Sunday, October 17, 2010

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

Today was the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Sunday.  Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a cooler 54°F under bright blue skies.  Down the hill at church it was a far different, far wetter picture.  There was a deep marine layer, the temperature was about 55°F, but it was drizzling!  With quite a few of the parish on travel, we still ended up with 20 people to worship our Lord!

Gathering Songs
Today Nick Patton, Jack Arnold and Father Ironhand did a great job, playing: 
Lord I lift your name
Just a closer walk
In the secret
Jesus loves me
God is my salvation
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 9 people and by the time the songs were over we had 20!
Pre-Service Class
Father Acker’s leisurely stroll through the Book of Luke continued with Chapter 5, Verse 33. 
And they said to Him, "The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers, the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same, but Yours eat and drink."
And Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?
But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days."
And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined.
"But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
"And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'"
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 minister 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 Twentieth Sunday after Trinity follows:
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
The Collect.
O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Hap Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning at the Fifteenth Verse of the Fifth Chapter.  “… the days are evil.  … understand… what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; …” God wants us to be happy, to be good and to enjoy life.  The key to happiness is to do what God asks of you.  No more (you can’t), no less.  Though you fall short, keep trying, that is all God asks.   If you find this no other place, listen to the words of St. Paul.
SEE then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
The Gospel was written in the Twenty-Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the First Verse.  Talking to the priests and scribes, Jesus told one of the wedding parables, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then” he sent “his servants … into the highways” to “gather… together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
JESUS said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Sermon  - The Seven Destroyers - Laziness
Father Acker is working his way through the Seven Deadly Sins, this Sunday was on laziness or slothfulness and he provided the following summary so you can see what he was trying to get across:
Today's Message: Don’t Drive Angry: Wrath and Revenge
Most of us want to be closer to God. We want God to be more a part of our life. Most of us that God wants to have a closer relationship with us. Most of us know that we make choices to turn away from God. What we need are ways to turn back to God.
None of you are creative enough to have invented a new sin, a new way to turn away from God. How you turn away from God isn’t something unique to you. These ways are common to us as human beings that Jesus, Saint Paul, and other Christians down through the centuries have been able to list them. What is on Jesus’ top ten list? Actually being a Jew, it was the top dozen, the top twelve.
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7.21-22 ESV)
On the list is murder. And it isn’t just willfully taking someone’s life, but violence in thought and action against the life of another person.
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council. (Matthew 5.21-22 ESV)
God wanted us sync’d up with God’s plan for life, experiencing the life and presence of God. Jesus is God way of making that a reality in your life. And everything is going along fine, we’re placing our trust in God, allowing Jesus to be Lord in our life, in those things we talked about: our greed, our laziness/apathy/despair, and our lust.
Then out of the blue, no warning, we get angry.  You know what it’s like, someone says something and your bell bottoms start to split, your shirt turns to shreds, green muscles bulge, and your eyes turn yellow. And it’s not because you just found a hot pepper in your chili. You hear yourself saying, "Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.” The Incredible Hulk appears starring Bill Bixby as Dr. Dave Banner.
This is unlike the inactivity I talked about last week, the paralyzing effect of apathy and despair, keeping us from God’s plans for us and our life with him. With anger we find ourselves motivated to action that we shouldn’t take. Wrath makes us move at a pace that is greater than is good, with energy and passion that runs over other people in our lives.
It is nothing new. Last week’s reading we heard (Ephesians 4.26), Paul says, “Be angry, and do not sin.” So it is something more than anger. We should stand up against evil and wrong. We should take action to protect ourselves and others from evil, destruction, and abuse. God is angry over what is wrong, evil, and destructive: Death, disease, abuse, and violence. We should be angry at these wrongs. To stop evil is a good thing.
“Be angry, and do not sin.” Where is sin for us in anger? Unlike God, where our anger goes wrong is when we take on being judge and jury—our little war for justice; our understanding of what is good, right, and fair. It takes anger at wrong, and we step in to execute justice, for ourselves, or for someone else. Wrath takes justice, revenge having taken it beyond anger at the wrong.
When someone has caused pain and hurt in my life, or the life of someone of whom I care very much, I want to inflict pain and suffering, to make them feel what I’m feeling. It takes the proper order for justice away from God and places me in the position to determine right and wrong.
