Today was the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a very nice 38°F under bright blue skies. Down the hill at church it was slightly warmer, by the time church ended, the temperature hit 63°F with the same bright blue skies.
Father Keith and Alice were on vacation today. We were honored to have LCDR Father Frank Centurion, USN, and his lovely wife Estella with us. Frank was assigned to the US Marines at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan with Aaron Huber for the past six months. It was a real pleasure to have them with us! Even though we had a number of parish members on travel, we still ended up with 22.
Gathering Songs
With Father Ironhand on vacation, Jack Arnold and Nick Patton handled the pre-service music on their own. Well sort of on their own, Holly, Ben and Dru provided the vocal to the guys’ guitars, playing:
Closer walk with thee • Lord, I lift your name on high • Amazing Grace
The gathering songs went really well today. They 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. Today’s songs were particular favorites, Amazing Grace at the top of the list! The opening song, I sing a song of the saints of God right above that and the Navy Hymn (Aviator’s Version), which was our Offertory right up there. Great music today!
Pre-Service Class
There was no pre-service class, which was well received as it gave us more time to eat after the service.
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.
Today, the Propers for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity can be found on Page 222-223:
The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity
The Collect.
O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We have a second collect, that for the Feast of All Saints’ Day, a fixed feast which is celebrated on 1 November every year. The collect for that day is to be read on that day and the seven days following, to ensure it is read on at least one Sunday. The period, one day, plus seven more is an octave. The Collect for the All Saints’ Day is found on Page 257 of the Book of Common Prayer and follows:
All Saints’ Day
The Collect.
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Jack Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians beginning at the Seventeenth Verse of the Third Chapter. Writing to the church in Philippia, Paul asks them to watch whom they follow, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, … that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” He reminds us of our ultimate goal, of that which for us should have the principal place in our minds, “For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.”
BRETHERN, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
The Gospel was written in the Twenty-Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the Fifteenth Verse. Like many people today, the Pharisees took much comfort in the fact that they followed The Law to The Letter. Not looking to what the law was trying to get them to do and to think, but rather following The Law to The Letter. Jesus presented a threat to their very existence, because he asked the people to do what God willed, not to simply cook their food a certain way, or turn down an invitation to a luau because they served roast pig and drank Bud. Being good followers of The Law to The Letter, they sought to trip Him up. “…they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, ‘Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Having for so long lived The Law to The Letter, believing The Kingdom of God would be of this world, they could not see the obvious response. They were absolutely floored when Jesus said, “Shew me the tribute money.” With no thought of the answer, “they brought unto him a penny.” Jesus asked them, “Whose is this image and superscription?” Again playing the straight man, walking into the trap they had set for themselves, they answered, “Caesar’s.” Driving his point straight into their hearts, he told them, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
This ended the encounter, “they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
THEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Sermon - Balcony People
There was more to the sermon than the title, it was well crafted and executed. The main
point was we cannot do what we are supposed to do alone. We need people to cheer us on when times are tough, people to believe in us and urge us on to the final victory. In plays and sports, you often see the crowd in the balcony, leaning over and cheering, providing guidance, providing encouragement. We need people like that in our lives. When times are tough and your spirit falters, a kind word, a spur in the side will work miracles in our lives. We can do almost anything with encouragement. The balcony people are legion, husbands, wives, parents, brothers, sisters, mentors, coworkers, comrades in arms, buddies, passersby who become central figures in our lives. That being said, look not only to your balcony people for help, but make every effort to be one too!
Father Centurion was kind enough to provide a copy of his sermon, so you can read precisely what he said.
Jesus said: Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. Like the Pharisees in the gospel we so often want to divide God and the world God has made into easy-to-grasp categories. That is what blinded the Pharisees to the reality of Jesus, the desire to put Jesus in a neat box. But Because Jesus did not fit their image of who the Messiah would be, or what a truly Holy person would say and do, they rejected him, and failed to see that power that gives energy for great and passionate and successful living. How do we distinguish where our loyalties are so that we can “Render unto Caesar," said Jesus, "the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's".
In the art of living we seldom are able to distinguish our loyalty to God to achieve success all by ourselves. The struggles are too fierce, and the failures are too frequent for us to walk alone. We won't journey into wholeness long if we do it by ourselves. If we are too overcome failures, courageously face life's fragile nature and live life passionately and successfully we need our own cheering section.
I have been fortunate enough to have such people in my life when I felt at my lowest and failed people greatly. I have come to realize that I need others to help me achieve. I can do nothing without them.
