The Week before Easter - commonly called HOLY WEEK

The week starting on Palm Sunday and continuing through the Saturday before Easter is commonly called Holy Week and the week in which the passion of our Savior is commemorated. The week starts with the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ends with the death of the Savior on the Cross and the burial of his body in the tomb. It is a week of ups and downs without parallel and precedes the most joyous day of the year, the Day of the Resurrection or Easter Sunday.

Jesus has a triumphant entry into the city on the First Day of the Week (Sunday); on Thursday night he celebrates the Passover with his disciples in the Upper Room, he prays and agonizes over what he knows is coming in the garden of Gethsemane; Judas betrays him early Friday morning, his most trusted disciple denies him; the Jews condemn him to Pilate who in turn orders him to be beaten and humiliated; that does not satisfy the Jews and at their request, Pilate condemns a man he knows to be innocent to a horrible death to pacify the crowd of Jews assembled by the priests; Jesus is crucified, asks John to take care of his mother and gives up the ghost; his body is taken down and buried; the disciples are dispersed and discouraged; they have listened to their Lord, but not understood.

Think of this week from the disciples’ perspective, on the first day they enter with their leader into Jerusalem in triumph; mid-week they celebrate the joyous feast of the Passover, then their leader is betrayed, defends himself not and is killed. At the time they surely could not think of this as a Holy Week and certainly not a Good Friday. Yet on the first day of the week, our Lord is Risen, Risen indeed and delivers the promise of salvation in person.

What a week!

Wednesday
The first event of Holy Week was Wednesday’s Instructional Seder Dinner held at the SCAIR Center in Alpine, the facility courtesy of Wanda Michaelis and Lona Walsh. A Seder is the traditional ceremonial Passover dinner customarily held in Jewish homes. We had 14 attendees, including Sheri and Luke, friends of Susanne’s from Pine Valley.

Passover commemorates God's sparing of the Hebrew firstborn as he saw the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts of their houses on the night of the Tenth Plague:

The Ten Plagues are the ten calamities visitated upon Egypt by God in order to convince Pharaohto let the Israelite slaves go to the desert for 3 days.

The plagues as they appear in the Bible are:

1. (Exodus 7:14-25) rivers and other water sources turned to blood killing all fish and other water life. (Dam)
2. (Exodus 7:26-8:11) amphibians (commonly believed to be frogs) (Tsfardeia)
3. (Exodus 8:12-15) lice or gnats (Kinim)
4. (Exodus 8:16-28) flies or beasts (Arov)
5. (Exodus 9:1-7) disease on livestock (Dever)
6. (Exodus 9:8-12) unhealable boils (Shkhin)
7. (Exodus 9:-35) hail mixed with fire (Barad)
8. (Exodus 10:1-20) locusts (Arbeh)
9. (Exodus 10:21-29) darkness (Choshech)
10. (Exodus 11:1-12:36) death of the first-born of all Egyptian families.

Then ten plagues correspond roughly to ten of the Egyption “gods”.

The "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Khag Ha'Matsot) refers to the week-long period when leaven has been removed, and unleavened bread or matzah ("flatbread"), the holiday's primary symbol, is eaten to recall the rapid departure of the Jews from Egypt.

Many Jews observe the positive Torah commandment of eating matzo on the first night of Passover at the Passover Seder, as well as the Torah prohibition against eating or owning Chametz (leavened products such as bread, cake, cookies, beer, whiskey or pasta)[5] for the duration of the holiday. In Israel, Passover is a seven-day holiday, with the first and last days celebrated as a full festival involving abstention from work, special prayer services, and holiday meals; the intervening days are known as Chol HaMoed ("festival weekdays").

Together with Sukkot ("Tabernacles") and Shavuot ("Pentecost"), Passover is one of the three pilgrim festivals (Shloshet Ha'Regalim) during which the entire Jewish populace historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. As described in the Book of Exodus, Passover marks the birth of the "Children of Israel" who became the Jewish nation, as the Jews were liberated from Pharaoh's slavery and allowed to become followers of God instead.

As Christians, it is of importance to us as the Passover dinner was Jesus’ Last Supper. Thus, it is an interesting part of our Christian heritage with deep historical roots and much significance that is often overlooked. This was the 26th Seder dinner Father Acker has held. He acted as head of the household and helped us through the entire ceremony.

The central ceremonial food item was matzah, a brittle flat bread eaten at Passover, which is unleavened bread the Jews were instructed to eat in remembrance of the haste in which they left Egypt.

This is the bread that Jesus broke before the Last Supper:

For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took Bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. (BCP page 80)

Ben Lizak prepared the sacrificial lamb, or pascha. There was a superb selection of side dishes; the most delicious kosher string beans and salt pork, two excellent potato dishes, asparagus, a zucchini casserole that was loved by all, including two people who hate zucchini, numerous traditional Jewish condiments and of course the traditional four glasses of wine.

Our 14 participants experienced a great time and wonderful food while learning a lot.

You might not have come to the Seder dinner for many reasons, too busy, not interested in a bunch of stiff old stuff, wanted a “real dinner”, or who knows what other reason. If you were there, you know the dinner, while very interesting and helpful in building our knowledge base, was entertaining and really fun. The Beadle might also point out the food was truly excellent. Far better quality than you would find in any restaurant and in sufficient quantity, no brag, just fact. Make a point of attending next year.

Thursday
The day after the Seder brought Maunday Thursday. The word "maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" which was the Latin translation for "commandment." Jesus said during the Last Supper on Thursday of Holy week, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) "Maundy Thursday" is also known as "Commandment Thursday." 

Thursday is the day of the Last Supper, all the more meaningful for those who attended the Instructional Seder the night before. After the Passover dinner at which Jesus set forth the instructions for what was to become our Holy Communion service, he spent time in Gethsemane garden. Gethsemane (oil-press) is the name of an olive-yard at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to which Jesus retired with his disciples, and which is particularly memorable as being the scene of his agony.

A Holy Communion Service was held at Victoria Chapel with 10 attendees. The Maundy Thursday service includes the ceremonial washing of the feet by the priest, following the example set by Jesus at the last supper and ends with the stripping of the altar.

Hap Arnold read the Epistle for the evening which came from the Eleventh Chapter of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians beginning at the Twenty-Third Verse:

I HAVE received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

This epistle recalls the institution of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion when Jesus blessed the Passover matzah before the meal then broke it; with the symbolism of his body given for us, rather than the breaking of the bondage. Then after the mean, He took up the cup at the Passover meal set aside for Elijah.

The Gospel for Maunday Thursday comes from the Gospel according to Saint John, the Thirteenth Chapter, beginning at the First Verse and describes Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper:

NOW before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

After the Creed, in the place normally taken by the Sermon, Father Acker put on a towel and washed the feet of each of the congregants.

