The Circumcision of Christ
New Year’s Day, 1 January, is the Red Letter Holy Day, The Circumcision of Christ. These “major” or “Red Letter” days get their nickname from the color their titles are printed in the Book of Common Prayer:
The Circumcision of Christ.
[January 1.]
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The first day of the calendar year brought light Santa Ana condition to Mount Olympus with a sunrise temperature of 45°F. Down the hill at Victoria House, the temperature was 65°F under perfectly clear skies with visibility in excess of 50 miles. A perfect New Year’s Day. With seven people attending, there were too many for the small chapel and the service was held in the dining room.
Hap Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the people of Philippia, starting at the Ninth Verse of the Second Chapter. The portion of the letter used as today’s Epistle is relatively short. God has sent His Son to earth and given him a name above all others, Jesus. Paul exhorts his fellow followers to continue to follow the Lord, not only while he is watching them, but at all times. God will give them the will and ability to do good, but only if they do their best to follow Him.
GOD also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
The Gospel for today came from the Gospel according to Saint Luke, the Second Chapter, beginning at the Fifteenth Verse. Today’s Gospel recounts the angels visit to the shepherds who came into Bethlehem to pay homage to Jesus in the manger. It also documents the circumcision of Jesus, bringing Him under the Law. He who: Is, Was and always Will be, put Himself under the Law, that He might fulfill the Law and be our salvation.
Our salvation from the Law came from the perfect sacrifice one time for the sins of all mankind for all time. It could only come from one who was perfect, to enter in to the Law, one had to be subject to the Law. Thus, Jesus submitted Himself unto the Law that he might in the end have dominion over the Law.
AND it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Sermon - The Feast of the Holy Name or How they lost the point
In the Episcopagan church of the present, today is the Feast of the Holy Name; one presumes they mean Jesus, but that is not always clear. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ. Somehow, the epsicopagans want their feast to be accepted as a modernization of the same feast. They miss the point. It is important today we are celebrating the Circumcision of the LORD, His obedience, and that of His whole family, to the Law. He was raised in the tradition of Moses like everybody else of Jewish tradition was in those days. He grew up in a pious family. They were definitely observing the Laws of the day because the Saviour came from a long line of fourteen times three generations of people who suffered for the sake of the promise of the Incarnation of the Saviour. All these people were faithful to God even though they were still waiting for the fulfillment of the promise; even though, as the Apostle Paul said in one of his writings, they had not seen what was to come, yet they were faithful to God. In a very important sense, the circumcision demonstrates Jesus’s perfect compliance with The Law that He might stand in for us when we cannot comply. In all things He was perfect, that perfect Lamb of God, that we might have eternal life.
This day is not about giving him a name, for as the Gospel points out, He had that name given unto Him “before he was conceived in the womb.”
Through Him all things are possible!
The Real Thing - Fortunately, Father Acker used the sermon today as the basis for the http://thursdayeveningnews.blogspot.com/ entry, so you can see what he really said for a change:
New Year's Day is the 8th Day of Christmas. While it may be not be politically correct, and certainly unpopular in post-Christian circles to overlook the commemoration of the Circumcision of the Child Christ. However, to Christians this is tied up in our understanding 'God with us.' Born of Mary, a Jewish girl, Jesus was a Jew by birth. It was by circumcision that families were brought into the covenant relationship with the Lord God. In Jesus we are born into the family of God and circumcised into the covenant relationship with God; both in the reality of the flesh of Jesus. Yes, it is a messy business God being born of woman and the flesh of his foreskin. God came among us not in outward appearance, but in what we are, fully human and into our human existence. He came to fulfill The Law given by God as we humans had been unable fulfill because of our sin, our turning away from God.
It is fitting that the Circumcision of the Child Christ is also New Year's Day on our modern calendar. Jesus is bringing about a new beginning for those are adopted into his death and resurrection. Our resolutions are begun upon what God has done for us; it is not in expectation that we are working to be better men and women. Our resolve centers upon responding to God's love, that our lives might reflect what God has given unto us. It is not our taking on or giving up, but letting our lives show what has been given. The gift of God is already there for those who have received Christ.
