Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany


Today was the second Sunday after the Epiphany. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a warm 57°F under sunny skies with a mild Santa Anna condition for the third Sunday in a row. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to quite comfortable 72°F. With an incredibly beautiful day, we had 22 people present.

Pre-Service Music
As they normally do, Father Acker and Jack Arnold played their guitars for pre-service gathering or welcome songs. Today was a bit different as Father Acker has been working with a drum machine, so the two treated us to instrumental jazz versions of We three kings and Angels we have heard. Then, they played four more songs which the congregation sang to:

• Shine Jesus shine
• Abide with me
• Amazing grace
• Jesus loves me

The concept of the gathering or welcome songs is simple, people just don’t seem to show up on time. The tradition seems to have started in Africa where most people walk to church, live differing distances, don’t have watches and are not quite as obsessive compulsive. Seems to work nicely in Alpine, too.

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 370 days by popular demand
Today continued the fifty-three week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. As is customary, 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 made our way through the Bible to the end of the Old Testament. Skipping the Apocrypha, we are starting on the New Testament. The first four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark and Luke, are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels
• Synonym=the same
• Optic=eye

Or the same events seen through the same eye, or in this case eyes, of the three. They narrate the life of Jesus, covering His:

• Birth
• Growing up
• Entering a public ministry at 30 years old
• Three year ministry
• Trial
• Crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

These were not clever invented stories, rather they are the tales of eye witnesses who witnessed the same events through their own eyes with differing points of view. Like all real eye witness accounts, they are not identical, but rather similar. They emphasize different things, they were written by different people. They are the facts as seen by the disciples who traveled with Jesus and then later told their story. They were not written at the time, but after the fact. At the time of Jesus’ preaching and teaching, they were too busy listening to write.

As the various apostles started to hit their mid-60’s, when Nero became emperor of Rome in 54AD, the persecutions began. Both Peter and Paul were martyred (or murdered) in Rome 68AD. The first Generation of Christians were dying off. In fact, Matthew was an established Senior Tax Collector, thus likely older than Jesus. All of the disciples had their lives taken from them in a brutal fashion, except John.

Matthew was with Jesus for three years. He was present at the Crucifixion and Resurrection. He was clearly preaching and teaching to a Jewish audience.

Mark was quite young, twelve or thirteen when he joined the group. He was not a full-fledged apostle or disciple. His mother Mary was a disciple, his older cousin was Barnabas the apostle, he went with Paul and Barnabas on a mission trip and was with Peter in Rome.

The gentle physician Luke was not a eyewitness, but met Paul between Antioch and Troas. He was with him for the next 18 years until Paul’s death. His writings were apparently written to one person, Theopholis. He presented not only a scientific and orderly account of Jesus’ life in the Gospel of Saint Luke, but he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles.

Thus the Synoptic Gospels are three different view of more or less the same events, overlapping stories with unique perspectives. They differ enough to be truthful, yet are similar enough to be supportive of each other.

Next week, we will start at the beginning, Matthew Chapter One, Verse One!

Ben Lizak read the Epistle for today, which came from the Seventh Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the Sixth Verse. As Paul often does, he gives guidance on what God would have us do. He notes that each of us have differing talents, skills and resources. What God wants us to do is use all of what He gave us to further His will and His way, so that we might be truly happy here on earth. To be gracious and hospitable to those around us, to remember each of us are equal in God’s eye.

HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

The Gospel for today came from the beginning of the Gospel according to St. Mark, the First Chapter, beginning at the First Verse. This is the very first of the New Testament, a New Covenant or agreement with God. It tells the story of “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” It talks of John the Baptist, who God sends as His “messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” And the people came to John “and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” But, as a harbinger the One to come, John told them of the One coming “ the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” He told them of the Holy Ghost. When Jesus, in His submission as a man to God came to John for baptism, as he came out of the water, “the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”


THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Sermon - Are you a True Christian?
The public perception and the actual person can be the same or they can be totally different. We cannot control how others perceive “Christians”, but we can control who we are and what we do. So what are we to do as True Christians?

The answer is not all that hard, we are to make Christ known throughout the world:

• Our Mission
• Our Life
• Our Fellowship
• Our Witness

Being a real Christian is NOT:

• Being a Good Person
• Going to church
• Being saved

While these are all nice, they don’t let God’s Love shine through us reflect off us to light the path for the world around us.

We start by receiving Jesus in our hearts. We learn of Him, we accept Him, we are baptized in His name. Then what? Then we grow up. At that point, we need to tell the rest of the world about Him, to invite them to join Him, to lead others to Christ.

Christians are often criticized for acting as if all they care about is how many souls they can “save.” This accusation can be taken as a condemnation of their “lack of caring” or an affirmation of their selflessness. It would seem the latter is more appropriate.

In today’s Epistle, Saint Paul tells us
:
• A True Christian USES what God gives
• Our gifts don’t belong to US
• Makes manifest, or visible, that God Loves every man, woman, & child

Each of us has differing gifts, Paul tells us to use them for the glory of God, not self-aggrandizement. We are to preach the Gospel and:

• Help, not take over;
• Teach with emphasis on Christ, not your great knowledge;
• Encourage and guide, don’t be bossy;
• Give aid when it is needed, not when it is convenient;
• Lead, don’t manipulate;
• Do whatever you do with a cheerful heart;
• Love from your heart, do not fake it;
• Run from evil, hold to good;
• Provide support when it is needed;
• Don’t burn out, fuel the fire of love;
• Be ready and alert, joyfully expectant;
• When the going gets tough, keep going and look to God for help;
• Help your fellow Christians in need, invent ways to show hospitality
• Don’t curse your enemies, rather ask God’s blessing upon them;
• Laugh with the happy, cry with the sorrowful;
• Get along with each other;
• Be friends with all, compared to God you are nothing, yet He loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son to the end that all who believe on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life!

God’s plan depends on His Church, that would be YOU!

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

After Church Hospitality
Today Martha Stevens brought after church snacks. After years of thinking they were chocolate roll tacos, Martha pointed out the error of his ways to your Beadle: she brought French Vanilla roll tacos, chocolate brownie cupcakes, tangelos and almonds. Chocolate or French Vanilla are different, but they did taste wonderful. Thank you Martha!

Command Master Brewer Macauley was on brew duty today and produced wonderful coffee, Father Acker made his signature low carb lemonade.

After church goodies providers as currently signed up:

Date Name
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Dru Arnold
8 February 2009 Betsy and Marianne Lane
15 February 2009 Greg and Diane Chase
22 February 2009 Dru Arnold
1 March 2009 Jan Macauley

Visitors
Father Steve McClaskey and his lovely wife April visited us today from their home in Rock Island, IL. Father McClaskey was the plank holder priest for the Episcopal Church of Christ the King in Alpine. A very good man, his altar table is on loan to us and we remember him every Sunday when we unfold it. The McClaskeys, as well as Mike and Lita Carter, joined us for the post-service burrito ministry. A good time was had by all!

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 yellow (maybe green or orange, if you get an old one) cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the "prayer team".  Those names will be said in church and appear here.  Or, you can ask that their names and purpose be kept confidential, and then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Travel
Don, Sandy and Nick are on travel this week.
Chris, Stephanie, Alex and Andrew are on travel this week.

Healing
Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, 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 and gout), Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Lise (peritoneal cancer), Joy, Evelyn, Kenny (ear surgery), Debbie, Joanna (stroke) [granddaughter of Father Holland a diocesan priest], Al (Ashley’s dad: surgery) Cyndi (successful knee replacement surgery), Scott (endocarditis and cow valve), June (cancer surgery), Al, Susan, Jeff, David (leg injury), Judy, who suffers from mental illness, is undergoing tests for cancer, Jon, Jeffrey, Joy (cancer), Marie, Joe (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Ben

Jim R will be having surgery to relieve his chronic back pain.

