Today was the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a reasonable 44°F under grey skies. It was about the same down the hill at church, but by the time church ended the clouds had cleared and the temperature climbed to 76°F. Not sure what the story was, but last year we had our all time low attendance with a total of 10 people; this year was a tad better at 25!
Free Teen Guitar Class - Gathering Songs
The first Sunday of each month we have all guitar music courtesy of Father Acker’s Free Teen Guitar Class. The class which is held each Friday is at zero monetary cost, but the kids are supposed to practice and provide music for the church each first Sunday of the month. A few times it has worked out that way, but mostly it is like today where Father Acker, Nick Patton and Jack Arnold provided the gathering songs and all the music. Too bad for the kids who did not show and great for us who listened and sang while the talented trio played:
• When the saints go marching in
• Kumbayah
• Ode to Joy
• Humbly I adore thee
• Amazing Grace
• God made me
• Wondrous Cross
• God is my salvation
• Doxology
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
Father Acker continued with the Travels of Egeria and provided a nice summary:
Travels of Egeria 2
On Maundy Thursday evening the Christians of Jerusalem met a second time this day. “…No one failed to be a part of the remaining ceremonies, tired though they might be form their long vigils and fasting.” They met in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The olive orchards were on the hillside opposite the Temple. In the orchard was the olive press used to extract the olive oil used in the lamps of the Temple.
Egeria tells of a hymn being sung and there was reading of the gospel about Jesus praying in the garden telling his disciples to “watch and pray.” When they finished the prayers in the garden, everyone made their way down the steep hill in the dark to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This Church was built less than a hundred years earlier by Constantine’s mother, Helena (about 325AD). Helena was a devout Christian and had church buildings established on many of the old sites in Jerusalem.
Early on Good Friday the Christians gathered “to the gate, and thence through the whole of the city to the Cross” following the path of Jesus from the House of Caiaphas to Golgotha and finally to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. “The bishop read the Gospel accounts of Jesus before Pilate. Before returning briefly to their homes the people went to Mt. Zion [the Temple mount] to pray at the pillar in Caiaphas’ house where Jesus was whipped.”
At noon the Christians again gathered “from the sixth to the ninth hour (Noon until 3pm) passages from Scripture are continuously read and hymns are sung, to show the people that whatever the prophets had said would come to pass concerning the passion of the Lord can be shown, both through the Gospels and the writings of the apostles, to have taken place. And so, during these three hours, all the people are taught that nothing happened which was not prophesied, and that nothing was prophesied which was not completely fulfilled.”
Again in the evening, Christians gathered in the main part of the church to hear “the passage from the Gospel is read where Joseph begged the Body of the Lord from Pilate and laid it in a new sepulcher. And this reading ended, a prayer is said, the catechumens are blessed, and the dismissal is made.”
Egeria not only saw the places where the events of our Lord’s passion occurred. What seems to have made the greatest impression on Egeria was the reading of the Scriptures associated with the places and the events, but most importantly how the writings of the prophets and the apostles spoke to God’s purpose being carried out in the sacrificial death of Jesus and his resurrection.
Rose Sunday
We are halfway through Lent, or close to it, 22 days down, 18 to go. Many people do not realize that Lent has 40 days, as Sundays are not counted. Sundays are not fast days, as we celebrate every Sunday in remembrance of the glorious resurrection of our Lord. Situated halfway through Lent, this Sunday is often called Refreshment Sunday after the Gospel, with the loaves and fishes. The liturgical color lightens from purple to rose as a break in our fasting. It is also the time when English children traditionally came home from boarding schools for Easter. It also is observed as Mother’s Day in England for that very reason and also referred to as Mothering Sunday.
Propers
Each Sunday there are Propers: special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding. The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. If you have a hard time remembering, “Do I read the Collect from last Sunday or next Sunday during the week?” Remember Sunday is the first day of the week. There are also two Bible readings, the Epistle and the Gospel. While they are “lessons”, they are not the First Lesson and the Second Lesson, they are the Epistle and the Gospel. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the priest as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the priests and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained priest.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead. Red Letter Feast, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saints instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent.
The Propers for today are found on Page 130-132, with the Collect first:
The Fourth Sunday in Lent.
The Collect.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 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.
Stephanie Boyd read the Epistle for today, which came from the Fourth Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians beginning at the Twenty-First Verse.
