First Sunday after Easter

Today was the First Sunday after Easter.  Sunrise on Mount Olympus brought a very mild Northeast Santa Ana condition with 33°F under bright blue skies.  At church, temperatures had climbed to a very nice 64°F.   The lovely weather brought 18 members to worship our Lord, amazing with all the people on travel!

Gathering Songs

Father Ironhand was on his own today with both Nick Patton and Jack Arnold on travel; he did a great job with the gathering songs, once his audio was turned on, and played: 

• In Christ Alone

• Forever

• Amazing Grace

• Lord, I lift your Name on high

We do the gathering songs for a number of reasons.  It allows people a chance to “drift in” without being late.  It gives us a bit of variety in our music.  We can have more contemporary music before the service and still have organ music in the service, thus having something for everyone.  It also a hit with our guitarists who love to play!

With only Ironhand at the ax, the gathering songs still worked well today.  We had 9 when they started and 18 when he finished.  Great job!

Pre-Service Class

Today Father Acker talked about the Books of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, both written by Luke, the Physician and are really a single book that starts wide bringing in all the various promises of God and focuses them on a single point, Jesus on the Cross, then relates all going forward to that focal point.   

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 170-171, with the Collect first:

The First Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Alice Acker read the Epistle which came from the first general epistle of Saint John, beginning at the Fourth Verse of the Fifth Chapter: 

WHATSOEVER is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  

The Gospel for this Sunday came from the Twentieth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint John beginning at the Nineteenth verse: 

THE same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Sermon  - Hope in the Peace of God

Today Father Acker supplied his own summary of the sermon, so you can see just what he was trying to get across: 

 The Message: 

We had a great Easter Day out in the park last week. We celebrated the hope that Jesus’ resurrection bring to use and how Easter is at the core of our personal Christian faith--it is the event changing our personal reality. In these weeks that follow we are looking at what Resurrection Hope looks like. How do we participate in that Hope.

When peace comes up in conversation what I think of first is world peace. No more war, no more conflict. I start in global terms, but it then gets to violence and crime on a more local level. And of course it gets down to a personal level, my neighborhood, my church, my family, and my life; Inner peace, personal peace, spiritual peace.

Jesus has a plan for peace and it is part of the hope that we have in His resurrection. It is Jesus’ Peace Plan. We have to remember three things about Jesus’ Peace Plan: God is in control (we’re not); God plans for eternity; and God’s plan starts with YOU. 

Look at the gospel reading that has been used today since the earliest days of the Church. It is a week after Easter. The disciples are locked in the upper room and Thomas was a no-show. Jesus appears. When Thomas hears about it on Monday at the supermarket, he doesn’t believe their story. Next Sunday, Thomas is there.

What did Jesus do when he came to the disciples? First, he entered into the locked room. The disciples were in hiding. It says they were afraid. The were debilitated to inaction. There lives were turned upside down, they were without hope, they were in a wreck. And then Jesus comes and says, “Peace, be with you.”

Second, Jesus shows them his hands, the marks of the nails. They couldn’t believe this could happen. They thought he must be some kind of ghost, an apparition. Jesus makes sure they know he is real. He is the person they knew. Yes, he really died on the Cross. He really was resurrected from death. Touched, heard, and seen to be the reality of the person they knew and had placed their hope.

Third, Jesus tells Thomas to touch the mark of the nails. “Place your hand in my side.” Thomas was to make no mistake--this was the real Jesus. I love the painting of the scene by 16th century Italian artist, Caravaggio, where Jesus is taking Thomas’ hand and placing his finger into the open wound in his chest. Jesus acts to make the reality break into to Thomas’ unbelief.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.7

Jesus’ actions were to bring “the peace of God that passes all understanding” into the lives of the broken, hiding and fearful disciples. What Jesus desired was the bring to their lives the reality that “Blessed are the peace makers.” The peace Jesus brings makes all the difference. It would change their lives, the lives of those around them, and the life of the world. 

