The week starting on Palm Sunday and continuing through the Saturday before Easter is commonly called Holy Week and the week in which the passion of our Savior is commemorated. The week starts with the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ends with the death of the Savior on the Cross and the burial of his body in the tomb. It is a week of ups and downs without parallel and precedes the most joyous day of the year, the Day of the Resurrection or Easter Sunday.
Jesus has a triumphant entry into the city on the First Day of the Week (Sunday); on Thursday night he celebrates the Passover with his disciples in the Upper Room, he prays and agonizes over what he knows is coming in the garden of Gethsemane; Judas betrays him early Friday morning, his most trusted disciple denies him; the Jews condemn him to Pilate who in turn orders him to be beaten and humiliated; that does not satisfy the Jews and at their request, Pilate condemns a man he knows to be innocent to a horrible death to pacify the crowd of Jews assembled by the priests; Jesus is crucified, asks John to take care of his mother and gives up the ghost; his body is taken down and buried; the disciples are dispersed and discouraged; they have listened to their Lord, but not understood.
Think of this week from the disciples’ perspective, on the first day they enter with their leader into Jerusalem in triumph; mid-week they celebrate the joyous feast of the Passover, then their leader is betrayed, defends himself not and is killed. At the time they surely could not think of this as a Holy Week and certainly not a Good Friday. Yet on the first day of the week that follows, our Lord is Risen, Risen indeed and delivers the promise of salvation in person.
What a week!
Wednesday
The first event of Holy Week was Wednesday’s Instructional Seder Dinner held at the SCAIR Center in Alpine, the facility courtesy of Wanda Michaelis and Lona Walsh. A Seder is the traditional ceremonial Passover dinner customarily held in Jewish homes. We had 25 attendees, including two guests from the Alpine Christian community.
Passover commemorates God's sparing of the Hebrew firstborn as he saw the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts of their houses on the night of the Tenth Plague:
The Ten Plagues are the ten calamities visitated upon Egypt by God in order to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelite slaves go to the desert for 3 days.
The plagues as they appear in the Bible are:
1. (Exodus 7:14-25) rivers and other water sources turned to blood killing all fish and other water life. (Dam)
2. (Exodus 7:26-8:11) amphibians (commonly believed to be frogs) (Tsfardeia)
3. (Exodus 8:12-15) lice or gnats (Kinim)
4. (Exodus 8:16-28) flies or beasts (Arov)
5. (Exodus 9:1-7) disease on livestock (Dever)
6. (Exodus 9:8-12) unhealable boils (Shkhin)
7. (Exodus 9:-35) hail mixed with fire (Barad)
8. (Exodus 10:1-20) locusts (Arbeh)
9. (Exodus 10:21-29) darkness (Choshech)
10. (Exodus 11:1-12:36) death of the first-born of all Egyptian families.
Then ten plagues correspond roughly to ten of the Egyptian “gods”.
The "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Khag Ha'Matsot) refers to the week-long period when leaven has been removed, and unleavened bread or matzah ("flatbread"), the holiday's primary symbol, is eaten to recall the rapid departure of the Jews from Egypt.
Many Jews observe the positive Torah commandment of eating matzo on the first night of Passover at the Passover Seder, as well as the Torah prohibition against eating or owning Chametz (leavened products such as bread, cake, cookies, beer, whiskey or pasta)[5] for the duration of the holiday. In Israel, Passover is a seven-day holiday, with the first and last days celebrated as a full festival involving abstention from work, special prayer services, and holiday meals; the intervening days are known as Chol HaMoed ("festival weekdays").
Together with Sukkot ("Tabernacles") and Shavuot ("Pentecost"), Passover is one of the three pilgrim festivals (Shloshet Ha'Regalim) during which the entire Jewish populace historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. As described in the Book of Exodus, Passover marks the birth of the "Children of Israel" who became the Jewish nation, as the Jews were liberated from Pharaoh's slavery and allowed to become followers of God instead.
As Christians, it is of importance to us as the Passover dinner was Jesus’ Last Supper. Thus, it is an interesting part of our Christian heritage with deep historical roots and much significance that is often overlooked. This was the 27th Seder dinner Father Acker has held. He acted as head of the household and helped us through the entire ceremony.