Many people find the washing of the feet by the priest uncomfortable. On his hands and knees, Father Acker washes your foot, dries it and looks up at you, “Thank you for your service.” In your heart, you remember the words of the General Confession from Morning and Evening Prayer. How many times this past year, or week for that matter, have you done what you wanted, not what you should have done. How many times did you put off doing what you should have, what Jesus wanted, so you could do what you wanted. And he is thanking you…

How much more uncomfortable were the Apostles who had their feet washed by our Lord?

Friday
Good Friday was the day in which Jesus was tried by the Jews, tried by Pilate, condemned, crucified, died and was buried. Except in hindsight, this was not a Good Friday at all.

Pilate’s actions made famous the line, “I wash my hands of this.” While he might have attempted to wash the guilt for the murder of the world’s one truly innocent man on to the Jews, he remains the one who condemned him to death. Pilate was nothing if not a politician and bureaucrat. The condemnation was to him the simplest solution to the problem of a Jewish hierarchy’s manufactured crowd’s anger. What was the death of one Jew to him? Yet he was worried enough to attempt to wash his hands of the guilt.

Friday at Noon
The Alpine Christian Community gets together for an Ecumenical Stations of Cross at noon at Queen of Angels (Roman Catholic) Church. Father Acker and the Free Teen Guitar Class kids: Kurtis Walden, Ryan Howell and Jack Arnold played their guitars as traveling music for the outdoor event. We had about nine members fortunate enough to be able to get time off work to attend the event.

Friday Evening
There was a service at Victoria Chapel with 8 attendees which included the Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion, albeit in a simple fashion.

The Gospel, much like the Gospel for Palm Sunday was read as a participatory reading and was so effective as to make the hair on the back of ones neck stand up at points. The Gospel came from the Nineteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the First Verse:

PILATE therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cæsar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every sol-dier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Saturday
Fourteen of our members gathered for the Easter Vigil and lighting of the Paschal Candle with traditional flint and steel.

From the time Jesus left his body on the cross until the resurrection, little is known. It is said in the Apostle’s Creed that “He descended into hell”, where he did battle with the Devil for our souls, a battle the Devil was destined to lose. Remembering the Jewish day starts at sundown, sundown on Saturday brings the Easter Vigil and the lighting of the Paschal Candle with traditional flint and steel.

It also is the first of the celebration of the resurrection, the Easter Feast, the most joyous day of our Christian year.

This year it also brought the first breaking of the Lenten Fast with a wonderful chocolate cake from Alice which was enjoyed by 14 of our members.

Sunday
Tomorrow is the first day of the new week, Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. We expect to have a fairly large turnout as people celebrate this, the most important day in the Christian year.

Tell me more – What does Seder really mean?
The Passover Seder (Hebrew: "order", "arrangement") is a Jewish ritual feast which takes place on the first evening of the Jewish holiday of Passover (the 15th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar) in Israel, and on the first and second evenings of Passover (the 15th and 16th days of Nisan) in the Jewish diaspora. In 2007, these dates correspond to Monday night April 2 and Tuesday night April 3 in the modern Gregorian calendar. Incorporating the holiday meal, the Seder relives the enslavement and subsequent Exodus of the Children of Israel from Ancient Egypt through the words of the Haggadah, the drinking of Four Cups of Wine, the eating of matzot, and the eating of and reference to symbolic foods placed on the Passover Seder Plate. Since the Seder is typically a household and family ritual, as well as being observed by congregations and groups, there are numerous gatherings that perform Seders, and thus there are often variations on this ritual; however, there are also similarities among Seders due to having similar Haggadot upon which to base the ritual.

The Seder is considered an integral aspect of Jewish faith and identity. As the Haggadah—which contains the complete Seder service—explains, without the Exodus, the Jews would arguably still be slaves to the Egyptian Pharaoh and would never have realized their role as a nation. Therefore this is an occasion for much praise and thanksgiving to God. It is considered a mitzvah (commandment) to embellish one's retelling of the Exodus on this night. Often the Seder lasts into the early hours of the morning of the next day, as participants continue to learn Torah and talk about the events of the night and sing special Passover songs included in the Haggadah. (Indeed, traditional Haggadot encourage this by pointing out the example of ancient Rabbis who discussed the Exodus at a Seder until the morning Shema (roughly 7am.)[1]

Unlike other public holiday observances that are traditionally held in the synagogue, the Seder is specifically designed to be conducted by a family at home, with or without guests. (However, the Seder may also be conducted by any group of people, including synagogue members, hotel guests, singles, students and travelers—see below, "Public Seders".) This focus is derived from the opening words of the Torah verse which is the source for the mitzvah of retelling the Exodus from Egypt: Vehigadta levincha' bayom hahu leymor ba'avur zeh asah Adonay li betzeysi miMitzrayim - "And you shall tell it to your son on that day, saying, 'Because of this God did for me when He took me out of Egypt'" (Exodus 13:8). The words and rituals of the Seder are a primary vehicle for the transmission of the Jewish faith from parent to child, and from one generation to the next.

Much like fasting and going to services on Yom Kippur, attending a seder is a ritual that many secular Jews take part in, too. Perhaps this is due to the celebratory nature of the event and the joy of family and friends gathering together.

Just one more question
After sitting through the Seder dinner, I was wondering, what is manna? Did they see this sign in the desert?

Your Beadle has written a fine six page treatise on manna and another on matzo. If you would like to get a copy of either, drop him a note at thebeadle@mac.com.

But, briefly - according to the Bible, the mysterious substance which was provided miraculously by God to the Hebrews during their forty years in the desert descended by night like hoarfrost in the form of coriander seed of the color of bdellium (Book of Numbers 11:7). It was collected before sunrise, before it melted in the sun. The people ground it, or pounded it, and then baked it (Num. 11:8). A double portion was to be found on the day before the sabbath, when none was to be found. When the Hebrews arrived at Gilgal, on the 14th of Nisan, and began to eat the grain grown there, the manna ceased.

Matzo (also Matzoh, Matzah, Matza, Hebrew מַצָּה maṣṣā) is a Jewish food item made of plain flour and water, which is not allowed to ferment or rise before it is baked. The result is a flat, crunchy, cracker-like bread.

Matzo is the traditional substitute for bread during Passover because of the prohibitive commandment of eating chametz. Moreover, eating matzo the night of the seder fulfills the positive commandment of eating matzo at the Passover seder.

Various commercial brands of matzo also come in flavored varieties, such as poppyseed- or onion-flavored. For those who cannot eat wheat, oat and spelt matzos with kosher certification are produced.

Obligation or Opportunity?
Friends tell us they have an obligation to attend church every Sunday. As good Pharisees, they are able to justify attending after a certain time on Saturday as counting for Sunday. That way they don’t have to waste a valuable Sunday on God.

Would you consider the proper perspective is that we have an opportunity to worship our Lord in a manner fully consistent with all the Biblical teachings on Sunday? There is actually nothing magic about Sunday, if the service was only available on Thursday, that would serve. With our Anglican Church, we have an unparalleled opportunity to worship without worry about heresy or treason being an insidious part of the service.

We have an opportunity to worship in an environment where God – Honor – Country are neither mutually exclusive nor unwelcome.

