Today was the Whitunday. After “normal” temperatures last week and a deep marine layer all week, we were in for a change. The marine layer came into the West Willows before church. By the time church started, the marine layer had burned off and we had clear skies and temperatures just below 80°F. The lovely weather drew three of our members to the zoo rather than church and with several others on travel, we ended up with 18 people present for the service.
Pentecost which is commonly called Whitsunday and the time of Whitsuntide
The octave (8 days) following Whitsunday. In the Book of Common Prayer, the Monday and Tuesday after Whitsunday are Red Letter days, so called because days provided with a proper collect (prayer), epistle, and gospel were marked in the calendar in red ink. "Whitsuntide" (formerly also spelled "Whitsontide") or "Whitsun Week" is derived from Middle English whitsonday, from Old English hwita sunnandæg, "White Sunday", in reference to the white ceremonial robes formally worn on this day.
Whitsunday marks the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the 50th day after Easter. It ranks, after Easter, as the second festival of the Church. In the West, the Vigil of Pentecost soon became a secondary date for baptisms, with a ceremony resembling that of the Paschal Vigil Service. (Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which falls on the 50th day after Passover.) As the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on this day (Acts 2: 1), the name was applied to the Christian feast celebrating this event, popularly called "Whitsunday".
Father Acker and Jack Arnold provided the music for the three gathering songs this morning. Early churches had people reading portions of scripture and singing until the congregation arrived, watches not being yet of this world. We normally sing a song, or two or in this case three before the start of the pre-service class. Probably someone else calls them by another name, but we call them gathering song(s). Usually they are easy to sing and somewhat lively to get us going and in sync with church. Mostly they are not hymns from the hymnal, sometimes they are like this morning when we got to sing Hymn 243, famous for being the Beadle’s favorite hymn and also for having a person slain by a “fierce wild priest.”
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 140 days by popular demand
Today continued the twenty week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. The class started with one of the Collects for the Day, applicable to the subject at hand, in this case the Second Sunday in Advent:
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent BCPp92
Today was a short review of the Bible to date. We have made our way through the Bible from Genesis (the beginning) to the Book of Esther, from the Creation to the Return from Exile in a linear narrative with a message:
If you obey God, you will be blessed; if you don’t, you won’t.
The Book of Job
In the Book of Job, we find “real” life more complicated. The question of Job, or more correctly from Job, “How could you let this happen to ME?
You have heard the phrase, “The patience of Job.” Where does it come from?
In Chapter One, we read of Job losing his property and his children:
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Who was this man Job about whom the book was written?
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil. (Job 1.1)
And what had he been told?
And if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you…
When bad things happen to good people, we ask why? Here are always those who will step forward with the answer. In this case Job had three friends with answers from their own points of view:
• Eliphaz—Voice of Experience
• Bildad—Voice of Tradition
• Zophar—Voice of Religion
Experience shows God doesn’t punish the righteous, therefore you’re not righteous.
Job knew he was not perfect, but he also knew he did not deserve this.
Tradition held your children are punished for your sins.
Job knew he was doing better at following God than anyone else around.
Religion taught that the torments must be because he was mocking God and thus should confess his sins.
Job knew he had nothing of consequence to confess.
Through all of this Job kept his faith in God, at the end, he knew that God is God and Job is not. When we center our lives around ourselves, our EGO takes over. When we are Edging God Out, we place ourselves at the center of the universe. Oddly enough, the universe does not revolve around us. When we try to make it, we find out how unimportant we really are.
Coming up next: Psalms
God does not try you, but He does see how you do when the Devil tries you or when things just don’t go your way.
God is the source of creation, He is always rational, He is always truthful. Oft times we don’t understand.
Alex Springer read this morning’s Epistle, which written in the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles 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.
This was Alex’s first time as the reader and he did a great job! Alex did point out the hardest name in last week’s reading was oracles and he got stuck with: Galilæans, Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judæa, Cappadocia, Pontus, Phrygia, Pamphylia,, Cyrene and proselytes. Father Acker accepted his question as to fairness and pointed out the trials of Job. Nonetheless, GREAT JOB ALEX!
Today’s Gospel was written in the Fourteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Fifteenth Verse:
JESUS said unto 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.