The central ceremonial food item was matzah , a brittle flat bread eaten at Passover, which is unleavened bread the Jews were instructed to eat in remembrance of the haste in which they left Egypt.
This is the bread that Jesus broke before the Last Supper:
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup ; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. (BCP page 80)
Ben Lizak prepared the sacrificial lamb, or pascha. Alice Acker made the world’s best cheesy potatoes. There was a superb selection of side dishes; the most delicious kosher string beans and salt pork, two excellent potato dishes, asparagus, a zucchini casserole that was loved by all, including two people who hate zucchini, numerous traditional Jewish condiments.
And of course the traditional four glasses of wine.
The wine is to be drunk in leisure! The Dew, Tew!
Our 25 participants experienced a great time and wonderful food while learning a lot.
You might not have come to the Seder dinner for many reasons, too busy, not interested in a bunch of stiff old stuff, wanted a “real dinner”, or who knows what other reason. If you were there, you know the dinner, while very interesting and helpful in building our knowledge base, was entertaining and really fun. The Beadle might also point out the food was truly excellent. Far better quality than you would find in any restaurant and in sufficient quantity, no brag, just fact. Make a point of attending next year.
Thursday
The day after the Seder brought Maundy Thursday. The word "maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" which was the Latin translation for "commandment." Jesus said during the Last Supper on Thursday of Holy week, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) "Maundy Thursday" is also known as "Commandment Thursday."
Thursday is the day of the Last Supper, all the more meaningful for those who attended the Instructional Seder the last few years. After the Passover dinner at which Jesus set forth the instructions for what was to become our Holy Communion service, he spent time in Gethsemane garden. Gethsemane (oil-press) is the name of an olive-yard at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to which Jesus retired with his disciples, and which is particularly memorable as being the scene of his agony.
A Holy Communion Service was held at Victoria Chapel with 7 attendees. The Maundy Thursday service includes the ceremonial washing of the feet by the priest, following the example set by Jesus at the last supper and ends with the stripping of the altar.
Greg Chase read the Epistle for the evening which came from the Eleventh Chapter of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians beginning at the Twenty-Third Verse:
I HAVE received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
This epistle recalls the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion when Jesus blessed the Passover matzah before the meal then broke it; with the symbolism of his body given for us, rather than the breaking of the bondage. Then after the mean, He took up the cup at the Passover meal set aside for Elijah.
The Gospel for Maundy Thursday comes from the Gospel according to Saint John, the Thirteenth Chapter, beginning at the First Verse and describes Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper:
NOW before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
After the Creed, in the place normally taken by the Sermon, Father Acker put on a towel and washed the feet of each of the congregants.
Many people find the washing of the feet by the priest uncomfortable. On his hands and knees, Father Acker washes your foot, dries it and looks up at you, “Thank you for your service to our Lord.” In your heart, you remember the words of the General Confession from Morning and Evening Prayer. How many times this past year, or week for that matter, have you done what you wanted, not what you should have done. How many times did you put off doing what you should have, what Jesus wanted, so you could do what you wanted. And he is thanking you…
How much more uncomfortable were the Apostles who had their feet washed by our Lord?
Friday
Good Friday was the day in which Jesus was tried by the Jews, tried by Pilate, condemned, crucified, died and was buried . Except in hindsight, this was not a Good Friday at all.
Pilate’s actions made famous the line, “I wash my hands of this.” While he might have attempted to wash the guilt for the murder of the world’s one truly innocent man on to the Jews, he remains the one who condemned him to death. Pilate was nothing if not a politician and bureaucrat. The condemnation was to him the simplest solution to the problem of a Jewish hierarchy’s manufactured crowd’s anger. What was the death of one Jew to him? Yet he was worried enough to attempt to wash his hands of the guilt.
There was a service at Victoria Chapel with 9 attendees which included the Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion, albeit in a simple fashion.
Alice Acker read the Epistle for Good Friday, which comes from the Tenth Chapter of Saint Paul’s letter to the Hebrews beginning at the First Verse.
