Sunday, September 26, 2010

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

Today was the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday.  Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a warm 64°F under bright blue skies.  By the time church ended, we were at 105°F with humidity hovering at 22 percent.  Summer is here!  Even though it was the hottest day of the year, we had 21 people who braved the heat to worship.

Gathering Songs
We got set up early somehow, got in our gathering songs, four instead of three and started on time.  We had a bit of volume problems with the guitars and the vocal, we will work on that for next week, promise! Father Ironhand, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold played:
In the Secret 
Lord, I lift your name on high
God is my salvation
How great is our God
Gathering songs are a great way not only to allow people to come in a bit late and not to worry, but also to allow us to mix contemporary music and conventional church music in the same service without interfering with each other.  Plus, most importantly, our guitarists love to play.   Plus, like today, somehow they often draw in people.  We started with 13 people and by the time the songs were over we had 21!
Pre-Service Class
Father Acker’s leisurely stroll through the Book of Luke continued with Chapter 5, Verse 11. 
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Left everything and followed him.   What more do you need to know?  Leave your old life behind, like a cast off snakeskin, it is of no use to you.
Propers
Each Sunday there are Propers: special prayers and readings from the Bible.  There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.  The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday.  If you have a hard time remembering, “Do I read the Collect from last Sunday or next Sunday during the week?”  Remember Sunday is the first day of the week.  There are also two Bible readings, the Epistle and the Gospel.  While they are “lessons”, they are not the First Lesson and the Second Lesson, they are the Epistle and the Gospel.  The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles or letters in the New Testament.  The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  The Collect is said by the priest as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church or by one of the priests) and the Holy Gospel, which during the service is read by an ordained minister.
The Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity follows:
The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Greg Chase read the Epistle for today, which came from the letter of Saint Paul to  the Ephesians beginning at the First Verse of the Fourth Chapter.  Once again, Paul calls us to a new life, different from our old life.  A life in which we act in a manner worth of the better life to which we have been called by Christ and for which He gave His life.  Paul, of all people, knows the importance of setting aside your old life, as Saul did, so that as Paul he  asks us to put God first in our lives, to put ourselves last.  He reminds us, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  The key to a successful life is to put the important things at the top of your To Do List. And, notice it is a To Do List, not a To Think About or To Wait a While List.   What is more important than God?
I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, for-bearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Today’s Gospel came from the Fourteenth Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, beginning at the First Verse.  The Gospel starts out reminding us the Law was designed to be  flexible.  The goal is to do God’s will, not to “follow the letter of the law” as the Pharisees were so keen on.  They brought before Him a man in need of healing as they sat to eat on the Sabbath Day.  They watched to see what He would do.  Putting the monkey on their back, He asked, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath Day?”  Wishing to  be in a position to criticize rather than answer, “they held their peace.”  He healed the man, then asked them, “Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath Day?”  They would not respond; for the answer was obvious.
Then “He put forth a parable to those” who had been invited to dine with him, after He had seen them joust for the seats of honor.  “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest seat; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Do we put God first and let others raise us up, or do we put ourselves first and let others put us down?
IT came came to pass, as Jesus went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; and answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things. And he put forth a parable to those which were bid-den, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest seat; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Sermon  - The Seven Destroyers - Greed
Father Acker is working his way through the Seven Deadly Sins, this Sunday ws on greed and he provided the following summary so you can see what he was trying to get across:
Tocay's Message: Giving Greed A Clean Sweep (Getting Christ Ahead of the Seven Destroyers)
            In the book of Proverbs (6.16) it six things God hates and seven are an abomination. More commonly Christians have talked about the Seven Deadly Sins through the centuries. It is because these sins are toxic to our health and life with God, with other people, and with us. God wants to guard our hearts and protects.
Of all of the sins that Jesus talks most about it is Greed. Greed creates more destruction in our lives, and keeps us from being who God created us to be. Greed is collecting, and filling up every space in our lives. Greed hordes everything because “Someday I might need this.” Greed cuts us off from other people because we say “This is my stuff and I might need it.”
