Today was the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday, it is also the Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, which is a Red Letter Day or Major Feast. Thus, the Propers (page 249-250 BCP) came from the Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, rather than the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. The weather was warmer than last week with a sunrise temperature of 68°F on Mount Olympus. By the time church was over we were at 91°F. The warm weather brought out a total of 20 participants by service start.
Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 140 days by popular demand
The customary pre-service class is on hold. The Ackers are on vacation. Father Acker will resume the class in September, or perhaps before if he gets bored with vacation!
Sing low, Sweet chariot!
The usual class time was taken up with a couple of extra welcome songs with music provided by Father Ironhand and Jack Arnold. They have been playing additional welcome or gathering songs before the service. It must be working, at the start of singing, there were twelve people and by the time they were done, the congregation had grown to twenty!
Holly Lizak read the Epistle for the Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, which came from the Acts of the Apostles, the Fifth Chapter, beginning at the Twelfth Verse:
BY the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Today’s we heard the Gospel appointed for the Feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, which was written in the Twenty-Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Twenty-Fourth Verse:
AND there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Often the the Epistle and Gospel build on each other. Today’s are a contrast. In the Epistle, we find the apostles doing well. By their hands were “were many signs and wonders wrought among the people”. So wondrous were they that “durst no man join himself to them”. So great were they, but that the people the more “magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord,multitudes both of men and women.” All good things, yet those things went to their heads apparently: for we read in the Gospel, “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” So much that Jesus said unto them, “I am among you as he that serveth.”
“If I can shovel spit, so can you.” Jesus led from the front. He did what needed to be done, when it needed doing. He did not look for someone else to do the hard work. We need look no further for an example to follow.
Sermon – No skin off my back! or nose
Saint Bartholomew was one of the apostles about whom little is known, except his message to the world: We are made to know God and to be known by Him. And his end, he was flayed alive and his body crucified upside down in what is now Azerbaijan for converting the Persian emperor’s brother.
The peoples of what is now the mid-east had at best the Zoroastrian’s view of God, a more or less uncaring “natural god.”
We sacrifice unto the undying, shining, swift-horsed Sun; Unto Mithra, the lord of wide pastures, who has a thousand ears, ten thousand eyes.
('Khorshed Yasht,' 1, 4)
Most cared not a whit for their fellow beings beyond their own family. The idea that God would care about them seemed equally foreign to them. Saint Bartholomew not only brought the message that, “We are made to know God and to be known by Him;” but the good news that Jesus died so that we could have everything and that we might enjoy it for eternity.
Like His own actions and His instructions to the apostles, we need to give back of ourselves. When we do, we find there is more of us, not less. We need to make Jesus known in our words and in our actions, serving Him, focusing our lives on Him.
Ask yourself, “Am I serving His will?” “When someone looks at me, will they see God at work?”
The news about your faith in God has gone everywhere.
1st Thesssalonians 1.8
Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported birthdays or anniversaries today.
After Church Hospitality
Holly Lizak brought the after church goodies today. She made her special black olive egg salad sandwiches. Oh yes, and some lovely curried chicken sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies of two varieties and red flame seedless grapes. All really good, except the black olive egg salad sandwiches which were incredible!
Command Master Chief Brewer Macauley took time off from fishing and made excellent coffee. Father Acker got up early, vacation or no, and made his famous low carb lemonade. Thanks!
After church goodies providers as currently signed up:
Date Name
31 August 2008 Martha Stevens
7 September 2008 Stephanie Boyd
14 September 2008 Bishop’s Visit and Beadle’s Party
21 September 2008 Alice Acker
New Nametags
We had no new nametags today.
People in our Prayers - http://www.blessedtrinityprayerteam.blogspot.com/
Prayer is an extremely important activity.
It is not that God knows not our needs, for He surely does. Yet, Jesus commanded us to ask God for those same needs. In addition to the obvious of asking God for help, offering thanksgiving and the like, prayer helps us focus our thoughts on how we might do God's work.
The Prayer Team of the Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity was established to help our members and fellow Christians pray for those in need and to give thanks as well for the blessings we have been granted.
Who can be on the list? Do I have to be a member of the Blessed Trinity Church to be prayed for? No! The only qualification to be on the list is that you want our prayer team to pray for you. We are Christians and are happy to pray for you, no matter who you are. If you want help from God, you are our kind of people.
What is the commitment from the prayer team?
Each member of the team will pray for the desired outcome at last once per day.
How do I get myself or someone else on the prayer list?
