Today was the Second Sunday Lent. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a cool 32°F under the bright skies of cold frontal passage. It was about the same down the hill at church, but a bit warmer at about 55°F by the time the service ended. Maybe the beautiful weather was a factor, but we ended up with 18 people showing up for the service.
Pre-Service Music
Finally the new wireless system was fully operational. Today, the pre-service gathering songs were played by Nick Patton, Jack Arnold and Father Ironhand:
• Wonderful Cross
• Here I am worship
• Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty
If you have not actually attended one of our services, you may not really appreciate the musical selection. The gathering or welcome songs, are a bit more modern and trendy, the remainder of the songs are from the Hymnal and more traditional and accompanied by the talented Marianne on the organ. All of them are singable and their theological message is quite clear. They are more than just, “He loves me, yah, yah, yah.” While a good message, there can be more and you will find it here. Come some time and see what they are about. We are confident you will really enjoy the music.
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class – Are you a clear window or a closed door for Christ?
Today, Father Acker discussed the “public perception” of Christians and how it may or may not differ from the reality of Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity. If you were there, you likely formed your own opinion of his presentation. I will not present it here.
Let it suffice to say that we, each of us, are the window through which God the Father and God the Son shine into the world. It is our function to be a clear “light”, as windows are oft called, through which Their light can shine. If we allow the Holy Spirit to enter into our lives, then we will be that clear “light.” If we do not allow our lives to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then we often turn into doors, keeping God and Christ out of the world around us or blocking the world’s access to Them.
We must to be positive about our mission here on earth. We must be positive in everything we do, identifying problems, providing solutions, not empty criticism. As Christians, we cannot accept all that it put forward as just in this world. To quote a few of the examples from this morning, we not “Anti-Gay”, but we understand God does not find homosexuality as normal; we are not “Anti-Choice”, but we understand that if the choice that is being talked about is abortion, that is murder; we do not seek to “convert everyone”, yet we are bound by the Great Commandment to make God’s Word available to all who seek it; we are not “Narrow Minded”, yet we do not accept behavior contrary to scripture as normative; and so on and so forth. Or as the King of Siam said, “Etcetera, etcetera, etecetra…”
We are here to bring the Word to those who seek it; to provide help to those who want it; to give the Key to Life to all who want it; to live in peace with all who will.
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 in our church 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. Most of the Red Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saints instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found on Page 127-128, with the Collect first:
The Second Sunday in Lent.
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:
The first day of Lent, commonly called
Ash Wednesday.
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.
Tim Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from the Fourth Chapter of Paul’s First letter to the Thessalonians beginning at the First Verse. Apparently the Corinthians were not the only church founded in a Red Light District. In this letter Paul is telling the people to refrain from random sex and get married. Paul is starting into the beginning of his New Man concept. We are called to be as God wants us to be, not as we would be without His guidance and help. God does this, not that we would miss fun, but rather that we would enjoy happiness.
WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Fifteenth Chapter, beginning at the Twenty-First Verse.
JESUS went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
This story surfaces again in the Book of Common Prayer in the Prayer of Humble Access, on page 82:
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Sermon - Keeping a Holy Lent - Part Deux
Lent is a time to focus. Focus on God, focus on what He would have you do. To make an honest evaluation of how you are doing on what He wants you to do. It is not a comfortable time for many. Actually it is not a comfortable time for any of us who are doing what we are asked to do in Lent. Paul says, “All fall short.” Sadly all includes each of us. No one is exempt.
We do not have the power in and of ourselves to change. That is why God sent the Holy Ghost; He of many names one of which is the Counselor. Take this Lent to not just examine where you fall short. Many people will be happy to do that for you. Take this Lent to see where you can improve. If you improve just one little thing this Lent, you will be ahead of where you were. One little thing.
Lent is not about “giving up”, it is about winning.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
No birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
Holly Lizak brought the after church snacks today. First and foremost, there were black olive egg salad sandwiches, which Tim and Hap consumed with due regard for others, as well as chicken curry sandwiches and two kinds of cookies. It is believed the white ones were at least similar to snickerdoodles, except personally validated as a lot better, and what appeared to be some type of bran cookies, which looked great and almost all got eaten. What wonderful snacks! Thanks, Holly!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
7 March 2010 Jan Macauley
14 March 2010 Alice Acker
21 March 2010 Opportunity Available
28 March 2010 Greg and Diane Chase
4 April 2010 Easter
11 April 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.
Anniversary
Jan and Tim Macauley celebrated their 44th anniversary last week.
Dru and Hap Arnold celebrated their 23rd anniversary last this week
Birthday
Muriel Pappin celebrated her 83rd birthday last week.
Evelyn Hunt celebrated her 87th birthday last week.
Travel
Ryan is on travel throughout Southeast Asia until May 2010. He is in Thailand and is keeping his parents updated.
Peter traveling in China.
In memory of those who have gone before us
Malcom Pappin, beloved of our Muriel, remembered on the anniversary of his birth, 9 February 1925.
ALMIGHTY God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful servant Malcom, and we pray thee that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, thou wilt receive him more and more into thy joyful service; that he may win, with thee and thy servants everywhere, the eternal victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Peaceful Transition
Beatrice
Ruth is in home hospice care.
Mona's grandmother
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; the doctors are at a loss on the decreasing cancer cell count except prayer; please add your thanksgiving to the prayers for healing.), Allison (kidney), Bill (ETOH poisoning and gout), Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Evelyn, Debbie, Lona (shoulders), Paul (stroke), Doris, Charles, 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, 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 (Healing from cancer. Betty has completed her chemotherapy after her surgery), Jeannie (testing for breast cancer), Ed, Betty, Karl (Healing of his shoulder injury, but not having surgery), Phil (Thanksgiving for his having received a pacemaker. Phil is suffering from renal failure and other complications), Dave (We had been praying for healing from a tumor. It now may require surgery), Jacque (Healing of her rare form of cancer. It is her second recurrence), Jeannie (cancer tests), Sarah, Stephen, Curtis; Angie, Madge, Veronica, Carmen, Alice, Dave (surgery recovery), Ed S (liver failure), Greg D (leg injury. Greg is making good progress still using a knee brace; Thanksgiving for the progress and requests continued healing) John (prostate cancer surgery), Martin, Pauline, Pat A (altz: things are stable); Charles A (altz: slight improvement in general awareness that he is disappointed not being allowed to drive, Maurice (in ICU with a congenital disease), Susan, George (reoccurrence of cancer); Maggie (surgery the week of 28 Dec 09), Lillian, Rob, Ken, Marlene, Emma W (Brain tumor), Vivian
Rede Acker, Father Acker’s mom, is recovering from her broken leg, just above where she had a knee replacement. Recovery is slow; she won't be able to do much further rehabilitation until she is weight bearing on the broken leg; she needs significant assistance in transferring from the bed to the wheel chair. Please pray for guidance on finding the right nursing home for her where she can get the right care and her husband Jack will not have so far to travel to be with her. Please give thanks for her progress and continue to pray for her rapid and complete recovery, as well as for strength and guidance of Jack as he assists with her care and rehabilitation.
Wanda M is still out work due to her Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Please pray for her complete and rapid recovery, as well as her to keep her spirits up while she gets better.
Debbie Hunter has had a tumor in her chest for some time. Recently it has grown considerably. Apparently the tumor is in Debbie’s abdominal cavity and pressing on her lung causing shortness of breath. There are also tumor cells growing in her breast. There is good news in that it is believed this type of tumor does not tend to spread to other parts of the body. And, Debbie qualifies for a clinical study focused on this type of tumor that does not use IV, but rather oral (pills) which is a relief because it will allow her to maintain a more normal semblance of life. Debbie asks that you pray the clinical study works and that the skin on her chest remains healthy. Please pray also Debbie, her husband Todd and their children Jonathan and Carol might let God carry their worry and concern.
Vince (age 13), reoccurrence of cancer, recent testing found a nickel sized tumor in his lungs. The doctors are consulting with a specialist in Houston. Please pray for guidance for the medical team and for peace of mind for Vince and his family.
Brett (age 11) is hospitalized in Los Angeles, as the result of complications of a cochlear implant which has resulted in leaking spinal fluid. Please pray for guidance for the medical team and for peace of mind for Brett and his family.