It is sin because I’m saying, I will set things right. Placing me in the position to make things right in the lives of others. I’m trying to take God’s place. I’m saying, “Justice is mine, not the Lord’s.” I corrupt right anger to vengeance, getting even, and pain. It is EGO; Edging God Out.
On the Cross Jesus carries out God’s plan, God’s solution wasn’t to dismiss the pain, the hurt, and betrayal; It wasn’t to forget the wrong, the destruction, and the evil. Jesus is the love of God, not the revenge of God. Only God can set thing back in order. God does in at the cost of his Son’s life.
When I take wrath into my own hands it isn’t with the absolute, self-giving love that God has for the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve. In my hands it inflicts pain and hurt. In my hands it will explode and damage my life and the lives of those around me. It is My Justice that turns me from love, and kills in me the life God wants and desires. Jesus wants you to have abundant life.
Anger is not the sin. The betrayal, hurt, and injury are not forgotten. [It is the reality of everyone sitting here. The person next to you, behind you, and across the aisle.] The temptation of sin is to play it over and over in our minds, to nurture, feed it, and make it grow. It can start out very innocent going back over how it happened. We ask ourselves could I have done something different? Could I have said, done, or acted to help myself or someone else so this awful thing won’t have happened?
Playing it over and over we make plans to put things right. How can I get even? We all know it. Someone says something to put you down and you spend the next several minutes thinking How can I put them in their place? How can I make them feel what I feel? We work out all the things we could say—How we can get even, get revenge. Most of the time we aren’t that clever and know what comeback to make to put them in their place. We end up walking away. You may even think about it that night lying in bed.
When in reality what we need is healing. We need the damage repaired, patched, and made whole. If you keep sticking your finger in the hole in your jacket it isn’t going to get fixed. It isn’t going to get fixed if you ignore it.
Wrath is the lie that I’m going to feel better getting even, making them hurt, make them feel the pain that I feel. It is a lie, a sin, a turning to our own self, rather than turning to God. The sin that kills us is “getting even.” It isn’t God’s plan.
God’s plan is for healing of Jesus’ love coming to the hurt, the betrayal, the wrong. We are to be praying God’s plan for healing this week in our collect (BCP p.217) Keep us from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest.” Jesus commanded us to love one another. Something we can only do when Jesus is there in your life, in you hurt and loss. Only in Jesus will we be able to move from “an eye for an eye” to “bring the whole world to himself.” The love, the righteousness, the justice needs to be bigger than me, bigger than us, it needs to be the love of God.
We need more than the message “Don’t drive angry.” We need God directing, leading, and commanding our life. We need to we know in the hurt, pain, and wrong which God makes right and just in his Son Jesus.
New Nametags
We had three new nametags today!
Liz Bill June
Fuller Fuller Kaufman
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
Mary Lou Ruiz brought snacks today.  Mary Lou must have been peering into the Beadle’s empty head!  The world’s best meatballs, two kinds of chocolate dipped crackers with peanut butter interiors, both white and milk chocolate!  Two kinds of cheeses and two kinds of crackers! 
Thank you very much!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
24 October 2010 The Pattons
31 October 2010 Primo Dew and Alice Acker
7 November 2010 Primo Dew and Mrs. Dru
14 November 2010 Muriel Pappin
21 November 2010 Jan Macauley
28 November 2010 Nancy Graham
5 December 2010 Opportunity Available
12 December 2010 Opportunity Available
19 December 2010 Opportunity Available
26 December 2010 Mary Hollis
2 January 2011 Opportunity Available
9 January 2011 Opportunity Available
6 January 2011 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
Sandy and Don Patton celebrated their 24th anniversary with us two weeks ago. 
Birthday
Miney Farrell celebrated her 95th birthday three 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
Aaron, Traci and Warren are on travel this week.
Ben and Holly are on travel this week.
Won is on travel to Korea.
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.
Departed
Florence D
Trent
Sid Barnes, missionary to Ghana, was murdered in Ghana some time before 14 October 2010.
Mike Brown lost his seven week battle in ICU with Legionnaire’s Disease the afternoon of 11 October 2010. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for comfort and strength for his family, particularly his wife Nela, who of necessity remain behind. May God grant them the strength they need and may they accept it.
