunday before Lent (or the 8th before Easter); -- so called because it is about sixty days before Easter. The name "Sexagesima" is derived from the Latin sexagesimus, meaning "sixtieth," and appears to be a back-formation of Quinquagesima, the term used to denote the last Sunday before Lent (the latter name alluding to the fact that there are fifty days between that Sunday and Easter, if one counts both days themselves in the total). Through the same process, the Sunday before Sexagesima Sunday was formerly known as Septuagesima Sunday, and marked the start of the Pre-Lenten Season which eventually became the time for carnival celebrations throughout Europe, this custom being later exported to places settled and/or colonized by Europeans. While Quinquagesima (50th day) is mathematically correct (allowing for the inclusive counting), Sexagesima and Septuagesima are only approximations (the exact number of days is 56 and 63 respectively).
The earliest Sexagesima can occur is January 25 and the latest is February 28 (or February 29 in a leap year).
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 70 Days
Today was the first in a ten week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am.
The Bible is like a tapestry, a series of threads forming an intricate picture. Like the tapestry, each of the threads is a story unto itself, but it is not the big picture. A fault in a thread does not correspond to a fault in the tapestry. The threads standalone, the tapestry is an amalgamation of the threads giving rise to the big picture. You need to read each portion as part of the whole, don’t get bogged down in the detail. In fact, it is counter productive to study in detail until you understand in general.
Summary up through today:
God created the world and all that is therein and it was GOOD.
Sin enters the world, via that old nemesis, free will, subtle it distorts, escalates, cascades; then Adam and Eve turn their backs on God— and were ashamed.
The sin continues throughout the generations:
• In the second, Cain murders Abel;
• In the seventh, Lamech marries two women and kills in response to an insult
• By chapter Six, it was all evil, all the time;
• God decides to clean house and washes sin from the earth, or so He hopes.
• Noah comes off the ark, gets drunk and curses his children;
• The people decide to reach for the sky with the Tower of Babel.
The lesson is we, alone, have not the power to overcome sin.
Continuing the Lessons
God decides that He needs to deal with a single people; His chosen. The time was right, Abraham was born under the name Abram in the city of Ur in Babylonia in the year 1948 from Creation (~ 1800 BC). He was the son of Terach, an idol merchant, but from his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the truth. He came to believe that the entire universe was the work of a single Creator, and he began to teach this belief to others.
Abram tried to convince his father, Terach, of the folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything." Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them?"
Eventually, the one true Creator that Abram had worshipped called to him, and made him an offer: if Abram would leave his home and his family, then God would make him a great nation and bless him. Abram accepted this offer, and the b'rit (covenant) between God and the Jewish people was established. (Gen. 12).
The idea of b'rit is fundamental: a covenant, a contract, with God, which involves rights and obligations on both sides. We have certain obligations to God, and God has certain obligations to us. The terms of this b'rit became more explicit over time, until the time of the Giving of the Torah. Abram was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his worthiness for this covenant. Leaving his home is one of these trials.
Abram, raised as a city-dweller, adopted a nomadic lifestyle, traveling through what is now the land of Israel for many years. God promised this land to Abram's descendants. Abram is referred to as a Hebrew (Ivri), possibly because he was descended from Eber or possibly because he came from the "other side" (eber) of the Euphrates River.
But Abram was concerned, because he had no children and he was growing old. Abram's beloved wife, Sarai, knew that she was past child-bearing years, so she offered her maidservant, Hagar, as a wife to Abram. This was a common practice in the region at the time. According to tradition, Hagar was a daughter of Pharaoh, given to Abram during his travels in Egypt. She bore Abram a son, Ishmael, who, according to both Muslim and Jewish tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs. (Gen 16)
When Abram was 100 and Sarai 90, God promised Abram a son by Sarai. God changed Abram's name to Abraham (father of many), and Sarai's to Sarah (from "my princess" to "princess"). Sarah bore Abraham a son, Isaac (in Hebrew, Yitzchak), a name derived from the word "laughter," expressing Abraham's joy at having a son in his old age. (Gen 17-18). Isaac was the ancestor of the Jewish people.