If you haven't received Jesus into your heart, now is the time to ask him into your life. Now is the time to ask for the power of God to make you new in the sacrament of Baptism. This is the start of what begins every Christians' day, to ask Jesus to be Lord, Savior, and King in this new day, in this new year, and asking that power of God might fill our lives this coming day, and this coming year. And we know that no matter how messy our lives may get, real problems, real people, real tragedy, 'God is with us.' It is Jesus' name, Emmanuel, 'God with us.' Not in appearance, not in fancy words, but incarnate, in the flesh, the blessings of the Child Christ.
The Second Sunday after Christmas
Today was the Second Sunday after Christmas and the first Sunday of the New Year 2009. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a crisp 33°F under partly cloudy skies. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to balmy 58°F. With an incredibly beautiful day, we had 25 people present, one more than last year.
Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday
Today was not only the First Sunday of the Month, but also of the new year. The first Sunday each month, Father Acker’s Free Teen Guitar Class provides all the music. Today, Andrew Boyd, Nick Patton, Jack Arnold and Father Acker played their guitars for the gathering songs, as well as all the hymns, as is our parish custom.
Thanks again to Andrew, Nick, Jack and Father Ironhand.
There is a new class schedule for the Free Teen Guitar Class with new times on Wednesdays. This Wednesday, 7 January 2009 is the first class of the new session, for details go to the FTGC website: http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com/lessons.html
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class
The normal pre-service Bible study class was replaced today with one covering the entire Old Testament in Ten Minutes. Can’t be done? Well, Father Ironhand did it. The idea was originally suggested and discarded – No one can summarize the entire Old Testament in only Ten Minutes! Actually, with enough preparation, you can. Well, at least Father Ironhand can. The summarization gimmick was the Iron Chef television show. The key is preparation and practice. It was extremely well done and your Beadle wishes to report the time was made! The summary follows, you are warned it was much better in person. Great, really!
First, you must grasp that the Old Testament is a Story, much like a movie, the main character is God, the conflict is Sin and the theme is Redemption. Second, there are four things you must remember, the story is Geographical in nature, rooted in History, with real people and real events, it is Unified Literary Work meant to be read as a whole story and it is the Word of God.
• Genesis
o God created everything in 6 days
Drop back: Creation of Man
o God breathed life into the dust
o Built a helpmate from Adam’s side
As the story builds, Sin quickly, but subtly enters in, distorting judgment, continually growing, with far reaching effects until “All the thoughts of all the people were only evil all the time!”
It builds and builds, until God washes the board clean with the flood, Noah and the Ark start over again with twelve people. By Chapter Twelve, the evil is back with the Tower of Babel. The lesson is that man cannot overcome sin on his own.
God calls Abraham, through Abraham all people will be blessed. He provides for Abraham’s descendants and gives them land. The pivotal event is the near sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s only son. Seventy-two people go to Egypt and 400 years later there are two million Hebrew slaves ready to be lead out. An early example of expertise in multiplication.
That brings us to Exodus:
• Hebrew Moses, raised as Pharaoh's son
o Caught on CNN
o 80 years old: Lead them out
o 10 signs targeting the Egyptian gods
o Passover the Red Sea
• 2 Gifts
o The Law (living with God & His people)
o The Tabernacle (5 sacrifices)
We move on to:
• Leviticus (How to use the Tabernacle)
• Numbers (Tribe, Clan, & Family)
o A Place & A Job; God at Center
• Deuteronomy (New Generation)
Finally, we get to the promised land:
• Joshua (Taking Real Estate)
o Divided to the 12 tribes
• Judges (Just in time Leadership)
o Cycle: Faithful; Do evil; War; Repent
o Plan of Salvation?
• Ruth: Kinsman Redeemer
o Position, Resources, & Willing
Once in the promised land the people want a king!
• 1&2 Samuel (Reject the kingship of God)
o Here’s the kind of king we want
♣ Central casting "Pierce Bronson"
o David (a heart for God)
o Flawed man who knew he needed God
o Uriah and his wife Bathsheba
The king thing does not work out like the people think and now they need prophets, so God sends them, major and minor:
• Job: When bad things happen to good people
• Jonah: Into Iraq in the belly of the whale
o Death, Resurrection, Mission, God’s Love
• Amos: Samarian injustice & oppression
• Isaiah: Corrupt king Uzziah
• Hosea: Up North. Acted out his prophesy
o Unfaithful wife & awaiting her return
• Micah: Judgment, Restoration & Hope
• Nahum: Assyrians—time limited offer
• Jeremiah—in Jerusalem under siege & starvation
o Lamentation: Weeping prophet
• Zephaniah: Do right & perhaps you’ll receive mercy
• Daniel: in Exile, visions of God preserving faithful
• Ezekiel: vision of life flowing from the Throne
• Habakkuk: Why does God permit evil?
