Today was the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity, as well as the Sunday before both the 233rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps (10 November 1775) and Veterans Day (11 November). We had our second frontal activity rain of the year with another ¼ inch of rain, bringing our year to date total to ¾ of an inch! We give thanks to God for the rain. The cold front brought Mount Olympus a sunrise temperature of 44°F. By the time church was over, it was 55°F under rainy skies. We had a pretty good attendance this morning with 22 participants by service start.
As usual, Father Acker, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold provided music for the welcome or gathering songs. We sing popular songs before the service as the people begin to show up for the service. Today’s were:
• Amazing Grace
• Give thanks
• Just a closer walk
• Doxology
Anglicans worldwide are participants in the Just In Time concept of service attendance. The songs give a bit of leeway for people to make the service and they give those of us who like to sing a chance to do so. When they started singing, we had 13 people present; by the time they finished, there were 22 people.
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 280 days by popular demand
Today continued the forty week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. As is customary, 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
We have made our way through the Bible from Genesis (the beginning) to the Book of Nahum, one of the minor prophets. He is called, in the title of his book, "Nahum the Elkoshite." Where Elkosh was is not definitely known. The supposition that Nahum was a native of Judah agrees well with his keen sense of Judah's affliction under Assyrian domination and with his intense hatred of her oppressor. The central point of the Book of Nahum, a short book of only seven chapters is: God will only wait so long.
Nahum probably wrote his book in Jerusalem, where he witnessed the invasion of Sennacherib and the destruction of his host. Or, it may have been written shortly before the fall of Nineveh (612 BC). This theory is evidenced by the fact that the oracles must be dated after the Assyrian destruction of Thebes in 663 BC as this event is mentioned in Nah 3:8. The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world, a "bloody city all full of lies and robbery" (Nahum 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighboring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy. One popular verse is 3:5, "Behold, I am against thee, saith the God of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame." This is very symbolic showing Nineveh was known for being a city full of prostitutes. Jonah had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by Zephaniah, who also predicted (Zephaniah 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled (625 BC) when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of Asia.
God was patient - The LORD does not easily become angry, but he is powerful and never lets the guilty go unpunished. Where the LORD walks, storms arise; the clouds are the dust raised by his feet! (1:3)
But, eventually it was all over - There is no remedy for your injuries, and your wounds cannot be healed. All those who hear the news of your destruction clap their hands for joy. Did anyone escape your endless cruelty? (3:19)
Like those of Nineveh, for us God has His limit. Recall the days of Noah. The reality is that there is a judgment. Yet, consider God’s plan of salvation: I’ll give you a way out. His name is Jesus. He needs to enter in and be our Savior, our Lord (Master), and our King.
The Propers for Today
Because Easter is a movable feast and we count all our Sundays from Easter, if Easter is early in the year, the season of Trinity, the Green Season, has more Sundays than the Twenty-Four in the Book of Common Prayer. If it does, the number of “extra Sundays” are the same as the number of Sundays which come out of the Sundays after Epiphany. Thus we use those Propers (the Collect, Epistle and Gospel). The following are the rubrics for that event:
Note on the Propers for Sundays following the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity, but before Advent
¶ If in any year there be twenty-six Sundays after Trinity, the service for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany shall be used on the Twenty-Fifth Sunday. If there be twenty-seven, the service for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany shall be used on the Twenty-Sixth, and the service for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany on the Twenty-fifth. If there be fewer than twenty-five Sundays, the overplus shall be omitted.
Don Patton read the Epistle which came from the Third Chapter of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, beginning at the Twelfth Verse. Paul tells us we must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are chosen by God, His beloved, should be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.
PUT on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
The Gospel for today comes from the Thirteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, beginning at the Twenty-Fourth Verse.
One way for a person to destroy the crop of someone he doesn't like is to sow his field full of weeds. That was done often enough in biblical days the Roman government had a law against it, and prescribe a certain punishment for violators. It was a great way of ruining your neighbor's crop, and that's exactly what the enemy in this verse did. He secretly oversowed the field with weeds, and having finished his awful deed, went off into the night.
The servants who worked for the man were shocked when they saw the darnel growing. They wouldn't have been shocked if there were just a few of those darnels because they were a grassy weed common to the area. There were always a few weeds that had to be dealt with in every crop. The reason they were shocked was because the field was full of weeds.