THE law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God: he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from hence-forth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; then saith he, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The Gospel, much like the Gospel for Palm Sunday was read as a participatory reading and was so effective as to make the hair on the back of one’s neck stand up at points. The Gospel came from the Nineteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the First Verse:
PILATE therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cæsar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every sol-dier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Saturday
Eight of our members gathered for the Easter Vigil and lighting of the Paschal Candle with traditional flint and steel.
From the time Jesus left his body on the cross until the resurrection, little is known. It is said in the Apostle’s Creed that “He descended into hell”, where he did battle with the Devil for our souls, a battle the Devil was destined to lose. Remembering the Jewish day starts at sundown, sundown on Saturday brings the Easter Vigil and the lighting of the Paschal Candle with traditional flint and steel.
It also is the first of the celebration of the resurrection, the Easter Feast, the most joyous day of our Christian year.
This year it also brought the first breaking of the Lenten Fast with wonderful cakes and brownies which were enjoyed by all.
Easter Sunday
Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, “Christ the Lord is Risen today!” Good Friday and Holy Saturday were dark and stormy as befits the time. Having committed to an outdoor Easter service we were concerned about the weather, all except Father Acker who was confident it would be clear and sunny, which indeed it was not. Sunrise on Mount Olympus found the mercury at 41°F under grey skies, the temperature at the park was about 52°F at the very start of the service and 63°F by service end. Of note, the sun came out right at Epistle, Gospel and communion time. All in all a nice morning and given it is Easter a wonderful one; though we must admit, Mr. Heater, party of four, was a welcome addition to the congregation.
Even though we had seven of our normal attendees on travel, today’s outdoor, California Sunrise (0830) celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection known far and wide as Easter brought 24 people to worship.
Some of our members have difficulty in negotiating stairs and expressed concern about the venue. Not to worry, look, we have a drive in church!
Gathering Songs
As usual, Father Ironhand, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold played the gathering or welcome songs for the service.
• Forever
• Amazing Grace
• Everlasting God
• Lord, I lift your Name on high
• In Christ Alone
• When the saints go marching in!
We do the gathering songs for a number of reasons. It allows people a chance to “drift in” without being late. It gives us a bit of variety in our music. We can have more contemporary music before the service and still have organ music in the service, thus having something for everyone. It also a hit with our guitarists who love to play!
The gathering songs worked well today. We had 15 when they started and 24 when they finished. At least we did not drive anyone off!
If you were there, you know how much fun we had. If you weren’t, you will have to take the Beadle’s word for it.
So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
St. John iii. 16.
Easter makes good the promise – I am the life, I am the resurrection!
There was no pre-service class due to all the singing and such. Father Acker took the opportunity to remind us the Holy Communion Service, sometimes also referred to as The Holy Eucharist begins on page 67 of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and works its way through to page 84. There near the beginning of the service, on page 70, we will be reading the Collect for the Day, Epistle and Gospel, these are referred to as The Propers. There are separate Collects, Epistles and Gospels for each Sunday and some special days. They are found a bit further back in the BCP starting on page 90 and in particular for Easter, they are on page 163. After the Collect, Epistle and Gospel, we come back to page 71 for the Nicene Creed and go page by page afterwards.
We take this opportunity each year to thank those who provide our music on a consistent basis, our lovely and talented organist Marianne Lane, Father Acker, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold on the guitars and the first Sunday of the month, when the spirit moves them, the Free Teen Guitar Class kids.
Propers
Each Sunday there are Propers: special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding. The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. If you have a hard time remembering, “Do I read the Collect from last Sunday or next Sunday during the week?” Remember Sunday is the first day of the week. There are also two Bible readings, the Epistle and the Gospel. While they are “lessons”, they are not the First Lesson and the Second Lesson, they are the Epistle and the Gospel. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the priest as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the priests and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained priest.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead. Red Letter Feast, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saints instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent.
The Propers for today are found on Page 163-164, with the Collect first:
Easter Sunday.
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.
Nancy Graham read the Epistle, which came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians, beginning at the First Verse of the Third Chapter:
IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
As usual, Paul is exhorting us to be the New Man, to put away the trappings of the old and go forward. He asks us to do what anyone who is successful does, hang around with those you want to be like in the end and to emulate their actions. In this case rather that earthly success, Paul is helping prepare us for eternal success through salvation.
