The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Today was the second Sunday after the Epiphany. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a warm 57°F under sunny skies with a mild Santa Anna condition for the third Sunday in a row. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to quite comfortable 72°F. With an incredibly beautiful day, we had 22 people present.

Pre-Service Music
As they normally do, Father Acker and Jack Arnold played their guitars for pre-service gathering or welcome songs. Today was a bit different as Father Acker has been working with a drum machine, so the two treated us to instrumental jazz versions of We three kings and Angels we have heard. Then, they played four more songs which the congregation sang to:

• Shine Jesus shine
• Abide with me
• Amazing grace
• Jesus loves me

The concept of the gathering or welcome songs is simple, people just don’t seem to show up on time. The tradition seems to have started in Africa where most people walk to church, live differing distances, don’t have watches and are not quite as obsessive compulsive. Seems to work nicely in Alpine, too.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 370 days by popular demand
Today continued the fifty-three 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 to the end of the Old Testament. Skipping the Apocrypha, we are starting on the New Testament. The first four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark and Luke, are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels
• Synonym=the same
• Optic=eye

Or the same events seen through the same eye, or in this case eyes, of the three. They narrate the life of Jesus, covering His:

• Birth
• Growing up
• Entering a public ministry at 30 years old
• Three year ministry
• Trial
• Crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

These were not clever invented stories, rather they are the tales of eye witnesses who witnessed the same events through their own eyes with differing points of view. Like all real eye witness accounts, they are not identical, but rather similar. They emphasize different things, they were written by different people. They are the facts as seen by the disciples who traveled with Jesus and then later told their story. They were not written at the time, but after the fact. At the time of Jesus’ preaching and teaching, they were too busy listening to write.

As the various apostles started to hit their mid-60’s, when Nero became emperor of Rome in 54AD, the persecutions began. Both Peter and Paul were martyred (or murdered) in Rome 68AD. The first Generation of Christians were dying off. In fact, Matthew was an established Senior Tax Collector, thus likely older than Jesus. All of the disciples had their lives taken from them in a brutal fashion, except John.

Matthew was with Jesus for three years. He was present at the Crucifixion and Resurrection. He was clearly preaching and teaching to a Jewish audience.

Mark was quite young, twelve or thirteen when he joined the group. He was not a full-fledged apostle or disciple. His mother Mary was a disciple, his older cousin was Barnabas the apostle, he went with Paul and Barnabas on a mission trip and was with Peter in Rome.

The gentle physician Luke was not a eyewitness, but met Paul between Antioch and Troas. He was with him for the next 18 years until Paul’s death. His writings were apparently written to one person, Theopholis. He presented not only a scientific and orderly account of Jesus’ life in the Gospel of Saint Luke, but he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles.

Thus the Synoptic Gospels are three different view of more or less the same events, overlapping stories with unique perspectives. They differ enough to be truthful, yet are similar enough to be supportive of each other.

Next week, we will start at the beginning, Matthew Chapter One, Verse One!

Ben Lizak read the Epistle for today, which came from the Seventh Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the Sixth Verse. As Paul often does, he gives guidance on what God would have us do. He notes that each of us have differing talents, skills and resources. What God wants us to do is use all of what He gave us to further His will and His way, so that we might be truly happy here on earth. To be gracious and hospitable to those around us, to remember each of us are equal in God’s eye.

HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

The Gospel for today came from the beginning of the Gospel according to St. Mark, the First Chapter, beginning at the First Verse. This is the very first of the New Testament, a New Covenant or agreement with God. It tells the story of “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” It talks of John the Baptist, who God sends as His “messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” And the people came to John “and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” But, as a harbinger the One to come, John told them of the One coming “ the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” He told them of the Holy Ghost. When Jesus, in His submission as a man to God came to John for baptism, as he came out of the water, “the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”


THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Sermon - Are you a True Christian?
The public perception and the actual person can be the same or they can be totally different. We cannot control how others perceive “Christians”, but we can control who we are and what we do. So what are we to do as True Christians?