See you on Easter Sunday!

Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/

or with one photograph per issue and colorful text at

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday

Today was the Palm Sunday, the Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday. The skies over Mount Olympus were scattered with about an inch of snow on the ground and a brisk 31°F. The temperature at church was not much warmer at 37°F and a light breeze that made it seem cooler yet. Although we had a number of people on travel, we still ended up with 19 members attending.

The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm leaves, along with clothing and other honors strewn along Jesus’ path as He came in to Jerusalem the first day of the week before His crucifixion. Of interest, only Jesus knew of the upcoming crucifixion, every one else, including Jews, Romans and the Christians, thought he was making a triumphant entrance in to the city. Those who thought of Him as Lord looked for a Kingdom of this World to be established. Far from that, He came to take us from this world to freedom.

It is important to remember as you go through Holy Week that Jesus was in control of all the events of the week. The moon was almost full, this was the year of the Messiah according to Daniel. Jesus chose the route into the city, through the King’s Gate. The people saw Him coming and met him at the Mount of Olives. They expected Him to come in and proclaim His rule. And that He did, but not in the way the people were looking for. He went in to the temple and through out the vendors selling “sacrificial” birds and animals at exorbitant cost, as well as the money changers. Far from announcing Himself head of the temple, He announce they had made His Father’s house a den of thieves. Rather than working within the establishment, He over turned it! Having made His point, He left the city the way He came in.

The reason Jesus came to Jerusalem at the Passover was to take the place of the yearly sacrifice one time, by one perfect sacrifice for all time and for all mankind. His was to be the blood marking our door that the destroyer might pass over.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 140 days by popular demand
Today was the fifth in a twenty week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. The class started with one of the Collects for the Day, applicable to the subject at hand, in this case the Second Sunday in Advent:

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent BCPp92

We have been making our way through the Bible and are now at the end of the Books of Samuel.

… when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth … 1 Samuel 18.6-8

David at seventeen is a national hero after defeating Goliath and the Philistines. He has been recognized for the leader he was and at the same time Tall Saul has been recognized for the coward he is. With his great popularity, David cannot be ignored, so he is brought into the army. David becomes the General of Saul’s army by age twenty and becomes more popular with each victory. Unlike Saul, David leads from the front. As a result of David’s popularity, the now Jealous Saul descends into madness. In time, David and Saul’s son, Jonathan, becomes best friends, even as his father turns in madness to kill David.

As time went on Saul began to try harder to kill David than he was trying to kill Philistines.

Deciding he cannot oppose the king and should not kill him, David goes on the run. He hides from Saul in an area about twice the size of San Diego County for ten years. What to do? He goes to Achish, King of Gath, seeking work as a mercenary. One condition only, that he not fight the Hebrews. The word gets out and soldiers desert the Army of Israel to sign up with David’s Foreign Legion. Over time, he gains a force of 600 men who stay with him for ten years, until he is thirty. During that time, David had lots of chances to kill Saul, but he doesn’t.

David’s men counseled him to eliminate the problem, “The men of David…the Lord said unto thee, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy unto thine hand.’” When Saul stopped for a restroom break one day in a cave, David snuck up behind him cut off a part of his robe. When Saul went back to his men, David came out and said, “My lord the king!... I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s annointed… See skirt of thy robe in my hand…mine hand shall not be against thee.” The message was clear, David could have easily killed Saul but did not. And there was peace more or less between them.

Saul met his end in battle the Philistines and his son fell defending him; David was king.

Palm Liturgy or Service
Before the service proper started, Father Acker conducted the Palm Liturgy or Service in which he blessed the palms from which we later made crosses.

After the blessing, he handed out fronds to each congregant:

Traditionally, we make crosses of the palm fronds after the service. It is a handy way to keep the palm frond until next year’s Ash Wednesday, when the palms are burned to make the ashes for that day.

Holly Lizak read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, starting at the Fifth Verse of the Second Chapter.

Paul reminds us that if Christ, the Son of God, was obedient to God, we should so be. Also, as a result of that obedience, God hath given Jesus the name to which all of earth should bow.

LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and death. The Gospel was read by in parts, with Ben Lizak as the Gospeller, Father Acker as Jesus and others and Jack Arnold as Pilate.

The normally powerful Gospel seems even more powerful when read as a play, so to speak. The crowd’s part is very hard to read as it reminds us of our dark side. If you did not make it to church today, please find someone to read this with in parts. It is an uncomfortable experience that you nonetheless should not miss.
Gospeller: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying,
Judas: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
Gospeller: And they said,
Crowd: What is that to us? see thou to that.
Gospeller: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said,
Crowd: It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Gospeller: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying,
Pilate: Art thou the King of the Jews?
Gospeller: And Jesus said unto him,
Jesus: Thou sayest.
Gospeller: And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him,
Pilate: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Gospeller: And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,
Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Gospeller: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Pilate’s Wife: Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Gospeller: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,
Pilate: Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
Gospeller: They said,
Crowd: Barabbas.
Gospeller: Pilate saith unto them,
Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
Gospeller: They all say unto him,
Crowd: Let him be crucified.
Gospeller: And the governor said,
Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?
Gospeller: But they cried out the more, saying,
Crowd: Let him be crucified.
Gospeller: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,
Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Gospeller: Then answered all the people, and said, Crowd: His blood be on us, and on our children.
Gospeller: Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,
Crowd: Hail, King of the Jews!
Gospeller: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying,
Crowd: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Gospeller: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Crowd: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Gospeller: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?
Gospeller: that is to say,
Jesus: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Gospeller: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,
Crowd: This man calleth for Elias.
Gospeller: And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said,
Crowd: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Gospeller: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Here silence is kept, some kneel or bow.
Gospeller: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying,
Crowd: Truly this was the Son of God.

Please read this.

Having read this, do you see yourself in the crowd? There is a little or more of the crowd in each of us. Uncomfortable? Yes. But, sadly very real. Yet, if we realize this, we can act to make ourselves less of the crowd and more of the Christ. For in us each is the crowd and the crown. We chose, each of us, which it will be, crowd or crown. One simple letter of difference, yet the gap between the two is bridged only by Christ.

Sermon - Kingdom Come, but upon Whom?
Father Acker started his sermon noting today is Palm Sunday and explaining that he is now, as a former parishioner once asked him to do, “preaching from the Bible.” Some have noted that of late he has been using his PDA instead of a printed Bible to keep him on track with his sermons. He thought it appropriate to explain this on Palm™ Sunday.

When Jesus came into the Jerusalem, he came in just before Passover of the year in which it had been predicted that the Messiah would come to “save” the Jews. All of Jerusalem was talking. This is the year predicted for the coming of God’s Messiah. Not only the year, but the day. Many went out to the Mount of Olives to wait. When they found Jesus riding in to town, the locals formed the crowd for the palm strewn parade into Jerusalem. The crowd cheered, but did they kneel before him? No. Yet, they “knew” the savior would go to the Temple and install himself as the Monarch and somehow overthrow the Roman Occupation Forces.