The Gospel for this Sunday came from the Twentieth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint John beginning at the first verse. It is the straightforward accounting of the discovery by Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter and John that the Lord was risen indeed.
THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Sermon - We need Jesus to fill our lives
Father Acker provided a summary of his sermon so you can see exactly what he was trying to get across:
Today's Message: Running on empty and being filled
We need Jesus to fill our lives
For many people this has been a couple of hard years. The economy headed downhill. The stock market took a dive. The house marked plummeted. And banks and business took a header. Of course you may be dealing with illness, school, problems in your marriage, kids, or parents. It is draining. It depletes everything in our lives, even our spiritual lives and we need Jesus to fill our lives.
You’re not alone. Isaiah the Old Testament prophet spoke about living life on empty. He says,
“I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the Lord,
and my recompense with my God.” Isaiah 49.4
When finances are tight, I spend more time on work and less on home. It cuts into church and prayer. Don’t you wish you only had one problem to deal with? Multi-tasking isn’t all its cracked up to be. I know it wears on me spiritually, the reserves are being spent too quickly. Uncertainty and anxiety increase, you’re so busy you don’t know what or how to turn things around. We need Jesus to fill our lives.
A couple of years ago, my truck sputtered and died on the Tavern Rd bridge going over Interstate 8. I always like telling people you take Tavern Road to get to Alpine Anglican Church, but that’s another story of needing Jesus to fill our lives. I pulled the ’74 Ford pickup to the side of the on ramp, switched the gas tank valve to the auxiliary tank and then pulled out on to Interstate 8 heading down the hill. The engine sputtered and died. I pulled off to the side of the road. Perhaps I hadn’t switched tanks correctly, or maybe I didn’t have the gas gauge toggled to the right tank. I tried starting the truck. Nothing happened. So I switched tanks thinking I might have had the gauges mixed up. Nothing happened. I tried every combination of things I could think of to get the truckster going.
I broke down and called Richard, my mechanic. He arrived and I left him the keys and Alice picked me up as I was now late for my next appointment. An hour later Richard called to say, “Father, you really have a serious problem. Now Father, keep in mind anyone can have this problem. You have to put gas in the tank if you want the truck to run.”
It turns out that both tanks were empty and the gauge was somewhat intermittent—like many parts when you get a few years on you. But that’s another Running On Empty story. My truck wasn’t running. It had been running just fine. I did all the things I usually did, but nothing was working. I flipped switched. I looked at gauges. And I didn’t realize I’d been Running On Empty. I needed Richard to get me on the road again.
The Easter is Jesus smiling and saying to you, “You have to put fuel into your life if you want it to run.” We need Jesus to fill our lives, and today what we are celebrating is that Jesus not only will fill your life; Jesus fills at “no charge”; and Jesus will fill your life for all eternity.
No matter what has happened in the past, Jesus will fill up and cover things done and left undone. No matter what isn’t working in your life, Jesus will fill your life, make it a life worth living. It has been said, “Death isn’t the real tragedy, but tragedy is a life that wasn’t lived.” Or a Jeremiah put it,
For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29.10-11
“…the plans I have for you [is] to give you a future and a hope.” Jesus poured out his life to give you a future. Jesus rose from the dead that you might have a hope of a filled life, a full life, not only for the present but forever. Jesus’ resurrection is to be our hope and our future. So if We need Jesus to fill our lives, what needs to happen?
When I’m broken down on the side of the road, I need call someone who can fix what is wrong. Jesus fixed sin and death in my life. Unfortunately, I keep breaking my life. Jesus knows it. If I let Him, Jesus will keep fixing it until its perfect.
Some of you may never have seen a prayer like the one on your sermon notes: Inviting Jesus Into Your Life. It is the reason I’m here today. It is the reason the people around you are here. In these words or in words like it, (you may want to say it silently with me).
I THANK you from my heart, heavenly Father, for calling me to salvation in your Church through your only Son, Jesus, whom I accept as my Savior and Lord. And I ask you to give me your grace, so that I may continue faithfully in this salvation to my life’s end; In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
I don’t know what price you paid to fill your gas tank last time, but it sure seemed like it cost a lot. What Jesus did for me, He covered the cost. I’m here today because I like “free.” Actually, those of you who know me well, know I expect not only to get things for “free” I’m looking for the deal were they pay you for it too! And Jesus does. Jesus wants your life to be lived, to make a difference, to love and to care for not only God, but for other people.
