Today was the Third Sunday after Trinity. Sunrise brought clear skies and 56°F on Mount Olympus. It was 76°F by the time church started and 81°F by the end of the service. Pretty nice day! The lovely weather brought out 15 people for church.
Gathering Songs
Father Ironhand, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold played the usual gathering or welcome songs for the service.
• God of Nations
• How great is our God
• Amazing Grace
Jack did a particularly great job on Amazing Grace. It was a joy to hear. 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!
Once again, the gathering songs did their magic. When they started playing we numbered 11, by the time the service ended, we had 15!
Pre-Service Class
Today’s pre-service class today continued the Book of Luke from the Twenty-Fifth Verse of the Second Chapter; the Presentation in the Temple:
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
The part in italics is read during Evening Prayer after the Second Lesson, it is known as the Nunc dimittis and is on Page 28 of the Book of Common Prayer.
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 minister.
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, except in a White Season, where it is put off. 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 194-194, with the Collect first:
Fourth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ben Lizak read the Epistle, which came from the Eight Chapter of St. Paul‘s Letter to the Romans, beginning at the Eighteenth Verse. Paul tells us that walking God’s path, though it may seem hard at the time is nothing compared to the reward we receive in heaven for following God’s will. God gave us free will that by using that will to overcome temptation we might receive the gift of eternal salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. For until Christ, there was no delivery from the pain of worldly existence; through Christ there is redemption of our souls.
I RECKON that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Today’s Gospel started in the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Thirty-Sixth Verse. This is a simple message, yet often misunderstood, with majestic language that brings the message to a point of incredible sharpness. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven; give and it shall be given unto you… …Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” “… why beholdest thou the mote that is in the brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? …How canst thou say to thy brother, Brother let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest no the beam that is in thine own eye?” This is often quoted, but the following sentence is left out, “Cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the more that is in thy brother’s eye.”
Only when we first take care of our own spiritual health, look to our own relationship to God and how we follow His Word, we will be able to spread the Word of His love for us.
BE ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
Sermon - Road Trip (Summer Vacation) or How Restaurants changed the world!
Father Acker provided a summary of today’s sermon so you can see what he was trying to get across:
Today's Message: Road Trip (Summer Vacation) or How Restaurants changed the world!
Week 2: Summer Vacation--Learn to be a Friend of Jesus
When you’re out on the road, you’ll want to keep the troops happy and that means food. I’m sure you’ll be hitting all the drive-thru fine eating establishments: McD, Burger King, & Carl’s; Taco Bell, KFC, & ???
Eventually you’ll get saddle sore and want something more. You’ll want someone to wait on you, cook something to order for you, and even do the dishes for you when your finished. It may be Denny’s, one of my favorites, or the best in town local restaurant, or the steakhouse.
When you go into the restaurant and waiting for your server, you should know that Restaurants changed the world! When I was in 10th Grade I took a great history class, I despised history classes with dates and names--mostly because my eyes would glaze over. This Industrial Revolution class was not about the dates and names, it was the big picture change.
One of the big changes was the Restaurant. Prior to the Industrial Revolution there were two types of people: Those who cooked for themselves, for the family. And those who had a household staff. It may have been one person or a whole little army: a cook, a dishwasher, a butler, a waiter, and a bus boy, not to mention the Housekeeping, Groundskeeping, and Motorpool Staff taking care of your BMW named Buttercup out in the stable.
What was revolutionary was to be able to rent a staff for a couple of hours. For a fraction of the cost having your own full time staff, you could live like royalty, or at least landed-gentry!
Pulling off the road and stopping in for a sit-down meal really is a great thing. It is the most common place we have our own servants. However, this rented staff really aren’t yours. They don’t come to your table because you’re the reason God made them. It usually has something to do with a plastic card at the end of the meal and a line on the paper that says, “Tip.”
So what are we learning as Christians on our Summer Vacation? We know we are called to serve, to serve as Jesus came to serve. But we need to learn that Jesus wants you to be more than a servant.
I call you friends.
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
--Jesus (John 15.15)
More Than a Servant
Jesus wants you to know and be involved in what he is doing. Jesus asks you not only to serve alongside him, but to actually work with him and be part of God’s plan and purpose.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
--Jesus (Mark 10.45)
So are we willing to be friends of Jesus? Are we read to serve rather than be served? Are we ready to give our life so others can live? But that is the kind of service Jesus gives--this is why Jesus “came from heaven to earth, to show the way.” We have to ask “Do I want the life Jesus came to give me?” God want us to know and be part of what He is doing and accomplishing. Just showing up may be a start, but God wants more for you. Just being Baptized and showing up on Sunday is only getting in the car; God wants more for you; out on the open reads. “Just picking up the paycheck” Christianity isn’t what Jesus wants for you as his friend.
Be a Servant Leader
There is a new Anglican church getting started in Vista. Their motto is taken from the Lord’s Prayer: On earth as it is in heaven! What if your life and everything in it and about it, was about making heaven happen here on earth? What a great vision of what it means to be God’s friends, to be part of the work and purpose of God.
So we need to learn about God’s plan.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Proverbs 2.6
God wants to give you wisdom, to give you knowledge, to give you understanding. God doesn’t want to keep it a secret. God wants to share it with you, for you to be a friend, not just a servant.
We need to learn to make the love of God known and seen. We know that God is love. Therefore we need to love others. We need to care for them because they were created by God.It needs to be about them and not about ME!
So we need a Road Trip plan, an external plan for our life, or as we say sacramentally, it needs to be outward and visible.
1.) We need to pray for these people around us at work, at school, in our neighborhoods and in our clubs. If we care about them we’re going to ask God’s help that we might be part of making good things happen for them in their lives.
2.) We need to serve. We have to do the work of loving these individuals. We need to do these things for them because we really do love them. It should have little to do with filling up the chairs at our Sunday worship service. If we love them, it is about them.
3.) We need to lead, that is we need to open the way, open door to God’s greatest gift--Jesus. We don’t tell them what to do. Love isn’t about coercion or guilt or advise, no matter how friendly it may be. We lead by being a window to the inward and spiritual. We need to be transparent so that what God had done for us and in our life can be seen by others. It does mean having a strong spiritual life. We have to be people who are Praying, Growing, and Serving. We need to let Jesus be seen by others. We need to embody the love of God changing lives and making them new.
So tell your Road Trip story, tell them how God took what looked like, felt like, or was a car wreck and worked things for your good. We don’t need to tell others about what a wreck they are or even give advise on how to fix it. If we’re friends of Jesus we tell how God has fixed our own lives.
So be a servant leader, bring them the best God has to offer. Love them with all your heart, soul, and mind the same way that God loves them. Love them like Jesus. They may think they’re only looking for Drive-thru from God. Will your service make them see that there is something more? Will they see the love of God in you? Will they see a friend of Jesus?
Prayer Request
On Tuesday the clergy and delegates of our diocese will be meeting in Las Cruces, NM. Please pray for safe travel. We will be hearing about the good things God is doing in our common life in our parishes, our diocese, and in the Anglican Church in North America. I'll have a report at next Sunday's 10 minute teaching at 10AM.
Giving to God--The World is Watching!
As Christians we give to God no strings attached. We don't tell God what to do with our gift if we are freely giving. God doesn't give gifts with strings attached. We may choose to use it rightly or wrongly. At Blessed Trinity the whole congregation participates monthly in planning how our gifts are used for the mission of Blessed Trinity. And yes, the world is watching.
The world is watching us as a Not-For-Profit Charity. The Internal Revenue Service has specific rules for tax deductible donations to our church. For you to make a tax deductible donation specific requirements need to followed. These are quite different from business deductions and significantly more restricted. The donation must be given to the control of the non-profit organization for their purpose and use. It requires that you, the donor, do not received anything material in return. It is not a donation to the opera, if you get to see La Boheme as part of the donation. It is not a donation to Kiwanis if you get a meal in return for your donation. What has to be certified is that you "received no material benefit." Fortunately, spiritual benefit is alright with the IRS. But with the world watching, we want Blessed Trinity be known as meeting not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law. How often are churches maligned for its interest in money rather than in God?
Why do I mention this from time to time? We need to be transparent as Christians and as the Church. When others look at Blessed Trinity we want them to see that when we give to God it is a give of love. So we avoid the grey areas to protect the reputation of Blessed Trinity. We have to be conscious of the reputation of Blessed Trinity when put a Blessed Trinity sticker on our car--people do notice if you drive badly! At Blessed Trinity we have chosen not to do Fund Raising because our mission isn't about raising money but making the love of God known.
I am very happy to say that Blessed Trinity has a good reputation in our community. People do notice that we are focused on outreach to our community, our members participation in helping the community, and in our loving others in Jesus' Name. I want to thank you for doing your part to make Christ seen as the world is watching.
I'll see you next Sunday as we offer our thanks to God for the freedom that we celebrate on Independence Day!
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported anniversaries today. We did get to celebrate both Sandy and Nick Patton’s birthdays with them, Sandy is now 47 and Nick is now 14.
After Church Hospitality
Alice Acker brought the snacks today. Two of the Beadle’s very favorites; the egg thing that has no name and is always gone and the world’s best pound cake, made the proper shape in a Bundt pan. Thank you very much!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
4 July 2010 Alice Acker and Dru Arnold
11 July 2010 Mary Lou Ruiz
18 July 2010 Opportunity Available
25 July 2010 Opportunity Available
1 August 2010 Opportunity Available
8 August 2010 Greg Chase
People in our Prayers - http://www.blessedtrinityprayerteam.blogspot.com/
Prayer is an extremely important activity.
It is not that God knows not our needs, for He surely does. Yet, Jesus commanded us to ask God for those same needs. In addition to the obvious of asking God for help, offering thanksgiving and the like, prayer helps us focus our thoughts on how we might do God's work.
The Prayer Team of the Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity was established to help our members and fellow Christians pray for those in need and to give thanks as well for the blessings we have been granted.
Who can be on the list?
Do I have to be a member of the Blessed Trinity Church to be prayed for? No! The only qualification to be on the list is that you want our prayer team to pray for you. We are Christians and are happy to pray for you, no matter who you are. If you want help from God, you are our kind of people.
What is the commitment from the prayer team?
Each member of the team will pray for the desired outcome at 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!
Anniversary
Karen and Tom Collins celebrated their 38th anniversary last week.
Birthday
Sandy Patton celebrated her 47th birthday this week.
Sandy Patton celebrated his 14th birthday this week.
MovingNick
Alan, and his son Kenny, Parker are moving to Mississippi this week for Alan’s job. Please pray they will make a good place for themselves there and adapt to their new surroundings in a positive manner.
Travel
Greg is on travel this week.
Jan is on travel this week.
Tim is on travel this week.
Keith and Alice are on travel this week.
Chris, Stephanie, Alex and Andrew are on travel this week.
Traci and Warren are on travel for the next few weeks.
Ryan is on travel throughout Southeast Asia until May 2010. He is in India (dot, not feather), heading to Kuala Lumpur and is keeping his parents updated.
Departed
The three year old daughter of Paul and Brooke, of Margaret River, Western Australia, died the evening of 12 June 2010, in Paul’s arms after he ran her over while backing up a trailer in his driveway. Please pray for the family, in particular Paul, to put their faith in God and let Him carry their sorrow; pray they will accept His help to bring their lives to peace with Him
Charlotte 13 June 2010
Victor 13 June 2010
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 (gall bladder surgery this month; waiting for heart transplant), 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, Jennifer, Curtis, Steve (cancer), Ashton, Marjorie, Mike G, Dave (knee surgery), Karl (shoulder surgery), Jeffrey (testing), Gary (sepsis; diabetic), Jim (stomach cancer), 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), 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, undergoing chemotherapy), Lillian, Rob, Ken, Marlene, Emma W (Brain tumor), Vivian, Kelly (undergoing test unexpectedly), Veronica, Irith, Shirley, TP, David, Mark, Doris, Mary, Ken, Rick, Mike, Don, Sandy, Fern is recovering from a fall which broke her arm and pelvis, Louis, Alan P (Stress test for chest pain), Lydia
Luca, 5 years old, from our church family in Perth, Western Australia, who has just been diagnosed with leukemia. And for his Mum and Dad and extended family.
Doreen Wolf, mother of Melanie Zimmers, had very successful reconstructive orthopedic surgery on her foot the morning of Thursday 27 May 2010, to correct damage from previous surgeries. But, she cannot put weight on the foot for another three weeks! Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the successful surgery and that Doreen will be a good patient, hard for a nurse we all know, during her recovery. Finally pray for a good result that Doreen might live a long and healthy life to the glory of God.
Greg Chase asks that you pray for his family:
Diane, Greg’s wife, to see some positive physical signs for the ongoing treatment of her ulcerative colitis.
Phyllis, Greg’s mom, to gain physical strength to overcome her frailties after her recent "small" stroke.
Ed, Greg’s cousin, after a long history of heart issues (two open heart surgeries) to gain physical strength that continues to decline due to a series of other debilitating health issues.
Billy Zoe, Greg’s cousin, was admitted to the hospital Friday 30 April 2010, for a probable ruptured colon.
Sunny, Greg’s sister, to continue her recovery from a broken ankle.
Carl, Susanne Barrett’s dad had chest pains while visiting Hawaii. He underwent a successful double by-pass surgery. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and for a full and rapid recovery. Pray for peace of mind for Carl and his wife Judy. Carl believes he is self-made man who thinks he has always been able to do everything himself. Perhaps even more important, please pray for Carl to see the Hand of God in his life.
Michelle Cannariato (a former student of Susanne Barrett) had a stroke on her wedding night as the result of a benign tumor in her heart. She underwent what seems to have been very successful surgery for tumor removal on 20 May 2010, at Scripps-La Jolla. The surgery took several hours less than expected, the tumor is out, all the damage has been repaired and the mitral valve was not involved. Thanks be to God! Give prayers of thanksgiving for God’s gift of grace and the skill and attention of the surgeons and their team.
Please pray for peace of mind for Michelle and her husband Nick, as well as a full and rapid recovery for Michelle.
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 back home after a volcanically successful trip. Please pray this one too shall pass for a total of three.
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. Rede has made great progress; she is walking with her walker unassisted. This is huge progress, please pray a prayer of thanksgiving. In Rede’s position, attitude is 100 percent of the game, pray for continued positive attitude. The whole family appreciates your prayers, thank you.
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.
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.
Matt Alcantara, age 15, has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a very rare and often lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options.
Matt has just made one year since his initial operation, something few get to with this disease. Further thanksgiving is due as his scans are completely clean to date. All looks good for now. Thanks be to God. 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.
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 is in assisted living after a stroke. 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 specializing 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 Gray continues to take day by day, despite still mourning the loss of his beloved wife, Pauline. Please continue to keep Obra in your prayers, and give him the strength of knowing the Lord is with him and will never forsake him. Please God give Obra the peace in his heart he needs, and pray for him to believe the almighty Lord will hold onto him, and not let go until he is in the Lord's arms. Obra needs security of what lies ahead of him, and only the Lord can grant the solace to answer his prayer.
Paula, daughter of Obra Gray, has been diagnosed with ALS. Please pray for Paula and her family, particularly for her sons Brian and Jimmy, as well as her father Obra.
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, and father in law of Commander Gray for whom we prayed for while he was deployed in Iraq, and on various carrier deployments, has been blessed with the Lord's breath of life to stay on this earth for the time being. Please keep Bashir and his loving wife, who cares for him in your prayers. Above all, pray for his entire family to open their hearts to accept all God’s love will bring them.
Mary Parker is doing pretty well. "I'm going to surprise everyone one of these Sundays," Mary said, by making it to our Sunday morning service.
Evelyn Hunt is still having difficulty with her medication. She was back in the hospital for a week. She's at home now. Please pray that the doctor might find the right medication and doses for her treatment. Please pray for God's peace and goodness to surround her.
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 is doing pretty well considering the arthritis and all the other things, "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.
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, 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), 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, Tamera (her house is being taken by eminent domain and is in settlement phase; pray for a fair settlement), Rachel, Stephen, Paul, Seth C, Alan P (to control his feelings), Cris, Louis R (re-set court date), Sean, Lesa, Kenny, Carmen, Jeff, Jane (Bereavement of Caroline's death), Elizabeth B (Graduation from High School; preparation for Point Loma Nazarene), Kenny P (Graduation from High School), John
Louis is in need of God's guidance and direction. Please pray that Louis might see God’s outstretched hand to him and guide him in all he does.
Mark Thomans is in need of God's guidance and direction. Please pray that Mark might take note God’s outstretched hand to him and accept his guidance in all he does.
Nick, age 90, grandfather of Dominique Mimnagh, friends of our Langstaff family members in Perth, is a UK citizen who suffers from various health issues, including what appears to be the onset of dementia. He has lived with his daughter Tina for 45 years. A year ago he moved to Perth with Tina, who is a permanent resident, on a temporary visa to be with his family. Immigration officials have refused to renew the temporary visa. Nick is faced with being forced to return to the UK, where he has no home and little family. Your prayers are so appreciated. This is a really troublesome time for the family. Currently, he is on medical hold because his doctor has said that he cannot fly due to irregular heartbeat. Please pray the immigration authorities will not stamp his visa with an 8503 which would mean they will not be able grant him an "AGE DEPENDENT VISA” so he and Tina can stay with her sister (who has lived in Perth for 10 years) who she is very close to. If Nick has to return to the UK, Tina will go back as well and that will break her sister’s heart and Dominique’s too. Please pray the immigration authorities will reconsider their refusal to renew the visa or that the family will come upon a solution that will be in the best interests of all concerned. Pray also for peace of mind and trust in God for Nick, Tina, Dominique and the rest of their family.
Sandra asks that you pray she will be able to concentrate her efforts at her job to do the tasks at hand, not to put off anything that can be done today, regardless of how easy it might be to justify putting it off and to do a little each day to reduce her backlog. Most importantly, for her to maintain a good attitude during her adjustment to the new process and to look to God for guidance and not her inner self.
Joan had just started her recovery from two back operations when she was given bad news, which she was unable to deal with on top of her physical problems. Things are looking up now. She is home and happy to be there. She has a new granddaughter, Eli, for whom she is grateful. Please pray Joan will look to God for the help He can give her, to help her accept those things she cannot change and change those things she can. Pray also for her husband Bob, that he might keep his mind clear to help Joan.
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.
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.
Stephen, 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, Ray (Alzheimer’s Disease)
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan), Evan (USMC-Afghanistan), Stuart (USMC-Afghanistan), Airman Donny Patton (RAF Mildenhall, UK), Bob (USCG), Josh (USCG), Rachel Ziegler (USAF – Deployed to Southwest Asia), Aaron Huber (USNMC – Deployed to Southwest Asia with USMC), Julian (USMC: Russia until 1 July 2010)
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.
