Today was the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity, as well as the Sunday before both the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps (10 November 1775) and Veterans Day (11 November). The morning brought the increasing temperatures characteristic of a light Santa Ana with its easterly winds. The mercury was up to 47°F at sunrise; by the end of church it had climbed to 69°F under bright clear skies. Not bad for the middle of November. With a few people sick, some on travel, others taking people to the airport and Donny still asleep, we had 20 participants by service start:
Gathering Songs
Today Father Ironhand, Alex Springer and Jack Arnold played the first of the gathering songs which gathered Nick Patton, then they all played the rest:
• Forever
• We gather together
• Just a closer walk
• How great is our God
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 11 people and by the time the songs were over we had 20!
Pre-Service Class – The Basics of Christian Faith
Father Acker’s Ten Minutes of Learning is working on Back to the Basics of the Christian Faith. Today the topic was The Incarnation; In Carne, in the flesh. Jesus coming to earth in the flesh, living life as a human, not just reading about it or contemplating it. Doing it. A huge advantage God has over the Devil. God has Been there, Done that. He knows how we feel, how we perceive, how we are. He, in the Triune Person of Jesus has been there. An incredible advantage! He knows.
Look at the picture painted in the Bible:
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.
Luke 2.40
[Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.
Mark 4.38
Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well.
John 4.6
[Jesus] looking around at them with anger and sorrow at their obstinate stupidity…
Mark 3.5
Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
John 11.41
Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?
Mark 4.40
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mark 13.32
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1.14
Jesus, as God perfect, the perfect Man, present at the creation, with one sacrifice, one time, for all mankind, is the key to our salvation. Look what He offers to you freely: eternal happiness.
What does He ask of you? Do your best.
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. Today, the propers for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity can be found on Page 222-223:
The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity
The Collect.
O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mike Springer read the Epistle for today, which came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians beginning at the Seventeenth Verse of the Third Chapter. Writing to the church in Philippia, Paul asks them to watch whom they follow, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, … that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” He reminds us of our ultimate goal, of that which for us should have the principal place in our minds, “For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.”
BRETHREN, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
The Gospel was written in the Twenty-Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the Fifteenth Verse. Like many people today, the Pharisees took much comfort in the fact that they followed The Law to The Letter. Not looking to what the law was trying to get them to do and to think, but rather following The Law to The Letter. Jesus presented a threat to their very existence, because he asked the people to do what God willed, not to simply cook their food a certain way, or turn down an invitation to a luau because they served roast pig and drank Bud. Being good followers of The Law to The Letter, they sought to trip Him up. “…they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, ‘Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Having for so long lived The Law to The Letter, believing The Kingdom of God would be of this world, they could not see the obvious response. They were absolutely floored when Jesus said, “Shew me the tribute money.” With no thought of the answer, “they brought unto him a penny.” Jesus asked them, “Whose is this image and superscription?” Again playing the straight man, walking into the trap they had set for themselves, they answered, “Caesar’s.” Driving his point straight into their hearts, he told them, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
This ended the encounter, “they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
THEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Sermon – On the Road to RecoveRy
Father Acker leapt back on the wagon traveling on the road to recovery today.
Realize we’re not in control
Existence of God; He’s in control
Choose to Commit; His care
Openly Confess; Ask His Forgiveness
Voluntarily Submit
Extend Forgiveness
Reverse avoidance
Y
Reverse avoidance is what Marianne practices, she will drive four blocks to avoid backing up one car length. For the rest of us, the reverse avoidance Father Acker is talking about here is BACKSLIDING. It’s just that he needed an R, not a B to make the word work.
The concept was put forth by Saint Paul in his letter to those darn people of Galatia, when he asked them, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit,
are you now ending with the flesh?” The answer was they were so foolish, but chastened they repented.
One of the keys to “reverse avoidance” is to hang around with those of like mind. To gain the benefits of being on a team. Christianity is not a Lone Wolf religion, it is a oneness with God. This week having been the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps brings to mind the concept of esprit de corps. Look what Paul wrote to the Hebrews, ”Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
When Bishop Cummins called a meeting to form what was to be the Reformed Episcopal Church, he wrote, “I propose a meeting Thursday next to discuss and implement the formation of a new church. Not a meeting to discuss the efficacy of a new church.
The way to avoid backsliding is to follow Christ and do what He asks. Talk is cheap and useless, action both dear and effective.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no anniversaries today. Birthdays, on the other hand, we had. We got to celebrate Emilie Springer’s 15th birthday and Don Patton’s 47th birthday. What joy!
After Church Hospitality
Jan Macauley brought snacks today. What a variety; cashews, green melon, M&M chocolate jumbies, deviled eggs (curry and chive, both), two kinds of quiche, spinach and some other, apple sauce brownies, banana pecan cookies. Incredible.
Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was 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
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
Emilie Springer celebrated her 15th birthday this week.
Don Patton celebrated his 47th birthday this week.
United States Marine Corps celebrated their 234th birthday last week.
Travel
Stephanie is on travel this week.
Donny is on travel this week.
Keith is on travel this week.
Peaceful Transition
Beatrice
Ruth is in home hospice care.
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 surgery), Dick (knee surgery), Phil (broken rib), Dave (tumor), Jacque, Jim, Jeannie (cancer tests), Sarah, Stephen, Curtis; Angie, Madge, Veronica, Carmen, Alice, Dave (surgery recovery), Ed S (liver failure), Greg (leg surgery with complications), John (prostate cancer surgery)
Faith, daughter of Craig, Associate Pastor at Bethel Christian, will be having a major, serious and complicated surgery on 24 November 2009. Please pray for God’s guidance and inspiration to the surgical team. Pray also for peace of mind and concentration on faith in God for Faith and her family. Pray for a successful outcome of the surgery and associated treatment.
Bishop Richard Boyce has bronchial pneumonia. He is down right now, taking antibiotics and likely feel pretty poorly, though he never complains. Seems like he is getting a bit better, though. Please pray for his rapid and complete recovery.
Vicky developed a brain aneurysm, which ruptured the morning of 28 October 2009. She made it through seven hours of surgery and the drug induced coma in a Denver hospital. In the words of her son…
What is the saying? No news is good news? Yeah, that's it. I guess I can't say no news. Mom remains stable today, no major ICP issues to report. Her ICP's spiked slightly this morning when they took her for her scan; but almost immediately they had it back within the moderate range. She still has a fever and remains on the cooling pad. It looks like she may have a minor sinus infection because her nose is starting to drain and she is starting to cough on her own; while mom coughing does not initially sound like something to write home about, it is an indication that she is starting to regain some of the control of her respiratory system. Dad talked to the respiratory specialist and he explained that mom is consistently taking partial breaths on her own, which is fantastic. Today they continued to decrease the amount of sedation that mom is on. With the step that mom made yesterday, I think that we can safely say that she has a foot out of that forest. Thanks again for all of the concern and support- Love, Ian
Please pray for her recovery and for peace of mind for her family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.
Ginger Strouse is down with an Upper Respiratory Infection, which she is having a problem shaking.
Tom Strouse has completed 15 days of radiation treatment, then got the same Upper Respiratory Infection that has Ginger down. He has recovered from that, but still feels a bit poorly. Please pray for a complete recovery for both Ginger and Tom.
Jordan, age 9, was in a car accident two weeks ago 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 her lymph nodes and damaged tissue was successful. She has completed her third week of radiation and chemotherapy, 3 ½ more to go. It is tough, but she is making it. Please pray a good outcome and peace of mind for Danielle and her family.
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 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 and is up and walking. 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 thanks all who are praying for 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.
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 is doing much better, her medications seems to be more properly adjusted. She gives thanks for the card and your prayers.
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 struggling a bit with Graft Vs Host Disease (GVHD), which is causing stiffness in her joints and itchy rashes on her face and body. She is doing well post transplant; all tests show she continues cancer-free.