When Isaac was born, Sarah prevailed on Abraham to rid his household of the maidservant and her offspring and the Middle East conflict began.
When Isaac was a young man, a pivotal story in salvation occurred. God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
In many ways the story of Abraham and Isaac can be read as a precursor to our Lord’s sacrifice. There is a complete faith in God and a release from certain death.
Why would God command Abraham to sacrifice his own child? First, we should realize what God was not doing:
God was not tempting Abraham. God was not enticing Abraham to do wrong, but was testing him to see if he would do what was right.
God was not instituting or condoning child sacrifice. As seen in Deuteronomy 12:31 and the other passages, God abhors child sacrifice. It's important to remember God prevented the sacrifice from actually occurring. He did not desire the sacrifice as an act of worship or for any other reason beyond testing Abraham.
God was not telling Abraham to do wrong. God has the right to take human life (see the article on God's moral authority) and could therefore authorize Abraham to do so in a particular case. Note had Abraham decided of his own accord to sacrifice Isaac, he would have been wrong and his act would have been condemned by God (as were other human-initiated sacrifices).
Why then would God give this command? The point was for Abraham to demonstrate that he trusted God completely and placed him above all else, even his own son. 1 Though God of course already knew that Abraham had faith in him, it was necessary for Abraham to prove it through action. "His faith was made complete by what he did" (James 2:21-23). Because of his actions, not only God but Abraham, his family and future generations knew that Abraham trusted God. This trust was important because it indicated that Abraham had the proper relationship with God (he was treating God as God deserves to be treated) and could benefit from God's good plans for his life.
Wasn't it wrong for Abraham to obey God?
God's command to Abraham was not wrong, for God has the right to take human life and therefore had the right to command Isaac's death. Abraham had known God for many years prior to this, so he knew God's character and knew that God had the right to give this command. Had Abraham initiated the sacrifice or followed the order of someone who was not authorized by God, then his act would have been wrong.
Furthermore, Abraham knew that God had promised him offspring through Isaac, so this gave him reason to believe that God did not intend for Isaac to die permanently.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
Some have questioned whether Abraham truly loved Isaac if he was willing to sacrifice him. But the passage itself as well as other places in Genesis point out that Abraham did love Isaac: Isaac was the only child of his beloved wife Sarah, the son promised to him by God (Gen 17:19)
He held a feast on the day Isaac was weaned (Gen 21:8) God refers to Isaac as "your only son, Isaac, whom you love" (Gen 22:2)
He made a special effort to get Isaac a godly wife (Gen 24:1-4) Isaac received all of the inheritance (Gen 25:5)
While Genesis doesn't record Abraham's emotional reaction to God's command, that does not mean carrying it out was an easy thing for him to do.
Next week, we will talk about Isaac’s two sons, Esau and Jacob and see if we can get in and out of Eygpt!
Holly Lizak read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, starting at the Nineteenth Verse of the Eleventh Chapter. Paul reminds us that salvation, honor and glory come not from what we do or have done, but rather from God. Paul, who as Saul, had been the number one rabbi in the Hebrew nation, he was more learned, more vigorous in following the law, more vocal in all things. When he “saw the light” and converted, he took that same approach to Christianity. No one was more in any thing than he. He wrote, “Ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly, ) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.”
No one did more than Paul, yet he counseled all to take comfort and pride in God, not themselves. Do your best and look towards God.
YE suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Luke, starting at the Fourth Verse of the Eighth Chapter and tells the well known parable of the seeds. “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way-side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way-side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
WHEN much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way-side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way-side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Sermon - Real or Memorex?
God promises us an abundance if we will but follow him, not today’s Gospel from Luke. If we will but follow the instructions God gives us, we will have a return of “an hundredfold” for our efforts. Yet, those who would follow God are subject to the slings and arrows of this world, most irritating if they are “friendly fire” like Paul referred to in his epistle to the people of Corinth. Paul presents himself as an Apostle, the criteria for which is to have been an eyewitness from Baptism to Resurrection. People who were accused Paul of being an opportunist , saying he did not have apostolic authority. He told the people that he, he who had done so much for them at such great personal sacrifice was nothing. What was something was the Word of God. To hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus, that was what it was all about. Let others boast of their great contributions. Paul’s only concern was that we be reborn as new men and new women and get our selves from here hence. He wants us to be that seed that “falleth on good ground and giveth an abundant return and hundredfold.”
