This report covers both Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in Lent.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday services were held at Victoria Chapel. With very nice weather sunny in the morning and dark (what a surprise!) at night, the 0930 (9:30am) service drew five people; the 1830 (6:30pm) service did even better with eleven people in attendance. Due to the large numbers of people, the services were held in the dining room of Victoria House.
Why Ashes on Ash Wednesday?
Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted for forty days to prepare for his ministry. It was for Him a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation. By observing Lent, most Christians join Jesus on His retreat.
The Lenten period is calculated to extend from Resurrection Sunday back for forty days, not including Sundays. Sundays are not included because they commemorate Christ's glorious resurrection on "the day after the Sabbath," "the first day of the week," "the Lord's day." Sunday is always a joyful celebration of the Resurrection. Therefore, the first day of Lent in the western Church is always a Wednesday.
Biblical societies relied very heavily on wood fires for heating and cooking, which meant that keeping ashes under control was a major housekeeping task. Then as now, if a person was preoccupied with something serious, they didn’t always tend to the housekeeping—it’s the least of their concerns. Imagine that there is a death in the family. A friend stopping by to pay their respects might gently say, “Did you know you have ashes on your face? ”
So ashes became a sign of remorse, repentance, and mourning. Today someone might wear a black armband to signify that they are in mourning; back then people put ashes on their foreheads.
You can find biblical examples of this in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. During Lent, ancient Christians mourned their sins and repented of them, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads. The custom has persisted in the church as secular society has changed around us. It is most appropriate on Ash Wednesday, when we begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection.
Traditionally, the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service come from burning the palm fronds from the previous years’ Palm Sunday celebration and are, like sour dough starter, kept for centuries.
Ash Wednesday should remind Christians that they are sinners in need of a savior, and that their salvation comes at the sacrifice of God's Son:
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11-12)
Some people only celebrate the happy times in Jesus’ life: Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas. True friends also watch and pray with Him on Maundy Thursday, stand by Him at the cross on Good Friday, and go with Him into the wilderness during Lent.
Lent
The word Lent has an obscure origin, and is probably a corruption of Lencten, or a similar term in ancient Anglo, Saxon, and Germanic languages, all of which referred to spring, new life, and hope. Although it is generally considered to be a time of mourning and repentance, it is also designated as a time of new life and hope because by means of the death of Christ, we receive new life.
Many avoid Lent and Holy Week because they think it isn’t a happy and uplifting time—but to be honest, neither is most of life. Sometimes we come to church all scrubbed up, dressed nicely, with smiles on our faces, and when people ask how we are, we reply that everything is fine and we even boast how wonderful things are—but is it? Life is not always uplifting, or wonderful, or pleasant, or joyous. To claim it is, is to miss the whole point of the incarnation! God became flesh in Jesus Christ. Jesus faced temptation, He suffered hunger and thirst, He suffered the agony of crucifixion. Jesus our God did not face these things so that we would be exempt from them, He faced these things so that we would have dignity in them.
The forty days commemorate the significant "forty" periods in Scripture (although forty is not always significant), including the forty years the Jews wandered in the desert after they had been rescued by God from Egypt, and which did not end until they repented. Jonah preached to Nineveh that God's judgment would come on them in forty days. During that time the people repented and thus were spared God's judgment. Jesus was tested by the Devil in the desert for forty days before He began His public ministry, announcing salvation to the repentant and judgment to those who continued to rebel against God. Jesus prophesied that God's judgment would come against Israel for rejecting Him as Messiah within the time of His own generation (Matt. 24; Luke 21; Mark 13). Within forty years of His death, burial, and resurrection, Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was so ravaged that "not one stone [was] left here upon another" (Matt. 24:2). The Jewish Christians, however, escaped this judgment of God by fleeing to Pella before the final Roman siege, just as Jesus had warned them to do (Matt. 24:16-21).
During Lent, Christians should contemplate their sinfulness, repent, ask God's forgiveness, and realize the infinite sacrifice God made on their behalf. It is to be a time of quiet contemplation, but not a time of despair, since it culminates in the commemoration of the resurrection. Traditionally, those who are joining the church spend this period in special instruction regarding Christian doctrine, practice, and responsibility. Historically, prospective members ("catechumens") did not participate in the Lord's Supper portion of the Sunday services until they were received into full membership on the Sunday of the Resurrection of Our Lord. For them, this first experience of Ash Wednesday and Lent has special significance as God's eternal plan of salvation is applied to them personally.