Jesus talks about the two sons of Abraham, one of the bond, one of the free. These two, the bond under The Law and the free under The New Covenant. The people of old are the people of The Law, 613 laws by which they must abide. Perhaps more properly said in practice that they must work around or evade those 613. Yet, they cannot comply with all the laws nor even work around them. They are doomed to failure with no help from God. As people of The New Covenant, the original and real New Deal, we have only to comply with two laws or rules; To love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbor. Actually, those two are much harder to fully comply with than avoiding the 613 laws of The Law. But, we have the key – Jesus Christ. He came to earth not only to lead us to heaven, from the front; but to be a propitiation for our sins, to make us account as perfect to God to allow us to come into His Land.
TELL me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
The Gospel for this morning came from the Sixth Chapter of the Gospel of St. John beginning at the First Verse.
JESUS went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Sermon - All the right places
Father Acker provided a summary of his sermon so you can see exactly what he was trying to get across:
Today's Message:
Are you looking in the right place?
There are lots of comfort foods: Mac ‘n cheese, Chicken ‘n dumplings, Ben ‘n Jerry’s, or snacks at Blessed Trinity. There are feel-good movies: Sleepless in Seattle, Shrek, Princess Bride, or School of Rock. Lots of comfort stuff. But if we really want comfort, if we want to be satisfied, we’ll find it in Christ.
Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia about living by faith and promise, knowing that in Jesus our life is to be a participation in the redemption of all creation and we place our trust and our hope in his promise. Paul, in the 4th chapter reminds us that it is not the old covenant, the giving of the Law and the sacrifice of the Temple, the old Jerusalem. No, our life in the Spirit is of the heavenly promise, the new Jerusalem. Life in Christ is not the struggle against sin. It is living with a holy God. It is about life in God’s Kingdom. Lent, these weeks before Easter, are not about working to be a “better person.” If we see our spiritual life as Spring-cleaning, Spiritual-improvement, or Getting with the program, we’re still struggling to overcome sin.
What Saint Paul says, what I know is that sin is a reality in my life. Over and over again I do what I ought not to do and a leave undone the things that I ought to do. Christianity is not about my overcoming sin in my life. It is about one thing, Jesus overcoming sin in my life. I don’t come here on Sunday mornings to feel good about “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better.” [Émile Coué, the 19th century French psychotherapist] I am here every Sunday because I need God’s help. I need Jesus to do what I can’t do myself.
Our prayer for today, for this week that “collects us in common prayer,” the Collect, says we deserve to be punished for doing evil, but we ask that God in his mercy might relieve our suffering and comfort us. I am here today to ask God to enter into my life, to help with the brokenness of my life, the trouble, the emptiness, the desire to be satisfied and filled.
So where do you turn for comfort and to be satisfied? The comfort foods, the feel-good movies, the warm blanket or comforters are short-term solutions at best. I may be able to keeping eat chocolate for a while, but it is a short-term fix. If I keep eating the comfort eventually becomes discomfort. Am I looking in the right place? And even if we turn to family or friends, this life is way too short. What we need the eternal comfort and satisfaction that is found in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel reading from John where Jesus feeds the five thousand is a blueprint for having God’s help. Let’s look at the pattern.
1. The loaves are placed into Jesus’ hands.
2. Jesus gives thanks over the bread.
3. Jesus gives the loaves to his disciples to distribute.
4. Those who receive the bread at the hands of the disciples are satisfied.
It is the pattern for being comforted, for being satisfied, for having God’s help. If you want the cheat code version, the short form: Jesus Took, Blessed, Broke, and Gave.
Are you looking in the right place? Are you trying to use a hammer to drive the screw into the wood? Jesus is the right tool. Jesus is the right place to find what we need to satisfy us. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.
The loaves are placed into Jesus’ hands. No matter what is going on in my life, what problems I face, and what I need, I need to place my life in Jesus’ hands. When the disciples brought the five loaves and the couple of fish, Jesus didn’t send them back out for a second collection. They put what they had into Jesus’ hands. Jesus doesn’t say, Come back when you have something more to offer. Jesus doesn’t want you to wait until you’ve got more, cleaned up, got it right. I need to place myself in his hands.