The servants, wanting to save the crop, help their master, and protect their livelihood, asked the master if they should pull out the weeds. When the heads of the crop become mature, the darnels take on a slate gray color, and thus can be differentiated from the wheat. The servants were saying, "We can tell the weeds from the wheat, and can go through the field to tear the weeds out." But the master said, "No, don't do that. The darnels are so many, and so close to the wheat, that if you try to pull out the darnels you'll root up the wheat with them."
“While men slept.” Is this a characterization of us in the field of service to which the Lord has assigned us?
THE kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Sermon – Guts of Mercy
On this Sunday before the birthday of the Marine Corps and Veterans Day, it is only fitting we should talk about the subject brought up in today’s Epistle, Guts of Mercy.
In the translation used in the BCP today’s Epistle calls for us to have “a heart of compassion.” The Authorized Version (King James Translation) translates this as “bowels of mercies.”
Compassion toward others is a vital part of our following the path Jesus has laid out for us. We are to put on bowels of mercies. Bowels refers to the inner organs. It is a figure of speech. It is as the BCP translation calls it “a heart of compassion” or to "have a big heart." But, it is more than that, it is feeling from our most inner self, our guts. The place where that “gut feeling” comes from. It is not just a “warm fuzzy”, rather we are to put on true kindness. We are to forbear one another or put up with each other. We are to forgive the way Jesus Christ forgave. A forgiveness which is unconditional and feely given in response to real repentance.
What forgiveness is not all about:
• How come you did this?
• How come you didn’t do that?
• What’s wrong with you?
What forgiveness is all about:
• I forgive you
• How can this not happen again?
• Let’s give it a try
Blaming is easy, forgiving is hard and takes guts. Remember the words of Boots Blesse, “No guts, no glory!”
Jesus calls us to follow Him. This is not an easy quest. He never said it would be easy, just that if we follow Him we will get there. Yet, if we ride with Him, we ride towards the sound of gunfire, not away. On this day, will you ride with Him?
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Forgiving is not easy,
but it is a lot easier if you’ve been forgiven!
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries.
After Church Hospitality
Today Dru Arnold remembered this morning that she was to bring the goodies. Thus, dog nuts! Popular they were. Warren found out donut holes are. Boy, does he like them! Good if you don’t have a lot of teeth.
The Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was in the brewery again, this time with special Christmas turtle coffee. Weird sounding, great tasting! Father Acker got up early to make (and bring) his signature low carb lemonade.
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
16 November 2008 Alice Acker
23 November 2008 Opportunity Available!
30 November 2008 Opportunity Available!
7 December 2008 Stephanie Boyd
14 December 2008 Alice Acker
21 December 2008 Martha Stevens
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.
Who can be on the list?
Do I have to be a member of the Blessed Trinity Church to be prayed for? No! The only qualification to be on the list is that you want our prayer team to pray for you. We are Christians and are happy to pray for you, no matter who you are. If you want help from God, you are our kind of people.
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, and then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.
Travel
Chris, Stephanie, Alex and Andrew are on travel this week.
Hap, Dru and Jack are on travel this week.
Father and Alice are on travel this week.
Healing
Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Frank+ (brain tumor), Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Nancy, Leucrecia (cancer), Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Teiko, Ernie, Ray, Betty, Hazel, Bruce (heart attack), Susanne, Paul (stroke), Ralph+ (eyes hip), Allison (kidney), Bill (ETOH poisoning) , Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Lise (peritoneal cancer), Joy, Evelyn, Kenny (ear surgery), Debbie, Joanna (stroke) [granddaughter of Father Holland a diocesan priest], Al (Ashley’s dad: surgery) Cyndi (arthritis pain; knee replacement 12/2), Scott (endocarditis and cow valve), June (cancer), Al, Susan, Jeff, David (leg injury), Judy, who suffers from mental illness, is undergoing tests for cancer, Jon, Jeffrey, Joy (cancer), Jim (pain), Marie, Joe (head & neck injury), Loretta (cancer)
Joy has a reoccurrence of abdominal cancer, which is non-operable. She is home from the hospital but still has a clot in her lung. She and her family ask your prayers for a miraculous remission. She asks God’s help to deal with the pain and discomfort while keeping a positive attitude during what is a very trying time. Pray also for her family might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with them here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for Joy and her husband Dewaine that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.
Mary Parker was released from the hospital on Saturday after several months. She needs to work on eating and building strength. There is still a long road ahead of her, but she is doing incredibly well. Please that she and her family will accept the strength that God can give them for the path before them. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done and that she and her family continue to put their trust in Him. In particular, please pray for her family’s peace.
