Today, 1 November, was the Feast of All Saints’ Day, which being a “Red Letter” or feast day for which there are propers in the Book of Common Prayer, which when falling on a Sunday overrides that Sunday. Today would have otherwise been the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a warm 59°F under bright blue and clear skies with a light Santa Ana breeze out of the North. On the way down the hill, you could see all the way to the Coronado Islands. By the time the service ended at 0930, skies were beautifully blue and the mercury had inched up to a even warmer 88°F. With the usual number of people on travel and sick, we ended up with 23 people at the service.
Free Teen Guitar Sunday and the Gathering Songs
Today being the first Sunday of the Month (you don’t get a lot of firster than the very first day) it was Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday. This is the Sunday that Father Acker’s week day students get a chance to perform. Sadly, not one showed up. Perhaps it is the time of the year, perhaps it is a sign of the times. No telling. But, following God’s lead, we will not give up, we continue to offer the opportunity. Not all was bad though. We had Father Ironhand, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold to play.
And play they did, today’s gathering songs were:
• Minor Melody
• In the Secret
• Ode to Joy/Joyful, joyful
• How great is our God
• God is my salvation
Not missing a beat, but moving right along, they added the opening song to the gathering songs, then wondered what to do? In addition to the gathering songs, they played:
• Kum-Ba-Ya
• When the saints go marching in
• Amazing Grace
• God is my salvation (again, this time in three part harmony or something)
The guys are getting pretty good. They had a modified version of Amazing Grace’s music, with the regular singing that sounded great. The new version of God is my salvation did not work out quite as well. But as the sign said, if you don’t try, you’ll never make it.
Don’t be discouraged about the Free Teen Guitar Class lack of participation. The world is bright and shiny on Saturday night. Being bright and shiny on Sunday morning is a lot harder and a lot more rewarding. Not many people can think that far ahead. As Winston S. Churchill said, “Never, never, never, never give up.”
Gathering songs are a great way not only to allow people to come in a bit late and not to worry, but also to allow us to mix contemporary music and conventional church music in the same service without interfering with each other. Plus, most importantly, our guitarists love to play. Plus, like today, somehow they often draw in people. We started with 10 people and by the time the songs were over we had 23!
Pre-Service Class
The 10 minute pre-service class is back. Each Sunday, Father Acker talks for about 10 minutes in a teaching session on some aspect of Christianity and the Church. Last year, it was the Bible in 10 minutes a week. After finishing the Bible, without the Apocrypha I might add, we have moved on to other interesting topics.
Today, Father Acker addressed the issue of dates and how we got to our current system of counting years. As you may grasp, in years past each society had its own way of reckoning years, so many years from the beginning of Pharaoh Bob, so many years from the year of the great tree falling, or whatever. There was no universal reference date.
For a long time most of the world followed the calendar of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, most infamous among the persecutors of the early church. Infamous and evil, but a decent calendar maker.
About the year 525 AD, or 371 years since the day the rock fell on King Bob’s toe, a fellow by the name of Dennis, known as Dennis the Little, Dennis the Humble or Dennis the fellow who almost got it Right, decided as the world was turning Christian, we should number the years from the birth of the Lord, Anno Domini (Year of the Lord) and counted backwards until he got to that year. There being no zero yet, he numbered the year the Lord came to this earth in body as 1 Anno Domini – The First Year of Our Lord. The year before became known as 1 Before Christ or 1 BC. Months being different then to now, he did not name them backwards before the Birth of Christ, but kept the same order.
Dennis the almost right failed to do due diligence in checking his dates. The start point he set turned out to most likely be off by about 4 years. Thus, Christ was likely born about 4-5 BC. By the time that was figured out, no one really wanted to redo all the records and reckoning, there being no Global Replace command available.
So, it turns out the Church was likely established in Britannia about 32 BC, but like everyone else, we aren’t changing our slogan – Serving God since 37 AD!
Propers
Each Sunday there are Propers: special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding. The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. If you have a hard time remembering, “Do I read the Collect from last Sunday or next Sunday during the week?” Remember Sunday is the first day of the week. There are also two Bible readings, the Epistle and the Gospel. While they are “lessons”, they are not the First Lesson and the Second Lesson, they are the Epistle and the Gospel. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles or letters in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the priest as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church or by one of the priests) and the Holy Gospel, which during the service is read by an ordained priest.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead. Red Letter Feast, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Mostly dedicated to early saints who were instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. In any event, today, 1 November, is the Feast of All Saints’ Day. The propers for the All Saints’ Day are found on Page 257-258 of the Book of Common Prayer and follow:
All Saints’ Day
The Collect.