Kathryn’s ear surgery was successful. She has regained some limited hearing. She can communicate on the phone and expecting continued improvements during the six month healing process.

Chaplain Larry Witherspoon had a stroke on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2008. He underwent surgery at Kaiser Hospital, in Fontana. He was released on Wednesday 14 January 09.  He is talking and is able to carry a conversation almost normally, just in a very soft voice.  He has made incredible progress.  He has lost a few pounds, but looks great. Please continue to pray for him, his wife Sheila and his family.

Joanne has had a significant increase her shoulder pain from an injury last year. She is looking for medical assessment and guidance.

Carol DeBolt, mother of Judy, a 3rd grade teacher at Greg Chase’s school.  Carol was complaining of hip pain over the Christmas period.  After numerous tests it was determined that she has breast and bone cancers, both are at stage 4 and have metastasized. She just finished surgery on her hip where the femur was been replaced with a steel rod.  She now has to go through 4 months of PT in order to learn how to walk again. Carol needs your prayers for her and her family to deal with not only the pain and difficulty of her present physical condition, but also the uncertainty of her life. Please pray for Carol’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a remission of her cancers and a physical recovery.

Rachel works with Greg as a teacher's aide in the special education department and is going to night school to get her degree to allow her to be a fully credentialed teacher. She recently went to the ophthalmologist for a second opinion and found she has a melanoma in one eye.  The melanoma is inside her eye and required nuclear surgery. She had her first eye surgery several days ago and the surgery went better than expected.  Her second (and final) surgery is scheduled for later on this week. Please pray for her to understand God is there throughout all this; He does not test us; we are imperfect beings, including our bodies; all things are possible through Him; He always answers our prayers, though sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer and other times do not understand the answer. Pray for Rachel’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a good outcome for the surgery.

Sue Anne Adkins mother of Greg’s co-worker Vicki Jones has Stage Three lung cancer. She is doing well in her treatment, but is in need of your prayers. Please pray for her to accept God’s help through the pain, discomfort and bewilderment of treatment. Pray the doctors, nurses and technicians who treat her will pay attention and do their best. Please pray Sue Anne and her family will pull with together with God in all this and accept the help He will give them.

Tina Walden is having back pain and asks that you pray for her back to feel better.

Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving and into targeted radiation therapy for 10 days. Please give thanks for the successful treatment to date and for complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Joy has non-operable abdominal cancer. She is back in the hospital and coming home on Monday, but near the end of her time here on earth. Please pray for her as she prepares to depart this world for home that she might be confident in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and thus make the transition in peace. She asks God’s help to deal with the pain and discomfort while keeping a positive attitude during what is a very trying time. Pray also her family might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with them here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for Joy and her husband Dewaine that they might keep their trust in God and increase their faith. Pray that her family who will remain here on earth might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.

Mary Parker is home and walking all around the house, as far as her 50 foot oxygen lead will let her.  She made it to the table for Christmas dinner!  She does physical therapy every day and is eating very well!   She is enjoying reading books and the newspaper again!

 She is improving on a daily basis! Her recovery is truly a God given miracle. Please give thanks for her great recovery and continue to pray for her progress.

Joe Huber was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo radiation seed implants within the next two weeks. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Binnie was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Rod Cook has a reoccurrence of lung cancer. Prognosis is not promising. Please pray for either a miraculous recovery or a maximization of his time remaining here on earth. Pray also for his daughter Lori that she might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with her father here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for both Rod and Lori that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Vince (12 yrs) who has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B) had what appears to be successful surgery to remove the tumor and replace his knee joint on 28 November 2008. Please pray for his healing and non-recurrence of the cancer, as well as that he and his family might put their trust in God and accept His comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.

Joshua Hamilton is still in a coma after a severe head trauma in July. He has gotten past the MRSA and other infections. He is in skilled nursing in El Cajon with some response to physical therapy and they are working toward independent breathing. 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 was in our FTGC, asking for God’s presence and comfort.

Glenn Finch gives thanks for near total recovery from the brain injury sustained in his cycling accident. He asks your continued prayer for the aortal aneurysm discovered during his treatment for the brain injury. Please pray for Glenn’s continued healing and trust in God.

Evelyn Hunt has pain in her jaw, face, & neck. The doctors haven’t been able to diagnose the cause. She has been very limited in getting out, but continued to do her walking in the house. Most importantly, pray for her to keep a good attitude and maintain a trust in God, so she will not worry.

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 28 months). The level of discomfort varies but the condition is persisting. She is in amazing spirits and sends her love to all.

Lona Walsh is in significant discomfort, but it looks like it is not Lupus. She asks that you continue your prayers for healing.

Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) is still home and still doing wonderfully well! Mrs. Kay asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude.

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 11, leukemia recurrence) is home in Escondido after her bone marrow transplant in July. Please continue in prayer that her leukemia will not reoccur; after the transplant, the chance of recurrence is 40%. Please keep praying for this sweet girl to make a full recovery and live a long life, devoted to God.  She and her family are Catholic Christians.

George, a friend of Susanne Barrett who lives in northern Georgia, experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer earlier this year and we've been praying for him since then.  He has finished his chemo and returned back to work as a pharmacist part-time.  Here is yesterday's report from  his wife, LaVonda:

Praise God! We received a wonderful report from the doctor after the CT scans were done Wednesday morning. Our doctor said that he and the doctor of radiology went over George’s scans and could find nothing wrong, and that everything was perfectly clean! Nothing could be found in the sciatic notch in the pelvis where the main problem had been, or anywhere else in his body! Even the weird little spot from the last scan that appeared to be on his right kidney was also completely gone. We thought we might have to wait until much later in the day, or even the next day, but we were so blessed to be able to hear the results so quickly. We are praising God! God, You are so good!

Guidance

 Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to a church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, 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, Jack (test), Alfred, Marie, Dru, Jack, Hap, Estelle, Tina

Sarah is still struggling with custody arrangements for her children and would appreciate our continued prayers. Sara asks you pray 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.

Paul S suffers from severe schizophrenia remains stable with his medication, but needs God’s guidance. He gives thanks for improvement in his housing situation.

Guidance and Protection
Christina, Sarah

Economic Guidance and Assistance
Keith is entering the handyman field.  Please pray for God's leading him to work or work to him.  Pray for Susanne as she tutors and teaches online classes while home schooling their four kids, that she may remain strong and able to do all she needs to do to teach their kids and help with finances despite her physical condition (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.).  Pray for them also to not fear for the future, but to trust in the Lord. 

Mark’s business is very very slow, he asks that God point him to new markets and give him guidance in following God’s will that his business might survive and his employees not lose their livelihood.

Please give thanks for Kevin in the UK who has found a job. While not what he was looking for, he is grateful for work. Please continue to pray that he will find a position that will maintain his family and where he can use his talents to make a positive impact on the world. Please pray also for his family, in particular his wife Beverley, that they might open their hearts and minds to God’s guidance for their future.

To Find Employment
Stephen to find a job that will allow him to use his skill and talent to make his new employer more successful.

Michael and Lita both to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new employer more successful.

Eric, Keith, Kevin and Eric each to find a job that will allow them to use their skill and talent to make their new employer more successful.

Matt and Tracey very good friends of the Hubers. Matt is looking for a new job and they have two young children. Please pray that they are able to find employment soon.

Sonny and Carol have lost their business, their home is in foreclosure. Please pray that they might find an opportunity for gainful employment where they can use their talents to make a positive impact on the world.

