Today was the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a lovely 58°F under bright blue skies. By the time church ended, we were at 91°F with humidity hovering at 13 percent. Weather does not get much better than this in Southern California on Labor Day! Although we still had people on travel, with this being Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday, we had 28 people at the service.
Free Teen Guitar Class and Gathering Songs
This is the first Sunday of the month, which makes it Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday; the FTGC plays all of the music for the church. They play the gathering songs, the hymns and the closing songs. It is good practice for the kids, performing in public, albeit to a very sympathic audience. It is fun for us, we get new approaches to hymns and songs! All in all, a great time. Plus, for FTGC Sunday, we traditionally have more snacks. Today was no exception.
Today Father Ironhand and Jack Arnold led the group who played:
Bryahna Turro Cassidy Petruccelli Jack Arnold
Tyrel Hart Daniel Doran Father Ironhand
• Aura Lee (instrumental)
• Minor melody (instrumental)
• In the secret
• Just a closer walk
• Lord I lift your name
• Hymn 281•769 - Ode to Joy / Joyful
• Amazing Grace
• Kumbayah
• When the saints go
• Hymn 139 - Doxology
There was more good news, once again the gathering songs did their job today; the gatherers started with 11 and ended up with 28.
While it was a lot of fun, it is a big deal for the kids. They learn the basics of public performance, essential to a musician’s learning process. It is a big deal to have a chance to work in to the world gradually, with the first audience being a friendly one.
Pre-Service Class
Father Acker is continuing on his leisurely stroll through the Book of Luke, today he continued with the Book of Luke, Chapter 5, Verse 1:
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
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 Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity follows:
The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jack Arnold read the Epistle, which came from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, the Fifth Chapter beginning at the Sixteenth Verse. Paul tells us that Heaven and Earth are in conflict in our lives, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” If we are led of the Spirit, we are not under the law. If we are subject to the law, which we are bound to break due to our own inability to be ultimately good, we are also bound to the pit. But if we are with Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, providing we are truly repentant. We will enjoy “the fruit of the Spirit … love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
I SAY then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Today’s Gospel started in the Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Eleventh Verse. Jesus comes upon ten lepers who appeal to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” He does and tells them, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.” As they left him, their leprosy disappeared. One of the ten, “when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.” Jesus marveled at the nine who turned not saying, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Once again a Samaritan, the “least” among the Jews was the only one to recognize and offer thanks to the Power of God. Do we recognize the power of God in our lives?
AND it came to pass, as Jesus went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Sermon - Urban Legends and Myths
Father Acker continued talking today about Urban Legends and Myths. He provided the following summary so you can see what he was trying to get across:
Today's Message: Our Conscience
“When you get in trouble and you don’t know right from wrong, give a little whistle! Give a little whistle! When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong, give a little whistle! Give a little whistle! ...and always let your conscience be your guide!”
Well it may work for Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio, but do you really want to let your conscience be your guide? I don’t know about you but I can get myself to believe about anything, especially if it seems to help me. Or as is said about computer programming: garbage in equals garbage out. And its not just kids cartoons, pop-psychology book about listening to your inner self abound. Or “It can’t be wrong, if it feels so right” sings Debbie Boone in the classic 1977, “because you, you, light up my life.”
You may feel like a sin and temptation are pressing in on you. You need some help getting through all the temptations and avoiding turning away from God, which is sin. But can you or should you rely on your conscience? Can you trust your inner voice? Does your conscience tell you when you’re breaking God’s standards or just your standards?
No matter how you feel, what you inner voice says, what guidance you get from your conscience, it is God’s standard that matters. If our inner voice is the standard, then we’re making our own conscience into a god. And I can tell you idolatry isn’t something left over from the Ten Commandments, it’s alive and thriving today.
You conscience is shaped by outward forces.
The prophet Jeremiah saw the result of warped consciences in the cannibalism that occurred in Jerusalem when people were starving under siege.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17.9
Your heart will deceive you. Your heart is subject to change. Your conscience is changing, being shaped. What we need is that constant, that which we can depend on, that is God. One of the ways we define God the he doesn’t change. In Hebrews we read, “Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” God isn’t a moving target. God’s constancy means we can depend on what has been true about God will always be true about God.
Doesn’t your upbringing shape your conscience? Doesn’t the voice of your mother or father speak to you even if you’ve been out of the house for years. I’m out hiking and see trash, liter along the trail. I have to pick it up. Why? In Scouting it was a commandment: “Thou shall not walk past the smallest piece of trash and not carry it out.” So we went about as the great outdoors ground keepers always thinking that if we missed a piece of trash it would be disaster for the parks, the mountains, the country, the American way, and life as we know it on planet earth. Of course keeping the wilderness free from trash is being considerate to others and the Boy Scout way, but I still hear the voice.