When Jesus taught us how to pray, He didn’t say, “If you elect to pray, do it this way…” and when He taught about fasting, He didn’t say, “If you elect to fast, do it this way…”
He said, when you pray, don’t do it for show like the hypocrites do. It’s a conversation between you and God. And He gave us the Lord’s Prayer as an example of what we should pray about:
Address God
“Our Father, who art…”
Submit to God’s will
“Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…”
Ask for your physical needs
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
Ask for forgiveness
“Forgive us our trespasses…”
To the degree that you yourself are willing to forgive…
“As we forgive our trespassers…”
Ask for help with temptations
“Lead us not into temptation…”
And preservation from evil
“Deliver us from evil…”
Recognizing whose world this really is
“For thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever and ever.”
Similarly, Jesus told us that when we fast (not if) we are not to make a show of it, like hypocrites do. A fast is different from a hunger strike: a fast is a personal act of devotion to God, while a hunger strike is a public act most often used to shine a spotlight on injustice. A fast is also different from anorexia nervosa: it is disciplined diet, not total abstention from food. During a religious fast, you still eat, you just abstain from certain foodstuffs. Traditionally, people have fasted by eliminating luxury items from their diets, such as meats. A fast can consist of eating whatever you want, but drinking only water.
More positively, you can fast in other areas beyond food, you can commit to a something that can benefit the church, such cutting back in an entertainment area, using that time for Bible study and donating the savings to the church.
On Palm Sunday, there were crowds who cheered Jesus as the King, but where were all those fair-weather friends when Jesus prayed in agony on Gethsemane, and where were they when He hung upon the cross? Let us be bold to join Him, fasting in the wilderness for forty days during Lent; let us be bold to pray with Him in the garden on Maundy Thursday, let us fearlessly stand at the foot of His cross on Good Friday, so that we may witness His Resurrection and His Ascension, and join in His triumphant reign.
The Epistle for Ash Wednesday’s morning service was read by Dru Arnold and by Greg Chase for the evening service. The Epistle came from the Old Testament’s Book of Joel, the Second Chapter, beginning at the Twelfth Verse, With a New Testament approach, Joel writes:
TURN ye even to me, saith the LORD, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat-offering and a drink-offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
The Gospel for Ash Wednesday begins in the Sixteenth Verse of the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, where Jesus tells us how to fast:
WHEN ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” This is a familiar theme, we are constantly told to do what is good and what is right and not seek credit amongst man, for man easily impressed and easily corrupted. It is not man we should look to for praise, but rather God. Do what is right and what is needed and do not worry about who gets credit for it. Jesus goes on to tell us that we should consider what is important and put that first, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The Beadle in on Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday, your Beadle was in Dallas, Texas, where he attended the evening service at the Church of the Holy Communion, the home church of Bishop Ray Sutton of the Diocese of the Mid-West of the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC). The building is a classic Anglican Church building reminiscent of an inverted Viking Long Boat. The 1900 (7:00pm) evening service was well attended with 91 members of the congregation, 21 members of the choir, one priest, two deacons, one deaconess, two acolytes and Bishop Sutton. Your Beadle brought four of his work colleagues with him, one a Mormon, two committed Protestant Christians and an Anglican. All enjoyed the service, perhaps one of them will look up an Anglican Church in their hometown. The service was straight 1928 BCP, very enjoyable to your hardline Beadle. Bishop Sutton is not only well read, but an excellent speaker. The people were exceedingly friendly, even to those of us from the left coast. They had a wonderful organ with an excellent organist. But as you may well know, the Beadle prefers very light musical accompaniment as the organ almost completely drowned out the singing. Nonetheless, it was a great experience for all and we thank the Church of the Holy Communion for sharing their service with us.
The First Sunday in Lent
Today was the First Sunday in Lent. The weather was superb, a beautiful clear blue sky before church with temperatures about 65°F; by the time church ended temperatures climbed to about 81°F and there were very light cirrostratus clouds. We ended up with 23 attendees.
Free Teen Guitar Class
Today was the first Sunday of the month. This is the customary Sunday for Father Ironhand’s Free Teen Guitar Class to play for our service.
With a brand new class having just formed, we thought there might be a number of new kids for the Sunday service; sadly like last month the number of new kids at the service was zero. On the other hand, zero is a number. And, even more important, those who did show: Andrew, Nick, Jack and Father Ironhand had a really great time. A side product of the smaller number of players is that all the guitar players were ready well before the service and played all the gathering songs:
• Hymn 243 – I sing a song of the saints of God
• Forever
• Lord, I lift your name on high
• Jesus loves me
• Wondrous Cross
We were sad that none of the new students showed for the performance. It is pretty early, maybe next month. Too bad, though. There were snacks out the kazoo!