We all have those voices in the deep places within, those emotional cellars of our lives---those remembered voices that hold us back. I can hear one of those voices now saying " you're not going to make it, you can't do it"
These voices from our emotional cellars can be destructive and we can spend a life time and money in therapy trying to escape their tyranny. Some are from the past and some are from the present--but they all are at work to bring havoc to our lives.
The late Carlyle Marney, theologian and Baptist pastor talked about these emotional cellars, but he also talked about people who help us out of those places-- he called them "balcony people." Marney envisioned our lives like a house and in that house a balcony filled with people who were standing up leaning over the railing to urge him on his way, cheering him on his way to his endeavors.
Hopefully we all have a balcony filled with people. Some are alive and some have passed on, but we need to listen to them, linger in their presence and learn from them the hope and courage for the race of life.
Who is in your balcony? The people who encourage you in life, the people who cheer you on into greatness in the name of God, the people who inspire you to live at your best when you are at your worst? Balcony people can be our mentors, our heroes and heroines, our supporters our friends, our positive critics, our leaders. Let me tell you about a few in my balcony.
I would find Ralph Deppen, an Anglo-Catholic priest who served in Chicago as Canon to the Ordinary back in the days of Bishop Montgomery. He had a great career in the Church, a well respected priest who probably should have been a bishop. He became my mentor while in retirement in Southern California and I was in the process towards my ordination. He guided me through the process and his support of me never wavered, he had confidence in me and in my abilities even when obstacles were thrown in my way and I felt like giving up. I can hear his voice saying to me, “Go on you can do it, be a priest with character and integrity."
And then there was Donna Wanland, my “surrogate mother”, theological mentor and friend. She knew me since I was twelve when she was one of three adults who led the parish youth group. She saw me through some of the most difficult and chaotic years of family life at home, she gave me some family I could count on and taught me about the infinite mysterious God that would ask me to surrender my life to love and to service. And because of her I trust in God in whom I will live forever. I hear her saying, "Just remember Frank, life is the most wondrous of seas, but never try to swim alone, this sea was made for the buddy system."
And also in my balcony is my wife who knows me through and through and still loves me. She always cheering me on and never critical of me and that is amazing!
Jesus was a balcony person. His concern was for those people who were left out, who had fallen through the cracks of life and fell behind in the race of life. God's love extends to those whom others find a failure. Beyond our wildest imagination, God can redeem even the most unredeemable. Something the Pharisees in our story could not see today, they could only see things in black and white terms and that is a form of spiritual poverty.
God in the person of Jesus Christ came to us in the poverty of our humanity to be in the balcony of all those who were not worth counting. To bring good news and to take away the sin of the world and bring salvation for all. But Jesus saw the world as something more than just something to be redeemed, he also saw it as something to be enjoyed and delighted in. Jesus came among the people proclaiming a full, joyous, and abundant life for all. God gives us the desire to succeed, excel and be someone that counts.
St. Paul also knows that we all need balcony people too and so he urges the Philippians to imitate and learns what it means to be faithful so when they grow weary and the race is hard, they can rejoice in the fellowship of those countless people, a balcony of people who can say to me "Go on, hang in there, in the race that God has prepared for you."
We need to remember all those saints in our lives our balcony people who are ordinary people like you and me, flawed people. That's were grace comes in; through the cracks in our lives is where God's own power and presence shines through. Our heroes and heroines are righteous in the midst of the flaws in their lives. That is why they are so important in the balcony of our lives.
We all need our balconies -- and our balcony people. For there we find people who can give us encouragement when relationships fail or hope fades and our dreams die in the dark. It is our communion with those people, dead and alive which give us courage to stay in the race, to strive for achievement and overcome failures. These saints and balcony people serve as our examples of how to “render unto God” and because of that we can sing that verse from this great hymn:
I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
New Nametags
We had one new nametag today, Haley Barbour who attends with the Hubers.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had no reported anniversaries today. We did celebrate Jack Arnold’s 18th birthday with him today!
After Church Hospitality
Dru Arnold brought snacks today. In honor of LCDR Frank and Estella Centurion, she killed not one, but three fatted dognuts, dognut holes, plus macadamia nuts, almonds, peanut crunch and for the faint of heart, four kinds of cheeses, pita chips and hummus. Wonderful!
Thank you very much!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
14 November 2010 Muriel Pappin
21 November 2010 Jan Macauley
28 November 2010 Nancy Graham
5 December 2010 Opportunity Available
12 December 2010 Holly Lizak
19 December 2010 Mary Lou Ruiz
26 December 2010 Mary Hollis
2 January 2011 Jan Macauley
9 January 2011 Opportunity Available
6 January 2011 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!
Anniversary
Sandy and Don Patton celebrated their 24th anniversary with us five weeks ago.