Matt Alcantara, age 15, has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a very rare and lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options. He underwent surgery in Houston in June for the surgery involving removal of most of the left ilium, all of the hip socket and the ball of the top of the femur. Fortunately, despite all of the risks of complications, Matt was able to get through the surgery. After spending approximately a month in the hospital recovering, he came back home to San Diego. His recent MRI came back clean, there is still much concern. He will continue chemo for at least another 8 months (from now). His physical therapy will continue at least 2 years before he reaches his maximum medical improvement.
His family asks for your prayers for Matt and we ask you to pray also for his family in this time of great stress. Their friends set up a donation account to help defray travel and other expenses not covered by insurance. You can look at http://www.mattalcantara.com for information. If you want to follow Matt's progress, look at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattalcantara.
Danielle’s neck surgery to remove her lymph nodes and damaged tissue was successful. A recent CT Scan, blood work and examination have given her a clean bill of health so far. She still needs to get off her feeding tube. Danielle will be following up monthly. Please pray a good outcome and peace of mind for Danielle and her family.
Dan Heersema had four way bypass surgery on 7 December 2009, which he tolerated well. Dan is home and on his way to a full recovery. Please give thanks for a great result and pray for his continued recovery and that he may live a long and healthy life to God’s honor and glory. Pray for peace of mind for Dan and his family.
Claude Strauch has congestive heart failure and other heart related problems in Minnesota. He had a successful pacemaker implant the morning of Wednesday 10 February 2010, and is doing very well. Please give thanks for the great result and pray for Claude and his family, that they might put their care and worry on God’s back so they can do their best for each other.
Mike Wysocki had aortic heart valve replacement and arterial replacement on 30 December 2009. He is now home and recovering remarkably well. He had is first checkup on 21 January 2010, blood pressure, heart rate, EKG etc. are all good. His legs and feet are still swollen so Dr. Stewart is focusing on that for now. Mike, whose real name is Ronald, but who is universally known as Chief, asks you give thanks to God and pray for his recovery, guidance and peace of mind, both for him and his wife Wendy.
Lee Thomas has been needing greater assistance with continued seizures and strokes in recent months and is now receiving that help and his wife, Sandy, can spend time with Lee and have professional help of the nursing staff. This is especially important as Lee has great difficulty with saying just a word or two. Please pray for Lee, his family, and the care staff. Please pray for Lee, Sandy and their children to maintain their trust in God and to look towards Him for guidance. Pray also for the medical team treating Lee that God might guide and direct their assessment and treatment.
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. She regained consciousness, and is in a long term acute care hospital. Her husband and sons have been by her the entire time, so she has never been alone. Please read the latest from her husband Doug written on Friday 26 February 2010:
Are we ready for some good news? Yes we are!
Today was to be the day Vicky was to be moved to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital. They're ready to take her and she's ready to go. The surgeons who did the trachea surgery a week ago had another plan. They want to keep her at Rose Hospital for a couple more days for observation. That's just OK with me. As much as we all want Vicky to get to Craig we also want her to be fully healed from the trauma she was put through only a week ago.
Today Dr. Opperman came to Rose with a "portable" scope to look in her throat. If you recall, about two weeks ago Vicky had to be transported to Opperman's office by ambulance for this same procedure prior to scheduling the surgery. If you can explain any of this to me, please do. Anyway, everything checked out and Opperman removed the four inches of stitches from the front of her throat. She's looking good. She's feeling better too. Swallowing seems to be a bit challenging, but she's got a world class sore throat. The speech therapists at Rose are carefully monitoring her to make sure things are working correctly.
Hopefully, next week we'll actually get her relocated to Craig Rehab. This is the same hospital that Kevin Pearce is in. He's the guy who cracked his head when training for the Olympics. He's doing so much better there was a feature about him on NBC this week. Maybe we'll get a chance to meet him next week or sometime soon. A success story would be a welcome change.
Either way, we all have new reason for hope. Vicky is finally beyond the really serious challenges of health threatening issues. We have finally arrived at the point where we can legitimately see some positive change. She has trouble coming up with the words, but desperately wants to talk. Her eyes are bright and she recalls much of what we tell her day to day. She has use of her hands but has nothing to do. It's got to be the most frustrating existence anyone could have.
As I tell her every day, "we're going to get it back". I hope she believes that. Daily affirmations. Daily signs of improvement.
Take care and thanks for your continued support.
My love to all, Doug
Please pray for Vicky’s recovery and for peace of mind for her family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.