The circumstances, the pressures of life, and my moods may drain my life. I may feel the fatigue, the stress, and the conflict, but because We need Jesus to fill our lives, we need to be where Jesus is, be in the place where Jesus fills, give purpose and abundant life, to be lived into eternity. Paul says to us,
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5.17
Understanding the “will of the Lord” is what we’ll be taking about in the coming weeks on Sunday. The short version: “Am I asking God what will truly fill my life? Am I looking at how I make decisions, how I spend my time, and how I use my resources? Am I at the place where Jesus will fill my life?
Jesus doesn’t keep it a secret. He wants you to be filled, to have a hope and a future, and know Jesus will fill your life.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
We had one birthday and one anniversary, all from the Lizaks! It was Ben and Holly’s 10th anniversary today and Holly’s 65th birthday! Congratulations!
After Church Hospitality
Sadly, we don’t have snacks on Easter, many of the congregation go back to Alpine Elementary School for the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. But, next week!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
1 May 2011 Alice Acker and Muriel Pappin
8 May 2011 Greg Chase and Nancy Graham
15 May 2011 Opportunity Available
22 May 2011 Jan Macauley
29 May 2011 Mary Lou Ruiz
5 June 2011 Opportunity Available
12 June 2011 Opportunity Available
19 June 2011 Opportunity Available
26 June 2011 Stephanie Boyd
3 July 2011 Betsy and Marianne Lane
10 July 2011 Opportunity Available
17 July 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
Ben and Holly Lizak celebrated their 10th anniversary with us this week.
Birthday
Holly Lizak celebrated her 65th birthday with us this week.
Travel
Tim and Jan are on travel this week.
In need of a miracle or understanding of God’s Plan
Todd and Kenny have both been fighting osteocarcinoma for over five years and have been told their time here on earth is nearing its end, absent a miracle from God. Both are ready to go home and leave the pain, but would like to stay. Please pray for them and their families.
Peaceful Transition
Otis is in hospice care.
Beatrice
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
The mother of Sandra and Lydia
Trevor
Don Shepard died 6 April 2011, after a hard fought battle with ALS. Don never gave up continuing to email using voice commands until the end. Please preay for the repose of his soul and for peace and comfort for his family and friends, in particular his wife Mary Ann by whom he will be sorely missed.
Jeremy P. Faulkner, of Griffin Georgia, died 29 March 2011, of wounds sustained in Konar Province, Afghanistan, while protecting our freedom. Please pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family, comrades and friends who remain here on earth.
Homebound
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Ray (Alzheimer’s Disease)
Healing
Marge, Christian, Lois, Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Nancy, Bill (infection), Ernie, Ray, Hazel, Bruce (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, 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), Jeffrey (testing), Gary (sepsis; diabetic), Jim (stomach cancer), Kathleen (breast cancer), Mrs. Alvord, Angie, Madge, Jeannie (testing for breast cancer), Ed, Betty, Karl (Healing of his shoulder injury, but not having surgery), Stephen, Curtis; Angie, Madge, Veronica, Carmen, Dave (surgery recovery), Ed S (liver failure), 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), 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 (healing from fall, but still weak), Louis, Alan P (Stress test for chest pain), Lydia, 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, Liz, Jack, Bill, Corina, Liz, Robert, Mark, Paul, Gilbert, Susan, Jeff, Addison, Gene, Kathy (low platelet count due to chemo treatment), Larry F., Bill F. (swelling of ankles), Mabel (stroke), Gabriela G. (terrorist shooting), Chloe, Sheila, Ryan (abdominal pain), Ronnie, Scott (physical and testing), Alice, Liz, Charles, Vince, Rachel, Fred, Dot, Jim, Frank, Betty, Bert, Ronnie, Patty, Jack, Jenny, Eric, Marty, Chris B, Ellen A (on respirator moving to rehabilitation), Eunice (Knee replacement), Suzi, Marcelino, Ellen A, Marie F (knee surgery went well in rehabilitation), Holly
Madelyn Calvert, 22 Months, for whom we prayed at her birth at 24 weeks and one pound seven ounces, is now in hospital with pneumonia. She is having problems breathing. She seems to feel much better, but still needs oxygen. Please pray for a complete recovery for Madelyn and peace of mind for her family.