Joe Huber was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo radiation seed implants within the next two weeks. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.
Rod Cook has a reoccurrence of lung cancer. Prognosis is not promising. Please pray for either a miraculous recovery or a maximization of his time remaining here on earth. Pray also for his daughter Lori that she might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with her father here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for both Rod and Lori that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.
John and Isabel Wilhelmy’s family ask your prayers on their behalf for God’s help through eye surgery and illness combined. We also pray that they will accept their family’s loving assistance in this difficult time.
Vince (12 yrs) who has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B) has a tumor in his leg. Alternate treatment has not reduced the tumor, so he will have surgery to remove the tumor on 28 November 2008. Also pray that he and his family might put their trust in God and accept His comfort.
Alice, friend of Fran Dexter, had lung cancer and surgery five years ago and has been in remission. After she started coughing up blood, radiological testing found a spot on her lung. She underwent surgery on 5 September 2008, which apparently went well. Fran asks in particular you pray for peace of mind for both Alice and Rick that they might put their trust in God.
Kenny had surgery to improve his hearing which did not end up improving his hearing in the end. Please pray for his adjusting to very limited hearing in just one ear. Also, please continue to pray for his improved state of mind and faith.
Joshua Hamilton fell out of a car the morning of 27 July 2008. He sustained a closed head injury and potential spinal cord injuries. Joshua underwent three surgeries to relieve pressure on his brain, but has not yet awakened. He is being moved to a long term care facility. He needs miraculous healing as the doctors have done all they can. We are praying for God’s miraculous intervention and to do those things best for Joshua in his life with God. Please continue to pray for his wife, Tulani, and two children, Isaiah & Keanu, and of course his mom, Jo Ann, and his James brother who is in our FTGC, asking for God’s presence and comfort.
Glenn Finch is back at work on a limited basis. He has not yet receive permission from the DMV to drive and is hopeful that will occur by the end of the year. As an attorney, Glenn needs our prayers to enable him to gain the strength to build up his law practice to where it was before his bike accident.
Evelyn Hunt has pain in her jaw, face, & neck. The doctors haven’t been able to diagnose the cause. She has been very limited in getting out, but continued to do her walking in the house. Most importantly, pray for her to keep a good attitude and maintain a trust in God, so she will not worry.
Miney Farrell has had pain and weakness in her leg that has been limiting her activity.
Lorraine Winkles is still dealing with shingles (now over 24 months). The level of discomfort varies but the condition is persisting. She is in amazing spirits and sends her love to all.
Lona Walsh is in significant discomfort, but it looks like it is not Lupus. A recent MRI indicates she needs shoulder surgery on both sides, not great news, but much better than Lupus. She hopes for more information shortly, in the mean time, she asks that you continue your prayers for healing.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – is home and doing wonderfully well! As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude. Mrs. Kay asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers.
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.
Caroline (age 10, leukemia recurrence) is now home in Escondido after her bone marrow transplant in July. She will have to make frequent trips to City of Hope in Pasadena for follow-up appointments, but she's very glad to be home now. Please continue in prayer that her leukemia will not reoccur; after the transplant, the chance of recurrence is 40%. Caroline will be 11 in December. Please keep praying for this sweet girl to make a full recovery and live a long life, devoted to God. She and her family are Catholic Christians.
George (recurrence of bladder cancer) has been undergoing weekly chemotherapy which made him quite ill. While at the hospital, his oncologist had a series of CAT scans done on George, and the tumor on his bladder is GONE. Disappeared. Non-existent. The oncologist said that the best he was expecting was a 50% reduction in the size of the tumor, but it is GONE. Thanks be to God! George will still need a few more weeks of chemo and will also need blood thinning injections for quite a while to prevent other clots, and the doctor also saw a dark area on George's kidney. He doesn't think it's anything to worry about but he is having a couple of specialists in radiology take a look to be sure.
George, LaVonda, Megan, and George III are rejoicing in this healing from the Lord! Please continue in prayer for George, giving thanks for the total reduction of George's tumor. They live in northern Georgia.
Bruce Denny lives in El Cajon and has experienced two major heart attacks in his early 40's. He was to have an appointment with a cardiologist last Thursday, but no results yet. His previous appointment showed further deterioration of his heart, including a fluid build-up in the sac surrounding his heart. The family is also under severe financial stress because Bruce has been unable to work after his heart attacks. His wife, Jennifer, is looking for a job and for childcare for their one-year-old. The church family at Lake Murray Community Church is helping out with taking their older boys to and from school and with meals, etc. Pray for no further deterioration in Bruce's heart and for help with their finances.