The answer is not all that hard, we are to make Christ known throughout the world:

• Our Mission
• Our Life
• Our Fellowship
• Our Witness

Being a real Christian is NOT:

• Being a Good Person
• Going to church
• Being saved

While these are all nice, they don’t let God’s Love shine through us reflect off us to light the path for the world around us.

We start by receiving Jesus in our hearts. We learn of Him, we accept Him, we are baptized in His name. Then what? Then we grow up. At that point, we need to tell the rest of the world about Him, to invite them to join Him, to lead others to Christ.

Christians are often criticized for acting as if all they care about is how many souls they can “save.” This accusation can be taken as a condemnation of their “lack of caring” or an affirmation of their selflessness. It would seem the latter is more appropriate.

In today’s Epistle, Saint Paul tells us
:
• A True Christian USES what God gives
• Our gifts don’t belong to US
• Makes manifest, or visible, that God Loves every man, woman, & child

Each of us has differing gifts, Paul tells us to use them for the glory of God, not self-aggrandizement. We are to preach the Gospel and:

• Help, not take over;
• Teach with emphasis on Christ, not your great knowledge;
• Encourage and guide, don’t be bossy;
• Give aid when it is needed, not when it is convenient;
• Lead, don’t manipulate;
• Do whatever you do with a cheerful heart;
• Love from your heart, do not fake it;
• Run from evil, hold to good;
• Provide support when it is needed;
• Don’t burn out, fuel the fire of love;
• Be ready and alert, joyfully expectant;
• When the going gets tough, keep going and look to God for help;
• Help your fellow Christians in need, invent ways to show hospitality
• Don’t curse your enemies, rather ask God’s blessing upon them;
• Laugh with the happy, cry with the sorrowful;
• Get along with each other;
• Be friends with all, compared to God you are nothing, yet He loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to the end that all who believe on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life!

God’s plan depends on His Church, that would be YOU!

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Today Martha Stevens brought after church snacks. After years of thinking they were chocolate roll tacos, Martha pointed out the error of his ways to your Beadle: she brought French Vanilla roll tacos, chocolate brownie cupcakes, tangelos and almonds. Chocolate or French Vanilla are different, but they did taste wonderful. Thank you Martha!

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
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Dru Arnold
8 February 2009 Betsy and Marianne Lane
15 February 2009 Greg and Diane Chase
22 February 2009 Dru Arnold
1 March 2009 Jan Macauley

Visitors
Father Steve McClaskey and his lovely wife April visited us today from their home in Rock Island, IL. Father McClaskey was the plank holder priest for the Episcopal Church of Christ the King in Alpine. A very good man, his altar table is on loan to us and we remember him every Sunday when we unfold it. The McClaskeys, as well as Mike and Lita Carter, joined us for the post-service burrito ministry. A good time was had by all!

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 yellow (maybe green or orange, if you get an old one) 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
Don, Sandy and Nick are on travel this week.
Chris, Stephanie, Alex and Andrew are on travel this week.

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), Marie, Joe (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Ben

Jim R will be having surgery to relieve his chronic back pain.

Kathryn’s ear surgery was successful. She has regained some limited hearing. She can communicate on the phone and expecting continued improvements during the six month healing process.

Chaplain Larry Witherspoon had a stroke on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2008. He underwent surgery at Kaiser Hospital, in Fontana. He was released on Wednesday 14 January 09.  He is talking and is able to carry a conversation almost normally, just in a very soft voice.  He has made incredible progress.  He has lost a few pounds, but looks great. Please continue to pray for him, his wife Sheila and his family.

Joanne has had a significant increase her shoulder pain from an injury last year. She is looking for medical assessment and guidance.

Carol DeBolt, mother of Judy, a 3rd grade teacher at Greg Chase’s school.  Carol was complaining of hip pain over the Christmas period.  After numerous tests it was determined that she has breast and bone cancers, both are at stage 4 and have metastasized. She just finished surgery on her hip where the femur was been replaced with a steel rod.  She now has to go through 4 months of PT in order to learn how to walk again. Carol needs your prayers for her and her family to deal with not only the pain and difficulty of her present physical condition, but also the uncertainty of her life. Please pray for Carol’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a remission of her cancers and a physical recovery.