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holly Lizak read the Epistle for All Saints’ Day which came from the Revelation of Saint John the Divine, the Chapter, beginning at the Second Verse:
AND I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The Holy Gospel for All Saints’ Day came from the Fifth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, beginning at the First Verse:
JESUS seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Sermon – All Saints’ Day
Father Acker fell off the wagon of the road to recovery to talk about All Saints on their Day.
Today is All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day; thus sast night was All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween. Today we remember those saints who have gone before us, tomorrow all those departed. In a classic church building, the walls have stained glass windows. Is it just a coincidence that their beauty comes from letting God’s light shine through them? For if they blocked God’s light, they would nothing but dark shapes. Saints were not perfect. If you think they were, you misunderstand. Saints were just like you and I, except they let God shine through them onto the world to light the way for us.
Unlike deacons, priests and bishops, they did not take endless classes and have endless sets of initials after their names. Nor did they spend hours documenting their pedigrees. They acted on the Word of God. They did not spend countless hours studying the Word so they could come to a discernment that it did not mean what it clearly said. They listened, they acted.
Like Secularmas, Christmas of the non-Christian. It says one thing, it does another. The reality of Secularmas is the external manifestation. It feels good to spend money you don’t have. After all, it is more blessed to give than to receive. As a side note, which will be more appreciated in 20 years, a new fifth iPod or time spent with your family at church or private worship?
Christmas is about Jesus coming to this earth to SAVE US. The people of Jesus’ time were attracted to the simplicity of TRUTH. They had enough Scribes, Pharisees and Pedigrees. They were ready for TRUTH, they were ready for SALVATION. They had had more than enough of Temple. They had been Torah-rized, much as people today have been Bible Beaten. They had seen what ritual brought and were ready for TRUTH.
Look again at the Gospel. Father Acker read a more modern translation at church, the one above works fine, the same verses from the Authorized Version even better. Just look and read:
If you lack, trust in God, act in God, live in God. You will no longer lack. If you do what you are supposed to do, if you do right, regardless of cost, you will be in the winner’s circle. Do what God wants you to do, be happy beyond your wildest dreams.
Do what God wants, or at least try to. “Believing” with inaction is not believing. That is saying you believe. You act on belief. Belief that you are acting is fairly close to meaningless.
Jesus brings the key to LIFE. All caps is shouting, you know. The saints knew it, now you do, too.
Maybe next week we will be back in the wagon on the Road to Recovery. Maybe not, you will have to see.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no anniversaries or birthdays today.
After Church Hospitality
As you might have noticed, Holly Lizak read the Epistle today. When she reads, she brings snacks. She thinks attendance is high because she does such a wonderful job reading (and she does). She has not noticed that Tim, Aaron and the Beadle never miss the Sundays she reads (and brings snacks). The reason of course is that is best to listen to an Epistle in anticipation of Black Olive Egg Salad Sandwiches.
In addition to the Black Olive Egg Salad Sandwiches, Holly brought a no sugar and lot of sugar carrot cake. If anyone makes better carrot cake than Holly, would they mind bringing it? We don’t think that is likely, but might as well ask. The carrot cake almost always disappears without a trace. In addition to the world class Black Olive Egg Salad Sandwiches (and curried chicken, too we might add) and the aforementioned world-class carrot cake, Holly made beautiful cinnamon cookies and also lovely oatmeal cookies.
Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was back on coffee duty, the coffee was great, as expected. Father Acker got up early and made fresh and excellent low carb lemonade, great and almost gone.
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
8 November 2009 Sandy Patton
15 November 2009 Jan Macauley
22 November 2009 Alice Acker
29 November 2009 Opportunity Available
6 December 2009 Opportunity Available
13 December 2009 Greg and Diane Chase
20 December 2009 Fran Dexter
27 December 2009 Dru Arnold
3 January 2010 Opportunity Available
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 least 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 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 their names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will pray for them.