Thanksgiving
Logan DeLong, grandson of our Ralph and Hope DeLong, born two months early to Ashleigh and Jarrod DeLong 16 May 2010, came home on 3 June 2010. Logan is doing well; eating and growing. Please join us in a prayer of thanksgiving for this great beginning to Logan’s life.
Various Special Requests
Sid Barnes, a missionary with Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California, to West Africa, is “missing” -- possibly in Ghana. He has not been heard of since he arrived in Accra, the capital city, on a British Airways flight from London, on Thursday, 18 March 2010, at 0900 and was missing when his assistant arrived to pick him up at 1030. Please pray for his return to family, friends and safety.
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.
Leading a Christian Life
Let’s think about the kind of life Jesus led us towards by example. That is a life on behalf of others. Jesus led His entire life here on earth so that we might have eternal life. He did not come to earth that He might be glorified and worshipped, but that we might have eternal happiness and salvation. Starting when? When we die? No, starting right now. Eternal life starting now, in the present. Not the unfathomable future, but the real present.
To gain that life, what must we do? Believe on His name. Just believe? Belief without action is fiction. Jesus commanded that we follow His direction. That we live as He did; a life dedicated to our fellow beings, our neighbors. Look on Page 69 of the BCP for the Summary of the Law (that is what Jesus told us the essence was) as read every Sunday:
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith.
THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Do what needs doing, do what wants doing. Don’t worry about credit for who did it, just get it done. No where does Jesus suggest or even comment favorably on thinking about doing, rather He asks for, more properly said demands, action. If we put the happiness of others first, not at our expense, rather to be counted a benefit to us, we are on the right track. It is not that you should give up things so that others who will not work can have them. It is that you should help those in need of your help. Those who want to do right but need your help to make it happen. Take the time (the single most precious commodity we each have) to help others who want your help to come towards the life God would have them live.
To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for Him.” If you truly do that, you will get what you need and it will be, in the end, what you wanted.
The church does not exist as a holiday home for saints, rather as an Emergency Room for sinners. Thus, it should be remembered all saints have a past and all sinners a future.
A future courtesy of Jesus!
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 – Last Friday Jam Session
Friday, the FTGC had their monthly Jam Session at Albertsons parking lot from 1830-2015, with dinner afterwards at Manañas. It was a total success.
Our usual bass, Jack from Bethel, did not make it. But all was not lost, once again World Class Bassist George Dreyer did make it. Our two newest guitarists, Bryahna and Cassidy, were back. Our usual team of Nick, Jack and Jonathan and the omnipresent Ironhand filled out the show bill. They did great.
From rock versions of Ode to Joy, to classic Amazing Grace, to White Room and Bell Bottom Blues, there was something for everyone! Even though it wasn’t too cold, the heaters were missed.
Plan to join us next month for the last Friday of the Month when our newest bass player returns! She may even bring her keyboard!
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
4 July 2010 Dru Arnold
11 July 2010 Jack Arnold
18 July 2010 Tim Macauley
25 July 2010 Alice Acker
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
You can go on line here and see our church calendar. There is also a link to subscribe. If you have problems finding this page, due to the typing requirement, go to the Beadle’s Blog or email the Beadle at thebeadle@mac.com for an emailed link.
Calendar Location - http://go.to/alpineanglicancalendar
Also, if we can get just five more members on our church Facebook Group page, we can have a name instead of a number. Help us get a name for go here and sign up for free:
Or, email the Beadle at thebeadle@mac.com for an emailed link.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
29 June 2010 – 1 July 2010 – Diocesan Synod or Meeting will be held at Mesilla, New Mexico, at the Holy Cross Retreat Center. The actual location is almost downtown Las Cruces, New Mexico. Representatives for each parish in the entire diocese get together to talk. It may be worthwhile if you have time. The Beadle has been to one, it was unique. If you would like more details, please contact the Beadle offline.
Sunday
4 July 2010 – Fifth Sunday after Trinity – Independence Day – Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday - 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!