• Obadiah: Punishment of the Looters (Edom)
• Zechariah: Coming of God’s Messiah
• Haggai: Encouragement to rebuild the Temple
• Joel: The Day of the Lord is at hand
• Malachi: 8 charges of corruption
o I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
Tim Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from the Sixty-First Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah beginning at the First Verse:
THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the plant-ing of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
The Gospel came from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Second Chapter beginning at the Nineteenth Verse:
WHEN Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Sermon - The Eleventh Day
All the presents are opened. Did you get anything life changing? Tomorrow is the 12th day, we should take our decorations down on the 12th day. So, you must have checked out all your presents by now. Did you get anything life changing? Perhaps a hint is in order?
Jesus came to die for your sin that you might have life. He came to bring us the “Year of the Lord’s Favor:
• Victory over evil oppressors
• Comfort for those who’ve lost loved ones
• Roses & carnations instead of dust & ashes
• News of joy, not messages of disaster
• Joyful hearts, instead of depression
No Matter:
• No matter how bad things get
• No matter where you are
• No matter what trouble you in
• The light of Christ is to shine
• His light will lead you home.
Jesus is the light, He is the truth, He is the Saving Grace, He is what you need. But, He will not force His way into your life. For Him to work what would otherwise seem to be magic, you need to let Him into your life. You need to let Him run your life. What have you got to lose?
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported anniversaries today. We celebrated Warren Huber’s FIRST Birthday with him today.
After Church Hospitality
Today the Hubers brought after church snacks. Aaron being very conscious of proper dietary practices brought ìHealthy Livingî snacks, or so it advertised on the bags! There were two boxes of the finest dog nuts, dog nut holes, four types of cheese and the obligatory red flame seedless grapes. Warren reports the dog nut holes to be excellent. His evaluation was seconded by Angelina, then confirmed by Nick and Jack. Good job Hubers!
Command Master Brewer Macauley was on brew duty today and produced wonderful coffee, Father Acker made his signature low carb lemonade.
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
11 January 2009 Muriel Pappin
18 January 2009 Martha Stevens
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Alice Acker
8 February 2009 Betsy and Marianne Lane
15 February 2009 Greg and Diane Chase
New Nametags
We had two new nametags today, Joanne Strom’s daughter and granddaughter.
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.
Repose of the Soul
Mary Kay McAllister left our world for home the morning of Tuesday 9 December 2008. She was with her sisters and family at the end of her time here on earth. She is now happy in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and has made her transition in peace. Pray also for her family who remain here on earth, that they might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.
Arla, Walt Dexter’s younger sister, passed away the afternoon of 15 December 2008, while in hospice care. Her two children, Debbie and Cindy, have been with their mother. She is now happy in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and has made her transition in peace. Pray also for her family who remain here on earth, in particular Walt, that they might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.
Travel
None reported
Healing
Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, 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 and gout), 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 (successful knee replacement surgery), Scott (endocarditis and cow valve), June (cancer surgery), 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 (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Katheryn (ear surgery), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Kathryn (surgery Monday)
Ben Lizak contracted a very bad infection and has sepsis. He will be in the local Kaiser hospital for at least a few days for IV antibiotics. In the spirit of the season, there is no room in the inn. Ben is in the emergency room waiting for a bed. Father Acker will provide more information as it is available.
Chaplain Larry Witherspoon had a stroke on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2008. He underwent surgery at Kaiser Hospital, in Fontana and has returned to consciousness. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit and improving, the breathing-assist apparatus has been removed. He has opened his eyes and is very responsive. So much that visitors have been restricted because he gets too excited! Great news, there. His mind is functioning and he can answer questions. They are keeping him very sedated, as his blood pressure goes very high when stimulated by visitors. Larry still has a tracheotomy and is progressing slowly, very slowly in physical therapy and the extent of damage is unknown. Communication is limited to open eyes and hand squeezing in a yes/no form. Please pray for his recovery and comfort for his wife Sheila and his family who are incredibly worried for him.
Sara Simmons had an emergency appendectomy Thursday 11 December 2008, she is now at home recuperating. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for her continued recovery, as well as a diminishment of the pain and patience during the recovery.
Joanne S has had a significant increase her shoulder pain from an injury last year. She’ll be talking with the doctors during the week.
Rachel works with Greg as a teacher's aide in the special education department and is going to night school to get her degree to allow her to be a fully credentialed teacher. She recently went to the ophthalmologist for a second opinion and found she has a melanoma in one eye. The melanoma is inside her eye and required nuclear surgery. She had her first eye surgery several days ago and the surgery went better than expected. Her second (and final) surgery is scheduled for later on this week. Please pray for her to understand God is there throughout all this; He does not test us; we are imperfect beings, including our bodies; all things are possible through Him; He always answers our prayers, though sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer and other times do not understand the answer. Pray for Rachel’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a good outcome for the surgery.
Sue Anne Adkins mother of Greg’s co-worker Vicki Jones has Stage Three lung cancer. She is doing well in her treatment, but is in need of your prayers. Please pray for her to accept God’s help through the pain, discomfort and bewilderment of treatment. Pray the doctors, nurses and technicians who treat her will pay attention and do their best. Please pray Sue Anne and her family will pull with together with God in all this and accept the help He will give them.
Tina Walden is having back pain and asks that you pray for her back to feel better.
Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving and into targeted radiation therapy for 10 days. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and radiation therapy. Pray also that Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.
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 is home and walking all around the house, as far as her 50 foot oxygen lead will let her. She made it to the table for Christmas dinner! She does physical therapy every day and is eating very well! She is enjoying reading books and the newspaper again! She is improving on a daily basis! Her recovery is truly a God given miracle. Please give thanks for her great recovery and continue to pray for her progress.
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.
Binnie was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. 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.
Vince (12 yrs) who has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B) had what appears to be successful surgery to remove the tumor and replace his knee joint on 28 November 2008. Please pray for his healing and non-recurrence of the cancer, as well as that he and his family might put their trust in God and accept His comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.
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 is still in a coma after a severe head trauma in July. He has gotten past the MRSA and other infections. He is in skilled nursing in El Cajon with some response to physical therapy and they are working toward independent breathing. 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. Glenn has a new obstacle in the way of a aneurysm in his aorta to overcome in addition to recovering from the brain injury sustained in his cycling accident.
This is a major problem, yet if he had not had his accident, he would have likely found out about the aneurysm when it burst and he died. Glenn knows this, yet what a great deal of stress. Please pray for Glenn’s continued healing and trust in God.
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 28 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. She asks that you continue your prayers for healing.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – called this week. She is still home and still doing wonderfully well! Mrs. Kay asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude.
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, a friend of Susanne Barrett who lives in northern Georgia, experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer earlier this year. He has been undergoing treatment for a recurrence of bladder cancer and whose tumor has completely disappeared, has experienced a blood clot in his lower calf.
Please pray for George's endurance and for peace for the whole family, including their children, Megan and George III.
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, Jack (test), Alfred, Marie, Dru, Jack, Hap, Estelle, Tina
Sarah is still struggling with custody arrangements for her children and would appreciate our continued prayers. Sara asks you pray 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. He gives thanks for improvement in his housing situation.
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 is shutting down his current business and entering the handyman field. Please pray for God's leading him to work or work to him. 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 her physical 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), Evan (USMC – Afganistan)
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 you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: 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
4 January 2009 Tim Macauley
11 January 2009 Dru Arnold
18 January 2009 Ben Lizak
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Sunday
Next Sunday is the the First Sunday after The Epiphany.
Monday
1830 (6:30pm) Monday 5 January 2009 is the 12th Night of Christmas, along with the Twelve lords a-leaping, there will be a Twelfth Night service at Victoria House (all three minutes) along with a Christmas Green burning (no more than you can fit in your hand) and dessert.
Tuesday
1830 (6:30pm) Tuesday 6 January 2009 is the Epiphany Service at Victoria House Chapel.
After church, the FTGC got together for a little jamming. They started with a rock like version of Hark, the herald angels sing, and went on from there. Father Ironhand is gaining mastery of the drum machine. The guys were rockin’!
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/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html
All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:
thebeadle@mac.com
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