Bill Aitken had a full knee replacement on 18 April 2011. Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for a successful surgery and for a complete and rapid recovery.
Fausto Fontanilla has a cold.
Melanie Zimmers has what appears to be a badly bulged disc at C5-C-6 which is causing radiating pain down her right arm and numbness in her thumb and forefinger. Please pray for resolution of her problem and a good attitude while a means to solve the problem is found.
June K has the shingles and did not get appropriate treatment until just recently. Please pray for her peace of mind, comfort and full and rapid recovery.
Hal Campbell underwent apparently successful surgery for a cancerous lesion on the inside of his cheek and the associated lymph node on 7 March 2011, at the VA hospital in Seattle where he will undergo six weeks of follow up Chemo and Radiation treatment to hopefully eradicate and cancerous cells that may remain. Please pray for a successful result and for his acceptance of Christ.
Kyle Thompson, CPL USMC was injured was seriously wounded while on foot patrol in Helmand Province of Afghanistan on 25 October 2010. He has been released to Camp Pendleton on casual status until his medical condition is clear. Likely he will be medically discharged.
You can reach out to him by emailing his father, Mike Thompson, at miket4k@yahoo.com. We may have a new address soon.
Todd Love, CPL USMC was seriously wounded while on foot patrol in Helmand Province of Afghanistan on 25 October 2010. Todd and his squad leader, Kyle Thompson, were hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a routine patrol. The IED took both of Todd’s legs and part of his left arm. Pray for peace of mind, courage and healing for Todd. Pray for the medical teams treating him.
Send Todd a note or log on to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddlove.
Shamim Gray underwent a lumpectomy on Saturday 6 November 2010 at Bethesda Naval Hospital, with apparent great result. 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 in a extended care facility. 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.
Victor is a senior in declining health who is a non-believer whose trust is in science. He appears to have congestive heart failure, as well as a Urinary Tract Infection and a viral infection in his lungs. He feels terrible and as might be expected is depressed. 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 has made it home and to church in a new donated magic wheelchair. Please pray for further recovery for Becky, as well as strength and guidance for each of those involved.
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 woke to excruciating pain the morning of 2 January 2011. Please pray for resolution. He is a pharmacist and church leader in Georgia whose bladder cancer returned spreading to his pelvis a year ago is home after surgery on Monday 29 November 2010.
Please give thanks for George walking and continue to pray for George's complete healing; 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.
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 had additional 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.
Jere Wolfe, Melanie Zimmers’ dad, has cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. The pacemaker installation helped a lot, but he lost ¼ of his weight, so he has to fight his way back. Keep praying for his continued recovery and for him Jere to maintain his trust in the Lord.
Greg Chase asks that you pray for his family:
Diane, Greg’s wife, to see some positive physical signs for the ongoing treatment of her ulcerative colitis, however now she is suffering the effects of shingles
Phyllis, Greg’s mom, to gain physical strength to overcome her frailties after her recent "small" stroke.
Rede Acker, Father Acker’s mom, seems to have done well recovering from her broken leg, just above where she had a knee replacement. She and her husband Jack are planning on traveling to visit the kids in a few weeks! This is wonderful! Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the good progress and pray for her continued health.
Evelyn Hunt is still having difficulty with her medication and other related problems. Please pray the doctor might find the right medication and doses for her treatment. Please pray for God's peace and goodness to surround her.
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.
Lee Thomas is in assisted living after a stroke and after a limited recovery. Lee is doing a tad better with his speech, but his balance is so bad he cannot walk unassisted even with his walker. There are times when he knows what is going on around him and with family, etc. but other times when nothing seems to register. It's very sad for him. He wants to be home, he cannot live there safely. 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 a year and a half ago. Vicky is home and making progress. She is now walking without a cane, which is real progress. However, the gains on her thought process are much slower. Her husband ran into a store and told her to just wait in the car for him; within a couple of minutes he saw her wandering through the front door. He's now keeping the car keys hidden. She repeats anything she tells you several times in the same conversation. She's come an incredibly long way but still has a long way to go.