Sermon – Living in the Spirit
Jesus asks us to demonstrate our love of Him through obedience to God. From today’s Gospel:
• If ye love me, keep my commandments (v15)
• If a man loves me, he will keep my words (v23)
As the people of the Law, many of the Jews were much caught up in “compliance” with the Law to the letter. Jesus is more concerned that we bring in to our lives the Divine Love the law was intended to bring to us. To enflesh that love. Incarnate that love in our lives. He intentionally gave general directions, rather than specific, allowing us to fill in the details. We were to go forth using the power of God’s direction, not hiding behind His Law. When asked about the Law, Jesus said:
THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Not the “Letter of the Law”, but rather to quote the Outback Steakhouse, “No rules, just right.” That is a lot harder standard to “game” and Jesus knew it when He said it.
As Jesus asked Peter, so He asks us, “Do you love me?”
If you want life, the answer is YES.
In our Yes, there is no question of “following the rules”; Divine Life—it’s all about Him, the one we love. It is about giving your life to Him.
How to say YES:
• Follow the apostles’ teaching;
• Search out and participate in fellowship;
• Participate in public worship, the Breaking of Bread;
• Have an active prayer life.
We go to be with Him - where two or three are gathered - That we might hear his voice. “They know my voice…I call them by name.”
We are back to the same thing as last week and the weeks before. God asks you to do things to make the world a better place and you in it. Do you remember the lesson of the Bible from Genesis to date?
If you obey God, you will be blessed; if you don’t, you won’t.
Before we go on, a little on mothers
On this Mother’s Day, it is very easy for us to look back at our mother’s life and think of all the things we like about our mother. We like, it is all about us. Yet motherhood is about self-sacrifice. Putting the child’s welfare above that of the mother.
The love of the mother for her children comes with a price. The price paid is not without return. Most young soldiers who die in battle, die with a call to their mother on their lips.
“What did your mom chose? An extra child or an extra home or trailer?” Jesus commanded us to follow Him, He who put our lives before His. Who on this earth does this more consistently than mothers?
Saint James tells us in his Epistle, “Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” Who on this earth does this more consistently than mothers?
As Christians we need to uphold and recognize the example of sacrifice in motherhood so that we might understand the sacrifice made by God on our behalf in Jesus’ death for our sin.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
Sandy Patton brought snacks today. While the Beadle tried to dissuade everyone from consuming them, it was to no avail. There was a coffeecake, three kinds of cookies, strawberries, blackberries and a large bowl of mixed nuts. There seemed like more than could possibly be consumed by the handful of parishioners present, but by the time we left, the cupboard was bare!
Barista Don Patton was on hand making great coffee. Father Acker managed to get up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
People in our Prayers - http://www.blessedtrinityprayerteam.blogspot.com/
Prayer is an extremely important activity.
It is not that God knows not our needs, for He surely does. Yet, Jesus commanded us to ask God for those same needs. In addition to the obvious of asking God for help, offering thanksgiving and the like, prayer helps us focus our thoughts on how we might do God's work.
The Prayer Team of the Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity was established to help our members and fellow Christians pray for those in need and to give thanks as well for the blessings we have been granted.
What is the commitment from the prayer team?
Each member of the team will pray for the desired outcome at last once per day.
How do I get myself or someone else on the prayer list?
You can email one of the prayer team leaders: Greg - gnchase@cox.net or Dru - dru@descansorodents.com, or call the church office at (619) 722-1772 or fill out a prayer card at church.
What should I ask for?
Depends on what you want. Some people merely want God to be asked to heal their ills and be mentioned by their first name, others want a specific outcome and / or have more of their personal information known to the team. Ask for what you want. It is your desire and need for prayer the team is attempting to meet. For typical examples, see the list below.
Updating the Team
If you are on our prayer list, or if you have submitted a person that you have asked us to pray for, please update one of the team members or Father Acker in person, by telephone or email. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is nice to give thanks!
Please note that on the green or orange 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, you can ask that their names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.
Travel
Ken is on travel this week.
Traci and Warren are on travel this week.
Ben and Holly are on travel this week.
Jan, Stephanie and Alex are on travel this week.
Tim is on travel this week.
Repose of the Soul
Angelina Torres – passed away this past week as a result of congestive heart failure. Please pray for the repose of her soul and comfort for her family members left here on earth.