Our culture also shapes the way we think about right and wrong, molding our conscience. Movies are pounding away with profanity and promiscuity. It has an impact.
It is also the same thing as peer pressure “Everyone is doing it.” A majority vote doesn’t make something right or wrong. It doesn’t matter if it is the majority of Christians who accept something as right or wrong; it is God’s vote that matters. We can’t change God’s standard; we can make up our own. Christians have done it many times.
Our friends also shape our conscience.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
1Corinthians 15.33-34
Paul is saying, wake up. Don’t bring home the bad habits of others. How many of us would or wouldn’t do something now that we would or would not have done ten years ago? What has influenced us? What shapes our right and wrong?
We can let sin corrupt, distort, and blind our conscience. Many of the Christians in Corinth had just come out of worshipping idols--they’ve been distorted. If you remain in sin long enough you may not even recognize wrong as wrong. Guilt no longer plays a role. I think it is called being a sociopath. You may not have to deal with being a sociopath, but we can have parts of our hearts hardened against some sins. We can wall up part of our life against God. We need to ask God into every part, every aspect of our life.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12.2
We need to be transformed. We need our minds renewed. Not by the world, not by our friends, not by our family. It is Christ who brings us to new life. It is God who can and will bring about true life and holiness for eternity. When God has formed your conscience, when the Word of God has filled your understanding, then you will be able to discern and do God’s will in your life.
Does your life reflect the values of this world or of God? Does your life really look any different from the people around us? Has your life been transformed, make new? Has the old ‘Adam died and are you new sons of Adam and daughters of Eve? What is the message of the power of Christ in our life? What direction are we headed? Is it the same as everyone else?
The good news is that God will enter in and transform and make new your life. It may be a makeover or a whole house remodel, but the good news is God is willing to transform your life if you will let him. And where we might be happy with a quick fix, a coat of paint and a few flowers by the front door, God wants something better for you. God wants you ready for eternity.
So what is God’s plan? Let the righteousness of God rule in your heart. Let righteousness be your guide for living.
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4.8-9
The Epistle today was about having righteousness visible in our life, so we should strive to have those virtues in our lives. And if we find those negative attributes, we need to turn from them toward God, seeking and asking for his help, his grace, that we might have a new heart, a renewal of our minds.
In the Gospel today, it was only despised foreigner who recognized that the power of God had come into his life to make him whole. Jesus was truly sad that those who were the people of God failed to see the reality of God touching their lives. Unless you’re an outsider, someone new, we’re the other nine. We should be asking “How could I have missed what God has done this day for me?”
We may follow our conscience, our inner voice, our feelings, but what God offers is the opportunity for a new life, transformed, and renewed. The righteousness God is there before us, so make it your guide. Let the power of Christ enter your life.
We need more than being on the last drops of gas in our car. We need more than driving on fumes most of the time. We need to be filled up. To have God filling our hearts, our lives, our being. We need the Spirit of God to come into our lives to be our guide. Let the righteousness of God be your guide, today and forever!
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no reported anniversaries or birthdays today.
After Church Hospitality
Holly Lizak brought snacks today with the kind assistance of Alice Acker. Holly brought the usual; the world’s best carrot cake and the world’s best black olive egg salad sandwiches, as well as very good curried chicken salad sandwiches and wonderful red seedless grapes. Because more than plenty can never be enough on a FTGC Sunday, Alice Acker brought the world’s best peanut butter cookies. All in all, superb snacks.
Thank you lovely ladies!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
12 September 2010 Nancy Graham
19 September 2010 Greg Chase – Alice Acker
26 September 2010 Jan Macauley
3 October 2010 Holly Lizak
10 October 2010 The Pattons
17 October 2010 Mary Lou Ruiz
24 October 2010 Opportunity Available!
People in our Prayers - http://www.blessedtrinityprayerteam.blogspot.com/
Prayer is an extremely important activity.
It is not that God knows not our needs, for He surely does. Yet, Jesus commanded us to ask God for those same needs. In addition to the obvious of asking God for help, offering thanksgiving and the like, prayer helps us focus our thoughts on how we might do God's work.
The Prayer Team of the Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity was established to help our members and fellow Christians pray for those in need and to give thanks as well for the blessings we have been granted.
Who can be on the list?
Do I have to be a member of the Blessed Trinity Church to be prayed for? No! The only qualification to be on the list is that you want our prayer team to pray for you. We are Christians and are happy to pray for you, no matter who you are. If you want help from God, you are our kind of people.
What is the commitment from the prayer team?
Each member of the team will pray for the desired outcome at least once per day.