You can email one of the prayer team leaders: Greg - gnchase@cox.net or Dru - dru@descansorodents.com, or call the church office at (619) 722-1772 or fill out a prayer card at church.
What should I ask for?
Depends on what you want. Some people merely want God to be asked to heal their ills and be mentioned by their first name, others want a specific outcome and / or have more of their personal information known to the team. Ask for what you want. It is your desire and need for prayer the team is attempting to meet. For typical examples, see the list below.
Updating the Team
If you are on our prayer list, or if you have submitted a person that you have asked us to pray for, please update one of the team members or Father Acker in person, by telephone or email. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is nice to give thanks!
Please note 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, you can ask that their names and purpose be kept confidential, and then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.
Travel
Traci and Warren are on travel this week.
Stephanie and Alex are on travel this week.
Healing
Betty, Annie (diabetes), Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Frank+ (brain tumor), Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Melanie, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, Terri, Mary, Carmen, Yolanda, Jodi, Ken, Sheila, Nancy, Leucrecia (cancer), Michele, Marybeth (broken foot, stroke), Bill (infection), Teiko, Ernie, Ray, Betty, Hazel, Bruce (heart attack), Susanne, Paul (stroke), Ralph+ (eyes hip), Allison (kidney), Bill (ETOH poisoning), Joy, Kai, Jay, Tim, Sandy (back), Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Jim (pancreatic cancer), Lise (peritoneal cancer), Joy, Martha, Evelyn, Sheryal
Mary Parker has gone home from Sharp Memorial. She is still in the recovery process and in need to continued prayer. Please pray also for her family who are very concerned for her.
Alice, friend of Fran Dexter, had lung cancer and surgery five years ago and has been in remission. After she started coughing up blood, radiological testing found a spot on her lung. She and her husband Rick ask your prayers for her and the surgeons and medical personnel taking care of her as sheundergoes surgery on 4 September 2008. Fran asks in particular that you pray for peace of mind for both Alice and Rick that they might put their trust in God.
Denise, Father Acker's sister-in-law's niece, is in her early 30's and has started to have numbness in fingertips and toes. On 8 August 2008, she will be tested for Multiple Sclerosis. The test results will take a couple of weeks. Please pray also both Denise and her family to put their trust in God and not worry in this trying time.
Joshua Hamilton fell out of a car the morning of 27 July 2008. He sustained a closed head injury and potential spinal cord injuries. Joshua has undergone two surgeries to relieve pressure on his brain. He was in an induced coma, the coma inducing medication has been discontinued. He has not yet awakened and the MRI did not have a very positive if he should awaken. We are praying for God’s miraculous intervention and to do those things best for Joshua in his life with God. Please continue to pray for his wife, Tulani, and two children, Isaiah & Keanu, and of course his mom, Jo Ann, and his James brother who is in our FTGC, asking for God’s presence and comfort.
Sara, a good friend of John an old family friend of the Ackers. Sara has two small children and an abusive ex-husband. The ex-husband took the children and Sara is in court trying to get them back. Sara asks you pray that God’s will for these children will be realized and they will be put in the best custody situation possible. Please pray for God’s guidance in the lives of the ex-husband, John and Sara and that they might hear Him.
George, husband of LaVonda and friend of Susanne Barrett, whose bladder cancer has returned. The cancer is advancing, growing around the sciatic nerve and one of his kidnerys. Please pray for their children, Megan and George Jr., as they adjust to the news. Surgery will be occurring as soon as a few more tests are run. Of your Christian charity, please pray for George, LaVonda, Megan, and George Jr.
Glenn Finch – is awake and walking. Glenn was discharged this Thursday! He will be living with Ron and Caralie for awhile. Since he needs 24 hour supervision and help, we will be getting trained this Wednesday by the therapy team. Though we are thrilled to be there for him, it's a bit scary and overwhelming. Someone suggested that we set up a resource calendar defining all his needs, in case there are those who would like to help. So that's what we are doing. It will be on www.carecalendar.org; type in ID number - 6351 and Code - 7647 to get to Glenn's calendar. I'm working on it, so give me a day or so.
Also, if you would like to be a helper in any way, please send me your name, email address and phone number so we can begin a file. Send to normancj@cox.net. Glenn will need rides to and from rehab 5 days a week; meals; TLC visits; people to help him with his therapy homework on the weekends; people to hang out with him, errands, etc. Glenn's Mom, Ron and I really will need some help I think.