Instead of announcing his Kingship on the steps of the Temple, Jesus drove out the moneychangers who making a profit on changing Roman coins into Temple coins and the dishonest selling of sacrificial animals.

“My house shall be called a house of prayer, and you’ve made it a den of thieves.”

This was not what they were looking for. They wanted a man to save them from the Romans who were likely the best civil government they ever had and all God sent was His Son with the key to eternal salvation and true happiness here on earth.

So, how did they react?

With typical gratitude, when asked the cheering crowd called out, “Crucify Him!”

God has sent us incomparable gifts:

• His Son to give us eternal life, if only we will accept it.
• Happiness here on earth, if only we will accept it.

What does it mean to accept God’s gifts? It means to accept His Son as our King and to follow His rules with true obedience. All His rules, not just the ones that seem like a good idea, all the time, not just on Sundays.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Today we celebrated Alice Acker’s 54th birthday with her. Her actual birthday is Saint Patrick’s Day and she asks that if you send corned beef, it either be refrigerated or canned. There were no reported anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Betsy and Marianne Lane brought the goodies today. Two kinds of cakes, a dark colored one and a lovely pound cake; three flavors of macadamia nuts; chocolate chip cookies and your Beadle’s very favorite macadamia nut cookies with no chocolate! Oh yes, and Red Flame Seedless grapes. The Under Beadle reports the grapes as superb.

Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was flying to Las Vegas to take care of his mother who just went back into the hospital. Barista Ben Lizak stood in for the CMCB and brewed wonderful coffee. Father Acker managed to get up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade, sadly it spilled in the trailer, but there was barely enough.

New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.

People in our Prayers
If you are on our prayer list, or you have submitted a person for us to pray for, please update Father Acker in person, by telephone or e-mail. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is good to give thanks!

Please note that on the green or orange 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, your can ask that the names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Travel
Annie and Emilie are traveling north this week.
Tim is on travel this week, his mom Betty had to go back in the hospital, his father Bill is still at home.
Ken is on travel this week.
Aaron, Traci and Warren are on travel this week.
Walt and Fran are on travel this week.

Sick or in need of healing

Healing
Raymond (Fall/coma), Betty, Annie, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Bethany (collision), Greg (shoulder surgery),  Kathy, Richard, Christian, Trish, Marie, Wanda,  Sarah, Tina, Mark, Lois, Jennette, Linn, Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Don (post surgery), Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Jesusa (difficult pregnancy), Sheila, Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Kevin, Bruce, Susanne, Paul (stroke), Ralph (eyes), Allison (kidney)

Guidance
Christiana, Alexander, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Ed, Ruthie, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Andrew, Keith, Jeff, Penny

Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Walter

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Tim, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt, Phillip

Departed
Evelyn (3/16/08Dexter)

Miraculous Recovery or Holy Passing
Annie Springer’s brother Raymond fell on stairs and is in a coma. Raymond is not expected to survive.

Back Door Lending Library
We have some new Amazing Grace books of several flavors, in addition, there are still several sets of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, as well as some background books on the series. There are plenty of sets, so don’t be shy. There are also Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer & Bibles
During his many travels and general rooting around, your Beadle has come across some very nice personal 1928 Prayer Books, including a couple with Hymnals attached and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.

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 want to write an article or make an announcement, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to the following address: 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

23 March 2008 Alex Boyd (Easter)
30 March 2008 Jan Macauley
6 April 2008 Hap Arnold
13 April 2008 Dru Arnold
20 April 2008 Jack Arnold
27 April 2008 Alice Acker

The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday. Sunday being the first day of the week, it is also the first day of Holy Week.

Pre-Service Class
Next Sunday will also be the seventh Sunday in Father Acker’s pre-service class series, Around the Bible in 70 Days, a ten week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching that begins at 8:30am on Sundays. The class provides an overview of the entire bible. This is the forest view for those feeling lost among the trees. Actually it a good reminder on the overall story and our reading it as God’s story.

The 10 minute teaching series begins at 8:30am each Sunday! This is an excellent opportunity to bring a friend who would like to know more about the Bible and Christianity.

Holy Week Activities

Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, is coming up:

Holy Wednesday
1830 (6:30 pm) We have an instructional Seder Dinner planned for Wednesday at the SCAIR Center, time and location as for the Lenten Classes. Everyone is invited, you need not be a class attendee to come to dinner. Father Acker is taking a head count, though. He needs to know how many are coming so that he can prepare the necessary food. This is a very interesting event, and if that does not draw you, you need to know it is really fun, with great food.
Location – SCAIR Learning Center, 2218 Alpine Boulevard, across from the Alpine Inn.

For more information and head count, please call the church office at (619) 722-1772.

Maundy Thursday
1830 (6:30 pm) Foot washing and Institution of the Last Supper
Location – Victoria Chapel

Good Friday
1200 Ecumenical Stations of the Cross
Location – Queen of Angels
1830 (6:30 pm) Good Friday Liturgy and Mass of the Pre-sanctified Gifts
Location – Victoria Chapel

Saturday
1930 (7:30pm) Easter Vigil (Lighting of the Easter Fire & First Evensong of Easter)
Location – Victoria Chapel
 
Easter Sunday
0830 (08:30 am) Holy Communion
Location - Alpine Community Center
If you invite a friend and they come, you will each get a $25.00 iTunes gift card.

0930 (9:30 am) Breakfast with the Kiwanis - First time attendees’ breakfast is on the church.
Location Alpine Elementary Auditorium (our normal church location)

Easter Sunday is the most important day of the Christian year. It is the day the promise of Christ is delivered. If you don’t attend church any other day of the year, join us for the Easter celebration of the Risen Lord.

Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Easter. It seems a sure bet the sermon will be on the Risen Lord, in one form or another. On the other hand, it isn’t a bet if it is sure! Still, what about the pre-service class? Will we have one? Will it be about Kings and Chronicles? What about Ezra? Unless you come to the service, you will have to wait until you read the Beadle’s Report to find out.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me

See you next week on Sunday!

Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/

or with one photograph per issue and colorful text at

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com

Learning more about the roots of the Anglican Church

THOMAS CRANMER
Thomas Cranmer, one time Archbishop of Canterbury, was one of the major forces in the re-founding of the Christian Church in England in the 1500s after years of domination from Rome since William the Conqueror invaded and brought the Roman Church with him in 1066AD. Learn more about this amazing man here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cranmer
http://www.britannia.com/bios/abofc/tcranmer.html
http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/thomas-cranmer.html
An excellent short biography HERE
The execution of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1556 HERE


TRANSUBSTANTIATION
The doctrine of transubstantiation no longer seems to be a major factor in the Roman Church, but read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transubstantiation

JOHN CALVIN and CALVINISM
The thinking of John Calvin and other Calvinists influenced Cranmer, both positively and negatively. Read more about their beliefs here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism

MARTIN LUTHER and the LUTHERANS
John Luther, in his early days, was a major influence on Cranmer. Read about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranism

PURITANS and ROUNDHEADS
If you would like to see where “amuck” is and what happens if you let religion run there, look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundhead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan

The Fifth Sunday in Lent - commonly called Passion Sunday

Today was the Fifth Sunday in Lent, the Sunday known as Passion Sunday. It was clear on Mount Olympus, but the marine layer came all the way to West Willows Road. By the time church finished, it was a bright and clear day with temperatures in the low 70°s. Although today was the “Spring Forward” day for Daylight Savings Time, 18 of our members managed to both remember to change their clocks and make worship more important than 60 minutes of missed sleep; more than expected as we had quite a few people on travel.

Passion Sunday is the fifth Sunday in Lent, and the first Sunday in Passiontide, the last two weeks of Lent, beginning on Passion Sunday and ending on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter). All crosses, pictures, images are covered with opaque purple veils and Gloria Patri is omitted during this period. Passion Sunday is so-called because in the gospel for that day (John 8: 46-59) Jesus begins his sufferings by being stoned out of the temple. Under the old calendar, Passion Sunday was also known as Judica Sunday, after that day's Introit: "Judica me, Deus" ("Judge me, O Lord") from Psalm 42 (43), and was called Black Sunday in Germany. This alternate name originates from the fact that after Passion Sunday, the Judica Psalm was not said again until Easter; the German title comes from the old practice of veiling the crosses and statues in the church on that day.

In the calendar reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has universally suppressed Passiontide. They now refer to Palm Sunday as “Passion Sunday.” Traditional Catholics still observe Passiontide as well as its rites and ceremonies. Passiontide is observed in the Anglican Communion.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 140 days by popular demand
Today was the fifth in a twenty week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. The class started with one of the Collects for the Day, applicable to the subject at hand, in this case the Second Sunday in Advent:

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent BCPp92

We have been making our way through the Bible and arrived at the Books of Samuel (Hebrew: Sefer Sh'muel ספר שמואל) The Books of Samuel are part of the Tanakh (part of Judaism's Hebrew Bible) and also of the Christian Old Testament. The work was originally written in Hebrew, and the Book(s) of Samuel originally formed a single text, as they are often considered today in Hebrew bibles. Together with what is now referred to as the Book(s) of Kings, the translators who created the Greek Septuagint divided the text into four books, which they named the Books of the Kingdoms. In the Latin Vulgate version, these then became the Books of the Kings, thus 1 and 2 Samuel were referred to as 1 and 2 Kings, with 3 and 4 Kings being what are called 1 and 2 Kings by the King James Bible and its successors.

The two books can be essentially broken down into five parts:

• God’s rejection of Eli, Samuel's birth, and subsequent judgment (1 Samuel 1:1–7:17)
• The life of Saul prior to meeting David (1 Samuel 8:1–15:35)
• Saul's interaction with David (1 Samuel 16:1–2 Samuel 1:27)
• David's reign and the rebellions he suffers (2 Samuel 2:1–20:22)
• An appendix of material concerning David in no particular order, and out of sequence with the rest of the text (2 Samuel 22:1–24:25)

A conclusion of sorts appears at 1 Kings 1–2, concerning Solomon enacting a final revenge on those who did what David perceived as wrongdoing, and having a similar narrative style. While the subject matter in the Book(s) of Samuel is also covered by the narrative in Chronicles, it is noticeable that the section (2 Sam. 11:2–12:29) containing an account of the matter of Bathsheba is omitted in the corresponding passage in 1 Chr. 20.

In Judges, we saw the settling the Promised Land; followed by a downward spiral. In Ruth we were introduced to the concept of the Kinsman Redeemer, dependent on: Position, Resources, Willingness. The First Book of Samuel brings us to the last Judges – Samuel. In Samuel's old age, he appoints his sons as Judges, but they do not follow his example, so the people clamour for a king.

Up to this point, God had been the King of the Jews, the Jews, a loose confederation of tribes until a threat arises and a Judge emerges. This was unlike other peoples. Now they wanted to be like other people. But they were to be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests.

God told Samuel, "They have not rejected you, but Me." Warn them what a king will do to them. At God’s instruction, Samuel told them what a king would do to them, he would:

• Take your sons to run in front of his chariots;
• Assign them to a military;
• Plow & reap the king's ground;
• Make equipment for war;
• Daughters as domestic servants;
• Take the best of your fields & vineyards;
• Take a tithe of your income for keeping his government;
• Take the best of your servants;
• Take a tithe of your livestock & you will become his slaves;
• When that day comes you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen & the Lord will not answer you in that day.

But the people wouldn't listen to Samuel. They wanted a king, to be like other nations. A king to lead us, to go before us into battle. Samuel told God what the people demanded. And the Lord, in total disgust, says "Listen to them; give them a king."

Having a king was not a good thing.

In 1050BC, the people choose their first king, Saul. Tall Saul - a head taller than everyone else - a king from central casting who looked the part; tall, dark haired, handsome.

Things were not all peaceful. If you recall, back in the Book of Judges, one of the later Judges, Samson began to defeat the Philistines, but didn't finish the job. Now King Saul is trying to defeat the Philistines, but the two armies are camped out for a great climatic battle--winner take all.

The scene was the Valley of Elah, one of the four main east-west valleys connecting the Coastal Plain with the Judean Hill Country. The Philistines on one hill and the nation of Israel on the other. A battle between the two armies would be a blood bath, they would fight nearly to the last man and the winner would take all that was left.

The leader of the Phillistines, Goliath came forward challenging the Hebrews to single combat, the winner again to take all, saying, "I'll fight for the Philistines, you choose a man to fight for you; winner take all; why shed all this blood. If you win, we'll become your subjects. If I win you'll become our subjects.”

Who should have stepped forward to represent his nation in battle? The leader of course, Tall Saul. But, there was a small catch. Goliath was over 9 feet tall, wearing heavy bronze armor, a spear like a 4x4. Tall Saul had no intention of damaging his handsome visage. Every day, morning and night, Goliath issued the challenge. No answer.

In comes David. David, the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons. David from the tribe of Ephraim, living in Bethlehem in Judah. David who was bringing food to three of his older brothers serving in Saul’s army, left the food and came out to the line. While he was there, he heard the daily challenge. Saul and his army are afraid to do anything.

David asks, “What's the deal?” He heard the king would give a fortune, his daughter in marriage, and exemption from taxes forever anyone who would defeat Goliath.

David tells the king, "I will go and remove the disgrace of Israel; I will fight him."

Saul looks at the 16 year old and says "Look at you. You're just a kid. Goliath is a professional soldier. You're just a shepherd boy."

David says, "When I keep my fathers sheep, when a lion or bear came, I would kill them with my sling. If it turned on me I grabbed it and killed it. This Philistine will be like one of them. The Lord who delivered my from the paw of the lion and bear will deliver me from this Philistine.”

When he put on Saul the Tall’s armor, he could not move. David decided to fight the way he trained. He chose 5 smooth stones, sling in hand he ran towards Goliath. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face.