Greg Chase has been working way more than reasonable and trying to fit everything in his life. He as been exposed to many potential diseases at work and seems to be catching most of them. Please pray for Greg to order his life to get the rest he needs and spend the time he needs with his family. Please also pray for his physical recovery from his current aliment which appears to be some sort of flu.
Guidance
Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to a church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Margie, Phyllis, Walter, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Eric (job), Andrew, Keith (job decision), Sara, Mark, Alexandra, Nelson, Perlita, Lewis, Sam & Susie
Sarah is still struggling with custody arrangements for her children and would appreciate our continued prayers. A hearing on 24 November 2008 will probably change custody to a more permanent arrangement (the children are currently switching between parents every other day). A hearing in February should finalize things. Sarah really appreciates our prayers and is asking for the decision to be in the best interest of the children. Sara asks you pray that God’s will for these children will be realized and they will be put in the best custody situation possible. Please pray for God’s guidance in the lives of the ex-husband, John and Sara and that they might hear Him.
Paul S suffers from severe schizophrenia remains stable with his medication, but needs God’s guidance as the directors of his group home are creating anxiety among the residents.
Guidance and Protection
Christina, Sarah
Economic Guidance and Assistance
Matt and Tracey very good friends of the Hubers. Matt is looking for a new job and they have two young children. Please pray that they are able to find employment soon.
Keith has had no work for the past four weeks. Because of family medical expenses, they have no savings and are in debt. Please pray for God's leading for a new job or for new clients for Keith's drafting business or for another stained glass commission. Pray for Susanne as she tutors and teaches online classes while home schooling their four kids, that she may remain strong and able to do all she needs to do to teach their kids and help with finances despite herphysical condition (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.). Pray for them also to not fear for the future but to trust in the Lord.
Eric and Eric both to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new company more successful.
Sonny and Carol have lost their business, their home is in foreclosure. Please pray that they might find an opportunity for gainful employment where they can use their talents to make a positive impact on the world.
Mark’s business is very very slow, he asks that God point him to new markets and give him guidance in following God’s will that his business might survive and his employees not lose their livelihood.
Please pray for Kevin in the UK. He has been looking for a job for a long time and is 52. Please pray he might find an opportunity for gainful employment where he can use his talents to make a positive impact on the world. Please pray also for his family, in particular his wife Beverley, that they might open their hearts and minds to God’s guidance for their future.
Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, Joe (USAF - Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait), John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan)
Anglican Communion
Archbishop Peter Akinola, the head of the GAFCON Primates’ Council has asked us to pray for our Anglican Communion. Specifically during September to December, we are bidden to pray for:
1. Guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the GAFCON Primates Council that they may be united in their leadership for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. Upholding the Bible as authoritative for the life, faith, and conduct of all Christians
3. Remaining faithful in the central task of the Church to mission and evangelism, saving the lost, bringing life and health to the poor and needy
4. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring renewal, revival and transformation of individuals, communities, and societies
5. Anglicans to focus upon God’s agenda set forth in Scripture, God’s authority as given by Jesus Christ, and God’s mission in saving sinners and by the Holy Spirit turning them into saints
6. The setting aside all other agendas, that Jesus alone be Lord.
Are you too tired to go to church?
While a resident of the Hanoi Hilton, Lieutenant Commander John McCain participated in a church service in 1971 in defiance of hotel rules which resulted in him spending most of a year in a camp reserved for "bad attitude" cases. He considered it a good investment.
Veterans Day – Guest Editorial
11 November is Veterans Day. It is not the first Monday in anything. It was originally Armistice Day, the day the Great War (World War I) ended. The armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month ending the War to End all Wars which took the lives of about 20 million people. We remembered that day until World War II, a war which took the lives of about 70 million people, not including the 25 million killed by the Soviets internally. In total, almost 100 million people lost their lives during the period of this war.
Our country has chosen this day, Armistice Day, to honor those who have served our country. This is not the same as Memorial Day, the last weekend in May, during which we honor those who have given their lives for our country.
On this day, we honor those who have and do serve our country: men and women who have stepped forward when their country called; some even before the call. We honor those who have put their country before themselves and families.