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

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, Joe (USAF - Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait), John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan), Evan (USMC – Afghanistan), Eric (USN – Afghanistan)

Persecuted
Around the world, Christians are under attack, not only in the Muslim world, but from Hindus and others in India. Also, they are under continual attack in the western world as it becomes more and more actively atheist or pro-devil buddy. Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for all persecuted Christians and those around them.

Free Teen Guitar Class
Please join us in praying that the Free Teen Guitar Class will be an opportunity for God to work in the lives of the kids and their families. Help us to let the love of our Lord shine through us into their lives, putting Him first, so that He might enter in to their hearts and lives.

Thought for the Day
The Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone – This is a term used to describe something, while it may or may not be ‘nice’ or ‘pretty’, is in fact totally useless, serving only itself. Think of it: a wonderful tasty ice cream cone that licks itself. Nothing for you to do. No work required on your part. On the other hand, what good is it?

The challenge from Christ is to build His church, not a Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone, existing to serve only itself. Following Christ’s personal example, our church is to be a servant to the world around it. We are to bring the Word, education and help to people who have need of it. A church which devotes all its energy into maintaining a building and lovely grounds and has no time, money or energy left to do what Jesus set out as our mission is not a Church of Christ. Are we to be servants of Christ or of the Temple; Christians or Temple Servants? One cannot serve two masters.

Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate?  Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material.  Help us help you.  Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer.  Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know.  But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.

I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across.  While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion.

If you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: thebeadle@mac.com.

Free Teen Guitar Class (FTGC – www.freeteenguitarclass.com)
There is a new Class Schedule in effect:

FTGC New Class Schedule:

Advanced 2:30-3:20pm
    
Continuing 3:20-4:00pm (Beginners shift to Intermediate having learned all 6 strings and get to move on to chords)

       Beginning 4:00-4:50pm (A new class & those redoing the material; it’s okay to do both Intermediate and Beginner classes)

For anyone wanting to start again this is the time!

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

25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Don Patton
8 February 2009 Stephanie Boyd
15 February 2009 Tim Macauley
22 February 2009 Jack Arnold

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

Friday and Saturday
Bishop Sutton will be speaking in Orange County, for details contact Father Acker.

Sunday
Next Sunday is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the celebration of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul and our Annual Parish Meeting. The Annual Meeting is the time of year we reaffirm our parish’s budget, officers and mission. It is always interesting to see how much we can do with so very little. We encourage everyone to attend.

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/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

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

thebeadle@mac.com

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Twelfth Night of Christmas • The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles • The First Sunday after the Epiphany


The Twelfth Night of Christmas

Tonight we celebrated the twelfth and final night of the Christmas season in the Twelfth Night of Christmas. Seventeen members of the congregation gathered at the Rectory for a very short prayer service, about three minutes, followed by the traditional burning of Christmas greenery and a lovely trifle. In this case, actually, two trifles, one regular and one sugar free. Oh, yes, and sherry, champagne, sparkling apple juice, hot chocolate and coffee. And, did I mention red seedless grapes? What Anglican gathering would be complete without red seedless grapes?

We gathered together on the front porch of Victoria House. Father Acker gave a short history of the 12th Night of Christmas, then read a short prayer. Jan Macauley read a series of Bible verses, with Tim holding the flashlight. Father Acker read a couple more prayers, then the burning began.

One of the traditional events of a 12th Night celebration is a bonfire with all the old Christmas greenery, such as the cut Christmas trees of old. Having gone up weeks before Christmas, by the 12th Night, they would be pretty dry and ready to burn.

At least among those attending, our congregation had zero cut Christmas trees and little in the way of greenery. What we did have was remarkably lively and did not want to burn!

Nonetheless, it was all a roaring success, except the fire , which we almost gave up on. But, as you can see by the photographs, it finally caught. For a while, we thought we had the pillars of smoke that led the Jews in the desert! Anyway, we had a great time! If you did not make it, resolve to do so next year. It was a really great time. Many thanks to Alice Acker, our lovely hostess!

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

What a long title for a simple thought. The Epiphany is the title of the feast recalling the arrival of the Magi to pay homage to the Lord Jesus. Epiphany means revealing or becoming aware. Our Lord was revealed first to the Hebrews through the shepherds. The first gentiles (non-Hebrews) to whom He was first revealed were the Magi or Wise Men who came from afar to pay Him honor.

Tonight we had a normal Holy Communion service at Victoria House at 1830 (6:30 pm) with 4 members present. You might think that is a small number. Consider the prayer of Saint John Chrysotom that God doth “promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests.” Seems like we had enough. Those of you who were there know how wonderful it felt to celebrate the coming of the Lord to us gentiles. By the way, a “normal” service is about 25 minutes, start to finish; shows how much time singing takes up on Sunday.

Jack Arnold read the Epistle for the evening, which came from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians beginning at the First Verse of the Third Chapter:

FOR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: how that by revela-tion he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Gospel for the evening came from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Second Chapter beginning at the First Verse:

WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they depart-ed into their own country another way.

Sermon - A light to lighten WHO?
In the words of Simeon in the temple, Jesus came “To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.” Unlike the Jews, Christians are commanded to spread the Word. We are not to be “good Christians” and live apart from the world, but rather we are to live as good Christians in the world. To be an example to the people of the world, that the light of Christ might shine through us to show the way for them in the dark.

When you have a candy bar and you share part of it, you have less for your self. That is truth self-evident to any three year old. Yet, if you share the candy bar with a friend you may gain more than you lose. On the other hand, the light of our Lord, the Love of God is significantly different. If you keep that light under a bushel basket, you have no more light and far less to see than if you bare it to the world. Sharing God’s love gives you more love, not less. Sharing with the three other people here tonight does not mean each of us have ¼ of the love, but rather that each of us has four times the love.

Not modern math, but God’s love.
,
Gentiles, the ball is in your court. What are you going to do with it?


Thought for the Day
The Epiphany service was not much different than that first Epiphany. There were three wise men, who chose to make the trek and one lovely lady to greet us. We had a great time worshipping. Join us sometime, it is a lot of fun. It seems as if there is always plenty of room in the inn when there is church service going on. Cold outside, though!

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

Today was the first Sunday after the Epiphany and Second Sunday of the New Year 2009. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a warm 57°F under sunny skies with a mild Santa Anna condition. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to quite comfortable 72°F. With an incredibly beautiful day, we had 17 people present:

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class - Around the Bible in 370 days by popular demand
Today continued the fifty-three week tour of the Bible, 10 minutes of teaching each Sunday, beginning at 8:30am. As is customary, 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 made our way through the Bible to the end of the Old Testament. Skipping the Apocrypha, we are starting on the New Testament. Today, taking a page out of last week, Father Acker summarized the New Testament in 10 minutes, so that we might have a frame of reference as he goes through the books one at a time.

In a sense the New Testament is the Good News of Christ and salvation brought to us in the fullness of time. The first four books, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John start off the New Testament. The word Gospel comes to us through Middle English from the form of GOOD SPELL, which itself comes from the Greek euangélion or evanggelion which in turn means GOOD NEWS. The word Gospel has come to mean many things, among them: TRUTH; the story of Christ's life and teachings, particularly as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; glad tidings, particularly concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.

It is critical to understand the fullness of time concept. Christ came in a window of opportunity, at no time before and not since have conditions been right for spreading the Gospel. Rome ruled the entire civilized world of the west. There was a common language in the empire, surprisingly, that language was Greek, not Latin. Rome kept its empire in peace. They built roads to facilitate military movement, which in turn allowed commerce and communications throughout the empire. One could travel in relative peace with relative ease from one end of the empire to the other.

Conditions in the Jewish world had deteriorated to the point of the Pharisees and the Law being paramount, the Will of God being of secondary importance. It was time for God to send His Son.

Next week, we will start at the beginning, Matthew Chapter One, Verse One!