Jesus offers thanks and makes new what he receives. What was never enough. The five loaves weren’t enough to feed five thousand. The 200 denari , the $1000 suggested wouldn’t have given more than a very small dinner roll to feed the crowd. Jesus did what no one anticipated. Jesus blessing brought not just enough, but more than enough. I don’t get to see how God does it. I don’t get to see additional loaves dropping out of the sky or dividing like an amoeba. What was not enough is more than enough. What was too much to bear becomes something for the glory of God to be seen and known. The disciples didn’t expect to have food for everyone let alone leftovers! But Jesus blesses and makes new.
Jesus broke the bread and gave it to the apostles to distribute. When Jesus blesses and makes new, it isn’t to be kept, to fill up the frig and the freezer. Jesus wants us to distribute, to give to others what he has blessed. In my life sometimes I am giving to others the things that Jesus has blessed. Sometimes I receive them from others. What is true is that Jesus uses people to minister, to distribute, what he has blessed. With Jesus it isn’t a private “just you and me.” With Jesus it is in community, common-unity.
We don’t do self-serve in the life of the Church. You don’t just take a piece of bread at communion. It is ministered. Jesus broke the bread and placed it in the hands of the apostles. Presumably, it was the two on his right and left. They then broke and gave it to the person next to them. As Jesus did with the Apostles at the Last Supper, Jesus does for each of us. Breaking and giving and our ministering to those around us.
You may have noticed, this Jesus pattern is the pattern of the Last Supper, the Holy Communion. Jesus Took, Blessed, Broke, and Gave. Jesus said, “Do this.” And the Church has kept this as its principle act of worship for the past two thousand years. And it was true not only for Anglicans in the British Isles and the expansion of the British Empire, it was true for Martin Luther and for John Calvin. It was true for most Christians, in most of the world. in most every time. If you’ve been Baptized, no matter what Christian Church, we welcome you to share in common-union in just a few minutes. Together we share in Jesus’ Taking, Blessing, Breaking, and Giving. If you are not Baptized, but seeking God and his blessing, we will invite you to come forward for a special blessing.
The fourth element of Jesus’ pattern is in receiving. If you want to be satisfied you have to take what Jesus gives. Just looking at the Ben ‘n Jerry’s doesn’t satisfy. As the Psalmist says,
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! …those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34.8a, 10b
If are seeking, if we want to be satisfied, if we want to be comforted and to receive God’s mercy, Jesus has the way and it is found in him. And it starts by place our lives into his hands that he might bless, distribute, and satisfy.
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
Mary Lou Ruiz brought snacks today; two kinds of cookies: chocolate chip and butterscotch chip, low carb foldovers and tuna dip with two kinds of crackers! They were great! Thank you very much.
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
10 April 2011 Bill and Liz Fuller
17 April 2011 Jan Macauley
24 April 2011 Easter – No Snacks
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 three weeks ago.
Birthday
Keith Acker celebrated his 55th birthday with us last week.
Travel
Tim is on travel this week.
In Remembrance
Chris and Louis’ father has gone before them. They ask you remember him in your prayers this week, the anniversary of his departure for home.
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
Jeremy P. Faulkner, of Griffin Georgia, died 29 March 2011, of sounds sustained in Konar Province, Afghanistan, while protecting our freedom. Please pray for the repose of his soul and comfort for his family, comrades and friends who remain here on earth.
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.
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, Ellen A (Heart CCU), Eunice (Knee replacement)
Patty had serious chest pains on 30 March 2011, she was hospitalized, all tests came out fine and she is resting at home. Please pray for peace of mind and return to health for her.
June K has the shingles and did not get appropriate treatment until just recently. Please pray for her peace of mind, comfort and full and rapid recovery.
Hal Campbell underwent apparently successful surgery for a cancerous lesion on the inside of his cheek and the associated lymph node on 7 March 2011, at the VA hospital in Seattle. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for a complete and rapid 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. 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.
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 after a limited recovery. Lee is doing a tad better with his speech, but his balance is so bad he cannot walk unassisted even with his walker. There are times when he knows what is going on around him and with family, etc. but other times when nothing seems to register. It's very sad for him. He wants to be home, he cannot live there safely. Please pray for Lee, his family, and the care staff. Please pray for Lee, Sandy and their children to maintain their trust in God and to look towards Him for guidance. Pray also for the medical team treating Lee that God might guide and direct their assessment and treatment.