Birthdays
Jack Arnold celebrated his 17th birthday last week
Travel
Donny is on travel this week.
Keith and Alice are on travel this week.
Chris, Stephanie, Andrew and Alex are on travel this week.
Peaceful Transition
Beatrice
Hal Cochran, a good friend of Al Ryan, is nearing the end of his time here on earth. A long time smoker, there is nothing more that can be done for his cancer. Please pray for a peaceful transition for Hal from this world to that of our Lord. His two sons Tom and Paul are taking their father’s impending departure very hard. Please pray for Tom, Paul and Hal’s family and friends who remain behind.
Ruth is in home hospice care.
Repose of the Soul
Hector Ortega, passed away on 12 October 2009 in Panama after a brief illness. Please give thanks for the good he did in this world and pray for his wife, family and friends who remain behind.
Clarence
Don passed away peacefully in his sleep the night of 3 October 2009. Please pray for his family Stephanie, Ollie, & Ethan who remain behind.
Healing
Marge, Karl, Christian, Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Nancy, Bill (infection), Ernie, Ray, Hazel, Bruce (heart attack), Susanne, Ralph+ (prostate cancer), Allison (kidney), Bill (ETOH poisoning and gout), Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Evelyn, Debbie, Lona (shoulders), Wanda, Paul (stroke), Doris, Scott (back/leg numb), Charles, Peter H (prostate), Marie (sprained ankle), June (cancer surgery), Susan, Jeff, David (leg injury), Judy, who suffers from mental illness, is undergoing tests for cancer, Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, Ben, Michael (heart valve replacement), Walter (skin cancer), Gabriella (surgery), Curtis, Doyle, Martha, Muriel, Richard, Ralph+, Jeffrey, Rod, Gary, Mark, Jeffery, Amy (staph infection), Jennifer, Curtis, Steve (cancer), Paula, Ashton, Marjorie, Mike G, Dave (knee surgery), Karl (shoulder surgery), Jeffrey (testing), Gary (sepsis; diabetic), Jim (stomach cancer), Eunice, Jeanette (Alzheimer’s), Kathleen (breast cancer), Mrs. Alvord, Angie, Madge, Betty, Jeannie (testing for breast cancer), Ed Salvador (cancer), Betty, Karl (shoulder surg), Dick (knee surg), Phil (broken rib), Dave (tumor), Jacque, Jim, Jeannie (cancer tests), Sarah, Stephen, Curtis; Angie, Madge, Veronica, Carmen, Martha S (foot surgery), Alice, Dave (surgery recovery), John (prostate cancer), Ed S (liver failure), Isabella and Lilly (both with H1N1 influenza), Greg (leg surgery with complications)
Vicky developed a brain aneurysm, which ruptured the morning of 28 October 2009. She made it through seven hours of surgery and is now in a drug induced coma in a Denver hospital. The fact that she survived the surgery is promising, but it will be at least three of weeks of knife edged up and downs. As this is written, the signs are positive: she is responding to stimulus on both sides of her body, a brain scan seems to indicate no permanent damage. She apparently had a mild heart attack, but her heart seems to be doing okay now. Please pray for her recovery and for peace of mind for her family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.
Tom and Ginger Strouse have been down with an Upper Respiratory Infection, which they are having a problem shaking. Please pray for their complete recovery.
Joan Jeffery has just been diagnosed with cancerous lymphoma and a shadow has been found on her lung. She is waiting for a decision from medical personnel on how to treat the problems. So far it looks like surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. She has been told the prognosis is good. Nonetheless, please pray for peace of mind for Joan and her husband Peter as she goes through this difficult time. Pray also for guidance for the medical personnel treating her.
Jordan, age 9, was in a car accident last week and is in Children’s Hospital. It appears she is paralyzed from the waist down. Please pray for a miraculous recovery for her and if that not be God’s will, that she will make the best of the situation and do God’s work in this world. Pray also for her and her family to draw closer to the Lord in this trying time and draw strength from Him.
Danielle’s neck surgery to remove lymph nodes and damaged tissue was successful. She has completed her first week of radiation and chemotherapy, 5 ½ more to go. Please pray a good outcome and peace of mind for Danielle and her family. Pray also for Isabella and Lilly her two daughters whose recovery from H1N1 influenza has delayed her further treatment.