• David takes his sword, cuts off his head.
• The Philistines flee. And David is a national hero.
• David is a hero and Saul is known as a coward.
• David becomes a leader, he would lead his army into battle.
• Everyone wanted to serve under David.
• Saul descends into madness as David becomes more popular.
• Saul's son, Jonathan and David become fast friends.

Ben Lizak read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, starting at the Eleventh Verse of the Ninth Chapter. Paul summarizes the symbolism as well as the substance of the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf, “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

CHRIST being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint John, starting at the Forty-Sixth Verse of the Thirteenth Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in the temple. Jesus asked them, “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” In a point central to Christianity, he went on, “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.”

JESUS said, Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

Sermon - Passiontide
Today we enter into Passiontide. Lent began with focusing on our sin, turning to God. Now we focus on God’s plan for our sin. Like the cross today, God’s love is veiled to us, yet He made for us one time, for all time, for all mankind: a sin offering and by the blood of His own Son an atonement. We know Jesus died in our place, for us. We know Jesus did it because he loves us. In the words of a recent pre-service song:

“Amazing love, how could it be?
That you my king would die for me.”

How much does God love you? In the heavenly Tabernacle, a Sin Offering has been made for your sin—A perfect male lamb.

Jesus is the sacrifice, His life taken to restore us to life.

How much does He love you?

In the heavenly Tabernacle, Jesus’ blood is taken into the Holy of Holies, to the throne of God. Sprinkled upon the mercy seat, upon the Ark of the Covenant. That the mercy of God might be given to us sinners.

Jesus’ blood is offered that we might enter into communion with his heavenly Father.

At-one-ment: that we might be one as Jesus & Father.

How much does He love you?

We enter Passion to see what’s veiled from our eyes.
We enter Passion having been restored—a sin offering
We enter Passion to experience that unity of Divine Love, the At-one-ment.

How much does He love you?

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Martha Stevens brought the goodies today. Two kinds of cookies: lemony and chocolaty they were, fresh oranges and mixed nuts. Very nice!

Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was back with his parents in Las Vegas. Barista Ben Lizak stood in for the CMCB and brewed wonderful coffee. Father Acker managed to get up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade.

New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.

People in our Prayers
If you are on our prayer list, or you have submitted a person for us to pray for, please update Father Acker in person, by telephone or e-mail. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is good to give thanks!

Please note that on the green or orange 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, your can ask that the names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Travel
Ken is on travel this week.
Aaron, Traci and Warren are on travel this week.
Tim is on travel this week and is moving his dad back home.
Walt and Fran are on travel this week.

Sick or in need of healing

Healing
Annie, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Bethany (collision), Greg (shoulder surgery), Kathy, Richard, Christian, Trish, Marie, Wanda, Sarah, Tina, Mark, Lois, Jennette, Linn, Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Don (post surgery), Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Betty, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Jesusa (difficult pregnancy), Sheila, Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Kevin, Bruce, Susanne, Paul (stroke), Ralph (eyes), Allison (kidney)

Father Acker administered the Healing Blessing to Annie Springer

Guidance
Christiana, Alexander, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Ed, Ruthie, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Andrew, Keith, Jeff, Penny

Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Tim, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt, Phillip

Back Door Lending Library
We have some new Amazing Grace books of several flavors, in addition, there are still several sets of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, as well as some background books on the series. There are plenty of sets, so don’t be shy. There are also Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer & Bibles
During his many travels and general rooting around, your Beadle has come across some very nice personal 1928 Prayer Books, including a couple with Hymnals attached and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.

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 want to write an article or make an announcement, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to the following address: thebeadle@mac.com.

Very Important
This is Christ’s Church, which makes it your church; it is not Father Acker’s church, the Beadle’s church, the Senior Warden’s church; it is your church, it is a gift from Christ to you. It is up to you to make it the very best you can.

So, if you see something that needs doing, do it or ask someone else to do it. If there is something you would like to see done or not done in our church, if there is something not being done right, tell someone. Let Father Acker, the Beadle or one of the Vestry know. You have an obligation to make this the very best church you can. Tell us how to help.

If you have a suggestion, criticism or query, tell the Vicar, the Beadle, one of the Vestry, or drop a note in the plate. We must have your help.

Church is like a bank: you get a certain return on your investment; but, if you don’t put anything in, you won’t get anything out.

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

16 March 2008 Holly Lizak
23 March 2008 Alex Boyd (Easter)
30 March 2008 Jan Macauley
6 April 2008 Hap Arnold
13 April 2008 Dru Arnold
20 April 2008 Jack Arnold
27 April 2008 Alice Acker

The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday. Sunday being the first day of the week, it is also the first day of Holy Week.

Pre-Service Class
Next Sunday will also be the seventh Sunday in Father Acker’s pre-service class series, Around the Bible in 70 Days, a ten week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching that begins at 8:30am on Sundays. The class provides an overview of the entire bible. This is the forest view for those feeling lost among the trees. Actually it a good reminder on the overall story and our reading it as God’s story.

The 10 minute teaching series begins at 8:30am each Sunday! This is an excellent opportunity to bring a friend who would like to know more about the Bible and Christianity.

Potential Deacon to Be Greg Chase and the Home Study Group - 13 March 2008 1830 – 2000 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm)
Greg Chase is applying to be a Deacon in the church. This process is multifaceted and may or may not be in the order presented:

• Greg first convinces the Vicar that he is deacon material;
• The Vicar convinces the Vestry Greg is deacon material;
• The Vestry and the Vicar recommend Greg to the Bishop (Bishop Boyce);
• The Bishop provides an application and test;
• Greg’s background is investigated;
• Greg completes the application and test;
• The Bishop provides a course of study;
• Greg completes the course of study to the Bishop’s standard;
• Greg’s application is accepted;
• Greg is ordained a Deacon in the church;
• Blessed Trinity has a Deacon.

This brings us to the heading, Home Study Group. Greg’s course of study is heavily weighted to the Book of Common Prayer, in particular the version in use by our church, that of 1928. There are various reasons for the emphasis on the BCP, because deacons are expected to:

• Know what our church stands for, else how can they be leaders;
• Lead church services, which come from the BCP;
• Provide guidance for parishioners and others, much of which is in the BCP;
• Understand the history of our church, which resulted in the BCP;
• Lead others to the church.

To help Greg in his study, he and Father Acker have established a Home Study Group to delve into the Book of Common Prayer. The group will meet at Greg’s home the second Thursday of each month. The first meeting will be 13 March 2008, the time will be from 1830 – 2000 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm). These sessions will be a great chance for Greg to learn the BCP and gain experience in group dynamics. They will also be an excellent opportunity for participants to gain an insight into one of the finest sources of religious experience outside the Bible.

Join Greg and Father Acker the second Thursday of each month from 1830 – 2000 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm). For details talk to Greg at church or e-mail gnchase@cox.net.

Lenten Book Study – Last Chance!
Each Wednesday in Lent, we meet at 1815 (6:15pm) at the SCAIR Center in Alpine to discuss the book The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. This week we are covering Chapters 25 through the end. This is the last meeting, don’t miss it. Feel free to jump in the middle.