Dru Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from the Seventh Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the First Verse. Paul asks not only those long gone Romans, but us, as well, to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” He tells us our home is in heaven. Life here is not the end, rather the stepping off point, either to heaven or hell. Thus were are “not conformed to this world: but to be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that we ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Some of us may be better than others, but all fall short of the minimum standard. Through Christ we attain eternal life. In the meantime, each of us should not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Each of us has a place in the church, a reason to be and job to do. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

The Gospel for today came from the Second Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke beginning at the Forty-First Verse. It tells the story of when Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Passover Feast in his twelfth year. When they were done, the family group, for they likely traveled with their extended family for safety, left together. After the first day’s travel they stopped for the night and could not find Jesus. So, fearing the worst, they headed back at night for Jerusalem. Braving robbers and worse, they made their way back. After looking for three days, they went to the temple, where lo, they found him. He was among the learned men “both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” His parents were amazed and confounded. He asked them why they worried and why they did not understand that he was about his Father’s business. It is interesting to see that Jesus at twelve was able to “hold his own” with the learned scholars of Judah. He was able to out reason those who lived to dissect the Law. “A little child shall lead them,” Isaiah 11:1-10

NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Sermon - Who is Jesus?
The simple answer is our Lord and Savior. He who will rule our hearts and give us true peace, if only we will let Him.

Look to the Old Testament: Solomon had best run country country in the world. He gave them the best of everything. It was a perfect place to live, except he didn’t have a heart for God. He was Ethical, moral, respected, wise. He just wasn’t “into” God. David, on the other hand, did some awful things. He was a lech and murderer. He betrayed his own soldiers. But, he had a heart for God. He repented. He knew he needed God, desperately. As his world came crashing down, he looked to God to enter in and save him.

So, who do we trust in? Yourself? Probably not a good idea. People have “believed” in themselves and died lost in a one mile square wood. Science? How many times has science been wrong? Bad idea. Government? Certainly the government knows best. The government that cannot balance a checkbook. Probably not a good idea.

Look at the Jews for an example. When they followed God, they prospered. When they ignored God, they got in trouble.

Can you learn a lesson there? The whole Old Testament points to that single lesson: Follow instructions from a perfect being, do well. Ignore instructions from a perfect being and follow your own inner self and get in big trouble.

Why would you think it is any different today? Center your life on God. Follow Christ’s instructions. In the words of Saint Paul, present yourselves as a living sacrifice, be transformed by the renewal of your mind and soul.

Focus outward, drive forward.

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

After Church Hospitality
Today Muriel Pappin brought after church snacks. There were muffins, blueberry was the one your Beadle sampled, nuts and literally eight kinds of cookies. Very nice and very tasty. Thank you Muriel!

Command Master Brewer Macauley was on brew duty today and produced wonderful coffee, Father Acker made his signature low carb lemonade.

After church goodies providers as currently signed up:

Date Name
18 January 2009 Martha Stevens
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Dru Arnold
8 February 2009 Betsy and Marianne Lane
15 February 2009 Greg and Diane Chase
22 February 2009 Dru Arnold
1 March 2009 Jan Macauley

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 yellow (maybe green or orange, if you get an old one) cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the "prayer team". Those names will be said in church and appear here. Or, you can ask that their names and purpose be kept confidential, and then only Father Acker will know to pray for them.

Repose of the Soul
Arla, Walt Dexter’s younger sister, passed away the afternoon of 15 December 2008, while in hospice care. Her two children, Debbie and Cindy, have been with their mother. She is now happy in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and has made her transition in peace. Pray also for her family who remain here on earth, in particular Walt, that they might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.

Travel
Father and Alice are on travel this week.

Healing

 Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, 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 and gout)
, Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Lise (peritoneal cancer), Joy, Evelyn, Kenny (ear surgery), Debbie, Joanna (stroke) [granddaughter of Father Holland a diocesan priest], Al (Ashley’s dad: surgery) Cyndi (successful knee replacement surgery), Scott (endocarditis and cow valve), June (cancer surgery), Al, Susan, Jeff, David (leg injury), Judy, who suffers from mental illness, is undergoing tests for cancer, Jon, Jeffrey, Joy (cancer), Jim (pain), Marie, Joe (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Katheryn (ear surgery), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Kathryn (surgery Monday)


Ben Lizak contracted a very bad infection and had sepsis. He was in the local Kaiser hospital for a couple of days on IV antibiotics. In the spirit of the season, there was no room in the inn and he had to wait some time in the emergency room for a bed. He is home now and doing great. Your prayers are asked for his complete healing from the infection.

Chaplain Larry Witherspoon had a stroke on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2008. He underwent surgery at Kaiser Hospital, in Fontana. He is due to be released on Wednesday 14 January 09. He is talking and is able to carry a conversation almost normally, just in a very soft voice. He has made incredible progress. He has lost a few pounds, but looks great. No more tubes or IV's. Larry is ready to go home and sleep. Still, he comes in and out. Please continue to pray for him, his wife Sheila and his family.

Joanne has had a significant increase her shoulder pain from an injury last year. She’ll be talking with the doctors during the week.

Carol DeBolt, mother of Judy, a 3rd grade teacher at Greg Chase’s school. Carol was complaining of hip pain over the Christmas period. After numerous tests it was determined that she has breast and bone cancers, both are at stage 4 and have metastasized. She just finished surgery on her hip where the femur was been replaced with a steel rod. She now has to go through 4 months of PT in order to learn how to walk again. Carol needs your prayers for her and her family to deal with not only the pain and difficulty of her present physical condition, but also the uncertainty of her life. Please pray for Carol’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a remission of her cancers and a physical recovery.

Rachel works with Greg as a teacher's aide in the special education department and is going to night school to get her degree to allow her to be a fully credentialed teacher. She recently went to the ophthalmologist for a second opinion and found she has a melanoma in one eye. The melanoma is inside her eye and required nuclear surgery. She had her first eye surgery several days ago and the surgery went better than expected. Her second (and final) surgery is scheduled for later on this week. Please pray for her to understand God is there throughout all this; He does not test us; we are imperfect beings, including our bodies; all things are possible through Him; He always answers our prayers, though sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer and other times do not understand the answer. Pray for Rachel’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a good outcome for the surgery.

Sue Anne Adkins mother of Greg’s co-worker Vicki Jones has Stage Three lung cancer. She is doing well in her treatment, but is in need of your prayers. Please pray for her to accept God’s help through the pain, discomfort and bewilderment of treatment. Pray the doctors, nurses and technicians who treat her will pay attention and do their best. Please pray Sue Anne and her family will pull with together with God in all this and accept the help He will give them.

Tina Walden is having back pain and asks that you pray for her back to feel better.

Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving and into targeted radiation therapy for 10 days. Please give thanks for the successful treatment to date and for complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Joy has non-operable abdominal cancer. She is home from the hospital, but near the end of her time here on earth. Joy will be entering hospice care. Please pray for her as she prepares to depart this world for home that she might be confident in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and thus make the transition in peace. She asks God’s help to deal with the pain and discomfort while keeping a positive attitude during what is a very trying time. Pray also her family might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with them here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for Joy and her husband Dewaine that they might keep their trust in God and increase their faith. Pray that her family who will remain here on earth might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.

Mary Parker is home and walking all around the house, as far as her 50 foot oxygen lead will let her. She made it to the table for Christmas dinner! She does physical therapy every day and is eating very well! She is enjoying reading books and the newspaper again!

 She is improving on a daily basis! Her recovery is truly a God given miracle. Please give thanks for her great recovery and continue to pray for her progress.