Please pray for Vicky’s recovery and for peace of mind for her husband Doug and family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.
Obra Gray continues to take day by day. 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. Obra needs security of what lies ahead of him, and only the Lord can grant the solace to answer his prayer.
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 is currently in rehabilitation to learn to walk properly again. Please pray for a positive attitude for her and a great result.
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.
Guidance
June D, Adam, Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer to be guided to a church
Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, William, Phil, Rick, 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), Errin, Elizabeth, Brandon, Steven, 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; Steven (strength); Vanessa H (trust), Jackie (God's grace), Jennifer, Virginia, Jeanie (upset over her husband's cancer problems), Curt (Still providing care for his wife, Jacque, who is undergoing chemotherapy), 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 sorts out the affairs of her sister Terri who passed away intestate, 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, Will, Vinnie, Colleen and family, Maureen and family, Billy, Barbie, Robert, Terry, Tony, Sue (husband passed away after a long illness), June, Veronica, Richard, Ryan, Karen F., Toni, Carmen, Vince, Vicki, Rick, Anthony, Salvatore, Danielle to be guided to God, Marcella, Mark, Stephen, Richard, Jenny, Beth, Byron, Hector, Virginia, Nick, Nancy (legal proceeding), Rachel, Stephen, Susan, Hap, Don, Keith, Virginia R, Joy, Steve, Betty, Eric, Mary, Terry, Fausto, Leticia, Russ, Scott, Jenny, Lupe, Patty, Neson, Stephen, Ashely, Barbie, Billy, Katrina, Marty, Medaline, Norma, Patty, Gayle (divorce), Veronica, Stephen, Jack (caregiving stress), Elizabeth (Financial Aid deadline missed; deciding what to do next term)
Steve asks that you pray for difficulties he is having with his family. Please pray that the Holy Ghost will enter into his heart and provide him with the heaven sent inspiration that he needs to see clearly and deal with problems and the courage to do what needs to be done in the manner it should be done.
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
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. 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, Housing and Other Needs
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, 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, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan), Evan (USMC-Afghanistan), Stuart (USMC-Afghanistan), Airman Donny Patton (RAF Mildenhall, UK), Josh (USCG), Julian (USMC), Jordan (USMC – AIT), Neal (USN-Afghanistan), Trevor (USAF - KC-10 Boom Operator), Trevor (USN – Pilot Training),
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
Ron Valkenaar, age 81, was treated and released from the hospital and is now living with his son in Nampa, Idaho, and is doing very well. He needs to lose weight and is now about 60 percent there! While he has been living with his son, his wife Betty has almost recovered from kidney removal surgery. Please pray for God’s guidance in their lives and that they might be at peace with His Plan.
Joan Balslev underwent what appears to be a very successful second lumbar surgery on 14 March 2011, her seventh surgery in the past couple of years. Please give thanks for the excellent result and pray for a complete and rapid recovery.
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 building slowly; we need God’s inspiration to figure out where to go next or keep on keeping on. 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.
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
1 May 2011 Jack Arnold
8 May 2011 Tim Macauley
15 May 2011 Greg Chase
22 May 2011 Dru Arnold
29 May 2011 Sandy Patton
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.
Friday
29 April 2011 – Last Friday of the Month – Free Teen Guitar Class Jam Session – Albertsons Parking Lot, or Starbucks if you are really cool. Join us for Christian Rock, Classic Christian, Riff Rock and Blues Jamming, then Manañas afterwards to talk about it – Time 1830 (6:30 pm); Location – Alpine Albertsons Parking Lot – 2955 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Sunday
1 May 2011 – First Sunday after Easter – First Sunday of the month, Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday, or at least all guitar music. Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Saturday
28 May 2011 – Cobblestone Cottage Tea Party – Cost $20.00, including tea and tip. Contact Jan Macauley to sign up – Time 1400 (2:00 pm); Location – Cobblestone Cottage – 1945 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Scheduling Announcements from the Minister: He is Risen! He is Risen IN DEED!
Next Vestry Meeting: June 19, 2011
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