Jimmy had a stroke along with triple bypass heart surgery. Miney Farrell asks you pray for his recovery and positive frame of mind during his recovery.
Annie S is on dialysis, but has just been added to the kidney transplant wait list. Please pray for healing of her diabetic condition causing complications.
Jackie was involved in a rollover car accident, her passenger was not injured, but she sustained a serious head injury. She has regained consciousness. Pray for the medical team treating her that they might do their best. Pray for her and her family who are very worried about her..
Bashir Ahmed, father of Shamim Gray, father in law of Commander Obra Gray for whom we prayed while he was deployed to Iraq and on various carrier deployments, is gravely ill. Bashir lives in London. He was in the hospital for some time. They have been able to do little for him and have sent him home. It is good for him to be home. His wife can rest now and he is doing better being at home He is lucid more some days than others and can walk a few steps. Please pray God will deliver a miraculous recovery for Bashir; if that not be God’s will, a departure in peace to His world for him. Please pray God will extend His Grace to Bashir and his family and that they will accept. Shamim keeps her faith in the Lord. Above all, pray for his family to open their hearts to accept all God’s love will bring them.
Tom S, recovering from brain surgery and continuing radiation treatment.
Maureen had two heart valves successfully replaced and is now home. She sounds great, but has quite a few weeks of recovery from the extended illness and surgery. Maureen and her family really appreciate the prayers and are thankful for God's healing.
Peter H is in Kaiser with a less than good prognosis of prostate cancer. Please offer prayers of healing. His wife Susan understands we have prayer warriors in other countries including England. She is confident Peter will appreciate that as he is English.
Mark Wilson is recovering from skin cancer surgery and has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Please pray for his peace of mind and well as resolution of the problem.
Hy cannot put much weight on her leg. She does not know why and so far the doctors have not been able to diagnose a problem. But, things are much better and she is getting around on using a cane. She thinks she has about 70 percent recovered and thanks all who are praying for her and those treating her.
Lise, originally diagnosed with "peritoneal cancer", has undergone multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. Lise's doctors hope she is in remission, but are uncertain and do not know if she will be with us for more than a year. Her friend requests you please pray for continued healing and full remission for Lise; and, and please pray that God might give wisdom and guidance to all of her medical providers. Lise appreciates your support and prayers.
Jan has just recovered from her fifth cancer surgery. Her friend asks you pray for Jan's continued healing and complete remission; and, please pray God might give wisdom and guidance to all of her medical providers.
Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving. Another anomaly has been discovered and she is back into preventative radiation treatment. Please pray for a complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.
Tim, brother of Lauralee, had a stroke and is now recovering. Pray for a full recovery.
Mary Parker is home. Please give thanks for her great recovery and continued progress.
Evelyn Hunt was in the hospital recently and just got out. She is undergoing testing and not feeling well. She probably is not up to a visit, but likely would enjoy a telephone call.
Miney Farrell is happy to be over her pneumonia and celebrated her 94th birthday for the full octave having taken a number of excursions with her family. She also shares the birthday prayer with any of the folk at her home care or when she sends cards.
Lorraine Winkles is doing well all things considered, with some days better than other days. She sends her love to all.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) is still home and doing pretty well considering the bones in her neck and hands 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 28, mother of two - has a form of liver disease FSCS, which was causing her liver to shut down. The disease has apparently gone into semi-remission. She is doing very well and coming off medications. Please pray for her continued remission and her continued faith and good spirits, as well as strength to take care of her children.
Caroline (age 11, leukemia recurrence) is doing very well following her bone marrow transplant 17 July 2008. Please keep praying as Caroline has a 40% chance of recurrence of her leukemia.
Natalie (age 10, leukemia recurrence) has not responded to any treatment since her relapse. She is nearing the end of her time here on earth unless there is a God given miraculous remission of the cancer. Her family knows Natalie is in God's hands and they are praying for a miracle. Pray they will accept God’s help with their faith and He will give them peace of heart, soul and mind.