Joe Huber was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo radiation seed implants within the next two weeks. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Binnie was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Rod Cook has a reoccurrence of lung cancer. Prognosis is not promising. Please pray for either a miraculous recovery or a maximization of his time remaining here on earth. Pray also for his daughter Lori that she might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with her father here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for both Rod and Lori that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Vince (12 yrs) who has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B) had what appears to be successful surgery to remove the tumor and replace his knee joint on 28 November 2008. Please pray for his healing and non-recurrence of the cancer, as well as that he and his family might put their trust in God and accept His comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.

Kenny had surgery to improve his hearing which did not end up improving his hearing in the end. Please pray for his adjusting to very limited hearing in just one ear. Also, please continue to pray for his improved state of mind and faith.

Joshua Hamilton is still in a coma after a severe head trauma in July. He has gotten past the MRSA and other infections. He is in skilled nursing in El Cajon with some response to physical therapy and they are working toward independent breathing. 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.

Glenn Finch gives thanks for near total recovery from the brain injury sustained in his cycling accident. He asks your continued prayer for the aortal aneurysm discovered during his treatment for the brain injury. Please pray for Glenn’s continued healing and trust in God.

Evelyn Hunt has pain in her jaw, face, & neck. The doctors haven’t been able to diagnose the cause. She has been very limited in getting out, but continued to do her walking in the house. Most importantly, pray for her to keep a good attitude and maintain a trust in God, so she will not worry.

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 28 months). The level of discomfort varies but the condition is persisting. She is in amazing spirits and sends her love to all.

Lona Walsh is in significant discomfort, but it looks like it is not Lupus. She asks that you continue your prayers for healing.

Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – called this week. She is still home and still doing wonderfully well! Mrs. Kay asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude. 



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 11, leukemia recurrence) is home in Escondido after her bone marrow transplant in July. Please continue in prayer that her leukemia will not reoccur; after the transplant, the chance of recurrence is 40%. Please keep praying for this sweet girl to make a full recovery and live a long life, devoted to God. She and her family are Catholic Christians.

George, a friend of Susanne Barrett who lives in northern Georgia, experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer earlier this year. His tumor has completely disappeared, but he has experienced a blood clot in his lower calf. He has returned to work (pharmacist) on a part-time basis. Please pray George will regain all his strength and stamina. George will be having CT scans this week if his creatinine levels normalize. Please pray George’s kidney function will return to normal, and his creatinine levels will come down to normal. Please pray the CT scans will continue to show that all is normal (no bladder cancer/tumor). They have decided to not attempt the clot-busting surgery as the clot has been there too long. Please pray the blood clot in George's leg will dissolve and disappear, and George will regain his mobility, and not suffer pain, swelling, and discomfort.

Guidance
Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to a church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, 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, Jack (test), Alfred, Marie, Dru, Jack, Hap, Estelle, Tina

Sarah is still struggling with custody arrangements for her children and would appreciate our continued prayers. Sara asks you pray 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.

Paul S suffers from severe schizophrenia remains stable with his medication, but needs God’s guidance. He gives thanks for improvement in his housing situation.

Guidance
 and Protection
Christina, Sarah

Economic Guidance and Assistance
Matt and Tracey very good friends of the Hubers. Matt is looking for a new job and they have two young children. Please pray that they are able to find employment soon.

Keith is shutting down his current business and entering the handyman field. Please pray for God's leading him to work or work to him. Pray for Susanne as she tutors and teaches online classes while home schooling their four kids, that she may remain strong and able to do all she needs to do to teach their kids and help with finances despite her physical condition (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.). Pray for them also to not fear for the future, but to trust in the Lord.

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.

Sonny and Carol have lost their business, their home is in foreclosure. Please pray that they might find an opportunity for gainful employment where they can use their talents to make a positive impact on the world.

Mark’s business is very very slow, he asks that God point him to new markets and give him guidance in following God’s will that his business might survive and his employees not lose their livelihood.

Please give thanks for Kevin in the UK who has found a job. While not what he was looking for, he is grateful for work. Please continue to pray that he will find a position that will maintain his family and where he can use his talents to make a positive impact on the world. Please pray also for his family, in particular his wife Beverley, that they might open their hearts and minds to God’s guidance for their future.



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

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, Joe (USAF - Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait), John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan), Evan (USMC – Afghanistan)

Thanksgiving
Sara Simmons gives thanks for a full recovery from an emergency appendectomy: In her words:

Special thanks to the Blessed Trinity Prayer Team and all to all those individual and collective heartfelt thoughts and prayers which have lifted me up, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It was a very long 4 weeks of recovery, but I turned the corner, returned to the office this past week, and have been trying to catch up. Please let everyone know that they should never ignore a persistent pain in the lower right abdomen . (Your Beadle visited Sara the week before she finally told someone about her pain. She looked like weasel spit, except worse. Your Beadle promises never to be polite about something like that again.) As I have expressed before, please know that I have the Prayer List and continue to pray for all those I know, and all those whose names are unknown to me. Always I reflect how blessed I am in every respect when I read each week of those for whom circumstances of Life are so heartbreaking, or so much more painful or difficult or challenging than I have ever had to face. Bless you all. ~Sara

Free Teen Guitar Class
Please join us in praying that the Free Teen Guitar Class will be an opportunity for God to work in the lives of the kids and their families. Help us to let the love of our Lord shine through us into their lives, putting Him first, so that He might enter in to their hearts and lives.

Thought for the Day
The Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone – This is a term used to describe something, while it may or may not be ‘nice’ or ‘pretty’, is in fact totally useless, serving only itself. Think of it: a wonderful tasty ice cream cone that licks itself. Nothing for you to do. No work required on your part. On the other hand, what good is it?

The challenge from Christ is to build His church, not a Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone, existing to serve only itself. Following Christ’s personal example, our church is to be a servant to the world around it. We are to bring the Word, education and help to people who have need of it. A church which devotes all its energy into maintaining a building and lovely grounds and has no time, money or energy left to do what Jesus set out as our mission is not a Church of Christ. Are we to be servants of Christ or of the Temple; Christians or Temple Servants? One cannot serve two masters .

From the Bishop
The Bishop sent a great slide presentation of those in other countries who have nothing. It goes right in line with Father Acker’s sermon and the the paragraph above about the Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone. E-mail the Beadle and he will forward it to you.

The following is a summary of the narrative slides that followed: Observe around you and be thankful for all that you have in this transitory life. God has put us in a land where we can easily earn much more than we need meet all our needs. To be content takes more, it takes following the Word of our Lord. Remember what our founding fathers did for us and do not feed a continual cycle of self-centered life ignoring the Word of our Lord. Reach out and help your brother and sister.


Comment
Your Beadle points out that all the misery above is in countries without a government under God and with the rule of law that we have in this beautiful country. Keep in mind what happens when man looks to man for the definition of right and wrong, fair and not fair.

Here is the text of a recent interview with a well-known person who claims to be Christian. If you think for a second, you will see why one might question the person’s true religion:

GG: What is sin?
ANSWER: Being out of alignment with my values.


Sadly this interview was in a Christian forum and no one there seemed to find anything odd about the answer.

Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate? Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material. Help us help you. Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer. Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know. But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.

I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across. While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion.

If you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: thebeadle@mac.com.

Free Teen Guitar Class (FTGC – www.freeteenguitarclass.com)
No class Wednesday 14 January 2009. There is a new Class Schedule in effect:

FTGC New Class Schedule:

Advanced 2:30-3:20pm

Continuing 3:20-4:00pm (Beginners shift to Intermediate having learned all 6 strings and get to move on to chords)

Beginning 4:00-4:50pm (A new class & those redoing the material; it’s okay to do both Intermediate and Beginner classes)

For anyone wanting to start again this is the time!