Jesus’ action was to bring reconciliation, a restoring of their relationship where they knew peace. Jesus brought the reality that: God is in control; God plans for eternity; and that God’s started with them individually. They were to be the instrument of God’s peace coming to the broken, fearful lives of this world.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5.9

So what is Jesus’ Peace Plan? How do we participate in it? How does God start with us? Jesus begins with our learning to nurture one another as members of His Church. We are incorporated into the family of God, gathering round His Table, and we each have a part in this family. If you care about being family, you show up at meal times and you do your part to get ready, prepare, cook, and clean up. As a member of the family you bring friends to share the meal. You tell the story of your day and days past. You listen and look to the needs of the rest of the family. We share and care the brokenness and healing that has come to us. And we are to help the young and the guests that come. We take them by the hand and allow them to see the reality of this Family of God.

In short, Jesus’ Peace Plan is for us to enter the lock rooms of brokenness and fear and say, “Peace be with you.” We show them our hands, the story of our wounds, the death and resurrection that came to us in Jesus. We take others by the hand so they can see, touch, and know the reality of Jesus resurrected life which God has given to us. We are to bring hope into their lives. We are the means by which God brings peace to their lives; individually, in our communities, our schools, our work, and globally as well. 

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5.18-19

We are to be ministers of reconciliation. Through us the resurrection is a message of hope. Through us the Peace of God is being manifested in the world. It is Jesus’ Peace Plan. God is in control. God plans for eternity. God starts with you.

Peace be with you. Fr. Keith

Beadle’s Note – This is not the Hope and Change bandied about on the campaign trail and in Washington.  This is real and it is good.

New Nametags

We had no new nametags today. 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality

Holly Lizak brought snacks today.  First and foremost were the black olive egg salad sandwiches.  You would think that with only 18 people a plate piled high with them and some very good curried chicken sandwiches would be more than enough.  You would, of course, be wrong!  Your Beadle brought gear out to the trailer and came back to find the plate completely clean!  He was reduced to eating the very good, nay excellent, white sugar cookies.  There were also some very good chocolate chip cookies, just not as good as the sugar cookies!  Thanks Holly!

After church goodies providers as currently signed up:

Date Name

18 April 2010 Jan Macauley

25 April 2010 Alice Acker

2 May 2010 Dru Arnold

16 May 2010 Opportunity Available

23 May 2010 Jan Macauley

30 May 2010 Holly Lizak

6 June 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.

Prayer List Notice – If you have someone on the prayer list and their needs have changed, please let us know.  We are loathe to just stop praying, yet some of the entries are a bit long in the tooth.  We don’t mind praying, at all.  We just want to be praying for what is needed!

Birthday

Traci Huber celebrated her 36^th birthday last week.

Travel

Dru and Jack are on traveling back from the UK this week after a three week trip to visit friends.

Ryan is on travel throughout Southeast Asia until May 2010.  He is still in Vietnam (Hanoi) and is keeping his parents updated.

Greg is on travel this week.

Don, Sandy and Nick are on travel this week.

Alice and Keith are traveling to Colorado this week.

Peter is traveling in China.

Departed

Justus "Buck" Humphreys, a priest of our Diocese of the West, passed away at the end of March having had cancer for a long while. Father Buck was a priest in Texas arm of our diocese.

Tom Strouse passed away unexpectedly the morning of 22 March 2010.  They had attended our church with their grandchildren for much of this past year.  Please pray for the repose of Tom’s soul and for comfort for his wife Ginger and the rest of his family who remain behind.

Peaceful Transition

Beatrice

Ruth is in home hospice care.

Mona's grandmother 

Remembrance

Marion on the seventh anniversary of her passing, today 4 April.

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, 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 (Alzheimer’s: things are stable); Charles A (Alzheimer’s: 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, Kelly (undergoing test unexpectedly), Maya (tonsillectomy), Veronica, Irith, Shirley, TP

Louis is having surgery on Monday for facial reconstruction after an assault. He needs our prayers for God's guidance and direction as well.

Karl is in ICU with a ruptured colon.