Evening Prayer 1815 (6:15 pm)
Soup Dinner Starts 1830 (6:30 pm)
Discussion Starts 1915 (7:15 pm)
Discussion Ends 2000 (8:00 pm)

Doubt not: this study is entertaining, the food great, and when you are done, you will feel far more comfortable and be far stronger in your Christian beliefs. If you have not ordered your copy, either call Father Acker or scrounge in the Lending Library (there are some there).

Holy Week Activities

Wednesday
Instructional Seder Dinner
The last Wednesday in Lent, we will be having an instructional Seder dinner at the SCAIR Center at 1815 (6:15 pm). Join us to find out what a Passover Dinner was like. Everyone is invited and very wanted. This is interesting and a lot of fun. Join us. If you don’t have a great time, the Beadle will personally refund double your money (easy to do as it is free). If you are coming, call, e-mail or see Father Acker so we can get a head count.

Thursday
Maunday Thursday Service
On Thursday of Holy Week, there will be a Maunday Thursday service at Victoria Chapel.

Friday
Good Friday Service
On Friday of Holy Week, there is an ecumenical service at noontime at Queen of Angels and an evening service at Victoria Chapel.

Saturday
There will be the traditional Easter Eve Service at Victoria Chapel with the first desert of Easter following.

Sunday
Easter Sunday Service
Our service for Easter Sunday will be held at the Alpine Community Center, as in years past. If you invite a friend and they come, you will each get a $25.00 iTunes gift card.

See you next week on Sunday!


Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/

or with one photograph per issue and colorful text at

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com

The Fourth Sunday in Lent - Commonly known as Rose Sunday or Refreshment Sunday

Today was the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Sunrise brought a cool, but clear 34°F to Mount Olympus. Down at church it was 58°F when we got there and a lovely 65°F by the end of the service. The superb weather brought 26 attendees.

In addition to being the Fourth Sunday in Lent, this was also the First Sunday of the Month, also known as Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday. As most of you know, Father Acker teaches a guitar class on Wednesdays, which is FREE. Thus, the class is known as the “Free Teen Guitar Class”, or FTGC. They use the first Sunday of each month, as well as special occasions as a performance opportunity.

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.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 140 days by popular demand
Today was the fifth in a twenty week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. The class started with one of the Collects for the Day, applicable to the subject at hand, in this case the Second Sunday in Advent:

BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent BCPp92

We have been making our way through the Bible and arrived at the Book of Judges (Hebrew: Sefer Shoftim ספר שופטים) is a book of the Bible originally written in Hebrew. It appears in the Tanakh and in the Christian Old Testament. Its title refers to its contents; it contains the history of Biblical judges (not to be confused with modern judges), who helped rule and guide the ancient Israelites, and of their times. As Judges stands today, the last judge it mentions is Samson, and although there are two further stories, the traditional view is that Samson's exploits probably synchronize with the period immediately preceding Eli, who was both high priest and judge. Both academic views and traditional thought hence view the narrative of the judges as ending at Samson, picking up again at 1 Samuel 1:1 to consider Eli, and continuing through to 1 Samuel 7:2. As for the stories at the end of the Book, which are set in the same time period as the judges, but discuss people other than the judges, there is much affinity between these and the Book of Ruth, and many people believe Ruth originally belonged amongst them.

Throughout the time described in Judges, the Hebrew nation is without a central leader:

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

As a result, over and over, the nation fell into Apostasy; they were Conquered; they turned to God who Delivered via a leader who he raised up from among them. Then, once all was clear, back to apostasy and the cycle began again.

Threat Judges or Leaders

Mesopotamia Othneil
Moabites & Philistines Ehud & Shamgar
King of Canaan Deborah & Barak
Midian Gideon
Civil War Abimelech, Tola, & Jair
Philistines & Ammonites Jephtha, Ibzan, Elon, & Abdon
Philistines Samson

Judges is the story of the downward spiral of Hebrew history:

• People serve God;
• Do evil;
• Forsake God;
• Follow their own way;
• Enter into depression & warfare;
• They are sold into slavery;
• They repent;
• They cry out to God;
• A Judge is raised and delivers the people.

The story in a nutshell:

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

A society adrift: morally, economically, religiously, & militarily. Hebrew people end up worse than the people they were replacing, spiraling down the drain.

You see nothing but the ruins of the people. Where is God’s plan of salvation? It’s almost devoid of hope. A ray of hope is in the next book—Ruth.

The Book of Ruth (Hebrew: מגילת רות;) is one of the books of the Ketuvim ("Writings") of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) and of the Writings of the Old Testament. It is one of the shortest books in both Jewish and Christian scripture, consisting of only four chapters and is perfectly structured:

• Prolog of 73 words in Hebrew
• Chapters 1-2: Naomi loses everything
• Chapters 3-4: Naomi gains everything
• Epilog of 73 words in Hebrew

In many ways, it is the greatest love story in the Bible, telling of the friendship of Naomi and Ruth, as well as the marriage of Ruth and Boaz.

Naomi and her husband Elimelech move to Moab with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion . The two sons marry two Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. First Elimelech dies, then the two sons, leaving the widowed Naomi with two widowed daughters in law. She tells them to marry new husbands and says she wil be returning to Judah. In response Ruth said, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Naomi and Ruth stay. Ruth goes into a field to glean food, the field is owned by Boaz, who falls in love with her. Under the law, Boaz has the right to redeem Ruth, Naomi and their property. He, as a Kinsman Redeemer, does so, for he has the:

• Position
• Resources
• Willingness

to so do.

This concept of Kinsman Redeemer is the same as that of Jesus Christ, but at a different level for a different redemption.

Ruth has a son with Boaz, who has Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Kings of Israel starting in 1st Samuel.

Jan Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from the Fourth Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians beginning at the Twenty-First Verse:

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 - How much should I give to God?
People often ask, “How much should I give to God?”

The answer is really simple, kind of like the Golden Rule:

Give unto God as you would have Him give unto you.
Give unto God that which you would have Him give unto you.

Think about today’s Gospel. The young man comes forward with all he has, five barley loaves of bread and two small fishes. What is that among so many?

Often we are tempted to do nothing, for what can we, with so little, do for so many?

If we don’t start, the answer is clear – Nothing!

If you want your life, you have to give it to God. If you want success in this world, you have to give your life here to God. God will take what you give Him, put it in order and give it back to you.

Like the five barley loaves of bread and two small fishes, He will take what you give Him, put it in order and make use of it. If you want credit for it, think of this: Other than our Lord, who do we remember from that grassy hillside two thousand years ago? The young boy who gave his all to our Lord.

Five barley loaves of bread and two small fishes -
What do you have to give?

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.

After Church Hospitality
Fran and Walt Dexter brought goodies today. Two boxes of local fresh donuts and a huge bowl of mixed fruit. Sadly, your Beadle cannot report on the state of the fruit, but he can comment on the extremely high quality of the buttermilk bar donuts. Ben said the fruit was great and he can be trusted. The Dexters brought two huge boxes of donut, far too many for our congregation. Luckily, the congregation did not know there were too many and ate them all!

Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley was back visiting his parents in Las Vegas, and brewed wonderful coffee. Father Acker managed to get up early enough to make his famous low carb lemonade.

New Nametags
We had two new nametags today, Father Acker’s brother and his wife



Scott Acker Maureen Acker

People in our Prayers
If you are on our prayer list, or you have submitted a person for us to pray for, please update Father Acker in person, by telephone or e-mail. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is good to give thanks!

Please note that on the green 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, your can ask that the names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Travel
Ken is on travel this week.
Tim and Stephanie are both traveling this week.

Sick or in need of healing

Healing
Annie, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Bethany (collision), Greg (shoulder surgery), Kathy, Richard, Christian, Trish, Marie, Wanda, Sarah, Tina, Mark, Lois, Jennette, Linn, Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Theresa, Don (post surgery), Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Betty, Terri, Mary, Edward, Bert, Jesusa (difficult pregnancy), Sheila, Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Kevin, Bruce, Susanne

Guidance
Christiana, Alexander, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Stella, Shelly, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Cindi, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Ed, Ruthie, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Andrew, Keith

Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Patrick, Justin, Tim, Evan, Jim, Jason, JR, Matt, Phillip

Back Door Lending Library
We have some new Amazing Grace books of several flavors, in addition, there are still several sets of the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, as well as some background books on the series. There are plenty of sets, so don’t be shy. There are also Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer & Bibles
During his many travels and general rooting around, your Beadle has come across some very nice personal 1928 Prayer Books, including a couple with Hymnals attached and leather bound Bibles. If you would like one, please contact him directly.

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 want to write an article or make an announcement, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to the following address: thebeadle@mac.com.

Free Teen Guitar Class (FTGC – www.freeteenguitarclass.com)
The Free Teen Guitar Class is underway on Wednesdays with new times:

New Beginning Class 3:00-3:45pm String 1 and very basics.
Continuing Book Class 3:45-4:30pm We are doing pages 38 & 39 Key of G.
Techniques Class 4:30-5:15pm Starting improvisation on Ionian scale & rhythm part for Surfing with the Alien.

All classes are open to new students. You might know someone who already plays some and wants to join in. If you know someone who wants to play and does not have a guitar, we have a few loaner beginner guitars. If you haven’t done so, have a look at our website: http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com. I think you will like it.

Email me if you want a new FTGC Flyer! frkeitha@alpineanglican.com

The next performance opportunity is March 3rd.
- Father Ironhand

Deputy Beadle
Your Beadle is please to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Beadle. Alex Springer has been appointed a Deputy Beadle. Like all Beadles, he works where the need is greatest, but his primary duties are in the Front Door area. Alex is the son of Mike and Annie Springer and one of our Free Teen Guitar Class members.

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

9 March 2008 Ben Lizak
16 March 2008 Holly Lizak
23 March 2008 Alex Boyd (Easter)
30 March 2008 Jan Macauley
6 April 2008 Hap Arnold
13 April 2008 Dru Arnold
20 April 2008 Jack Arnold
27 April 2008 Alice Acker

The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent, commonly called Passion Sunday.

Pre-Service Class
Next Sunday will also be the sixth Sunday in Father Acker’s new pre-service class series, Around the Bible in 70 Days, a ten week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching that begins at 8:30am on Sundays. The class provides an overview of the entire bible. This is the forest view for those feeling lost among the trees. Actually it a good reminder on the overall story and our reading it as God’s story.

The 10 minute teaching series begins at 8:30am each Sunday! This is an excellent opportunity to bring a friend who would like to know more about the Bible and Christianity.

Potential Deacon to Be Greg Chase and the Home Study Group
Greg Chase is applying to be a Deacon in the church. This process is multifaceted and may or may not be in the order presented:

• Greg first convinces the Vicar that he is deacon material;
• The Vicar convinces the Vestry Greg is deacon material;
• The Vestry and the Vicar recommend Greg to the Bishop (Bishop Boyce);
• The Bishop provides an application and test;
• Greg’s background is investigated;
• Greg completes the application and test;
• The Bishop provides a course of study;
• Greg completes the course of study to the Bishop’s standard;
• Greg’s application is accepted;
• Greg is ordained a Deacon in the church;
• Blessed Trinity has a Deacon.

This brings us to the heading, Home Study Group. Greg’s course of study is heavily weighted to the Book of Common Prayer, in particular the version in use by our church, that of 1928. There are various reasons for the emphasis on the BCP, because deacons are expected to:

• Know what our church stands for, else how can they be leaders;
• Lead church services, which come from the BCP;
• Provide guidance for parishioners and others, much of which is in the BCP;
• Understand the history of our church, which resulted in the BCP;
• Lead others to the church.

To help Greg in his study, he and Father Acker have established a Home Study Group to delve into the Book of Common Prayer. The group will meet at Greg’s home the second Thursday of each month. The first meeting will be 13 March 2008, the time will be from 1830 – 2000 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm). These sessions will be a great chance for Greg to learn the BCP and gain experience in group dynamics. They will also be an excellent opportunity for participants to gain an insight into one of the finest sources of religious experience outside the Bible.

Join Greg and Father Acker the second Thursday of each month from 1830 – 2000 (6:30 pm – 8:00 pm). For details talk to Greg at church or e-mail gnchase@cox.net.

Lenten Book Study
Each Wednesday in Lent, we are meeting at 1815 (6:15pm) at the SCAIR Center in Alpine to discuss the book The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. This week we are covering Chapters 18 – 24.

Evening Prayer 1815 (6:15 pm)
Soup Dinner Starts 1830 (6:30 pm)
Discussion Starts 1915 (7:15 pm)
Discussion Ends 2000 (8:00 pm)

Doubt not: this study will be entertaining, the food great, and when you are done, you will feel far more comfortable and be far stronger in your Christian beliefs. If you have not ordered your copy, either call Father Acker or scrounge in the Lending Library (there are some there).

Instructional Seder Dinner
The last Wednesday in Lent, we will be having an instructional Seder dinner at the SCAIR Center at 1815 (6:15 pm). Join us to find out what a Passover Dinner was like.

Maunday Thursday Service
On Thursday of Holy Week, there will be a Maunday Thursday service at Victoria Chapel.

Good Friday Service
On Friday of Holy Week, there will be morning and evening services at Victoria Chapel.

Easter Sunday Service
Our service for Easter Sunday will be held at the Alpine Community Center, as in years past. If you invite a friend and they come, you will each get a $25.00 iTunes gift card.

See you next week on Sunday!

Father Acker posts a .pdf version of the current Beadle’s Report on the church website:

http://alpineanglican.com/BeadleReports.htm

An alternative version of the Beadle’s Report a single photograph and simple text is available at:
http://thebeadle.blogspot.com/

or with one photograph per issue and colorful text at

http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

All back issues of the Beadle’s Reports are available on request from:

thebeadle@mac.com