Second Sunday in Lent

Today was the Second Sunday in Lent. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a lovely 37°F under the high grey winter skies we’ve had the past couple of weeks. It was a bit warmer down the hill at church at about 51°F by the time the service ended. The winter weather brought 19 people to worship our Lord.

Gathering Songs

Today Father Acker, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold provided the gathering songs. had a hockey game and missed the fun! Our talented duo played:

• Just a closer walk with Thee

• Amazing Grace

• I am here to worship

• Wondrous Cross

As you may know, we have the Gathering Songs for a couple of reasons. Like the African Church where they originated, we don’t have obsessive compulsive timekeepers in our church, so people can kind of wander in when they feel like it and not be really late. Also, it helps us get in the mood to worship from the street mood. Then, it gives people two kinds of music, the contemporary guitar sing along and the lovely classical organ accompanied hymns. Then, there is what may be the best reason of all, our guitarists like it.

Pre-Service Class

As we said the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) last Sunday, Father Acker decided to discuss them; having gotten through the first four, Man’s duties and relationship to God, he moved on to Five through Ten, Man’s relationship with Man.

The Decalogue. (5-10)

Honour thy father and thy mother;

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt do no murder.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not steal.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not covet.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

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 127-128, with the Collect first:

The Second Sunday in Lent.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And due to the rubric, the Collect for the Day is followed by the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which is found on Page 124:

The first day of Lent, commonly called

Ash Wednesday.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

Don Patton read the Epistle for today, which came from the Fourth Chapter of Paul’s First letter to the Thessalonians beginning at

the First Verse. Apparently the Corinthians were not the only church founded in a Red Light District. In this letter Paul is telling the people to refrain from random sex and get married. Paul is starting into the beginning of his New Man concept. We are called to be as God wants us to be, not as we would be without His guidance and help. God does this, not that we would miss fun, but rather that we would enjoy happiness.

WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Fifteenth Chapter, beginning at the Twenty-First Verse.

JESUS went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

This story surfaces again in the Book of Common Prayer in the Prayer of Humble Access, on page 82:

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Sermon - Merciful Transformation

Father Acker provided a summary of his sermon so you can see exactly what he was trying to get across:

Today’s Message: Transformed by Mercy

Jesus had been preaching and healing around the District of Galilee. The Pharisees made the trip from Alpine to Hemet (some 80 miles—for those out of the San Diego area) to question Jesus on holiness and keeping the Law. Jesus’ response was you need to know the word of God in your heart and what is external isn’t the means of holiness, but what comes out of your heart.

Today’s reading about the faith of the Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15.21-28) we see holiness and the Law transforming the life of this woman. Jesus had taken a few days away from his preaching missions and the press of the crowds. Matthew tells us that a woman who wasn’t a church-member, from an unChurched or Pagan background, comes to Jesus crying out for mercy.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” It is not that she calls Jesus “Lord” that she receives mercy. She puts her putting her trust in Jesus. It is not only that she seeks “mercy.” She places her hope, her life in Jesus. Even though Jesus was “sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” Jesus says, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

I grew up in the church. I don’t remember a time I didn’t believe in God. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe that Jesus was the Lord Christ, the Son of God, who died for my sin and rose to give me life. But it wasn’t until I was thirteen that I realized that calling Jesus Lord meant giving my life to him; that Jesus needed to direct and rule my life. I put myself into Jesus’ hands. I was at the point of the Canaanite woman, Lord, have mercy on me—I’d be happy with even crumbs from your table. Of course, Jesus doesn’t give crumbs but out of the abundance of his love.

The reality was not that my life was made perfect. The Canaanite woman’s life was not made perfect. Instead, I could see the reality of my need for God’s mercy. One of the reasons that so many of us enjoy the Litany, is our articulation of “Lord, have mercy upon”; and “We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.” I know I need God to enter into my life. God has called us to live in his image and likeness, in the reality of loving Him and one another. And I find I’m living a broken, shattered, distorted picture of that life of holiness. What makes the difference is that Jesus, in his death and resurrection, in his taking on himself my sin, my turning away from life with God, Jesus draws me up into that place, that life in the love of God and love of others.

Some people ask me why our worship always talks so much about our being “miserable sinners?” And it is because we know our lives need to be transformed by the mercy of God, by Jesus coming into our lives to be a true Lord and Savior. “I once was lost, but now I’m found” John Newton says in “Amazing Grace.”

So what does this mean for our keeping a Holy Lent?

First, you need Jesus is your Lord, to give your life to him. Jesus needs to be Lord of your heart, your soul, and your mind. Lord in every part of your life, and in every thing in your life. I’m a slow learner, so I need to renew and reaffirm placing myself into Jesus hands, over and over. In a few minutes we’ll be filling out our Offering Card. It has a place for you personally to put your name, Keith Acker. And on the back a place to check, “I commit myself to Jesus (for the first-time; even if you’ve been coming to church your whole life you may not have made that commitment from your heart). Or a place to check “I recommit my life to Christ,” to renew your placing your heart, soul, and mind into Jesus as Lord and Savior in your life.

As I fill out that card, I am bring this past week of my life with me. Those things done and left undone, forgiven by God, and I again commit to Jesus as Lord, my ruler and savior. God’s Word is true: Repent and return to the Lord, and he will have compassion.

Second, we need to ask Jesus to have mercy upon us. Whether you say the formal Morning and Evening Prayer from your prayer book, or the Morning and Evening Family Prayers, or even just the Lord’s Prayer, each day we need ask for God’s mercy because we didn’t put our whole trust in Jesus hands and chose our own way instead. I need to ask Jesus to do for me what I can’t do on my own.

In asking for God’s mercy, I’m saying, “Jesus, let your great love for me make up, raise me to that life in your kingdom. I can’t do it on my own. I need you to direct, guide, and help me.” And isn’t it a great thing that Jesus wants to give that to you everyday of your life.

Jesus wants you to be a woman or man of great faith! For you to be transformed by the God’s mercy and to be kept, protected, and defended in body and soul each day.

New Nametags

We had no new nametags today.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

We had no anniversaries, but we celebrated Alice Acker’s 57th birthday with her!

After Church Hospitality

Dru Arnold brought snacks today. In place of Alice Acker’s wasabi coated peas there were wasabi peanuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, peanut crunch and about 15 kinds of dog nuts. Sadly, no fatted dog nut. Very nice, thank you!

Sadly, no pictures as the Beadle failed miserably!

After church goodies providers as currently signed up:

Date Name

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 and Muriel Pappin

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

Hap and Dru Arnold celebrated their 24th anniversary with us week before last.

Birthday

Alice Acker celebrated her 57th birthday with us last week.

Nancy Graham celebrated her 69th birthday with us last week.

Travel

Jan is on travel this week.

Ryan is 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

Mike passed away 27 February 2011.

Dave long time face of Hilltop Supply passed away on 24 February 2011. His smile will be missed by all in the community. Please pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family who remain behind.

Terri passed away on 18 February 2011, after breast cancer surgery on 3 August 2010. Pleas e 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.

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, Rachel, Fred, Pete, Dot, Jim, Frank, Pete (heart muscle regulation), Betty, Bert, Ronnie, Patty, Jack, Jenny, Eric, Marty, Chris B

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. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for a complete and rapid recovery.

Rick White had a massive heart attack on 15 February 2011, which he thankfully survived. He had two stents put in right away and two other coronary arteries successfully bypassed on 21 February 2011. Please join Rick and his family for praying a prayer of thanksgiving for him surviving the heart attack and a successful surgery. Pray also for peace of mind for Rick and his family, trust in God and a full recovery.

Chelsea, age 17, was hit by a car while walking home from a friend's house the night of 19 February 2011. She hit the windshield of the car then went over the back onto the pavement. She is in Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, but awake awake and talking! She has a long recovery ahead of her, including surgeries on her ankle and the several compound fractures of her leg. But she's conscious and lucid--a great step forward! Thanks be to God! Please pray for Chelsea's complete recovery, for her parents Rick and Tina, and for the medical team treating her.

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.

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.

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 well. 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, Susan, Hap, Don, Keith, Virginia R, Joy, Steve, Ruby and Crew

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

Walter experienced serious angina and underwent heart catheterization on Monday 14 March 2011. In his mother’s words, “Yesterday was amazing for Walter. 90 minutes on the operating table, and he had 3 stents put into an artery that was 99% blocked (all the other arteries were clear, large, and healthy)! He watched the whole procedure on the machine just as the Cardiologist was seeing it, and next week we can go to Ashevile and get a copy of the whole thing! We were there at 7:00 and home before 3:00! He is restricted only in "no driving for 3 days) in fear of a sudden stop that might pop the plug out of the place of insertion. He goes back to work on Friday. Oh how much we have to be thankful for... the Lord's mercy... and the many friends that were praying for him! Thanks to all of you, what would we do without you! Love.” Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the great result and ask for a rapid and complete recovery. May this experience bring Walter and his mother deeper in their love for our Lord.

Jack Arnold had apparently successful oral surgery on Tuesday 15 March 2011 to graft bone to his jaw so some teeth can be installed. Please give thanks for the safe surgery and good work on the part of his surgeon. Please pray for a good end result and a rapid recovery.

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.

Kay had a serious stroke on 8 March 2011, the result of a blot clot. Her medications have been changed, the clot dissolved and her brain responded correctly. She has apparently no residual effects from the stroke. Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for her recovery, both for her, her family and friends; let them keep their faith in God, good times and bad.

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.

Thoughts on The Litany

This is the time of the year when many Anglican Churches use The Litany to start the service and omit the Prayer for the Whole State of Christ’s Church. Interestingly enough, The Litany was the first part of the church service to be translated into English; that may be a lesson in and of itself.

The word Litany means: A solemn form of supplication in the public worship of various churches, in which the clergy and congregation joins, the former leading and the latter responding in alternate sentences. It is usually of a penitential character.

Interestingly enough in colloquial English it means an endless list, usually of complaints.

In The Litany, over and over, the congregation asks God and/or Christ to “hear us”:

• We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

• Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.

Over and Over

Perhaps we are asking our Lord God the wrong thing. For, He, who needs no reminding of the death of a sparrow, seems likely to hear us the first time. The more important thing to ask Him is for help in not only hearing Him, but actually listening to Him and following His instructions. We miss the point when we beg Him to hear us. We need to ask His help to HEAR HIM and ACT ON HIS WORD.

As my lovely wife says, “Please fill us with the Holy Ghost, even if (and probably particularly if) You have to pry open our mouths and force Him down our throats!”

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 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.

Thursday

24 March 2011 – Stations of the Cross – Service start time 1830 (6:30 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1830 (6:300 pm); Location – Victoria Chapel, Victoria House 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA

Friday

25 March 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

27 March 2011 – Third Sunday in Lent – 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 here!

Stations of the Cross, Fridays 7:30pm at Victoria House Chapel (2828 N Victoria) EXCEPT THIS WEEK, WHEN IT WILL BE THURSDAY!

Thursday, Stations of the Cross, 6:30pm at Victoria House

Friday, Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary,

Holy Communion 9:30am at Victoria House (Morning Prayer, 9:15am)

FreeTeenGuitarClass Starbucks Jam Nite, 6:30-8:00pm at Albertsons /Starbucks parking lot

Instructional Seder

Join us for an instructional Seder Dinner at the SCAIR Center in Alpine at the Five Way Light. Wednesday, 20 April 2011, 1830 (6:30 pm) Find out what took place at the Last Supper. Don’t let this be a mystery to you. Food is wonderful, by the way. Free to parish members, $10.00 per person for guests (not really, but if it will make them feel more comfortable, use that number.) See Alice Acker or Dru Arnold to sign up.

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. Sonrise Service at 0830. The weather should be very nice with the late date of Easter.