The First Sunday after the Epiphany

Today was the First Sunday after the Epiphany. The sunrise temperature Mount Olympus was 49°F under clear skies. Down the hill at church, the temperature was somewhat warmer at 61°F. As Father started the class, we had 14 people present, but by the time the service actually got underway, we had 20 people present.

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, that begins at 8:30am on Sundays.

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 stand alone, 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.

The Bible should be viewed as a “unified literary narrative.” It is a story, The Greatest Story Ever Told, but nonetheless a story. It is factual, not fiction, but still a story. It is not a bunch of factoids to be played against each other. It is a story that we need to enter in to. When you read from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings: “When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.” With the opening line we’re drawn into the story, we get caught up in the world of the narrative. You know you have been caught by Lord of the Rings when you consider remodeling to put round doors on your house.

You step into that world, not asking what’s the meaning?

Like Lord of the Rings, we need to enter the world of the Bible, take it as a story to understand. Let the Holy Ghost guide you as you read. Be at one with the story, enter in, live in that world. Gain a foundation from which to build an understanding of the Bible. It does little good and some harm to study in detail what you do not grasp in general.

There are four principles or pillars on which an understanding of the Bible is built:
• Geography
• History
• A unified literary work
• The Word of God

Geography
As Tolkien understood, to understand the world, you need to grasp its physical layout. Maps help you to grasp the layout. You need to envision the land. Most of what is written in the Bible takes place in a small North South strip of coastal land which contains the main main trade highway into Egypt. Controlling that highway was strategic in controlling the world at the time. There were wars and battles over the control of the trade route.

According to a translation of Saint Jerome, the land was the “Fifth Gospel”, telling its own story. In the semi-arid region, much like Southern California today, food and water were both scarce and precious, they were important images and symbols.

History
The Bible is a story, but not fictional. It is real people in real places. It starts, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” It builds from here to Revelations which details the end of time. The Bible is a historically linear narrative. It covers the series of kings: Saul, David, Solomon; it brings us prophets, each detailing times and places along the way. The events form a story, two stories, one of history, one of that to come.

Unified Literary Work
The Bible is not just a collection of books, while it is a collection of books, written by at least 44 authors who wrote in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin, it tells a single story, to be read it as a whole. A single story, beginning to end. Linear from start to finish.

It starts with “It was Good.” It ends with: “It was Good.” And in between… some was good, some wasn’t.

Word of God
It is the Word of God, what God wants us to know. As Paul wrote to Timothy, Scripture is “God breathed.” Like a sailor putting out a sail, the writer puts out the effort and God fills it.

Enter into the world of the story—The Greatest Story Ever Told. Walk the Land; See the Events; Drama start to finish; Told by God.

Next week, we will look at the story’s beginning, “In the beginning…”

Careful readers will recall Greg Chase was to read the Epistle, but he called in hoarse.

Jack Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from the Seventh Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the First Verse. Paul asks not only those long gone Romans, but us, as well, to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” He tells us our home is in heaven. Life here is not the end, rather the stepping off point, either to heaven or hell. Thus were are “not conformed to this world: but to be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that we ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Some of us may be better than others, but all fall short of the minimum standard. Through Christ we attain eternal life. In the meantime, each of us should not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Each of us has a place in the church, a reason to be and job to do. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The Gospel for today came from the Second Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke beginning at the Forty-First Verse. It tells the story of when Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Passover Feast in his twelfth year. When they were done, the family group, for they likely traveled with their extended family for safety, left together. After the first day’s travel they stopped for the night and could not find Jesus. So, fearing the worst, they headed back at night for Jerusalem. Braving robbers and worse, they made their way back. After looking for three days, they went to the temple, where lo, they found him. He was among the learned men “both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” His parents were amazed and confounded. He asked them why they worried and why they did not understand that he was about his Father’s business.

NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Sermon - Epiphany—The Manifestation to the Gentiles
The word Epiphany means a revealing or manifestation. In this case, the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles.

The word manifest means to make something evident by showing or demonstrating it very clearly.

In the Old Testament, God gives the Jews two great gifts:

• The Law
• The Temple

In the Law, He tells us how to live with Himself and each other. In the Temple, He shows us how to approach a Holy God.

When Jesus came, he manifested God’s plan for us, he manifests the fulfillment of God promise of redemption.

“Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” Jesus in his coming makes clear God’s plan for us:
1.      To keep the Law we couldn’t keep ourselves
2.      To offer sacrifice to give us access to the Holy God

It is by adoption and grace we are made part of that plan.
            We enter into what Jesus did on our behalf.
            We are to enter-in in a real way.
                        Take up our cross and follow him.
                                    Willing to be a sacrifice for sin of others.

While Jesus loved sinners, the self-centered, the rude, the evil, the thief, adulterer, murderer, he did not necessarily like them. Through him, God can make up what is lacking in us, through God, we can show the Love of God. First, we must make ourselves that “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” No more, no less.

Bring yourself to the altar and give yourself to God. You may be surprised what you get back.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Alice Acker brought the goodies today. There were two chocolate loaf cakes, double layered. Both very good. And, for the points challenged, apple salad. Wonderful snacks! Notice the almost gone cake. Alice brought more than enough for the multitude, but they ate it and some!

Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley handled the coffee on behalf of Tim’s House of Coffee. Today’s coffee was the special Christmas blend. Father Acker made his famous low carb lemonade. It made it in to the table and was consumed in quantity. What excellent lemonade.

New Nametags
We had one new nametag today - Warren Garrett Huber - See above

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
Alice and Keith are on travel this week.
Ken is on travel this week.

Sick or in need of healing

Illness
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, Lilly

Guidance
Christiana, Alex, 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, Alex, Donny, Eric

Homebound/Aged and Infirm

 Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Tim, Justin, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt

Thanksgiving for Safe Birth
Traci and Aaron Huber are pleased to announce the safe birth of:

Warren Garrett Huber
Born 4 January 2008 at 1736 (5:36 pm)
8 pounds 3 ounces

We are very happy that both mom and son were doing well enough to come to church today with dad. Welcome to Blessed Trinity Warren Garrett Huber!

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)
Hi, FTGC!

Remember no class this Wednesday (Jan 16th).

Next week we’ll be starting new classes 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.

Email me if you want a new FTGC Flyer! frkeitha@alpineanglican.com

The Next performance opportunity is February 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

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

20 January 2008 Ben Lizak
27 January 2008 Holly Lizak
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 Second Sunday after Epiphany.

Pre-Service Class
Next Sunday will also be the second 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.
 
Annual Parish Meeting - 27 January 2008
Following the normal Sunday service, starting about 0930 on 27 January 2008 we will hold our annual meeting of the parish. In only 20 minutes we review the past year, then provide the Priest and Vestry’s vision for the year ahead. The parish gets to comment, modify and then vote on the vision, which becomes our budget and Plan for the Year.

It is important for each of our members to attend the annual meeting. This is your church.

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