It is not about you, it is about you and God. Like Hymn 375 says, let the breath of God breathe on you that you might loves what He loves.
Thanksgiving for the safe birth of Warren Garrett Huber and the full and speedy recovery of his mother Traci
It is customary in the Anglican Church to give formal thanks for the safe birth of a child and the full and speedy recovery of the mother. This custom is formalized in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on Page 305. Today we celebrated Warren’s entry into this world and Traci’s safe delivery and recovery. The service being not familiar to many and quite short, is printed in full below:
The Thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth
Commonly called the Churching of Women.
& This Service, or the concluding prayer alone, as it stands among the Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings, may be used at the discretion of the Minister. & The Woman, at the usual time after her delivery, shall come into the Church decently apparelled, and there shall kneel down in some convenient place as hath been accustomed, or as the Ordinary shall direct. & The Minister shall then say unto her,
FORASMUCH as it hath pleased Almighty God, of his goodness, to give you safe deliverance, and to preserve you in the great danger of Child-birth; you shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say,
¶ Then shall be said by both of them the following Hymn, the Woman still kneeling.
Dilexi, quoniam. Psalm cxvi.
MY delight is in the LORD; because he hath heard the voice of my prayer;
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me; therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
I found trouble and heaviness; then called I upon the Name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon theName of the Lord.
I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house; even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
¶ Then shall the Minister say the Lord’s Prayer, with what followeth: but the Lord’s Prayer may be omitted, if this be used with the Morning or Evening Prayer.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Minister. O Lord, save this woman thy servant;
Answer. Who putteth her trust in thee.
Minister. Be thou to her a strong tower;
Answer. From the face of her enemy.
Minister. Lord, hear our prayer.
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Minister. Let us pray.
O ALMIGHTY God, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast been graciously pleased to preserve, through the great pain and peril of child-birth, this woman, thy servant, who desireth now to offer her praises and thanksgivings unto thee. Grant, we beseech thee, most merciful Father, that she, through thy help, may faithfully live according to thy will in this life, and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ Then may be said,
GRANT, we beseech thee, O heavenly Father, that the child of this thy servant may daily increase in wisdom and stature, and grow in thy love and service, until he come to thy eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ The Woman, that cometh to give her Thanks, must offer accustomed offerings, which shall be applied by the Minister and the Churchwardens to the relief of distressed women in child-bed; and if there be a Communion, it is convenient that she receive the Holy Communion.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
There were no goodies below due to the Annual Meeting and Baby Shower for Warren Huber. Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley did brew on behalf of Tim’s House of Coffee and it was appreciated.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today. We were joined by Traci Huber’s mom Jo who was visiting from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
People in our Prayers
If you are on our prayer list, or you have submitted a person for us to pray for, please update Father Acker in person, by telephone or e-mail. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is good to give thanks!
Please note that on the green cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the “prayer team”, those names will be said in church and appear here. Or, your can ask that the names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.
Travel
Ken is on travel this week.
Tim and Jan are on travel this week.
Sick or in need of healing
Thanksgiving
Baptism of Benjamin Barrett
Healing
Annie, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Kathy, Richard, Christian, Trish, Marie, Wanda, Karen, Sarah, Lois, Jennette, Linn, Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Betty, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Jesusa (difficult pregnancy), Michele, Marybeth (broken foot), Kevin, Bruce, Susanne
Guidance
Christiana, Alexander, Katie & family (death of a child), Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Chris, Andrew, Keith
Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Tim, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt
Departed
Brennan (5 month old)
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.
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.
I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across. While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion.
If want to write an article or make an announcement, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to the following address: thebeadle@mac.com.
Free Teen Guitar Class (FTGC – www.freeteenguitarclass.com)
The Free Teen Guitar Class is underway on Wednesdays with new times:
New Beginning Class 3:00-3:45pm String 1 and very basics.