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

18 January 2009 Ben Lizak
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Don Patton
8 February 2009 Stephanie Boyd
15 February 2009 Tim Macauley
22 February 2009 Jack Arnold


The near future, as well as Next Sunday

Friday and Saturday
Bishop Duncan will be speaking in Orange County, for details contact Father Acker.

Sunday
Next Sunday is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany.

Sunday 25 January 2009
Annual Parish Meeting

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/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

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

thebeadle@mac.com

Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Circumcision of Christ and The Second Sunday after Christmas


The Circumcision of Christ

New Year’s Day, 1 January, is the Red Letter Holy Day, The Circumcision of Christ. These “major” or “Red Letter” days get their nickname from the color their titles are printed in the Book of Common Prayer:

The Circumcision of Christ.
[January 1.]


The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The first day of the calendar year brought light Santa Ana condition to Mount Olympus with a sunrise temperature of 45°F. Down the hill at Victoria House, the temperature was 65°F under perfectly clear skies with visibility in excess of 50 miles. A perfect New Year’s Day. With seven people attending, there were too many for the small chapel and the service was held in the dining room.

Hap Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the people of Philippia, starting at the Ninth Verse of the Second Chapter. The portion of the letter used as today’s Epistle is relatively short. God has sent His Son to earth and given him a name above all others, Jesus. Paul exhorts his fellow followers to continue to follow the Lord, not only while he is watching them, but at all times. God will give them the will and ability to do good, but only if they do their best to follow Him.

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. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The Gospel for today came from the Gospel according to Saint Luke, the Second Chapter, beginning at the Fifteenth Verse. Today’s Gospel recounts the angels visit to the shepherds who came into Bethlehem to pay homage to Jesus in the manger. It also documents the circumcision of Jesus, bringing Him under the Law. He who: Is, Was and always Will be, put Himself under the Law, that He might fulfill the Law and be our salvation.

Our salvation from the Law came from the perfect sacrifice one time for the sins of all mankind for all time. It could only come from one who was perfect, to enter in to the Law, one had to be subject to the Law. Thus, Jesus submitted Himself unto the Law that he might in the end have dominion over the Law.

AND it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Sermon - The Feast of the Holy Name or How they lost the point
In the Episcopagan church of the present, today is the Feast of the Holy Name; one presumes they mean Jesus, but that is not always clear. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ. Somehow, the epsicopagans want their feast to be accepted as a modernization of the same feast. They miss the point. It is important today we are celebrating the Circumcision of the LORD, His obedience, and that of His whole family, to the Law. He was raised in the tradition of Moses like everybody else of Jewish tradition was in those days. He grew up in a pious family. They were definitely observing the Laws of the day because the Saviour came from a long line of fourteen times three generations of people who suffered for the sake of the promise of the Incarnation of the Saviour. All these people were faithful to God even though they were still waiting for the fulfillment of the promise; even though, as the Apostle Paul said in one of his writings, they had not seen what was to come, yet they were faithful to God. In a very important sense, the circumcision demonstrates Jesus’s perfect compliance with The Law that He might stand in for us when we cannot comply. In all things He was perfect, that perfect Lamb of God, that we might have eternal life.

This day is not about giving him a name, for as the Gospel points out, He had that name given unto Him “before he was conceived in the womb.”

Through Him all things are possible!

The Real Thing - Fortunately, Father Acker used the sermon today as the basis for the http://thursdayeveningnews.blogspot.com/ entry, so you can see what he really said for a change:

New Year's Day is the 8th Day of Christmas. While it may be not be politically correct, and certainly unpopular in post-Christian circles to overlook the commemoration of the Circumcision of the Child Christ. However, to Christians this is tied up in our understanding 'God with us.' Born of Mary, a Jewish girl, Jesus was a Jew by birth. It was by circumcision that families were brought into the covenant relationship with the Lord God. In Jesus we are born into the family of God and circumcised into the covenant relationship with God; both in the reality of the flesh of Jesus. Yes, it is a messy business God being born of woman and the flesh of his foreskin. God came among us not in outward appearance, but in what we are, fully human and into our human existence. He came to fulfill The Law given by God as we humans had been unable fulfill because of our sin, our turning away from God.

It is fitting that the Circumcision of the Child Christ is also New Year's Day on our modern calendar. Jesus is bringing about a new beginning for those are adopted into his death and resurrection. Our resolutions are begun upon what God has done for us; it is not in expectation that we are working to be better men and women. Our resolve centers upon responding to God's love, that our lives might reflect what God has given unto us. It is not our taking on or giving up, but letting our lives show what has been given. The gift of God is already there for those who have received Christ.

If you haven't received Jesus into your heart, now is the time to ask him into your life. Now is the time to ask for the power of God to make you new in the sacrament of Baptism. This is the start of what begins every Christians' day, to ask Jesus to be Lord, Savior, and King in this new day, in this new year, and asking that power of God might fill our lives this coming day, and this coming year. And we know that no matter how messy our lives may get, real problems, real people, real tragedy, 'God is with us.' It is Jesus' name, Emmanuel, 'God with us.' Not in appearance, not in fancy words, but incarnate, in the flesh, the blessings of the Child Christ.

The Second Sunday after Christmas

Today was the Second Sunday after Christmas and the first Sunday of the New Year 2009. Sunrise temperature on Mount Olympus was a crisp 33°F under partly cloudy skies. Down the hill at church, the temperature picked up to balmy 58°F. With an incredibly beautiful day, we had 25 people present, one more than last year.

Free Teen Guitar Class Sunday
Today was not only the First Sunday of the Month, but also of the new year. The first Sunday each month, Father Acker’s Free Teen Guitar Class provides all the music. Today, Andrew Boyd, Nick Patton, Jack Arnold and Father Acker played their guitars for the gathering songs, as well as all the hymns, as is our parish custom.

Thanks again to Andrew, Nick, Jack and Father Ironhand.

There is a new class schedule for the Free Teen Guitar Class with new times on Wednesdays. This Wednesday, 7 January 2009 is the first class of the new session, for details go to the FTGC website: http://www.freeteenguitarclass.com/lessons.html

Father Acker’s Pre-Service Class
The normal pre-service Bible study class was replaced today with one covering the entire Old Testament in Ten Minutes. Can’t be done? Well, Father Ironhand did it. The idea was originally suggested and discarded – No one can summarize the entire Old Testament in only Ten Minutes! Actually, with enough preparation, you can. Well, at least Father Ironhand can. The summarization gimmick was the Iron Chef television show. The key is preparation and practice. It was extremely well done and your Beadle wishes to report the time was made! The summary follows, you are warned it was much better in person. Great, really!

First, you must grasp that the Old Testament is a Story, much like a movie, the main character is God, the conflict is Sin and the theme is Redemption. Second, there are four things you must remember, the story is Geographical in nature, rooted in History, with real people and real events, it is Unified Literary Work meant to be read as a whole story and it is the Word of God.

• Genesis
o God created everything in 6 days

Drop back: Creation of Man
o God breathed life into the dust
o Built a helpmate from Adam’s side

As the story builds, Sin quickly, but subtly enters in, distorting judgment, continually growing, with far reaching effects until “All the thoughts of all the people were only evil all the time!”

It builds and builds, until God washes the board clean with the flood, Noah and the Ark start over again with twelve people. By Chapter Twelve, the evil is back with the Tower of Babel. The lesson is that man cannot overcome sin on his own.

God calls Abraham, through Abraham all people will be blessed. He provides for Abraham’s descendants and gives them land. The pivotal event is the near sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s only son. Seventy-two people go to Egypt and 400 years later there are two million Hebrew slaves ready to be lead out. An early example of expertise in multiplication.