Mary Lou’s father passed away the week of 4 October 2010.  Please pray for the repose of his soul and for those whose lives he was part of, including the people he lived with at the Good Samaritan assisted living facility.  Pray also for Mary Lou and the rest of his family as they adjust to his being gone from their presence.
Lisa Sparto was thrown from her horse 29 September 2010, sustaining massive head injuries and passed away on 30 September 2010.  Please pray for the repose of her soul and for comfort and strength for her family, in particular her daughter Tiffany, who sustained minor injuries at the same time, and her husband Joe.
Florence died on Monday 27 September 2010, after a protracted period of disability under the loving care of her daughter June.  Please pray for the repose of Florence’s soul and comfort and strength for June.  Pray that June will move through this major change in her life and find purpose anew to fulfill her God given mission here on earth through the fellowship of faith.
Mona’s Grandmother
Homebound
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Ray (Alzheimer’s Disease), Poli (in failing health and currently hospitalized)
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, Dorothea, Liz F (diabetes and vertigo), Robert, John, Liz, Jack, Bill, Corina, Liz, Robert, Mark
Victor’s heart was racing and it was expected he had a blocked coronary artery, but an angiogram on 13 October 2010, at Scripps Green Hospital found no blockage. They did find some plaque in his heart, but they don't know why his heart is racing. They plan to do more tests, but they may never know.  They will put him on medication to help his heart heal.  Please pray for healing for Victor and peace of mind through trust in God for Victor and his wife Karen as well as the rest of his family and friends.
Becky Madlen was accidently shot by her brother in law Friday 1 October 2010, while staying overnight at his home with her husband.  The brother in law mistook her for an intruder.  Becky is able to breathe on her own, but it appears that she will be paralyzed from the neck down.  Please pray for further recovery for Becky, as well as strength and guidance for each of those involved.
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 Seddon’s bladder cancer resurfaced earlier this year. His previous chemotherapy was ineffective, and he's been put on a stronger dose with more severe side effects. But, is seems it has worked!  George is being re-evaluated for surgery which may take place around the middle of November 2010.  Please continue to pray for George's complete healing.  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, can now wear a shoe around the house, better than the boot which was hot and uncomfortable.  She is using a bone growth stimulator to encourage complete healing.  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:
Greg broke his toe.
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.
Judy, Susanne Barrett’s mom, had chest pains the morning of 5 October 2010, and was taken to Scripps La Jolla where they found a blood pressure issue and released her.  Please pray for treatment guidance and peace of mind for Judy and her husband Carl.
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 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.
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.
Bashir Ahmed, father of Shamim Gray, has been blessed with the Lord's breath of life to stay on this earth for the time being.  But, things are hard for him and his loving wife, who cares for him.  They have two young nieces living with them who see no real need to help, pray for God to enter their hearts.  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 felt significantly better.  At present, she is in Sharp Memorial Hospital, details are not yet available.  Please pray for her peace of mind and rapid recovery.
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 dealing 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, Delores, Fontonilla, Will, Vinnie, Colleen and family, Maureen and family, Billy, Barbie, Robert, Terry, Tony, Sue (husband passed away after a long illness), June
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.
Sol and his 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. 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
Nancy asks your prayers for guidance for her as she seeks employment at both Viejas and Donovan Prison.
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
Steven gives thanks for a hit and run accident in which he was the non-at fault party, but most important neither he nor anyone else were hurt.  And his car is drivable.
Nancy gives thanks for all God’s blessings.
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 
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
24 October 2010 – Twenty-First 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
Wednesday
24 November 2010 – Alpine Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service - Service start time 1900 (7:00 pm); Time 1900 (7:00 pm); Location – Alpine Community Church at the Five Way Stop, Alpine, CA
Thursday
25 November 2010 –Thanksgiving Day Service - Service start time 0830 (8:30 am); Time 0830 (8:30 am); Location – Victoria House, 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA
Sunday
12 December 2010 – Christmas Caroling after the Service – come with us to sing and visit with our homebound members.  Time 1130 (11:30 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Friday
24 December 2010 – Christmas Eve Service - Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); Christmas Carols before the service starting about 1730 (5:30 pm).  Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Saturday
24 December 2010 – Christmas Day Service - Service start time 0930 (9:30 am); Time 0930 (9:30 am); Location – Victoria House, 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA
See you next week on Sunday!

No comments: