Today was the Septuagesima (see later in the report for the origin of this name), the third Sunday before Lent. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a nice 31°F under snowy skies. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to a reasonable 55°F under clearing skies. We had 15 people present for the service.
Gathering Songs
Today Father Acker and Jack Arnold did the usual gathering songs. Nick Patton was off on a hockey tournament, so he missed the spectacular! On the other hand, Nick did get first place in the Goalie Skills Event! Great job Nick!
The gathering songs are designed to provide an interlude between when church starts and when people really show up so that we have something to do in the interim and people don’t feel rushed to get in, sit down and shut up! They are a tradition inherited from the African wing of the Anglican Church. A fine idea for letting people kind of drift in without being late. They have the added advantage of letting us do contemporary sing along music before the service and traditional organ accompanied hymns during the service. Plus, our guitarists love to play! Today, the talented duo played:
• God of nations
• How great is our God
• The King of Love
• Holy, holy is the Lord
Once again, Great Job, gentlemen! You have to admire the guys; Father Acker and Jack always make it, rain or shine, sick or well, tired or rested.
Pre-Service Class
Father Acker continued on in Luke, Chapter Seven, moving to Verse Thirty-Six, when Jesus eats with Simon the Pharisee. Pharisees generally found it far more comforting to live under the Mosaic Law where they merely had to get around 613 laws rather than follow Christianity where they had to actually live up to two.
The Summary of the Law:
THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Like most Pharisees, Simon manages to find someone to look down on, so the story continues:
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an Alabaster box of ointment,
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
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 ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
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. The Propers for today are found on Page 118-120, with the Collect first:
The Sunday called Septuagesima,
or the third Sunday before Lent.
The Collect.
O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Greg Chase read the Epistle for today, which came from the Ninth Chapter of the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians beginning at the Twenty-Fourth Verse:
KNOW ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Gospel for today came from the Twentieth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew beginning at the First Verse. Often quoted, this is the very important parable of the vineyard. While it appears to be principally directed towards Christians wanting to be “first” in importance and the like, it has a more direct meaning. It is a fine lesson in “buyer’s remorse” or coveting of jobs or similar concepts. If you got a good deal, it does not change because someone else got a “better” deal. Take what you got, go forth and be happy. Other meanings abound. For a very direct application, what this means is “cradle” Christians are no more likely to go to heaven than this morning’s convert. They just get to enjoy the Christian experience longer. One note, if you wait until the last minute to join the gang, your time here might end before you get around to it. Sometimes people act like being a Christian is an unpleasant experience that they will do when they get a round tuit. It is not. Christians aren’t perfect, they just have more fun being imperfect and imperfectly trying to improve! Anyway, here is the Gospel according to Saint Matthew:
THE kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Sermon - Quantum Singularity
Father Acker provided a summary of his sermon so you can see exactly what he was trying to get across:
Today’s Message: Septuigesima: Looking toward Easter Day
The two great themes of the Christian life are Incarnation and Resurrection. We are shifting from Incarnation, Christmas, God choosing to make himself known to Resurrection, Easter, God giving us entrance into heaven. I really enjoy Easter being so late this year as it allows a gradual shift from God manifesting his glory to preparing for the Lenten fast, a time when we focus, concentrate on our spiritual growth. We’ve been enjoying the Christmas Feast and it’s beginning to show, not just on our waistline, but often on our spiritual life-line.
In these three “gesima” Sunday of Pre-Lent, we are preparing for work, for going out into the vineyard. We are conscious of the race for which there is a finish line and a prize. It really helps me when I know the purpose, the goal, the reason I’m doing the work. When I’m teaching guitar I want students to understand why I ask them to practice a hokey song or how an exercise will fit into their playing solos a year or two down the road.
Today, as we start our Preparation we are reminded that three things often get in the way of our spiritual growth: Sin, Self, and Singularity. Our prayer and readings are about these three things keep us from the fullness of life in Christ: Sin, Self, Singularity
1. Sin gets in the way of our spiritual growth.
God has told us clearly that there is only one path to life with him found in himself, in the only Son of God. But I know that I turn away from God. I still chose my own way rather than God’s way. The gate, the path seems narrow, it seems impossible, when I turn away from God and need to keep coming back.
However Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Saint Paul has to remind himself not to fail to hear God’s message while preaching it myself.
God provides us a way, but God won’t choose for you. As you prepare for Lent, you need to remember how much God loves you, your having chosen to come to the Father in Jesus. You choose to run the race. Make a plan for Growing, Praying, and Serving this Lent—Choose to go into God’s vineyard.
2. Having chosen to go into the vineyard, it would be a very easy thing to dismiss those who haven’t. It would be very easy for me to be self-confident and placing myself and my friends on the safe-side of the line and dismiss those “others.” This is probably one of the greatest complaints from the unChurched, the deChurched, and those who see Jesus as attractive, but then they see me.
Jesus calls me to love those “others.” I’m not supposed to get in the way of others, but pave the way of Jesus coming to others. The way is narrow and I’m not helping when I try to narrow the way—that isn’t what God is asking me to do for others!
Salvation isn’t “Winning the Lottery.” God desires and expects many to enter into his kingdom. Well only a few will make it to heaven, so… Love desires, expects, and gives opportunity for winning the race. When playing games with your child you don’t play to win, you play that the child may win. As brothers and sisters in Christ we want those who are newer and younger in their Christian life to win. You might be able to do more, pray more, lead more effectively, but it isn’t about Self.
3. “Quantum Singularity” One of my favorite words from Star Trek—It doesn’t matter which version or movie—is Singularity, something that is rare, unsual, one of a kind, a single.
Accepting Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life can easily isolate us as Christians. We naturally surround ourselves by having our friends be those who think and believe in a similar manner to ourselves—I like everyone here at Alpine Anglican. ¿What’s not to like? We were just able to say together “I believe…”; we hold and believe things in common; we pray in Common Prayer.
Singularity is a blessing and a curse. We have our Common life in Christ, but we are not to be isolationist, but evangelists. An evangelist is someone who shares what good things God has done for you with those who need to hear that the hurt and brokenness of this life, this world, can be made whole and made new.
Clergy are notorious for enjoying the comfortable pew, spending all of their time with you good people, it is very easy to lose sight of the hurt, the anger, the damage of peoples lives who don’t put their hope and trust in God. People have a much less colorful language when I’m around. Their language becomes more sophisticated going from four-letter expletives to longer and gentrified words.
The reality is you’re more likely to be able to tell someone about the answered prayer or God’s blessing or healing event at the school lockers than in the classroom. It is the lunch break and not the workbench, drafting table, or client call.
You may have noticed Anglicans are big on snacks. My wife, Alice, has said, “We’re really good at hospitality at Blessed Trinity.” Our worship doesn’t stop at the altar on Sunday morning. It is to be carried out to the snack table. And isn’t it curious that after eating some fantastic snacks we then go off to share another meal?
The difficulty with our singularity our tendency to remain apart. This isn’t what Jesus did. It isn’t what Paul did. They went out to everyday folk who struggled with jobs, bills, family problems; regular people who need the good news of God in their lives.
So as we start looking toward Lent, to our spiritual pilgrimage of Jesus opening the gate of heaven for us, we need to be thinking in terms of going to the vineyard as Christians. We are to Grow, Pray, and Serve. We need to recognize the challenges we face in Sin, Self, and Singularity.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays today. We did celebrate Jan and Tim Macauley’s 45th (+ 1 day) anniversary today with them!
After Church Hospitality
Nancy Graham brought snacks today. They were wonderful; beautiful zucchini cake, or something very similar but better, and macaroni and cheese. While you may not think of macaroni and cheese as an after church snack, Nancy did. Your Beadle wishes to report it was absolutely great and well received. There was one person who did not have seconds and three persons who had fourths! That record speaks for itself!
Wonderful! Many thanks!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
27 February 2011 Stephanie Boyd
6 March 2011 Jan Macauley
13 March 2011 Greg and Alice
20 March 2011 The Arnolds
27 March 2011 The Lizaks
3 April 2011 Mary Lou Ruiz
10 April 2011 Bill and Liz Fuller
17 April 2011 Jan Macauley
24 April 2011 Opportunity Available
1 May 2011 Alice Acker
8 May 2011 Greg Chase and Nancy Graham
15 May 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
Jan and Tim Macauley celebrated their 45th anniversary with us this week.
Birthday
Muriel Pappein celebrated her 84th birthday with us last week.
Travel
Don, Sandy and Nick are on travel this week.
In need of a miracle or understanding of God’s Plan
Ron Valkenaar, age 80, is hospitalized in Caldwell, Idaho hospital with congestive heart failure. Ron promised his brother Lew he would stay around at least another five years and his family would appreciate that. Ron’s wife Betty is at his side, though she is still recovering from kidney removal surgery. Please pray for God’s guidance in their lives and that they might be at peace with His 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
Terri passed away on 18 February 2011, after breast cancer surgery on 3 August 2010. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for comfort for her family, in particular for her sisters Toni and Anna.
Sandra Lee’s Aunt Peggy passed away the week of 14 February 2011 after surgery to remove a gallstone several weeks ago. Her family is thankful she is no longer suffering and is with her Lord and Savior; but they will sorely miss for her loving spirit and warm hospitality. Please pray for the repose of her soul and God’s comfort and strength for her family, in particular for Archie, her husband of over 60 years. Archie not only must come to grips to the loss of his wife, but continued adjustment after his stroke several months ago.
Sheila Shaw passed away on 14 February 2011, after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. Sheila’s family misses her grievously. We ask your prayers for the repose of her soul and comfort for her husband Al and children who remain behind.
Francisco Mier passed away on 31 January 2011, after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. Pray for the repose of his soul and for peace of mind and trust in God for his family: his wife Rebeca and his children, in particular his daughter Lorena with whom he has been staying.
Paula Threat passed away on 31 January 2011, of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Please pray for repose the soul of Paula and for her family who remain behind, particularly for her husband Jimmy and sons Brian (21) and Jimmy, Jr. (16), as well as her father Obra.
Donald passed away 29 January 2011
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, 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), 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, 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, 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, Trevor, Scott (physical and testing), Alice, Liz, Charles, Vince
Rick White had a massive heart attack on 15 February 2011, which he thankfully survived. He has had two stents put in and will need by pass on two other coronary arteries and perhaps the stents replaced with by pass arteries. Please join Rick and his family for praying a prayer of thanksgiving for him surviving the heart attack and pray for a positive outcome for the by pass surgery which is scheduled for Monday 21 February 2011. Pray also for peace of mind for Rick and his family and trust in God.
Hal Campbell will be undergoing surgery for a cancerous lesion on the inside of his cheek and the associated lymph node. So far it has not spread, but time is of the essence. Hal has been accepted for surgery at the Seattle Veteran’s Administration Hospital, for which his family is thankful. Please pray for God’s help for the right surgical team, a successful surgery and rapid recovery.
Jason Gillis has a foot infection which has resulted in hospitalization for IV antibiotics. Please pray for his complete and rapid recovery.
Kyle Thompson, CPL USMC was injured was seriously wounded while on foot patrol in Helmand Province of Afghanistan on 25 October 2010. Kyle and his point man, Todd Love, were hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a routine patrol. The IED ripped into Kyle's face, resulting in the loss of Kyle's left eye, and severely damaging the retina in the right eye. In early November his left eye was surgically removed.
Kyle was transferred to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA for further treatment where he had successful surgery in December 2010, on his right eye. His vision is clearing pretty well. Kyle may need further facial surgery. 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.
Todd is doing incredibly! He is “walking” on an arm and half! Falling, but getting back up and walking. Todd is amazing!
See video of Todd walking on his new bionic short legs. He is a fearless hobbit! If you don’t look at the videos, you are really missing out!
Send Todd a note or log on to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddlove.
Todd’s new address:
The Mologne House
CPL TODD LOVE Room 433
6900 Georgia Ave NW Building 20
Washington, DC 20307-5001
Todd has a family friend who needs your prayers and a hopeful note would go a long way:
Joseph Ardron
489 Chattin Drive
Canton, GA 30115
Joseph has had a hard year. His brother was killed in Iraq and then his 2 year old son was hit by a car and killed two weeks after the death of his brother. His heart must feel over whelmed with sorrow at Christmas time when he should be with the ones he loved. Todd is concerned that Christmas will come and pass with only the few cards that his family has sent him, however his birthday is 31 December. Todd asked that if anyone has any extra Christmas cards (even late) or birthday cards lying around please place a stamp on an envelope and send it, even if you are a bit late.
If these Marines tell you someone needs help, they know. ACT. Send those cards TODAY. Do not wait. Do not put it off. TODAY.
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 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.
Joan Balslev underwent another nerve surgery on her right hand to transfer a nerve from her leg to her hand. The surgery appears successful, though she will likely need another. Please give thanks for the good result and pray for a complete and quick recovery.
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.
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 is still dealing with the loss of the fingers, but doing amazingly welll. Please pray for continued healing in his hand and arm. Pray for courage, strength and trust for JJ and his 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 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. The surgeon believes he was successful in removing ALL of the tumor in George's leg which was wrapped around his sciatic nerve.
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.
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 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. He has been recovering slowly from severe anemia which affected his heart condition. Jere’s heart rate is down to 30 and he needs a pacemaker installed, but needs to waiting until they get an infection and fluid levels under control. Surgery is now scheduled for 14 February 2011, Valentines Day, what better auger for heart surgery! Please pray for the pacemaker installation to be done quickly and successfully and for 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.
Matt Alcantara, age 15, has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a very rare and often lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options. 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! And CLEAN SCANS! 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 and apparently declining after a limited recovery. 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.
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. 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 with the loss of his daughter Paula and pray for him to believe the almighty Lord will hold onto him, and not let go until he is in His arms. 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.
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), 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; 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), 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, 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
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 mind 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.
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
Nancy asks your prayers for guidance for her as she seeks employment at both Viejas and Donovan Prison.
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, 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 – Boot Camp 8 April 2011 Graduation)
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
Carl, Susanne Barrett’s father, had surgery last week to remove Stage 4 skin cancer (melanoma) from his shoulder, the pathology report came back this perfect: the lymph nodes are cancer-free! So Carl requires no further treatment except for getting the stitches removed next week. Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving.
Kurt Thomas (USN – Afghanistan FOB) returned from deployment to Afghanistan. He and his family give thanks for a safe return.
Jack Royce gives thanks for recovering from the elbow injury as the result of a fall on snow and ice. An MRI of his elbow showed the break originally seen on X Rays was actually an old break he never knew happened (he is tough). On the other hand they told him he has “mice” in his elbow. These are little bits of cartilage that broke off but there’s no use operating to try to pin them back in place because as soon as a person is under anesthesia, the bits hide in the muscle. Perhaps why they’re called “mice” and fortunately not “cockroaches”, a PR thing. All is well now and he is thankful, as is the rest of his family.
Nancy Graham gives thanks for answered prayers.
Mike and Annie Springer give thanks for finding a new and permanent home. We give thanks as a congregation that they will be staying with us rather than moving to the Midwest!
K and S give thanks for getting their daughter B and her month-old baby girl H out of Cairo where there have been mass demonstrations and violence. Please pray for their guidance, as well as God’s grace for the various groups of unbelievers who trouble the world around them.
Sandra gives thanks for finding what appears to be the perfect fit in new employment where she can use her considerable talents to make her new employer more successful. She asks you =pray that God will guide her to be a good and well organized worker. Please join her in a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s guidance.
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.
What is Septuagesima?
Septuagesima Sunday is the name given to the third Sunday before Lent. The term is sometimes applied to the period of the liturgical year which begins on this day and lasts through Shrove Tuesday (with the following day being Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins). This period is also known as the Pre-Lenten season or Shrovetide. The next two Sundays are labeled Sexagesima and Quinquagesima, the latter sometimes also called Shrove Sunday. The earliest Septuagesima Sunday can occur is January 18 (Easter falling on March 22 in nonleap year) and the latest is February 22 (Easter falling on April 25 in leap year).
Septuagesima comes from the Latin word for "seventieth," with Sexagesima and Quinquagesima equalling "sixtieth" and "fiftieth" respectively. They are patterned after the Latin word for the season of Lent, Quadragesima, which means "fortieth" because Lent is forty days long (not counting the Sundays, which are all considered little Easters). Because a week is only seven days long, not ten, and since even then only six of those days might be counted if the pattern of Quadragesima is followed, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, don't literally correspond to the periods of time they imply. It is interesting, however, that just about 70 days (68 actually) is the minimum number of days between the octave day of the Epiphany on January 14 and Easter, implying that a season just about 70 days long can always fit between the two.
The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation (for Easter). In many countries, however, Septuagesima Sunday still marks the start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras. The Gospel reading for Septuagesima week is the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
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
27 February 2011 Stephanie Boyd
6 March 2011 Greg Chase
15 March 2011 Sandy Patton
20 March 2011 Don Patton
27 March 2011 Dru Arnold
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
25 February 2011Free Teen Guitar Class Jam Session – Albertsons Starbucks Parking Lot in Alpine, Manañas afterwards for fine dining and great conversation – Time 1830 - 2000 - 1300 (6:30 pm to 8:00 pm);
Sunday
27 February 2011 – Sexagesima Sunday – 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
Scheduling Announcements from the Minister: Lent is coming!
Ash Wednesday is March 9th.
Services will be at 9:30am and 6:30pm at Victoria Chapel.
Lenten Home Study Classes are being formed. [Father Acker is the coordinator for these Spiritual Growth Classes and will be leading the group discussions.]
The study book for these classes will be C.S.Lewis' Four Loves. If you would like to host a small group (4-6 people) in your home, I'm arranging study groups. Each group will be meeting once a week for four weeks. These classes will begin the week of March 22, 23, 24th. I'm looking at meeting for one hour.
If you would like to host a study the time slots available are Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in the morning, afternoon, or evening. The locations could be anywhere from Mission Valley to Pine Valley. Time slots will be reserved on a "first come" basis, so call ASAP. If you have questions about hosting a group, please call me (Fr. Acker 619.722.1772).
Consider hosting a group or going together with someone nearby to host a group. If you have someone you know in your neighborhood or from work or school you think might have some interest, this would be a great opportunity to do some spiritual reading and discussion during this Lent. The people you invite don't need to be Anglicans, or even Christians. C.S. Lewis is a spiritual writer who is of interest to a very wide audience. Think outside the box, perhaps you want to have the group meet at your workplace over lunch, or at your dorm, or at your local pub!
Our focus for this Lent is to grow spiritually. I hope you will take this opportunity to get a few folks together to look at love in our relationship to others and to God. If you haven't been able to be involved in our church activities, this may be your opportunity.
Instructional Seder (tentative until we have a coordinator)
Our mission outreach and planning meeting today overwhelmingly felt that it would be helpful to have an Instructional Seder (the Passover meal as it relates to Jesus celebrating the Last Supper). If we are going to have a Seder we need someone organize this event (to delegate the signup, announcements, food assignments/potluck, and room arrangements). The tentative date will be April 18, 19, or 20th at 6:30pm. We hope to have this at the SCAIR Learning Center.
Holy Week Services (times to be announced)
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil.
Easter Day is April 24th
As usual we will not have our usual worship space available. We'll be having our Easter Morning Service in the Park as usual. The weather should be very nice with the late date of Easter.
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