Sometimes we forget the sacrifices made by the families. It is one thing to be in combat, forward deployed, or on TDY at Christmas. It is another to have your son, daughter, husband, wife, son or daughter gone.
Your Beadle can tell you from personal experience that it is a lot easier to go to war than to send someone to war.
It is easy to think the country is going to hell, in or out of the proverbial hand basket. Yet, so far we have young people who step forward and fill the breech in the line. How long we know not, but still they come forward. While they come we are safe. When they stop, we fall.
LTC Hap and Captain Dru Arnold, USAF Retired
Semper Fly!
Prayer at Home
Most of us are aware that there is a service we can use without a priest to pray at home or on travel or wherever when we happen not to be at church. The service, actually two, one for morning and the other for evening, are found at the front of the prayerbook:
• The Order for Daily Morning Prayer on Page 3
• The Order for Daily Evening Prayer on Page 21
Churches without a priest and low churches often use Morning Prayer on Sunday, having Holy Communion once a month or whenever the circuit priest makes an appearance. Often the prayer service is said before the Holy Communion service. In that case it takes about 15 minutes to go through. If it is used as a standalone service it takes about 20-25 minutes, plus music and sermon time. With its two lessons and various psalms, it is a very satisfying service.
People with more time on their hands or less competing for their time, or let’s face it, just better people than your Beadle, often pray both the Morning and Evening Prayer services each day at home. He should, but does not.
The Under Beadle rightly pointed out that if we expect our lives to be in order, we would have a lot better chance if we started out in the right direction each day, rather than wandering aimlessly as we often do. She suggested that we use the “A Shorter Form” for a morning prayer which can be found on Page 592 of the Book of Common Prayer and is printed in its entirety below.
A SHORTER FORM.
MORNING.
∂ After the reading of a brief portion (we use one of the Morning Prayer opening sentences from Page 3 of the Book of Common Prayer) of Holy Scripture, let the Head of the Household, or some other member of the family, say as followeth, all kneeling, (we actually sit in our three rocking chairs facing each other) and repeating with him the Lord’s 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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
∂ Here may be added any special Prayers. This is where we add the Prayer for our country from Page 36 of the Book of Common Prayer and the Prayer for the President of the United States and all in Civil Authority from Page 32 of the Book of Common Prayer.
For Our Country.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants The President of the United States, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
END OF SERVICE
That is all there is. It takes about three minutes, including time for the two extra prayers. So, if you have a couple more favorite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer or elsewhere, there is plenty of time. There are those who would tell you it is not enough. Perhaps not, but three minutes is likely significantly more than you do now. Three minutes to get pointed in the right direction. Time well spent. This suggestion comes with a money back guaranty. If you don’t feel the time is well spent, double your entire purchase price will be cheerfully refunded. (Note,as there is no charge, there is no refund. Zero times zero is still zero.) Results may vary according to application, zip code, personal preference and oil pressure.
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.
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
16 November 2008 Ben Lizak
23 November 2008 Holly Lizak
30 November 2008 Greg Chase
Second Annual Christmas Dessert or Desert Party
Greg and Diane Chase will be hosting their traditional Christmas Dessert Party on Wednesday, 10 December 2008 at their home in La Mesa from 7pm – 9pm. If you wish to bring your favorite desert that would be nice. If you don’t, there is always plenty, you just may not get your favorite! The Chases will be providing hot apple cider, coffee, “chilled” Real Dew, and some deserts of their own. The Arnolds will be providing Diet, or as it is sometimes referred to, UnReal Dew.
Diane would appreciate an RSVP no later than Saturday, 6 December 2008 - dlchase@cox.net.
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity and then comes the Sunday next before Advent. If you are looking in the Book of Common Prayer, you will see there are only Twenty-Four Sundays in the BCP. Oh my, what to do? Not to worry! Rubrics to the rescue.
∂ If in any year there be twenty-six Sundays after Trinity, the service for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany shall be used on the Twenty-Fifth Sunday. If there be twenty-seven, the service for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany shall be used on the Twenty-Sixth, and the service for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany on the Twenty-Fifth. If there be fewer than twenty-five Sundays, the overplus shall be omitted.
Thus, next Sunday Ben Lizak will be reading the Epistle for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, which can be found on page 118 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Come next Sunday and see if Father Acker remembers he was in the Bible or does he move to a different subject. Or, maybe he finally tells us what the Green Season means. What about the sermon? Will he preach on the Gospel or something all together different? 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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