Guidance
Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer to be guided to a church
Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, William, Phil, Rick, Susan, Curtis, Donny, Chris, Andrew, Keith (job decision), Sara (God's grace and His patience), Mark, Alexandra, Perlita, Lewis, Susie, Dru, Jack, Tina, William, Christina, Tuck, Lorraine (death of husband), Jeff, Christiana (God’s grace), Tara (divorce), Patricia & her family, Errin, Elizabeth, Brandon, Steven, Nelson, Ashley, Virginia, Betty who is considering moving into an assisted living home, Nick, Pat, Caroline, Stephen, Greg (vocation guidance and training for the diaconate), Stephanie, Richard, Daniel,, Sheryl, Edward, Jeannie, Rachel, Mikaela, Emma, Patrick, Mary (adoption); Ashley (job); Curt; Angelina & Ron C; Steven (strength); Vanessa H (trust), Jackie (God's grace), Sandy, Lorraine, Brad, Brian, Jennifer, Greg, Margie, Phyllis, Sam, Suzie, Debbie & Cindy (Arla’s daughter), Tara (divorce), Virginia, Darin & Brian (mom’s health issues), Russell (job), Kris (job), Boo (husband RIP 8/4), Jeannie, Curt, Alex, Emilie, Stephen
Hope asks you pray for God’s will in her efforts to dissolve an aircraft partnership with two other people. The partners no longer seem compatible in their uses of the aircraft. For two and a half years she has been trying to come to an equitable agreement and cannot. She asks that she be open to God’s guidance in bringing this partnership to an end to the mutual benefit of all the partners.
Megan is struggling with suicidal thoughts. Please pray for her to open her heart to God and accept His Love, Help, Guidance and Grace. Please pray for her parents to open their hearts to both God and Megan that they might see the world as she sees it and help her see the world as God would have her see it.
Obra for God's comfort as he mourns the loss of his wife Pauline. Please pray he will put his trust and faith in God and turn his heart outward to the world, remembering God put him here to make a difference. Pray he will venture out, not stay inside and petrify; that he will let his heart be open to God’s grace.
Jacquie to open her heart to God and accept His Love and Grace.
Noriene for God's comfort as she mourns her mother and for her turning to God for His healing.
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.
Linda is traveling to Chile to learn more about music therapy to developmentally challenged young people from a Christian perspective. She is investigating the potential need and environment south of the American border. She asks that you pray for her that she might discern God’s will, her abilities and the need; grant her safe travel.
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.
Guidance and Protection
Christina, Sarah
Economic Guidance and Assistance
Keith has been unable to find any full-time work since his custom home drafting business of 25 years really dropped off last year. He is working as a handyman, doing tile work, painting, home repairs, etc. Their family has a great deal of debt from Susanne’s medical needs. Pray also for God's peace to comfort them and for His leading and wisdom to be very evident to them.
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. Please continue to pray 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
Russell, Kris, Keith and Kevin each to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new employer more successful.
Shawna’s father lost his job in March 2009. After 33 years of working, he has been unable to find work. Please pray that he will find a job that will allow him to use his talents to make his new employer more successful. Pray also that he might put his trust in the Lord and look outward; that he might turn his heart away from depression and towards God. Pray also for his family in this very stressful time. Shawna ask that we pray for all those out of work that they might find gainful employment. There is little worse for a person than no work to turn to and no way to support their family.
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), Stuart (USMC-Afghanistan), Airman Donny Patton just Technical Training School in the electronics field in Wichita Falls, TX, and is headed to RAF Mildenhall, UK, Eric (USN-Afghanistan through May 2010), Bob (USCG), Josh (USCG)
Thanksgiving
Madeleine and Caroline B are adjusting to their new family situation; thanksgiving is in order.
Madelynn Calvert born Sunday 7 June 2009 to Sarah at 24 weeks and one pound seven ounces. Maddie survived several surgeries and continued to grow and gain strength. On 12 October 2009, she was released from the hospital weighing more than 5 pounds and went home to sleep in her very own crib. Please give thanks for all the good to date and continue to pray for her continued growth and improvement.
Leslie [granddaughter of Father Holland a diocesan priest] gives thanks for a good recovery from stroke symptoms.
Eric and Eric both give thanks for finding a job.
Ryan Wyckoff (15), son of Kevin and Lisa Wyckoff friends of the Arnold family from Wasilla, Alaska, is being treated for Wilson’s Disease, a treatable failure of the liver to throw off copper. He has recently been responding to medication and is making objective progress. Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for this wonderful turn.
Naomi gives thanksgiving for delivery of her child. Please pray for her child’s continued growth.