Carol and Rick, Muriel Pappin’s daughter and son-in-law, were in a motorcycle accident. They were banged up, but are now both home and healing. Please pray for their continued recovery and also give prayers of thanks that they were not more seriously injured.

Emma Langstaff thought she had a kidney stone, which might interfere with her upcoming trip to the UK with her family.  Turns out that she did not have one; but three, two in one kidney, one in the other! Two of the three passed, she is in the UK heading for Rome.  Please pray this one too shall pass for a total of three.

Phyllis Chase is home from the hospital and making a good recovery.

Muriel Pappin’s back has really been causing her a lot of pain and limiting her mobility; it seems to be getting better.  Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the initial horrible pain is over and pray for her continued improvement.

Rede Acker, Father Acker’s mom, is recovering from her broken leg, just above where she had a knee replacement.  She has made great progress and is scheduled to go home on Wednesday!  Please pray for Rede’s continued physical recovery and that both Rede and Jack will keep their great faith and trust in God’s help.

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 often lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options.

Matt’s recovery seems to be going well.  He is up to 100 pounds and now has a Driver’s License Learner’s Permit!  Two major milestones!  His attitude is great, he and his family faith is great.  Pray they continue to put their trust in God as the time passes.  The stress is great and His help sufficient.

Matt was in Houston for scans on Tuesday and Wednesday (23 & 24 March 2010).  They were CLEAN!  Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving.

His family asks for your prayers for Matt and we ask you to pray also for his family in this time of great stress. 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.  Danielle will be following up monthly. Please pray a good outcome and peace of mind for Danielle and her family.

Lee Thomas fell and required a trip to the ER with a 5 inch gash on his head with many staples and stitches.  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 has moved to a rehabilitation facility which specializes in brain injury patients and seems to be making progress.  Please pray for Vicky’s recovery and for peace of mind for her family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.

Obra is doing considerably better and looking forward to a visit from his family at Eastertide.  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.  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.

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.

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 is still waiting on the results of some tests to help explain her symptoms. She has had a rough time in the change over from one medication to another.

Miney Farrell had a couple more falls, but nothing as dramatic as a few weeks ago. Being sore and hurting has just slightly dampened her enjoying life on ninety-plus. One of the big pluses are her two doxies and the good folks at the board and care.

Lorraine Winkles who just celebrated her 88th birthday, is recovering from an outpatient cancer removal from the side of her head. This is the second time she has had growth there. But the arthritis and all the other things to consider, "I'm not doing too bad," said Lorraine.

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 (12 year old whose leukemia returned two years ago) is still really struggling with the Graft Vs. Host Disease (GVHD), and her doctors have just added a second medication that has side effects similar to chemotherapy. Her face and body are very swollen, her skin extremely blotchy and itchy, and it's very difficult for her to write or even hold a pencil, much less paint, sew, and do the other handicraft activities she so loves to do.

But, the good news is that the leukemia remains at bay. Caroline will reach the two year post-transplant anniversary in July, and if she remains cancer-free until then, she has much-improved odds for survival. Please keep Caroline, her sister Jane, and her parents Carmen and Jeff in your prayers--they so appreciate your dedication to praying for Caroline over the years.

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)

Ali is searching for spiritual meaning; may the Holy Ghost guide those around her to help her in coming to Christ.

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 and that he will open his heart to the Holy Ghost.

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. 

Freddy is looking for a job in the San Diego area and asks for your prayers for him during his search and interview process which he starts on 8 March 2010.

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, Traci and Warren give thanks for God's continued care and guidance in their lives.  And, we give thanks for the joy they bring in to our lives!

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 name of “Separation of Church and State” 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

Please pray for the earthquake victims in Haiti 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.

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 

18 April 2010 Ben Lizak

25 April 2010 Greg Chase

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

Next Sunday

18 April 2010 – The Second Sunday after Easter - Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service starting about 0945 (9:45 am).  Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA

See you next week on Sunday!

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from: thebeadle@mac.com

Warren learns about black olive egg salad sandwiches – More competition for Tim and Hap!

Church is serious business!

If you don’t believe it, come and find out!