Father Acker teaches the Free Teen Guitar Class on Wednesdays. The class plays for us on the first Sunday of the month. They have about six other performances throughout the year around the village. If you know a young person who would like to learn the guitar, call Father Acker or check out the website:
http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com/
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 first epistle book of the New Testament – Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans. The central message of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans is that we receive salvation by grace through faith; that God reaches out to us; we choose to accept the Hand of God or not. The message of Saint Paul is so central to the Christian ethos that it is placed at the very beginning of the epistles though it is not the first written.
The message is that of The One – Jesus. In Chapter Three of the Book of Genesis, we find sin entering into the world and the foreshadowing of God’s solution: The Messiah. Jesus is The One, The Messiah. Through his birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection, He solves the problem of sin.
In 57 AD, Paul wrote to the church in Rome addressing the questions they had regarding:
• How do you appropriate what Jesus did?
• How does Jesus’ death and resurrection affect me and my life?
The letter Paul wrote was designed to be read out loud to the church in a public setting. Paul makes the point the righteous shall live by faith. Father Abraham was counted as righteous not because he followed The Law, for The Law came 430 years later. Rather because he believed God and for that reason he was counted as righteous. Paul makes the point that the most we can do is what we are obligated to do for God and in His name. Works of supererogation are thus impossible.
Paul’s letter is given such great importance because of its concepts that changed the western world. Changed Western Civilization:
• Everyone born into a condition of sin;
• Without any interest in God;
• Without God’s intervention, we will remain in that condition of sin;
• The wages of sin is death;
• Thus, the gift of Jesus is Life;
• At the right time, God provides grace;
• Grace awakens hieach of us to God’s presence;
• God says, “Take my hand;”
• Then we have a choice, Yes or No;
• Salvation is a Choice;
• Enter into relationship with Christ or NOT;
• Move into the Family of God, the Church;
• Ekklesia ek=out cleo=called
• We are called out of the world, yet told to keep our self in the world;
• We are called into the family, into its relationship;
• Life in the family=Faith; we respond
• In God’s family, we are called not to sit and think, but to WORK to make His Will happen;
• We are called to set ourselves aside from the world, to be more like Christ;
• We are called to become the New Man Paul continually talks of, setting aside our old ways so we can be truly happy.
Jan Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, starting at the First Verse of the Sixth Chapter. In what at first appears to be an incomprehensible single sentence, Paul asks us to be worthy of the grace that God has given us. He tells the people when they needed him, he was there. They need to be there for those around them. They must not frustrate God’s work by showing up late, or not at all. Those around us are watching our actions in the time of testing. We have been given eternal salvation by Jesus’s sacrifice, the understanding of the Gospel by the Holy Ghost. We are at this time dying here on earth, yet progressing towards eternal life in the next world, in Jesus’ world with His help. While we may never be wealthy here on earth, our actions can make our fellow Christians wealthy in spirit beyond measure.
If you claim to be a Christian, you know what is right. If you are a Christian, you do what is right, you don’t take a vote to see what the right course of action might be. Right does not change with public opinion and we must do the right thing. It is our actions that count, in good times or bad. We are Christ’s ambassadors to this world, unfortunately we do not have diplomatic immunity.
WE then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain; (for he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation;) giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, starting at the First Verse of the Fourth Chapter. This portion of the Gospel tells the story of the temptation of Christ. In many respects, it shows how little the devil understands of Christ, and through Him, of us. If you understand how little the devil really offers you and how much Christ offers, the temptation is ever so much less.
THEN was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Sermon - Lent - the Season of Darkness?
If you think of the Season of Darkness, when you think of Lent, you are not thinking of the right season. The concept of Lent is rather the Time of Preparation for Easter, the Time of Preparation for Jesus’ resurrection. The time to see how good life can be with God. The time to expect God to do more for you and letting Him into your heart to do the good. Lent is a time to be with God.
As one person put it, Lent is a time for Back to Basics. That is what these 40 days are all about. When Paul in today’s Epistle wrote to the people of Corinth, he was writing to a people among the brightest and cleverest of all his churches. But, a people focused on themselves, not on their love of their neighbor. Jesus told us it was not about Him, but rather about Him who sent Him. If it was not all about Jesus, how do you make it all about you? Work with God:
• Don’t waste the Life God gave you
God says:
• When you called,
o I was there to hear you
• When you asked,
o I was there to help you
Do nothing until it the time is right
o Today is the Right Time
What we have ahead of us is 40 days of preparation for Easter, for the resurrection, for eternal life. Take that time and use it. Pray every day; without fail. Start by saying grace at every meal; without fail. Read the psalms, Jesus did; without fail. Read the Bible, pick a translation you like and understand.