That brings us to Exodus:

• Hebrew Moses, raised as Pharaoh's son
o Caught on CNN
o 80 years old: Lead them out
o 10 signs targeting the Egyptian gods
o Passover the Red Sea
• 2 Gifts
o The Law (living with God & His people)
o The Tabernacle (5 sacrifices)

We move on to:

• Leviticus (How to use the Tabernacle)
• Numbers (Tribe, Clan, & Family)
o A Place & A Job; God at Center
• Deuteronomy (New Generation)

Finally, we get to the promised land:

• Joshua (Taking Real Estate)
o Divided to the 12 tribes
• Judges (Just in time Leadership)
o Cycle: Faithful; Do evil; War; Repent
o Plan of Salvation?
• Ruth: Kinsman Redeemer
o Position, Resources, & Willing

Once in the promised land the people want a king!

• 1&2 Samuel (Reject the kingship of God)
o Here’s the kind of king we want
♣ Central casting "Pierce Bronson"
o David (a heart for God)
o Flawed man who knew he needed God
o Uriah and his wife Bathsheba

The king thing does not work out like the people think and now they need prophets, so God sends them, major and minor:

• Job: When bad things happen to good people
• Jonah: Into Iraq in the belly of the whale
o Death, Resurrection, Mission, God’s Love
• Amos: Samarian injustice & oppression
• Isaiah: Corrupt king Uzziah
• Hosea: Up North. Acted out his prophesy
o Unfaithful wife & awaiting her return
• Micah: Judgment, Restoration & Hope
• Nahum: Assyrians—time limited offer
• Jeremiah—in Jerusalem under siege & starvation
o Lamentation: Weeping prophet
• Zephaniah: Do right & perhaps you’ll receive mercy
• Daniel: in Exile, visions of God preserving faithful
• Ezekiel: vision of life flowing from the Throne
• Habakkuk: Why does God permit evil?
• Obadiah: Punishment of the Looters (Edom)
• Zechariah: Coming of God’s Messiah
• Haggai: Encouragement to rebuild the Temple
• Joel: The Day of the Lord is at hand
• Malachi: 8 charges of corruption
o I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;

Tim Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from the Sixty-First Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah beginning at the First Verse:

THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the plant-ing of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The Gospel came from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Second Chapter beginning at the Nineteenth Verse:

WHEN Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Sermon - The Eleventh Day
All the presents are opened. Did you get anything life changing? Tomorrow is the 12th day, we should take our decorations down on the 12th day. So, you must have checked out all your presents by now. Did you get anything life changing? Perhaps a hint is in order?

Jesus came to die for your sin that you might have life. He came to bring us the “Year of the Lord’s Favor:

• Victory over evil oppressors
• Comfort for those who’ve lost loved ones
• Roses & carnations instead of dust & ashes
• News of joy, not messages of disaster
• Joyful hearts, instead of depression

No Matter:

• No matter how bad things get
• No matter where you are
• No matter what trouble you in
• The light of Christ is to shine
• His light will lead you home.

Jesus is the light, He is the truth, He is the Saving Grace, He is what you need. But, He will not force His way into your life. For Him to work what would otherwise seem to be magic, you need to let Him into your life. You need to let Him run your life. What have you got to lose?

Birthdays and Anniversaries
There were no reported anniversaries today. We celebrated Warren Huber’s FIRST Birthday with him today.

After Church Hospitality
Today the Hubers brought after church snacks. Aaron being very conscious of proper dietary practices brought ìHealthy Livingî snacks, or so it advertised on the bags! There were two boxes of the finest dog nuts, dog nut holes, four types of cheese and the obligatory red flame seedless grapes. Warren reports the dog nut holes to be excellent. His evaluation was seconded by Angelina, then confirmed by Nick and Jack. Good job Hubers!

Command Master Brewer Macauley was on brew duty today and produced wonderful coffee, Father Acker made his signature low carb lemonade.

After church goodies providers as currently signed up:

Date Name
11 January 2009 Muriel Pappin
18 January 2009 Martha Stevens
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak
1 February 2009 Alice Acker
8 February 2009 Betsy and Marianne Lane
15 February 2009 Greg and Diane Chase

New Nametags
We had two new nametags today, Joanne Strom’s daughter and granddaughter.

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.

Repose of the Soul
Mary Kay McAllister left our world for home the morning of Tuesday 9 December 2008. She was with her sisters and family at the end of her time here on earth. She is now happy in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and has made her transition in peace. Pray also for her family who remain here on earth, that they might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.

Arla, Walt Dexter’s younger sister, passed away the afternoon of 15 December 2008, while in hospice care. Her two children, Debbie and Cindy, have been with their mother. She is now happy in the love of God and her Lord Jesus Christ and has made her transition in peace. Pray also for her family who remain here on earth, in particular Walt, that they might be able to put their cares and worries aside for the moment and focus on God’s love for their mother; as well as her love for them. May they concentrate on the unity and not on the temporary separation.

Travel
None reported

Healing

 Betty, Salvador (cancer), Betty, Marge, Uni, Karl, Christian, Marie, Wanda, Lois, Jennette (Alzheimer’s), Gary, Delores, Anna, Ruth, Connie, Tom, Crystal, Thomas, Hadley, Diane, Norm, Gregory, 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 and gout), Kai, Jay, Tim, Diane, Amy (Thyroid cancer), Lise (peritoneal cancer), Joy, Evelyn, Kenny (ear surgery), Debbie, Joanna (stroke) [granddaughter of Father Holland a diocesan priest], Al (Ashley’s dad: surgery) Cyndi (successful knee replacement surgery), Scott (endocarditis and cow valve), June (cancer surgery), Al, Susan, Jeff, David (leg injury), Judy, who suffers from mental illness, is undergoing tests for cancer, Jon, Jeffrey, Joy (cancer), Jim (pain), Marie, Joe (broken neck), Loretta (cancer), Katheryn (ear surgery), Sue (surgery recovery), Greg, June (cancer), David (leg sprain), Cheri, David, Keith (ruptured disk), Kathryn (surgery Monday)

Ben Lizak contracted a very bad infection and has sepsis. He will be in the local Kaiser hospital for at least a few days for IV antibiotics. In the spirit of the season, there is no room in the inn. Ben is in the emergency room waiting for a bed. Father Acker will provide more information as it is available.

Chaplain Larry Witherspoon had a stroke on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2008. He underwent surgery at Kaiser Hospital, in Fontana and has returned to consciousness. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit and improving, the breathing-assist apparatus has been removed. He has opened his eyes and is very responsive. So much that visitors have been restricted because he gets too excited! Great news, there. His mind is functioning and he can answer questions. They are keeping him very sedated, as his blood pressure goes very high when stimulated by visitors. Larry still has a tracheotomy and is progressing slowly, very slowly in physical therapy and the extent of damage is unknown. Communication is limited to open eyes and hand squeezing in a yes/no form. Please pray for his recovery and comfort for his wife Sheila and his family who are incredibly worried for him.

Sara Simmons had an emergency appendectomy Thursday 11 December 2008, she is now at home recuperating. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for her continued recovery, as well as a diminishment of the pain and patience during the recovery.

Joanne S has had a significant increase her shoulder pain from an injury last year. She’ll be talking with the doctors during the week.

Rachel works with Greg as a teacher's aide in the special education department and is going to night school to get her degree to allow her to be a fully credentialed teacher. She recently went to the ophthalmologist for a second opinion and found she has a melanoma in one eye.  The melanoma is inside her eye and required nuclear surgery. She had her first eye surgery several days ago and the surgery went better than expected.  Her second (and final) surgery is scheduled for later on this week. Please pray for her to understand God is there throughout all this; He does not test us; we are imperfect beings, including our bodies; all things are possible through Him; He always answers our prayers, though sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer and other times do not understand the answer. Pray for Rachel’s peace of mind and trust in God, as well as a good outcome for the surgery.