How do I get myself or someone else on the prayer list?
You can email one of the prayer team leaders: Greg - gnchase@cox.net or Dru - dru@descansorodents.com, or call the church office at (619) 722-1772 or fill out a prayer card at church.
What should I ask for?
Depends on what you want. Some people merely want God to be asked to heal their ills and be mentioned by their first name, others want a specific outcome and / or have more of their personal information known to the team. Ask for what you want. It is your desire and need for prayer the team is attempting to meet. For typical examples, see the list below.
Updating the Team
If you are on our prayer list, or if you have submitted a person that you have asked us to pray for, please update one of the team members or Father Acker in person, by telephone or email. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is nice to give thanks!
Please note on the yellow (maybe green or orange, if you get an old one) cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the "prayer team". Those names will be said in church and appear here. Or, you can ask their names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will pray for them.
Prayer List Notice – If you have someone on the prayer list and their needs have changed, please let us know. We are loathe to just stop praying, yet some of the entries are a bit long in the tooth. We don’t mind praying, at all. We just want to be praying for what is needed!
Ordination
Reverend Deacon Colonel Al Ryan, USA Retired was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Communion on Saturday 14 August 2010 at Saint Paul’s Church in Portland, Maine. He is a reader of this report and comrade in arms of the Beadle. Please pray that he will fulfill the responsibilities he has undertaken in a manner which will reflect great credit up on his Lord. By the way, the Beadle has no doubts, but Al would still appreciate your prayers.
Anniversary
Keith and Alice celebrated their 16th anniversary with us three weeks ago.
Birthday
Tim Macauley celebrated his 68th birthday with us five weeks ago.
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
Don, Sandy and Nick are on travel this week.
Greg is on travel this week.
Departed
Sam Bish (age 9) passed away the evening of 20 August 2010 at home with his family after a fierce battle with osteosarcoma. Sam is home free and running with both legs. His faith is solid and so is he. Please pray for his family and friends who remain behind that they might let God carry their worries and sorrows
Jeffrey Hasara (age 16) passed away on Monday 16 August 2010 after a year’s battle with bone cancer. Jeff’s almost incredible faith has been a model for us all. He is home, happy and pain free now. Please pray for his family and friends who remain behind that they might let God carry their worries and sorrows. When you pray, recall Jeff’s words, “God lives and loves us.”
A note from the Hasara Family - From our Family to yours, thank you for your thoughts and condolences. Your prayer gave us and Jeff courage, strength and sustaining Love. God Bless in all the great things you do and have done for our family.
Riley passed away the night of 17 August 2010, due to cancer. Please pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family and friends who remain behind.
Chacko Mathews, brother of our occasional attendee Rev KM Mathews, passed away in the southern state of Kerala in India on 9 August 2010, local time, from a heart attack. Chacko was the driving force behind KM’s desire to become a minister. It is sad his treatment was delayed by bureaucracy beyond the time he had here on earth. He will be missed by all his family. Please pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family members who remain behind.
Peaceful Transition
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), Danielle, 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
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.
Tim had a basal cell spot removed from his neck, please prayer for a complete and rapid recovery.
Dale, long time friend of the Ackers, was taken to the hospital as the result of a stroke the afternoon of 4 August 2010. He is out of ICU, but still hospitalized. Please pray for guidance for those who treat him and a complete recovery. Pray also for comfort and strength for Dale, his family and friends.
Mrs. Ghana Soundari is suffering from severe bedsores and is in terrible pain. Her blood pressure is very low and her pulse is going down. She is not able to drink or take food. Doctors say they cannot help her. Please pray that God will let healing flow into Ghana and comfort her family, in particular her granddaughter Rita.
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 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 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 Oc
tober 2009. Vicky’s neighbor Sandy has been updating us periodically and just 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.
Ben Lizak receives a healing prayer
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
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), Aaron Huber (USNMC – Deployed to Southwest Asia with USMC), 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
Stephen gives thanks for getting a job.
Louis gives thanks for getting a job with UPS.
Various Special Requests
Christchurch, New Zealand is reeling from the effects of an earthquake. Please pray for a rapid recovery, strength, guidance and help for those in need.
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 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
12 September 2010 Sandy Patton
19 September 2010 Don Patton
26 September 2010 Greg Chase
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
You can go on line here and see our church calendar.
Calendar Location - http://go.to/alpineanglicancalendar
Church Facebook Groups Page - http://www.groups.to/alpineanglicanchurch
Or, email the Beadle at thebeadle@mac.com for an emailed link.
Sunday
12 September 2010 – Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity – 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
Not everyone gets the same thing out of the sermon!
See you next week on Sunday!
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