Obra was released from hospital five weeks ago. From Shamim - The doctors cannot do a lot with a darling 86 year old man, who suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, prostrate cancer, heart disease, and a variety of other ailments (much like my own father). We sincerely believe Daddy is missing his dear Pauline a lot, and is very down now. Thank you for continuing to keep him in all your prayers. We know God is our only salvation.
Please pray he will keep his trust and faith in God and turn his heart outward to the world, remembering God put him here to make a difference; that he will let his heart be open to God’s grace.
Cerrus, daughter in law of Hy, has had a relapse of her cancer. Please pray for a successful treatment and remission.
David is suffering from shingles and asks that we pray for a remission of the symptoms and a return to normalcy.
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 has experienced some return of her hearing. She was unable to take one of the medications, so the recovery is slow. She continues receiving dialysis as she awaits a kidney transplant. She 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 has regained an increased awareness of those around him and his surroundings. This is a very good thing and a large step back to earth. 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.
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.
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 recovering from bronchitis. "I'm going to surprise everyone one of these Sundays," Mary said, by making it to our Sunday morning service.
Evelyn Hunt still needs prayers of guidance in adjusting her medication. She still has pain in her neck and leg. She would appreciate your prayer as she changes her part time care giver.
Miney Farrell fell two weeks ago at Walmart while out with her son hitting head severely. Fortunately, according to Miney, "I have a hard head." And still a very good sense of humor. She is still very sore and not competing in the Vancouver Olympics this year.
Lorraine Winkles has severe arthritis pain in back, legs, and ankles. Please pray she will get relief from the pain which so limits her mobility.
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. Her thumbs are not particularly useful any more. Mrs. Kay asks 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.
Caroline just celebrated her 12th birthday earlier this month. Although she remains free of leukemia after her bone marrow transplant in July 2008, the side effect of the transplant, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), is so bad that she can barely walk and at times cannot even hold a pencil because her joints are so stiff and swollen. Caroline is quite depressed; please pray for her and for an improvement in her condition.
Natalie (age 10, leukemia recurrence) has not responded to any treatment since her relapse. Please pray for God’s grace for Natalie and her family to give them peace of heart, soul and mind.
Guidance
Adam, Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer to be guided to a church
Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, 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, Jeff, Christiana (God’s grace), Tara (divorce), Patricia & her family, Errin, Elizabeth, Brandon, Steven, Nelson, Ashley, 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, Patrick, Mary (adoption); Ashley (job); Curt; Angelina & Ron C; Steven (strength); Vanessa H (trust), Jackie (God's grace), Sandy (Relief from stress; Her husband has severe medical problems), Jennifer, Margie, Phyllis, Sam (guidance on direction of his business), Tara (divorce), Virginia, Darin & Brian (mom’s health issues), Jeanie (upset over her husband's cancer problems), Curt (Still providing care for his wife, Jacque, who is undergoing chemotherapy), Alex, Emilie, Stephen, Daniel S, Jan, Sean (court case), Tamera (her house is being taken by eminent domain and is in settlement phase; pray for a fair settlement)
Jack A (making choices for the health care for his wife)
Ali is searching for spiritual meaning; may the Holy Ghost guide those around her to help her in coming to Christ.
Hope asks you pray for God’s help in forcing the dissolution an aircraft partnership with two other people. 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 A 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.
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 asked everyone to give thanks that his doctor is adjusting his medication for severe schizophrenia.
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.
Toni is applying for a promotion and asks God’s guidance.
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
Father Keith is looking for additional employment to supplement his part-time stipend at Blessed Trinity. Keith believes his expertise lies in web site development and guitar teaching, both of which he is clearly good at. Please pray the Holy Ghost will enter into his heart and give him inspiration and guidance to lead him to a job which will use his considerable skills to support his family, bless the company he joins and further God’s Work, all together.
Obra, known to us as Commander O, has retired from the Navy after 20 years and now must find employment to support his family. Please pray for him to find a position which will use the skills he has and the training he got from the Navy to support his family and make his new employer more successful.
Jack has been laid off from his job as a construction manager in East San Diego County; due to the economy jobs in the field are hard to find. Please pray that Jack will find a job, not necessarily in the construction, that will allow him to use his considerable skills and talents to make his new employer more successful; guide him and his family is this difficult time.