Healing
Caroline (age 10 leukemia reoccurrence), Betty, Annie (diabetes), Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Bethany (collision), Greg (shoulder surgery), Karl, Kathy, Christian, Marie, Wanda, James (diabetes), Frank+ (brain tumor), Sarah, Tina, Mark, Lois, Jennette (altzhimers), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Don (post surgery), Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Carmen, Yolanda, Jodi, Ken, Sheila, Nancy, Leucrecia (cancer), Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Teiko, Ernie, Ray, Tamara, Betty, Hazel, Richard, Bruce (heart attack), Susanne, Paul (stroke), Ralph+ (eyes hip), Allison (kidney), Bill (ETOH poisoning), Fran (cataracts) , Jerry (allergy attack)
Mary Parker has congestive heart failure. She and her family ask that you pray for no further deterioration of her heart muscles and that medication and diet will allow her to lead a productive, long, active and enjoyable life here on earth to His honor and glory. They also ask help and guidance for them all.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – Hospitalized with heart, kidney and lung difficulties with fluid buildup on the lungs and what may be a form of septic arthritis. Please pray for the fluid to dissipate and for her heart to regain regularity. Also, please pray for her to regain her positive attitude. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord, she is just a bit down on things of this earth. Pray also for Mrs. Kay’s family and her close friend Len who are under great stress that they might also keep their trust in the Lord.
Nicole Ethridge - age 27, mother of two - Has a form of liver disease which is causing her liver to shut down. She is near dialysis and would like you to pray for her disease to go into remission so that she can keep off dialysis and avoid a liver transplant. She asks that you pray for her continued faith and good spirits, as well as strength to take care of her children.
Greg Chase – fell in a gopher hole at school and may have separated a rib, he has much difficulty getting around and prays for a quick recovery. He also asks for forgiveness for making light of the get well card he got by mistake earlier this year.
Guidance
Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, Jerry, Martha, Matt, Marci, Nicholas, Carmen, Mary, John, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Ed, Ruthie, Margie, Phyllis, Walter, Doris-June, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Eric (job), Andrew, Keith (job decision), Jeff, Penny, Sara, Mark
Economic Guidance and Assistance
St. Andrew’s Academy (Lake Almanor, CA) Father Brian Foos (headmaster) – Please pray for help and guidance for the school which is under severe pressure from economic down turn. You can pray and turn your heart towards this problem. If you can do something concrete to help them, contact Father Acker.
Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Walter (skilled nursing)
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Tim, Evan, Jim, JR, Matt, Phillip, Tim, Oscar, Julian, Steven (US Army - Bagdad, Iraq)
Needs Employment
Stephen Pappin is looking for a job in the electronic power supply field and asks you pray for him to be guided to an opening where he can fit in, do well and help them prosper.
Thanksgiving
Fran gives thanks her eye problems are now down to only relatively mild cataracts and those appear to be operable.
Completion of military service Jason & Matt
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.
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.
The Mission Statement in Action
Part of our mission is to spread the Word. One of the mechanisms our parish uses to spread the Gospel is the Free Teen Guitar Class (www.freeteenguitarclass.com). This past Saturday, Father Acker, Jack and Ryan Howell of the FTGC played their guitars at the Alpine Starbucks for about two hours. The time there resulted in their meeting several people who may be interested in our church. If you don’t ask you don’t get.
During one of his talks today, Father Acker pointed out you don’t learn to play the guitar by just picking it up. It takes practice. Your Beadle points out that you don’t learn to play the guitar if you don’t pick it up. You have to start. The FTGC is a great start and they are keeping on keeping on. Good work!
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
18 May 2008 Jack Arnold
25 May 2008 Jan Macauley
1 June 2008 Ben Lizak
8 June 2008 Holly Lizak
15 June 2008 Fran Dexter
22 June 2008 Alice Acker
29 June 2008 Tim Macauley – Saint Peter’s Day, the Fisher of Men
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is Trinity Sunday. Come next Sunday and find out.
What about the pre-service class, will Father Acker lose his place or will he pick up where he left off? What about the sermon? Are we still working on duty or what about the Holy Ghost? Unless you come to the service, you will have to wait until you read the Beadle’s Report to find out.
See you next week on Sunday!
Alternate Sources of The Beadle’s Report
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
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