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 for 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 is headed to RAF Mildenhall, UK, Eric (USN-Afghanistan through May 2010), Bob (USCG), Josh (USCG)
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving for All Veterans for their service for our country and our freedom.
Martha S is recovering from foot surgery. She expects to be in a walking cast for about four more weeks. She appreciates our prayers and the nice card. She still has several more weeks of recovery.
Joan Jeffery was diagnosed with cancerous lymphoma in her throat area. After her first two radiation sessions, the tumor shrank significantly and she can breathe readily again. Please join her in giving thanks for the great result and pray for continued success with the 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.
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 and is now home and doing well. Please give thanks to God for her success pray for her reflect God’s grace in her life.
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. Please ask God to guide the class to new opportunities to make Him known to others. 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.
Are you too tired to go to church?
While a resident of the Hanoi Hilton, Lieutenant Commander John McCain participated in a church service in 1971 in defiance of hotel rules which resulted in him spending most of a year in a camp reserved for "bad attitude" cases. He considered it a good investment.
Veterans Day – Guest Editorial
11 November is Veterans Day. It is not the first Monday in anything. It was originally Armistice Day, the day the Great War (World War I) ended. The armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month ending the War to End all Wars which took the lives of about 20 million people. We remembered that day until World War II, a war which took the lives of about 70 million people, not including the 25 million killed by the Soviets internally. In total, almost 100 million people lost their lives during the period of this war.
Our country has chosen this day, Armistice Day, to honor those who have served our country. This is not the same as Memorial Day, the last weekend in May, during which we honor those who have given their lives for our country.
On this day, we honor those who have and do serve our country: men and women who have stepped forward when their country called; some even before the call. We honor those who have put their country before themselves and families.
Sometimes we forget the sacrifices made by the families. It is one thing to be in combat, forward deployed or on TDY at Christmas. It is another to have your son, daughter, husband, wife, son or daughter gone.
Your Beadle can tell you from personal experience that it is a lot easier to go to war than to send someone to war.
It is easy to think the country is going to hell, in or out of the proverbial hand basket. Yet, so far we have young people who step forward and fill the breech in the line. How long we know not, but still they come forward. While they come we are safe. When they stop, we fall.
LTC Hap and Captain Dru Arnold, USAF Retired
Semper Fly!
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
22 November 2009 Alice Acker
29 November 2009 Greg Chase
6 December 2009 Jan Macauley
13 December 2009 Tim Macauley
20 December 2009 Greg Chase
24 December 2009 Emilie Springer (Christmas Eve)
27 December 2009 Hap Arnold (Happy Birthday)
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Finally Trinity, the Green Season, has come to an end. This brings us to the last Sunday of the Christian calendar, which confusingly is call The Sunday next before Advent. Perhaps we will hear a little more about the Christian calendar next Sunday, perhaps we won’t. Have to show to find out, eh?
Next Wednesday, 25 November 2009, our congregation will be hosting the Alpine Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service at the Alpine Elementary School (our usual location) at 1900 (7:00pm). We will be bringing together those congregations in Alpine whose Bible based understanding of Christianity is similar to ours. The Free Teen Guitar Class will be providing the music. Father Acker will be running the program. It should be a great time. There will no doubt be a Burrito Ministry afterwards. If you don’t drive at night, call the Beadle (619) 247-3782 so we can work out a ride for you.
As you can tell from Advent (next before, anyway), Christmas is on the way. Sunday 20 December 2009, after church and after the Burrito Ministry, we will be caroling at three or four of our parishioners’ homes, those who cannot really get our. Like almost all we do, it will be a great time.
The Christmas Dinner is not yet set in stone, but likely will be held at the Community Center at 1200. Keep an eye here for more details.
Really not much going on this week, but Sunday will be worth the wait.
See you next week on Sunday!
All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from: thebeadle@mac.com
Church is serious business
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