Continuing Book Class 3:45-4:30pm We’re doing pages 38 & 39 Key of G.
Techniques Class 4:30-5:15pm We worked on a Cheap Trick song last week. We’ll be working on Satriani’s Surfing with the Alien. And more concert stuff.
All classes are open to new students. You might know someone who already plays some and wants to join in. If you know someone who wants to play and does not have a guitar, we have a few loaner beginner guitars. If you haven’t done so, have a look at our website: http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com. I think you will like it.
Email me if you want a new FTGC Flyer! frkeitha@alpineanglican.com
The next performance opportunity is March 3rd. We’ll be playing Wonderful Cross (Drop D tuning). We haven’t played it in a while but we’ll go over it for Classes 2 & 3.
- Father Ironhand
Annual Parish Meeting
We held our annual parish meeting today after church. We adopted a budget, similar to last year’s, and elected two new Vestry members who will serve three year terms: Mike Springer and Don Patton.
Thank you to Mike and Don for stepping up to the plate.
Also, a big thank you to Martha Stevens for serving two terms on the vestry that she really did not have time for. Martha is living proof of the saying, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” Martha had an awful lot going on in her life the past few years, but she served two very important formative years on our vestry.
Thanks again, Martha!
Pictures at Random - The Dew-by Brothers, Greg and Jack
Warren Garrett Huber – The Shower!
After the annual meeting, we adjourned to Victoria House for a “Baby Shower” for Warren Garrett Huber, the parish’s newest member. While baby showers are normally held before the birth of the child and with only female attendees, scheduling precluded the pre-natal timing and the desire of all our members to participate resulted in the coed event. Traci’s mom, Jo, was in town from her home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado which was an unexpected treat for all of us.
The Baby Shower turned out to be both an event resulting in gifts for Warren’s use and also a great celebration of the safe birth.
Aaron pointed out he is a pathologist, not a surgeon, but he still cut the cake.
The event was also a potluck brunch. Your Beadle reports all the breakfast casseroles were excellent, there was a sausage one, a vegetarian one, a new recipe from Alice and one containing potatoes that was the Beadle’s favorite . There were two kinds of cake with the meal, not counting the lovely cake made by Stephanie Boyd for desert. There was a wonderful sugar free jello fruit salad, a veggie tray and chips. If you could not find something great to eat, you simply did not look. For drinks, Tim came through with coffee, Father Acker made his low carb lemonade and we had sparkling cider. Oh, yes and two kinds of champagne, wine and beer. Tough time for those on a diet, for the rest of us – just like heaven.
While Warren slept through most of the event, he did come away with the most presents, even though Traci and Aaron opened them!
All of the service attendees made it to the shower. For those of you who did not, it was really a great time. The food was excellent, the company better.
Epistle Readers
We post the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report each week so you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.
Date Reader
3 February 2008 Dru Arnold
10 February 2008 Hap Arnold
17 February 2008 Jack Arnold
24 February 2008 Alice Acker
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Quinquagesima, or the Sunday next before Lent, it is also Super Bowl Sunday. The service is over by 0930 (9:30 am), so don’t use that as a reason not to come!
Pre-Service Class
Next Sunday will also be the third Sunday in Father Acker’s new pre-service class series, Around the Bible in 70 Days, a ten week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching that begins at 8:30am on Sundays. The class provides an overview of the entire bible. This is the forest view for those feeling lost among the trees. Actually it a good reminder on the overall story and our reading it as God’s story.
The 10 minute teaching series begins at 8:30am each Sunday! This is an excellent opportunity to bring a friend who would like to know more about the Bible and Christianity.
Lenten Book Study
Lent is creeping up on us. Wednesdays in Lent, we will be meeting at the SCAIR Center in Alpine to discuss the book The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. The book makes some uncomfortable, viewing life from the devil’s point of view. A devil’s advocate so to speak. Doubt not, this study will be entertaining, the food great, and when you are done, you will feel far more comfortable and be far more strong in your Christian beliefs. If you have not ordered your copy, either call Father Acker or scrounge in the Lending Library (there are some there).
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 a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/
or with one photograph per issue and colorful text 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