Vicky developed a brain aneurysm a year and a half ago. Vicky is home and making progress. She is now walking without a cane, which is real progress. However, the gains on her thought process are much slower. Her husband ran into a store and told her to just wait in the car for him; within a couple of minutes he saw her wandering through the front door. He's now keeping the car keys hidden. She repeats anything she tells you several times in the same conversation. She's come an incredibly long way but still has a long way to go.
Please pray for Vicky’s recovery and for peace of mind for her husband Doug and family, that they might keep their trust in the Lord.
Obra Gray continues to take day by day. Please continue to keep Obra in your prayers, and give him the strength of knowing the Lord is with him and will never forsake him. Obra needs security of what lies ahead of him, and only the Lord can grant the solace to answer his prayer.
Cerrus, daughter in law of Hy, has had a relapse of her cancer. Please pray for a successful treatment and remission.
David is suffering from shingles and asks that we pray for a remission of the symptoms and a return to normalcy.
Jimmy had a stroke along with triple bypass heart surgery. Miney Farrell asks you pray for his recovery and positive frame of mind during his recovery.
Annie S continues her recovery from the kidney transplant and is doing incredibly well! Please give thanks for the great progress to date and pray for continued recovery.
Bashir Ahmed, father of Shamim Gray, has been blessed with the Lord's breath of life to stay on this earth for the time being. But, things are hard for him and his loving wife, who cares for him. They have two young nieces living with them who see no real need to help, pray for God to enter their hearts. Above all, pray for his entire family to open their hearts to accept all God’s love will bring them.
Mary Parker is currently in rehabilitation to learn to walk properly again. Please pray for a positive attitude for her and a great result.
Miney Farrell has pain and weakness in her leg. She asks that you pray for strength to work hard on physical exertion required to regain her strength. She also thanks God for the wonderful people she lives with.
Lorraine Winkles is dealing with the arthritis, but her shingles have resurfaced. She asks your prayer in dealing with the accompanying discomfort.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) is still home and doing pretty well considering the bones in her neck and hands are degenerating as a side effect of her kidney failure. Her thumbs are not particularly useful any more. Mrs. Kay asks everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude.
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, Betty, Eric, Mary, Terry, Fausto, Leticia, Russ
Steve asks that you pray for difficulties he is having with his family. Please pray that the Holy Ghost will enter into his heart and provide him with the heaven sent inspiration that he needs to see clearly and deal with problems and the courage to do what needs to be done in the manner it should be done.
Helen and her family are in need of God’s guidance that they might do His will, see things His way and hopefully come together through His love.
Sol and his family are in need of God’s guidance that they might do His will, see things His way and hopefully come together through His love.
Louis is in need of God's guidance and direction. Please pray that Louis might see God’s outstretched hand to him and guide him in all he does.
Mark Thomas is in need of God's guidance and direction. Please pray that Mark might take note God’s outstretched hand to him and accept his guidance in all he does.
Ali is searching for spiritual meaning; may the Holy Ghost guide those around her to help her in coming to Christ.
Jacquie to open her heart to God and accept His Love and Grace.
Noriene for God's comfort as she mourns her mother and for her to turn to God for His healing.
Paul S asked everyone to give thanks that his doctor is adjusting his medication for severe schizophrenia.
Hap asks you to pray that he might be able to trust God will help him make the right decisions at the right time and not to worry uselessly and that he will open his heart to the Holy Ghost.
Guidance and Protection
Christina, Sarah
Economic Guidance and Assistance
Keith has been unable to find any full-time work since his custom home drafting business of 25 years really dropped off last year. He is working as a handyman, doing tile work, painting, home repairs, etc. Pray also for God's peace to comfort them and for His leading and wisdom to be very evident to them.
Mark’s business is very very slow, he asks that God point him to new markets and give him guidance in following God’s will that his business might survive and his employees not lose their livelihood.
To Find Employment, Housing and Other Needs
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), Neal (USN-Afghanistan), Trevor (USAF-Libya)
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 Asheville 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 building slowly; we need God’s inspiration to figure out where to go next or keep on keeping on. Please pray we will open our heart to the gentle prodding of the Holy Ghost; and not do what we have always done expecting a different result.