Tieko received a kidney transplant and appears to be doing well. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray there will be no rejection.
Vince (12 yrs) has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B). Please give thanks for his completion of chemotherapy and doing well in follow-up. Please pray 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.
Students
Please pray for all of our students and teachers as they begin another school year that it may be productive in education in the truth and for developing good citizens for our country.
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 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.
Almost every time we pray, we pray the Lord’s Prayer. What does it mean: Line by Line?
We say the Lord’s Prayer often, probably more often than we say any other single prayer. Rightly so, for when His disciples asked him how to pray, our Lord said, "After this manner therefore pray ye:"
O
UR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father
The original word used, Abba, is not the most precise word for father in Hebrew. It is the talk of a child, containing all the nearness, affection and love with which a child addresses their father. Jesus taught us to address God in such familiar terms. We should approach God in the familiar confident way a child approaches a loving parent.
who art in heaven
"Who art in heaven" does not signify a remoteness for God. It signifies where God is, there is heaven.
Hallowed be thy Name
Before we get to anything else, we need to acknowledge the singular position of God in His universe. Only after that we should think about our daily needs, our problems and our feelings. This is a clear God is not only our Father, but also holy and one who is to be honored for all He has done in us and the world around us that still leaves us speechless and not understanding its complexity.
Thy kingdom come
We pray that His kingdom, already existent, will come here. Jesus already in us will be manifest here on earth. When God’s kingdom comes, it will come on his terms and not ours. It will come when He decides and not when we THINK it should come based on some baboonish idea of what we think God is thinking – how self-righteous is that?
Ultimately, God’s will is going to be done. This portion of the prayer should make us realize we need to put our eyes on the proper point in the horizon and pull away from all of the inconsequential stuff that humans believe is so important to make a “kingdom” on earth.
Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
When His kingdom has come here, His will shall be done on earth as it is already in heaven. In the meantime, we need to do His will here, regardless of the state of affairs or the cost to us. When we pray God’s will be done, we are praying our opposition to God be broken and that we be united with the Supreme - God’s name, kingdom and will.
Give us this day our daily bread.
We are praying to God to take care of us; and that we will not be condemned to depend only on our meager resources.
God wants us to have our eyes on heaven, he also wants us to ask and know that God will not forget our day to day struggles, those that need both food for the body and food for the soul. This life sucks a lot out of us and God can replenish that as well, if we just ask.
Bread does not just mean the most commonplace and matter-of-fact things, we are also praying for those physical, human and spiritual gifts that sustain us.
And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us.
We ask God to forgive us as we forgive the errors of other humans. This is a powerful reminder to be forgiving of others.
And lead us not into temptation
While God does not tempt us nor try us, He does watch how we do under adverse conditions. This particular line is a prayer that He will protect us from our own follies. There is another translation that uses the phrase, “Save us from the time of trial.” Temptations are a form of a trial; just as Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and nights going through trials and temptations. As always, God was in control, but the ‘evil one’ was doing the tempting.
God knew Jesus would pass. The same goes for us, His children. There is no trial beyond our ability to handle, with God’s help. Without it there is little adversity we can , we will fail.
But deliver us from evil.
We pray for ourselves, others and the world. The prince of this world has caused unbelievable suffering through his followers, concentration camps, mass murder, individual evils beyond description. We do not exclude any of these when we beseech God to deliver us and other human beings from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
The prayer closes with an acknowledgement of God primacy over all for all time. All is His, what is “ours” is only temporary.
Amen.
So be it.
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)
The FTGC is now meeting Wednesdays at SCAIR Center in Alpine, (2218 Alpine Boulevard - across from Alpine Inn), the facility courtesy of Wanda Michaelis and Lona Walsh.
The previous Class Schedule remains in effect:
FTGC New Class Schedule:
Advanced 5:30-6:15 pm
Intermediate 5:00 pm (Beginners shift to Intermediate having learned all 6 strings and get to move on to chords)
Beginning 4:00 pm (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 November 2009 Jack Arnold
15 November 2009 Mike Springer
22 November 2009 Alice Acker
29 November 2009 Greg Chase
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity. Airman Donny Patton will be with us on his way to RAF Mildenahll. Come see him! On the other hand, nothing much during the upcoming week. Sunday will be fun, though. Worth the wait.
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:
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