Birthday
Jack Arnold celebrated his 18th birthday last week.
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
Keith and Alice are on travel this week.
Tim, Jan and Stephanie are on travel this week.
Walt and Fran are on travel this week.
Won is on travel to Korea.
Peaceful Transition
Poli Flores is apparently nearing the end of his time here on earth. Please pray for peace of mind for him as he comes to his return home and for his family as they go through this with him. In particular pray for his daughter Mary Lou as she travels back and forth to be with him.
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
Ruby Gillis passed away early the morning of 19 October 2010. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for her family who remain behind; Mike and Nancy and Ruby's grandchildren.
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.
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, Paul, Terry
Shamim Gray underwent a lumpectomy on Saturday 6 November 2010 at Bethesda Naval Hospital, with apparent great result. Please give thanks for the successful surgery, the good result and a quick recovery. Please pray for a complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Shamim will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.
Judith Clingwall, afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), suffered a major setback in her coping with the disease. She is currently hospitalized. Please pray for her strength, peace of mind, trust in God and remission of the disease so she might return home to her family. Pray also for strength for her husband Martin as he deals with all the problems and stress of Judith’s situation.
Joan Balslev underwent nerve surgery on her right hand on Wednesday 20 October 2010, which resulted in a finding far different than expected and she will require further surgery. Please pray for peace of mind for Joan and her husband Bob as the further surgery approaches. Pray also for the surgical team to pay attention and do their best; for a good result and a quick recovery.
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 Madden is paralyzed from the neck down as the result of a tragic shooting accident. She is about to be released home. 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.
Jerry Wolfe, Melanie Zimmers’ dad has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. They have put him on medication to get his heart beat under control. If this does not work, he will need a pacemaker. Please pray for the drugs to work and he will maintain his trust in the Lord.
Melanie Zimmers’ developed kidney stones while visiting her dad in the hospital. One has passed, she prays this too shall pass. Please pray for quick and relatively pain free stone passing and that Mel will keep her sense of humor.
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.
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, 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, Veronica, victims of the earthquake in Haiti
James Edward Gerard Fox asks that you please pray for him as he is not well in mind and body and needs raising up to perfection by God through our Lord Jesus. James suffers from anxiety and depression. He is desperate, he has bad asthma, panic attacks and blackouts - his min and thinking is disordered. He asks for a complete lasting miracle in order to heal him. He feels a tormenting unclean spirit inside him that needs taking out for good. Pray for him to accept God’s help.
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.
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
Shamim gives thanks for a successful surgery.
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
14 November 2010 Dave Geraldson
21 November 2010 Don Patton
28 November 2010 Sandy Patton
5 December 2010 Tim Macauley
12 December 2010 Holly Lizak
19 December 2010 Alice Acker
24 December 2010 Jack Arnold (Christmas Eve Service)
26 December 2010 Jan Macauley (Boxing Day Service)
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.
Wednesday
10 November 2011, 235th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Thursday
11 November 2011, Veterans Day – Honoring all those who have put their lives on the line for our country, those who gave their lives, those whose lives were altered forever and those who were lucky,
Friday
12 November 2011, normal Friday morning service at Victoria Chapel is canceled due to the Vicar being on travel.
Sunday
14 November 2010 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity - Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service starting about 0945 (9:45 am) featuring guest bassist John Young of Birmingham. Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Sunday
21 November 2010 – Sunday Next before Advent - 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
28 November 2011, 235th Birthday of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps – First Sunday in Advent - 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
Sunday
5 December 2011 - Second Sunday in Advent - 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
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
17 December 2010 – Macauley Christmas Party - Time 1700 - 2100 (5:00 pm – 9:00 pm); Location – Jan and Tim Macauley’s home – 8959 Chestnut Roan Way, Alpine CA 91901
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
25 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
Saturday
25 December 2010 – Christmas Day Dinner for those with no family with which to spend Christmas or those who would like to spend it with us - Start time 1130 (11:30 am); Time 1130 (11:30 am); Location – Alpine Community Center - 1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
The Burrito Ministry
People have asked, “How can you get to know someone in such a big church?” The secret is that after church, we break up in to small groups, known in the Evangelical world as ministries, to discuss the service and how the world goes. The one the Beadle belongs to is known as the Burrito Ministry! The ministry is very exclusive, only those who go to the church, would like to go to the church or think they might like to associate with us are invited.
See you next week on Sunday!
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