So what is wrong with “I might need it someday?” What is wrong is selfishness takes over our lives. It turns us to say, “I want more and more, because I may need it.” What is wrong it allows fear to run our life. They have made popular TV shows about it—It’s called “Clean Sweep.” It is a window into lives filled with selfishness and fear.
You may remember Y2K, the year 2000. People were filling up the pantry and put up water, batteries, and other things, out of fear that the bank system would crash and we couldn’t get to our accounts. How many still have stuff left over from then? We’re still preparing for nuclear winter.
Greed feeds off of fear—the just in case. Isn’t that were our country is with the Economy and Unemployment; Recession or Deflation. It is fear of scarcity: more and more in a time of uncertainty. People are prioritizing their life not to live by what is important, but by making sure they get theirs.  Luke 12.13-28 (ESV)
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Be Anxious
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
             Here is the background. A man wants Jesus to tell his oldest brother to divide the inheritance, as the first son got the bulk, 2/3rd. Jesus warns, be on your guard of Greed. Then he tells the parable about building bigger barns, warehouses.
First, Jesus knows you very well. By human nature, you’re wanting more and more. Your soul, your life is more than stuff. The person with the most toys still dies. There is nothing you can take with you except your relationship with God and the relationship you had with others. No guitar, No smartphone, iPod, Car, House, Boat, Yard, or 6-pack abs.
It doesn’t matter how much you’ve collected, but what matters is what have you done with what you have. Did the treasures of your life open up your relationships to other people or did it put up walls. Did it welcome people into our lives or did it gate them off, shut the garage door to others.
Jesus is saying, “You need to do something different.” In the parable, this man got to payday and his paycheck had a big bonus. And so he was thinking where do I go? To the mall, what else can I buy? What else can I collect? What else can I get for myself. But he stops and realizes, I don’t have any more room. I’ll build an addition, a shed, get a storage unit—Collecting, more and more.
When I say “Our Father who art in heaven,” do you immediately think Lord’s Prayer? When the rich man say “What shall I do?” It triggered in everyone’s mind their Synagogue training. It was a familiar from the Torah. When you have a good harvest, don’t gather every last bit, don’t go back through to collect what you missed the first time, but leave it for the poor. Share the abundant blessing you received with those who are without. “What shall I do?”
Greed answers saying, “I need more.” Disconnecting him from the orphan, the widow, and the sojourner. So for us, where have we been disconnected by our stuff? What are we required to do in our life today? God, how am I to use what I have? I’m an avid bargain hunters. But does it matter from whom I buy? Or is it just the lowest price?
This story isn’t just for a rich man Jesus once knew, Jesus tells the parable for us. For me and my life today at Church of the Blessed Trinity, Alpine CA. It is about “How does greed affect us?” We may say, “I’m not greedy. It can’t be me.” Not me because I’m in school, or I’m not making that much at my job, or I’m not…
Jesus wants us to know that our life is more than the abundance, the quantity of what we collect. Who’s going to get your 401k, your PlayStation3, your prize collection of… These things aren’t keeping you connected. It isn’t about being concerned about an inheritance, or a paycheck.
You need to be really alive. You need to be focused on the Kingdom.
What are you investing in relationship for the Kingdom? Jesus said, sell everything you have and follow me. It is about not holding on, but pursing your relationship with God, building your relationship with others for the kingdom of God.
What are you holding onto? The things aren’t sinful. It is the collecting and disconnecting from the people you should have a relationship. Blessed Trinity is about community, in God and in our church. The symbol on our Bulletin cover is about our lives in relationship, 3 fish, 3 Christians, reflecting the relationship of the Blessed Trinity. It is about opening your house, making hospitality, helping other people, not to get something out of it, but it is about the relationship, hearing their story and recognizing that it is more important than the stuff around us.
Is it greed or is it relationships with others? After the Wild Fires we had people building relationships. We got to know other people’s needs. If you don’t know the people you won’t know how you can help, how you can serve them, help them with your abundance. Many of us stuff, that when we hear someone’s story, we can say, “I’ve got one of those you can have.”