Please join us in praying that the Free Teen Guitar Class will be continue to be an opportunity for God to work in the lives of the kids and their families. Please ask God to guide the class to new opportunities to make Him known to others. Help us to let the love of our Lord shine through us into their lives, putting Him first, so that He might enter in to their hearts and lives.
Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate? Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material. Help us help you. Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer. Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know. But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.
I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across. While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion. If you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: thebeadle@mac.com.
Epistle Readers
We post the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report each week so you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.
Date Reader
10 April 2011 Greg Chase
17 April 2011 Jan Macauley
24 April 2011 Nancy Graham
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
8 April 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
Sunday
10 April 2011 – Fifth Sunday in Lent – Passion 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
Friday
15 April 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
Sunday
17 April 2011 – Palm Sunday – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); After church and snacks we will be having our bi-monthly Vestry Meeting. The meeting is open to all parish members. Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – Alpine Elementary School Auditorium – 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
HOLY WEEK
Wednesday
20 April 2011 – Instructional Seder Dinner – Come find out what the events underlying the Last Supper were all about while enjoying an exceptional dinner with friends – If you need more encouragement, there are a minimum of four rounds of drinks involve. If you don’t drink alcohol, not to worry, the Beadle does not either and there is grape juice and sparkling apple cider on hand for us. The dinner is free to parishioners and $10.00 to guests, if they need to be charged to feel comfortable, otherwise free to them also! This is a deal, normally Instructional Seders are about $50.00 a head. - Time 1830 (6:30 pm); Location – SCAIR Learning Center – 2218 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Thursday
21 April 2011 – Maunday Thursday – Foot Washing – Time 1815 (6:15 pm); Location – Victoria House Chapel - 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA
Friday
22 April 2011 – Good Friday Service – Time 1815 (6:15 pm); Location – Victoria House Chapel - 2828 North Victoria Drive, Alpine, CA
Sunday
24 April 2011 – Easter Sonrise Service – California Sunrise, Honolulu Time, or whatever! Sleep in and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior outside! Outdoor service in the Park. If you are a bit hard of moving, you can just about drive to your chair! Join us afterwards for breakfast with the Kiwanis at the school. Time 0830 (8:30 am); Location – Alpine Community Center Park, 1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Friday
29 April 2011 – Last Friday of the Month – Free Teen Guitar Class Jam Session – Albertsons Parking Lot, or Starbucks if you are really cool. Join us for Christian Rock, Classic Christian, Riff Rock and Blues Jamming, then Manañas afterwards to talk about it – Time 1830 (6:30 pm); Location – Alpine Albertsons Parking Lot – 2955 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Friday
29 April 2011 – Last Friday of the Month – Free Teen Guitar Class Jam Session – Albertsons Parking Lot, or Starbucks if you are really cool. Join us for Christian Rock, Classic Christian, Riff Rock and Blues Jamming, then Manañas afterwards to talk about it – Time 1830 (6:30 pm); Location – Alpine Albertsons Parking Lot – 2955 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Saturday
28 May 2011 – Cobblestone Cottage Tea Party – Cost $20.00, including tea and tip. Contact Jan Macauley to sign up – Time 1400 (2:00 pm); Location – Cobblestone Cottage – 1945 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, CA
Scheduling Announcements from the Minister: Lent is here!
Easter Sunrise For Late Risers: 8:30am at Alpine Community Center Park
Now is the time to invite friends. For those needing handicap access you can drive right up to the seating area (call or email for details). Remember the Church will buy breakfast for any of your newcomers at the Kiwanis Easter Breakfast next door. We'll just walk across the way.
Holy Week Services:
Palm Sunday with blessing of Palms, April 17th, 10am at Alpine Elementary School Auditorium
Holy Wednesday Instructional Seder, April 20th, 6:30pm at SCAIR Learning Center; This involves a meal. Sign up sheet.
Maundy Thursday, April 21st, 6:15pm Evening Prayer, 6:30pm Holy Communion and Foot washing, at Victoria House
Good Friday, April 22nd
Noon, Ecumenical Biblical Stations of the Cross, Queen of Angels
6:15pm EP, 6:30pm Good Friday Liturgy at Victoria House
Vigil of Easter (Holy Saturday Night, April 23rd), Vigil with the Lighting of the Easter Fire and First Evensong of Easter, 7:30pm at Victoria House, First Dessert of Easter.
Easter Day, April 24th, 8:30am at Alpine Comm. Park
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