Sue Anne Adkins mother of Greg’s co-worker Vicki Jones has Stage Three lung cancer. She is doing well in her treatment, but is in need of your prayers. Please pray for her to accept God’s help through the pain, discomfort and bewilderment of treatment. Pray the doctors, nurses and technicians who treat her will pay attention and do their best. Please pray Sue Anne and her family will pull with together with God in all this and accept the help He will give them.

Tina Walden is having back pain and asks that you pray for her back to feel better.

Lauralee underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving and into targeted radiation therapy for 10 days. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and radiation therapy. Pray also that Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Joy has a reoccurrence of abdominal cancer, which is non-operable. She is home from the hospital but still has a clot in her lung. She and her family ask your prayers for a miraculous remission. She asks God’s help to deal with the pain and discomfort while keeping a positive attitude during what is a very trying time. Pray also for her family might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with them here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for Joy and her husband Dewaine that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Mary Parker is home and walking all around the house, as far as her 50 foot oxygen lead will let her.  She made it to the table for Christmas dinner!  She does physical therapy every day and is eating very well!   She is enjoying reading books and the newspaper again!

 She is improving on a daily basis! Her recovery is truly a God given miracle. Please give thanks for her great recovery and continue to pray for her progress.

Joe Huber was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo radiation seed implants within the next two weeks. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Binnie was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Rod Cook has a reoccurrence of lung cancer. Prognosis is not promising. Please pray for either a miraculous recovery or a maximization of his time remaining here on earth. Pray also for his daughter Lori that she might accept God’s will and enjoy whatever time she has with her father here on earth. In particular please pray for peace of mind for both Rod and Lori that they might put their trust in God and increase their faith.

Vince (12 yrs) who has bone cancer (a teammate of Andrew B) had what appears to be successful surgery to remove the tumor and replace his knee joint on 28 November 2008. Please pray for his healing and non-recurrence of the cancer, as well as that he and his family might put their trust in God and accept His comfort and encouragement in this difficult time.

Kenny had surgery to improve his hearing which did not end up improving his hearing in the end. Please pray for his adjusting to very limited hearing in just one ear. Also, please continue to pray for his improved state of mind and faith.

Joshua Hamilton is still in a coma after a severe head trauma in July. He has gotten past the MRSA and other infections. He is in skilled nursing in El Cajon with some response to physical therapy and they are working toward independent breathing. 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.

Glenn Finch is back at work on a limited basis. Glenn has a new obstacle in the way of a aneurysm in his aorta to overcome in addition to recovering from the brain injury sustained in his cycling accident.

This is a major problem, yet if he had not had his accident, he would have likely found out about the aneurysm when it burst and he died. Glenn knows this, yet what a great deal of stress. Please pray for Glenn’s continued healing and trust in God.

Evelyn Hunt has pain in her jaw, face, & neck. The doctors haven’t been able to diagnose the cause. She has been very limited in getting out, but continued to do her walking in the house. Most importantly, pray for her to keep a good attitude and maintain a trust in God, so she will not worry.

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 28 months). The level of discomfort varies but the condition is persisting. She is in amazing spirits and sends her love to all.

Lona Walsh is in significant discomfort, but it looks like it is not Lupus. She asks that you continue your prayers for healing.

Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) – called this week. She is still home and still doing wonderfully well! Mrs. Kay asks that everyone who is praying for her know how grateful she is for their prayers. As always, she retains her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude.

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) is now home in Escondido after her bone marrow transplant in July. She will have to make frequent trips to City of Hope in Pasadena for follow-up appointments, but she's very glad to be home now. Please continue in prayer that her leukemia will not reoccur; after the transplant, the chance of recurrence is 40%. Caroline will be 11 in December. Please keep praying for this sweet girl to make a full recovery and live a long life, devoted to God.  She and her family are Catholic Christians.

George, a friend of Susanne Barrett who lives in northern Georgia, experienced a recurrence of bladder cancer earlier this year. He has been undergoing treatment for a recurrence of bladder cancer and whose tumor has completely disappeared, has experienced a blood clot in his lower calf. 
 
Please pray for George's endurance and for peace for the whole family, including their children, Megan and George III.

Guidance
Tom, Mary, Lloyd & Jennifer, Bob to be guided to a church
Ashley, Breyana, Vie, Asha, Cory, Heather, Holly, Ken, Maruja, 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, Jack (test), Alfred, Marie, Dru, Jack, Hap, Estelle, Tina

Sarah is still struggling with custody arrangements for her children and would appreciate our continued prayers. Sara asks you pray 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.

Paul S suffers from severe schizophrenia remains stable with his medication, but needs God’s guidance. He gives thanks for improvement in his housing situation.

Guidance and Protection
Christina, Sarah

Economic Guidance and Assistance
Matt and Tracey very good friends of the Hubers. Matt is looking for a new job and they have two young children. Please pray that they are able to find employment soon.

Keith is shutting down his current business and entering the handyman field.  Please pray for God's leading him to work or work to him.  Pray for Susanne as she tutors and teaches online classes while home schooling their four kids, that she may remain strong and able to do all she needs to do to teach their kids and help with finances despite her physical condition (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.).  Pray for them also to not fear for the future but to trust in the Lord. 

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.

Sonny and Carol have lost their business, their home is in foreclosure. Please pray that they might find an opportunity for gainful employment where they can use their talents to make a positive impact on the world.

Mark’s business is very very slow, he asks that God point him to new markets and give him guidance in following God’s will that his business might survive and his employees not lose their livelihood.

Please pray for Kevin in the UK. He has been looking for a job for a long time and is 52. Please pray he might find an opportunity for gainful employment where he can use his talents to make a positive impact on the world. Please pray also for his family, in particular his wife Beverley, that they might open their hearts and minds to God’s guidance for their future.

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

Armed Forces & Contractors
Tillman, Justin, Evan, RJ, Matt, Phillip, Julian, Joe (USAF - Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait), John Kelly (USN - USS Ronald Reagan), Evan (USMC – Afganistan)

Question that only you can ask
What would you like to know about our history, what we believe, what we do or how we operate?  Father Acker is looking for material for the continuing education class and the Beadle is looking for Thought for the Day material.  Help us help you.  Please send your question to the Beadle so we all can get an answer.  Just because you don’t know the answer to your question doesn’t mean you are the only one who doesn’t know.  But, if you don’t ask, no one will know.

I’d like to get a different point across or announce something
If you have a different point of view, I would be happy to give you room to get your point across.  While this publication is my perspective on events, I recognize not everyone may agree and that some people would like to express their own opinion.

If you want to write something, please forward your item to the Beadle (with a note as to whether or not you would like editing help) to: thebeadle@mac.com.

Epistle Readers
We post the list of Epistle Readers in the Beadle’s Report each week so you can either plan your attendance or your pre-reading as the spirit so moves you.

Date Reader

4 January 2009 Tim Macauley
11 January 2009 Dru Arnold
18 January 2009 Ben Lizak
25 January 2009 Holly Lizak

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

Sunday
Next Sunday is the the First Sunday after The Epiphany.

Monday
1830 (6:30pm) Monday 5 January 2009 is the 12th Night of Christmas, along with the Twelve lords a-leaping, there will be a Twelfth Night service at Victoria House (all three minutes) along with a Christmas Green burning (no more than you can fit in your hand) and dessert.

Tuesday
1830 (6:30pm) Tuesday 6 January 2009 is the Epiphany Service at Victoria House Chapel.

After church, the FTGC got together for a little jamming. They started with a rock like version of Hark, the herald angels sing, and went on from there. Father Ironhand is gaining mastery of the drum machine. The guys were rockin’!

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/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html

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

thebeadle@mac.com