Your life is about God and it is about people. Greed is possessions taking you away from God and away from other people.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no reported anniversaries today.  But, we celebrated Miney Farrell’s 95th for her. 
Miney was unable to spend her Sunday with us, but she sent her birthday greetings through Father Acker who saw her on Friday. 
After Church Hospitality
Jan Macauley brought snacks today; deviled eggs (this time with curry), double chocolate zucchini cookies, banana brownies, cheesecake layered brownies, huge red flame seedless grapes and almonds.  Beautiful and tasty, as always.  Thanks, Jan!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
3 October 2010 Holly Lizak
10 October 2010 The Pattons
17 October 2010 Mary Lou Ruiz
24 October 2010 Betsy and Marianne Lane
31 October 2010 Primo Dew
7 November 2010 Opportunity Available!
14 November 2010 Opportunity Available!
21 November 2010 Opportunity Available!
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
Keith and Alice celebrated their 16th anniversary with us six weeks ago. 
Birthday
Miney Farrell celebrated her 95th birthday today. 
Moving
Alan, and his son Kenny, Parker moved to Mississippi 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
Jack, Ryan, Lisa and Hap are on travel this week.
Won is on travel to Korea.
Departed
Mona’s Grandmother
Peaceful Transition
Otis is in hospice care.
Beatrice
Ruth is in home hospice care.
Peter Hunter is in hospice palliative care and needs his wife Susan's continuous care. Please pray for peace of mind through trust in our Lord for both of them as Peter passes from this world to his home.  Pray also for their friends and family.
Homebound
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Ray (Alzheimer’s Disease), Florence
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, 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 (Broken arm & pelvis from a fall; bedridden & pain; Back in hospital), Louis, Alan P (Stress test for chest pain), Lydia, Burton (neurological  back pain), Terry (Breast Cancer; surgery 3 Aug10), Goodwin Family, Kathy who had surgery for a reoccurrence of cancer, Susan A
Hy Barrett had a hip replacement.  Please give thanks for the great result and pray for her continued recovery.
Greg Garvin began chemotherapy on Monday 13 September 2010, for testicular cancer.  Please pray for good result and peace of mind for Greg and his family.
Won King had a small stroke near the end of August, the only residual appears to be a loss of vision in her left eye.  Please pray for a complete healing and give thanks for the great progress so far.
JJ Davies, age 11, sustained a crushing injury to his left hand on 1 September 2010, which resulted in the loss of four fingers.  He was released from the hospital on the night of 3 September 2010, with no sign of infection.  Please give thanks for no infection and the great results to date and pray for continued healing in his hand and arm.  Pray for courage, strength and trust for JJ and his family.
Nancy Bologna underwent emergency surgery the night of 23 August 2010, for a brain tumor.  Please pray for a successful outcome and strength and comfort for her and her family.
Nancy Belk’s breast cancer had been in remission for seven years.  It has apparently resurfaced in metastasized into her lungs and her arm. Please pray for treatment that will help her, as well as strength and comfort for both her and her family.
George’s bladder cancer resurfaced earlier this year, treatment to date has not been promising.  Please pray for effective treatment and pain control, pray for peace of mind for George, his wife LaVonda, and their children Megan and George III. Their faith is great, but so is their need.
Mary Jo for guidance in taking care of her husband.
Betty Macauley, Tim’s mom, is currently in a state of failing health.  Please pray she will gain interest in life around her and actively pursue life here on earth.  Please pray for her family, in particular her son Tim, as they try to help her.
Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving.  A further 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.
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, has her cast replaced with a boot, which stays for at least two more weeks because of poor bone fusion to date.   The boot is hot and uncomfortable, but Doreen give thanks for having a foot and a family.  Please give thanks for the great results so far and for her being 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.
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.