Brad, Brian, 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.
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 (RAF Mildenhall, UK), Eric (USN-Afghanistan through May 2010), Bob (USCG), Josh (USCG), Rachel Ziegler (USAF – Deployed to Southwest Asia), Aaron Huber (USNMC – Deployed to Southwest Asia with USMC),
Thanksgiving
Aaron made it to Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan today. All of us give thanks for his safe, but tired, arrival. Continue to pray for success of his mission, that he might do his duty to God, Country and Comrades, that he might return home safely and keep a sense of humor the whole time. Pray also for Traci and Warren as they wait for Aaron to return.
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.
Various Special Requests
Lake Murray Community Church is sending a mission team to Senegal, West Africa, this weekend. The goal: to make contact with the village of Ngar Diam which their church has"adopted" with plans to help them with clean water, education, and other physical needs as well as their need for a Saviour.
The team consists of Associate Pastor, Nathan Hogan; the head of their Missions Committee, Ginny Valles; and Matt Toombs, who grew up in Senegal and is preparing to return with his wife and two boys to serve there as missionaries. All team members are leaving spouses and children behind while they travel, so please pray for their families as well. The team will be gone 28 February 2010 – 10 March 2010.
Please pray for the earthquake victims in Argentina and Chile and ask God to guide relief efforts there. Pray for God to enter into the hearts of the people there and for the Holy Ghost to guide those attempting to provide relief for the suffering.
We ask that you pray, please ask God that the Holy Ghost might give you insight into how you might make the lives of your friends and family better. Remember helping others is not just those who you don’t know!
Please join us in praying for God to fill us with the Holy Ghost, even if (or maybe particularly if) we need Him shoved down our throats, to provide inspiration to grow our little church to the glory of God. Our numbers are static, we need God’s inspiration to figure out the next step. Please pray that we will open our heart to the gentle prodding of the Holy Ghost; and not do what we have always done expecting a different result.
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.
National Prayer Time - If Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. During WWII an advisor to Churchill organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace? This thought has been taken up here and now, if you would like to participate, pray every day at:
9:00 pm 8:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm
Eastern Time Central Time Mountain Time Pacific Time
Stop what you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens and for a return to a Godly nation. It won’t work unless you participate. Encourage others to join us.
Free Teen Guitar Class Jam Session at Albertsons
The Jam Session was a complete success! There was a weather window and the FTGC was in it! It was a J5 night, the fearless leader, Father K. J. Ironhand, Jonathan Barrett, Jordan the visitor, Jack from Bethel and Jack Arnold played for two hours rather than the usual 1 ½, they only gave up when promised dinner at Mananas! What a great time and you can’t beat the admission price – FREE! In fact, better than free, dinner was on the FTGC! The dinner at Mananas was, as usual, a great chance for the guitarists to talk technique and we’ll do it better next month.
Nick Patton, who usually makes the Jam Sessions, had hockey practice, so he was late, but at least he made dinner. Nick’s dad Don, who has played with us of late, was also late (trend here?) and not only that was lame, due to a hockey injury himself. That injury was sustained Wednesday night at his 2145 practice, thus giving further proof to the Beadle’s theory that no good comes out of being out of your own bed after 2130!
There are movies on www.freeteenguitarclass.com and the church Facebook Group page, don’t miss them!
Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate? Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material. Help us help you. Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer. Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know. But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.
I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across. While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion. If you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: thebeadle@mac.com.
Epistle Readers
We post the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report each week so you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.
Date Reader
7 March 2010 Dru Arnold
14 March 2010 Alice Acker
21 March 2010 Jan Macauley
28 March 2010 Greg Chase
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Friday
5 March 2010 – Friday Service - Times Morning Prayer at 0915 (9:15 am), followed by Holy Communion 0930 (9:30 am); Location – Victoria House, 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA
5 March 2010 – Lenten Book Study – Basic Christianity by John Stott “Who is Jesus Christ” and “What does it mean to follow Him?” - Read through Part Two - Times Evening Prayer 1900 (7:00 pm) Study begins 1915 (7:15 pm) ends 2015 (8:15 pm); Location - SCAIR Learning Center, 2230 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA 92101
Next Sunday
7 March 2010 – Third Sunday in Lent – Time 0830 (8:30 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium
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!
If you don’t believe it, come and find out!
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