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 treatment to date and for complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Joy has non-operable abdominal cancer. She is back in the hospital and coming home on Monday, but near the end of her time here on earth. Please pray for her as she prepares to depart this world for home that she might be confident in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and thus make the transition in peace. 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 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 keep their trust in God and increase their faith. Pray that her family who will remain here on earth 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.

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.

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 was in our FTGC, asking for God’s presence and comfort.

Glenn Finch gives thanks for near total recovery from the brain injury sustained in his cycling accident. He asks your continued prayer for the aortal aneurysm discovered during his treatment for the brain injury. 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) 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 11, leukemia recurrence) is home in Escondido after her bone marrow transplant in July. Please continue in prayer that her leukemia will not reoccur; after the transplant, the chance of recurrence is 40%. 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 and we've been praying for him since then.  He has finished his chemo and returned back to work as a pharmacist part-time.  Here is yesterday's report from  his wife, LaVonda:

Praise God! We received a wonderful report from the doctor after the CT scans were done Wednesday morning. Our doctor said that he and the doctor of radiology went over George’s scans and could find nothing wrong, and that everything was perfectly clean! Nothing could be found in the sciatic notch in the pelvis where the main problem had been, or anywhere else in his body! Even the weird little spot from the last scan that appeared to be on his right kidney was also completely gone. We thought we might have to wait until much later in the day, or even the next day, but we were so blessed to be able to hear the results so quickly. We are praising God! God, You are so good!

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
Keith is 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. 

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 give thanks for Kevin in the UK who has found a job. While not what he was looking for, he is grateful for work. Please continue to pray that he will find a position that will maintain his family and 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.

To Find Employment
Stephen to find a job that will allow him to use his skill and talent to make his new employer more successful.

Michael and Lita both to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new employer more successful.

Eric, Keith, Kevin and Eric each to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new employer more successful.

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.

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.

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 – Afghanistan), Eric (USN – Afghanistan)

Persecuted
Around the world, Christians are under attack, not only in the Muslim world, but from Hindus and others in India. Also, they are under continual attack in the western world as it becomes more and more actively atheist or pro-devil buddy. Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for all persecuted Christians and those around them.

Free Teen Guitar Class
Please join us in praying that the Free Teen Guitar Class will be an opportunity for God to work in the lives of the kids and their families. Help us to let the love of our Lord shine through us into their lives, putting Him first, so that He might enter in to their hearts and lives.

Thought for the Day
The Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone – This is a term used to describe something, while it may or may not be ‘nice’ or ‘pretty’, is in fact totally useless, serving only itself. Think of it: a wonderful tasty ice cream cone that licks itself. Nothing for you to do. No work required on your part. On the other hand, what good is it?

The challenge from Christ is to build His church, not a Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone, existing to serve only itself. Following Christ’s personal example, our church is to be a servant to the world around it. We are to bring the Word, education and help to people who have need of it. A church which devotes all its energy into maintaining a building and lovely grounds and has no time, money or energy left to do what Jesus set out as our mission is not a Church of Christ. Are we to be servants of Christ or of the Temple; Christians or Temple Servants? One cannot serve two masters.

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.

Free Teen Guitar Class (FTGC – www.freeteenguitarclass.com)
There is a new Class Schedule in effect:

FTGC New Class Schedule:

Advanced 2:30-3:20pm
    
Continuing 3:20-4:00pm (Beginners shift to Intermediate having learned all 6 strings and get to move on to chords)

       Beginning 4:00-4:50pm (A new class & those redoing the material; it’s okay to do both Intermediate and Beginner classes)

For anyone wanting to start again this is the time!

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

25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Don Patton
8 February 2009 Stephanie Boyd
15 February 2009 Tim Macauley
22 February 2009 Jack Arnold

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

Friday and Saturday
Bishop Sutton will be speaking in Orange County, for details contact Father Acker.

Sunday
Next Sunday is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the celebration of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul and our Annual Parish Meeting. The Annual Meeting is the time of year we reaffirm our parish’s budget, officers and mission. It is always interesting to see how much we can do with so very little. We encourage everyone to attend.

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