Rede Acker, Father Acker’s mom, is recovering from her broken leg, just above where she had a knee replacement.  Rede’s attitude is great, she is working towards increased mobility and is making it to church! Rede us akready planning on visiting her sons for Thanksgiving!  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 of 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.  After about 18 months of treatment, all his scans are clear and Friday 3 September 2010, he had his chemotherapy port removed. This with a disease that is about 90 percent fatal in that same time period.  He has no hip joint on one side, but he walks and swims!  Courage?  Guts? You bet!  Thanks be to God for the way things have gone.  Thanks also for the great faith of Matt and his entire family.  Their faith and trust is a wonderful example for each and every one of us.  But, now is not the time to stop praying.  Actually, it never is the time to stop praying!
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.  Vicky’s neighbor Sandy has been updating us periodically and sent this:
On 28 October 2009, Vicky she told her husband Doug she had a terrible headache. As it turned out she had a ruptured brain aneurysm. After four surgeries and several months in hospitals, nursing homes and a rehabilitation hospital she came home five weeks ago. Considering the fact she was only given a slight chance to pull through and the fear was she would be an invalid and might never understand anything or talk again her coming home was a small miracle.   Doug prepared for the worst but never gave hope and he made daily trips to Denver to be with her and their boys also went often. 
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 Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) one month ago.  The disease has impacted her far quicker than anyone can believe.  Two months ago, she could walk with the aid of a cane, one month ago she could feed her self.  Now she cannot move, cannot walk, cannot feed herself and has no movement from her neck downwards. 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 continues her recovery from the kidney transplant and is doing incredibly well!  Please give thanks for the great progress to date and pray for continued recovery.
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 pray for God’s peace of mind for Bashir and his loving wife, who cares for him.   Above all, pray for his entire family to open their hearts to accept all God’s love will bring them. 
Mary Parker had her pacemaker replaced on Tuesday 6 July 2010.  The procedure was completely successful and she feels significantly better.  The Wii is coming out soon!
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 has pain and weakness in her leg.  She asks that you pray for strength to work hard on physical exertion required to regain her strength.  She also thanks God for the wonderful people she lives with.
Lorraine Winkles is deals with the arthritis, but her shingles have resurfaced.  She asks your prayer in dealing with the accompanying discomfort.
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
June D, 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, Cole, Gabe, Toni as she cares for Terry who is undergoing breast cancer treatment, Christy, Ray, Alan (stress in family matters), Kenny (dealing with not being able to physically qualify for the Coast Guard), Sol F, Alex, Emilie
Helen and her family are in need of God’s guidance that they might do His will, see things His way and hopefully come together through His love.
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 Thomas 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.  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.
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 to turn 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
Wanda for guidance on dealing with an employment situation for which her organization needs protection against those who would destroy and tear down the work of the helping organization; also for strength and guidance to deal with the extra stress and hours required to deal with these problems; and pray for her continued healing during this time of stress.
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
Sandra asks that you pray she will be able to find new employment in which she can use her considerable talents to make her new employer more successful.  Please pray for her as she searches that she might maintain a good attitude while she looks for work and to look to God for guidance and not her inner self.
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. 
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.
Peter, 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.
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), Kurt Thomas (USN – Afghanistan FOB), Julian (USMC)
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
Nancy gives thanks for all God’s blessings.
Danielle Rubio Blomberg gives thanks for the safe birth of Cannon Christopher Rubio Blomberg the night of 9 September 2010, after a difficult pregnancy.
Stephen gives thanks for getting a job.
Louis gives thanks for getting a job with UPS.
Various Special Requests
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 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 continue to 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 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 
3 October 2010 Holly Lizak
10 October 2010 Tim Macauley
17 October 2010 Greg Chase
24 October 2010 Alice Acker
31 October 2010 Ben Lizak

The near future, as well as Next Sunday
You can go on line here and see our church calendar.  
Church Facebook Groups Page - http://www.groups.to/alpineanglicanchurch
Or, email the Beadle at thebeadle@mac.com for an emailed link.
Sunday
3 October 2010 – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service starting about 0945 (9:45 am). This is the first Sunday of the month, which means it is Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday!  The kids will be providing music for all the songs, not just the gathering songs, but the hymns, too!  Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Sunday
10 October 2010 – Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity – 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!