This 40 days, expect God to act in your life, look for it and accept the action. Perform random acts of kindness and mercy; soon they won’t be random. Tell others what God has done for you and in your life; at first it will be awkward, soon it will be easy. Look for God where you are. For, where you are, so is He.
Look for good and fun in this world. It is here, God will show it to you. This Wednesday, we start our Lenten Study Class at SCAIR. The class begins at 6:15 pm, we are reading through The Imitation of Christ. Before the class, we have meatless soup.
Does the book sound old, boring or weird? It is none of those, it is actually a easy and fun read.
Meatless soup. Does that sound like a bit too little? How can one enjoy soup without meat? Who knows, maybe this year the soup will be like gruel. But the last two years, the soups were the best most of us had ever eaten. The only complaint I heard was someone’s stomach was not big enough to eat all the soup their mouth wanted.
We want so much. We want so much and sadly, we don’t of our own know what it is we really want. But, God knows. He will give it, if only we will accept His help.
God’s hand is reaching out to you. Will you take it?
Birthdays and Anniversaries
No reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today. But, we were honored to have Aaron Huber’s mom Linda visiting us today.
After Church Hospitality
Today Jan Macauley brought the goodies, with a little help from Alice Acker, just in case the guitar kids showed up hungry. Two kinds of quiche, date nut bars (with a bit of lime), the best white chocolate oatmeal cookies, chocolate raisins (Tim’s favorite), cinnamon stars (Muriel’s favorite), peanut butter cookies, (made by Alice and Father Acker’s second favorite recipe), cashews and orange slices. If you could not find something you liked, you must have been off your best. Your Beadle can testify to each item’s high quality, except the yellow quiches. Not that he did not like them, just on reflection, he forgot to eat them!
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
8 March 2009 Alice Acker
15 March 2009 Martha Stevens
22 March 2009 Opportunity Available
29 March 2009 Holly Lizak (black olive egg salad sandwiches)
5 April 2009 Opportunity Available
12 April 2009 Easter – No snacks
19 April 2009 Diane Chase
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.
Repose of the Soul
Hugo Johnson, Sandy Patton’s grandfather, and Nick and Donny’s great grandfather, passed away last week. They have been fortunate to have had regular contact with their families throughout the year. The Pattons ask your prayers for Hugo and their family and friends who remain behind and will miss Hugo dearly. In particular they ask your prayers for Hugo’s wife Lorraine whose life was so intertwined with his.
Nearing the End of Their Time Here on Earth
Joy has non-operable abdominal cancer. She is home and 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 has asked in particular that you pray for peace in her life and for her family. She is no longer interested in food and asks that her family understand. Please pray Joy will grow closer to God and to her family during the time she has left here on earth and her family will do likewise. 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.
Judy Reisor is near the time of her time here on earth. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are traveling to be near her as she transitions from this world to home with our Lord. Please pray for her, that she might make her passing in the certain knowledge of God’s love for her through our Lord Jesus Christ and that she and her family might grow closer to God and each other during the time they have left here on earth. Grant the family safe travel to join their mother at her transition. May they concentrate on their future together and not on their temporary separation.
Travel
Tim and Jan are traveling this week
Healing
Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), 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], 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, Marie, Joe (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Ben, Michael (heart valve replacement), Walter (skin cancer), Gabriella (surgery), Curtis, Gail (stroke), Martha S (allergies)
William Macauley {Tim’s father} is back in the hospital with pneumonia. Tim and Jan are traveling to be with him.
Barbara Harris has advanced Alzheimer’s Disease and numerous circulation problems, the most recent a blood clot in her leg. Her son asks that you pray for her to make the best of her time here on earth and ease her transition to home with our Lord. Please pray also for Ken and Carol Harris as they do their very best to take care of her.
Vince (12 yrs) has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B). The cancer spread to his lungs. Vince will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday 3 March 2009. Please pray for a successful surgical result. 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.
Anita has experienced a recurrence of her leukemia after a bone marrow transplant several years ago; the doctors think she has three to six months left to live and she is now under the care of hospice. Anita is a Christian and is not afraid to die, but fears a painful and prolonged death. Sadly, her husband Wayne and son Leland are not believers. Please pray Anita will take the time she has left here on earth to grow closer to God and her family and her family will do likewise. In particular please pray that her husband and son will let their hearts be drawn to God. Please pray for Anita's pain to be controlled and suffering to be minimal, for joyful days with friends and family. Anita and her family live in El Cajon.
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 is home recovering from a stroke before Christmas. He has made incredible progress. His memory is returning; his speech is improving. With his wife Shiela’s help, he was able to read scripture at his church. Please continue to pray for him, his wife Sheila and his family.