Please pray that insurance will give Glenn an outpatient rehab agenda that will last longer than a month so that he can get the most out of this crucial time to work on all the parts of his brain. Thanks for your continued thoughts, prayers and care. Caralie
Evelyn Hunt is just not feeling right. She has generalized shaking, pressure in her head, blurred vision, nausea and fatigue. Although she has undergone many tests, they have not been able to determine the cause of the problem. She goes back to the doctor on Tuesday for more results. Please pray for a determination of the cause of her problems, a cure and a cessation of the symptoms.
Miney Farrell has had pain and weakness in her leg that has been limiting her activity.
Lorraine Winkles is still dealing with shingles (now over 18 months). The level of discomfort varies but the condition is persisting.
Lona Walsh is in significant discomfort, but it looks like it is not Lupus. A recent MRI indicates she needs shoulder surgery on both sides, not great news, but much better than Lupus. She hopes for more information shortly, in the mean time, she asks that you continue your prayers for healing.
Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – is home from the hospital now, though she continues to have with heart, kidney and lung difficulties with fluid buildup on the lungs and what may be a form of septic arthritis. She is doing much better. Every so often she has a flare-up of the severe shoulder pain, accompanied by chills and shivering- but the last time it happened was much relieved by Cortisone injections. Also, please pray for her to maintain her positive attitude. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord, she thankful to get her positive attitude back. Pray also for Mrs. Kay’s family and her close friend Len who are under great stress that they might also keep their trust in the Lord. Mrs. Kay sent the Prayer Team a card and asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers.
Nicole Ethridge - age 27, mother of two - Has a form of liver disease, which is causing her liver to shut down. She is near dialysis and would like you to pray for her disease to go into remission so that she can keep off dialysis and avoid a liver transplant. She asks that you pray for her continued faith and good spirits, as well as strength to take care of her children.
Caroline (age 10, leukemia recurrence) Day +34 (after the transplant) From Caroline's mom Carmen Wednesday night:
This week has flown by! Caroline did get out [of City of Hope] last Friday and it was an absolutely delightful weekend. We didn't do much except hang out at "the Pond." We even sat down as a family for a while. One of the first things she did was write and illustrate a new [Fred] book. It is glorious to see her creativity and physical dexterity coming back.
The big news today is that the bone marrow biopsy showed 100 % donor cells and zero leukemia! Caroline continues to look great and the biopsy results show that she is doing great. These results are the best-case scenario. Thanks be to God! We are so thankful for this progress.
She is recovering slowly. She can only eat tiny bits at a time, but it seems like every day she eats and drinks a bit more. I guess since she hadn't really eaten in five weeks, it is understandable that it is taking a while for her stomach to be able to tolerate food and drink.
Tomorrow she is having an ultrasound done because her liver enzyme levels are still high -- they keep escalating. Dr. Rosenthal is not sure why this is happening, but he does know of several possibilities. The levels are not to the point that he wants to do anything invasive, so he decided on the ultrasound. We are hoping that this situation resolves itself. Please pray that her liver gets better.
Thank you for all your continuous prayer. Her situation right now is nothing short of miraculous. She has responded to the unrelated donor marrow like if it were a great family member match and she is healing wonderfully.
We still have to stay up here in Pasadena at least until the end of October because she has appointments at City of Hope two to three times per week and we have to be within a twenty miles radius just in case she develops a fever, or any other issue that would require immediate attention.
Sending God's blessings to you all!
Thanks be to God for His working in the life of Caroline and her family. His grace is sufficient!
Guidance
Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to a church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, Jerry, Martha, Matt, Marci, Nicholas, Carmen, Mary, John, William, Joe, Alexander, Jonathan, Phil, Sandy, Larraine, Brad, Brian, Uni, Jennifer, Greg, Margie, Phyllis, Walter, Rick, Carol, Susan, Curtis, Stephen, Donny, Chris, Eric (job), Andrew, Keith (job decision), Sara, Mark, Alexandra, Nelson, Perlita, Lewis, Sam & Susie
Economic Guidance and Assistance
St. Andrew’s Academy (Lake Almanor, CA) Father Brian Foos (headmaster) – Please pray for help and guidance for the school, which is under severe pressure from economic down turn. You can pray and turn your heart towards this problem. If you can do something concrete to help them, contact Father Acker.
Eric and Eric both to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new company more successful.