Joe is young father who is undergoing repeat corneal transplant surgery on Tuesday 3 March 2009. Please pray for a successful result, healing, improved vision and relief from chronic pain and headaches. Please pray also for his family to keep their trust in God.
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.
Mary Parker is home and walking all around the house, as far as her 50 foot oxygen lead will let her. 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! Please give thanks for her great recovery and continued 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.
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’s neck is doing very well (thanksgiving). The neuropathy in her leg is still a problem limiting her mobility. She appreciates the phone calls. Most importantly, pray for her to keep a good attitude and maintain a trust in God, so she will not worry.
Miney Farrell’s bronchitis turned out to be pneumonia. She was seeing some limited improvement, but as she said, “Things aren’t quick when your 96!”
Lorraine Winkles is still dealing with shingles (now over 32 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 doing pretty well considering some of the bones in her neck are degenerating as a side effect of her kidney failure. 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) Caroline was diagnosed with leukemia at age 7 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in July. On 24 February 2009, she had her Hickman line removed at the City of Hope today, the first time in almost four years she hasn't had something implanted in her chest! Her numbers are pretty good for now. Please pray for Caroline's complete recovery from leukemia and for peace for her parents, Carmen and Jeff. Caroline has a 40% chance of relapsing after her transplant, and if she does chances of recovery are very slim. Please pray the leukemia has been eradicated and she remains clear of any cancerous cells Thanks so much for being faithful prayer warriors on Caroline's behalf. Please keep her in your prayers. She has always gained so much strength and healing from your prayers.
Natalie (age 10, leukemia recurrence) Natalie is 18 months into treatment for the same type of leukemia as Caroline's and has relapsed. She was in the hospital for two months, then had to return at Thanksgiving and was finally getting to go home. One month short of the year anniversary since transplant, she relapsed. She has been through so much. Her family hasn't even fully explained the implications of this to her. Seeing her hooked up to an IV pole again was devastating. Her chances of survival are slim, yet they are only chances and have naught to do with her. Please pray for her and her family.
Guidance
Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer 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, Alfred, Marie, Dru, Jack, Hap, Estelle, Tina, William, Christina, Michael, Tuck, Lorraine (death of husband), June (death of husband), John, Jeff, Christiana (God’s grace), Tara (divorce), Patricia & her family
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. 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.
Hap asks you to pray that he might be able to trust God will help him make the right decisions at the right time and not to worry uselessly.
Walt and Fran Dexter’s family dog of many years passed away this weekend and they ask God’s comfort.
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. 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.
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.
Saint Andrew’s Academy is looking for a staff teacher.
Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, 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.
Car Needed for God’s Work
“Do you have an old vehicle to donate?”
Deacon David, a seminarian at our fellow Anglican congregation, Resurrection San Marcos, is in need of a car as his died a week ago. Deacon David was just ordained last month while he finishes his seminary studies. David is making plans to become a missionary priest in South America after being ordained to the priesthood and training for a year or two as a parish priest. He would said, “Old is good; getting there is better.”
Remember – If you donate a car to the service of the church (not to be sold for ‘filthy lucre’), you can deduct the fair market retail value for tax purposes. DISCLAIMER – The Beadle is not a tax professional and is NOT giving tax advice. He does know a good deal when he sees one.
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
8 March 2009 Hap Arnold
22 March 2009 Ben Lizak
29 March 2009 Holly Lizak
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Wednesday - Lent Soup Dinner and Class
This year we will be holding the traditional Wednesday Lent Soup Dinner and Class at the SCAIR Center in Alpine. We have done this the past three years. The food has always been great and this is one of our best books ever. The schedule is:
Evening Prayer 1815 (6:15 pm)
Dinner 1830 (6:30 pm)
Book Study 1900 (7:00pm)
Class Over 2000 (8:00pm)
The book is The Imitation of Christ; copies will be furnished by the parish. Join us!
Easter Service
After three Easter services in the Community Center, drawing absolutely no outside the congregation people, the parish decided to do something different Easter. We are going to have a ìCalifornia Sunriseî (08:30 am) service in the park as an out reach to the community. There will be a weather backup indoor location at the Community Center. We will place the altar in front of the stage and have at least 50 folding chairs set out for the congregation.
We have identified the need to work on the following issues:
• Ready access for those with limited mobility;
• Supplemental spot heat for the temperature impaired;
• Setup preparation;
• Advertising;
• Invitation format, perhaps incorporating breakfast vouchers.
See you next week on Sunday!
Alternate Sources of The Beadle’s Report
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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