Homebound/Aged and Infirm
Mary, Donna, Betty, Noko, Adelaide, Evelyn, Lorraine, Ellie, Walter (skilled nursing)
Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, Jim, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, Joe (USAF - Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
Thanksgiving
Martha Stevens gives thanks for her almost complete and still improving recovery from vertigo. However, one thing led to another and while the vertigo was keeping her off balance, she stubbed her big right toe and the nail had to be completely removed. Please give thanks for her recovery from vertigo and pray for rapid and complete healing of her toe.
Anglican Communion
Archbishop Peter Akinola, the head of the GAFCON Primates’ Council has asked us to pray for our Anglican Communion. Specifically during September to December, we are bidden to pray for:
1. Guidance of the Holy Spirit upon the GAFCON Primates Council that they may be united in their leadership for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. Upholding the Bible as authoritative for the life, faith, and conduct of all Christians
3. Remaining faithful in the central task of the Church to mission and evangelism, saving the lost, bringing life and health to the poor and needy
4. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring renewal, revival and transformation of individuals, communities, and societies
5. Anglicans to focus upon God’s agenda set forth in Scripture, God’s authority as given by Jesus Christ, and God’s mission in saving sinners and by the Holy Spirit turning them into saints
6. The setting aside all other agendas, that Jesus alone be Lord
Original Text follows -----------
----- Original Message -----
From: GAFCON@anglican-mainstreamnet
Subject: GAFCON Prayer Request
To: All GAFCON Participants & All Church, Diocesan and Provincial Intercessors
PRAYER BULLETIN SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2008
Grace and peace from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Praise and glory be to the One who was, the One who is and the One who sits on the throne for ever and ever. Amen.
The Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola has been moved in his spirit to call on all intercessors throughout the world to seek God's face fervently, spending nights and days on our knees, praying earnestly for our Anglican Communion. At his instigation, we therefore bring before you the first of a series of quarterly Prayer Bulletins, and ask that you join us in praying for the following:
1. Pray for a Spirit-led, united leadership for the GAFCON Primates Council, that they may remain faithful to the teachings of the Bible, steadfast in promoting the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and uncompromising in the pursuit of the truth of the word of God and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also pray for the GAFCON Theological Resource Group and the GAFCON Leadership team that they may remain faithful, focused and not distracted.
2. Lift up before the throne of grace the Jerusalem Statement, which represents the collective mind of the participants at GAFCON, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, that this statement may be a guide in the pursuit of the two fundamental resolutions of GAFCON, i.e. :
a. that the Bible be upheld as the final authority for the life, faith and conduct of all believers;
b. that mission and evangelism, saving the lost, bringing life and health to the poor and needy, remain the main tasks of the church.
3. Pray earnestly for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit powerfully to bring about renewal, revival and transformation of lives, communities and environments.
4. Pray for a clear focus for the Anglican Church to pursue God's agenda from Scripture, God's authority as given by Jesus Christ, and God's mission in saving sinners and turning them to saints through the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray sincerely that all other agendas be lost, and Jesus alone be Lord.
We count it a privilege to be called upon for this great task in the vineyard of the Lord.
The Lord be with you ,
+Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin A. Kwashi
Archbishop of Jos and Co-ordinator GAFCON Prayer Teams
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.
Keeping Up to Date with the Parish and the World
In an effort to keep us in touch with each other and the Christian and non-Christian world, Father is posting updates at the Thursday Evening News, oddly enough on Thursdays. This is a nice mid-week update for us, drop in and take a look. It is also linked to from the various Beadle’s Blogs.
http://thursdayeveningnews.blogspot.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
31 August 2008 Alice Acker
7 September 2008 Tim Macauley
14 September 2008 Jan Macauley
21 September 2008 Dru Arnold
28 September 2008 Jack Arnold
Bishop and Mrs. Boyce Visit
Bishop Richard Boyce and his lovely wife Cathie will be making their annual visit to our parish on 14 September 2008. After Sunday’s service, we will be holding our annual Beadle’s Party at the Arnold’s home. This is a guaranteed good time. With the Boyces about, it has to be. If you have never had a chance to talk to Bishop and Cathie, this is your chance. They are really wonderful people and we are lucky that they have committed their lives to our Lord’s cause.
Mark Sunday 14 September 2008 on your calendar. Be there!
The near future, as well as Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Come next Sunday and see if Father Acker remembers he is on vacation and there is no pre-service class or if he forgets about vacation, but remembers where he left off in the Bible tour or he finally tells us what the Green Season means.
What about the sermon? Will he preach on the Gospel or something all together different? Unless you come to the service, you will have to wait until you read the Beadle’s Report to find out.
See you next week on Sunday!
Alternate Sources of The Beadle’s Report
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
