The Anglican Church in North America
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"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
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Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
There are usually two ways to see the same situation: negatively or positively. In last week's article, I quoted St. Paul's letter to the Romans (8:28) when he said, "
And we know that, for those who love God , all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
This past week, Hurricane Harvey hit southern Texas and is reforming to hit Louisiana. The wind and flood damage is, possibly, the most costly in American history. So far, 31 people have lost their lives, including a police officer who
drowned
when he became trapped in his squad car in flood waters.
No one, in their right mind, can deny, or even try to minimize the level of suffering that is currently affecting well over 11 million people. In fact, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the immensity of the
suffering
and
loss
.
In Genesis 50, we read of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery. The enemy capitalized on the jealousy of his brothers to bring about evil. Joseph suffered in slavery and the prisons of Egypt, but eventually became a mighty ruler under Pharaoh. Before a great famine hits the land, God tells Joseph to prepare for it by building storehouses to collect grain. When Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking food, they did not recognize Joseph. He could have satisfied his anger by having them killed, but he saw how God had used an event meant for evil to bring about great good.
The enemy wants to use the tragedy of Harvey to bring about evil. He want people to feel helpless and forgotten. He wants them to become resentful, angry, and to succumb to the hopelessness of victimhood. Satan wants people to turn from God because He allowed this suffering to occur.
But, there is another way of seeing this. In great suffering, there is also great opportunity. Those of us who are still blessed with much can share with those who have nothing by taking up a love offering. We can pray and send messages of encouragement to people we know in the area. If called, we can gather emergency supplies and deliver them to Texas.
The ultimate questions are, do we see the destructive nature of Hurricane Harvey from the perspective of evil or of opportunity for great good? And, if opportunity, are we prepared to act?
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LOVE OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED SUNDAY
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A small boy is rescued from Hurricane Harvey flood waters by a U.S. military helicopter. Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense.
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A second offering will be taken at both ACSP services on Sunday to benefit those affected by Hurricane Harvey. 100% of the money collected will be used to support victims of the hurricane through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund. Please plan ahead to give generously.
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MISSIONARIES TO SPEAK SEPTEMBER 24
Missionaries Chuck and Robin Martinez
will be in the United States and coming to visit us on September 24. During the adult Sunday School, they will report on their work in Guatemala. The Martinez's have not been able to visit us in a long time and to show our appreciation, a love offering will be received for them.
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The Men will have their breakfast
this Saturday, at 8:00 am at Eggbert's.
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NEW INFO: ANNUAL WOMEN'S RETREAT
The ACSP Women's 8th Annual Retreat will be Saturday, October 28, 2017
-- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sequoyah Lodge - Hickory Room
FEE: $25 per person.
"SEASONS WITHIN SEASONS"
Speaker Yvonne Mitchell, Missionary with Mitchell Ministries, Inc.
Yvonne will be speaking for a LOVE OFFERING.
PLEASE INVITE GUESTS
Scholarship funds available.
More information to follow.
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TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - OWASSO
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September 3, 2017
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Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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Altar Guild |
D. Spears |
First Lesson |
F. Christel |
Second Lesson |
D. Roberts |
Chalice |
J. Lombardi |
Prayers |
R. Anich |
Acolyte |
B. Scott |
Oblationers |
T. Spears/S. Warnken |
Greeter |
M. Martin |
Refreshments |
J. Waters/L. White |
Friday Devotional |
B. Christel (Sept. 8) |
Prayer Team |
K. Black
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Bread Ministry |
T. Spears |
A/V Crew |
L. White |
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September 10, 2017
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Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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Altar Guild |
T. Spears |
First Lesson |
B. Christel |
Second Lesson |
R.B. Roberts |
Chalice |
K. Crutchley |
Prayers |
M. McLean |
Acolyte |
T. Spears |
Oblationers |
N. Wolfe/L. White |
Greeter |
J. Ide |
Refreshments |
J. Wolfe/R. Anich |
Friday Devotional |
F. Christel (Sept. 15) |
Prayer Team |
B. Christel |
Bread Ministry |
T. Spears |
A/V Crew |
F. Christel |
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TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - BARTLESVILLE
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September 3, 2017
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Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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Altar Guild |
B. Garrison |
Lay Reader |
K. Smith
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Chalice |
T. Chamberlain
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Prayers of the People |
T. Chamberlain |
Oblationer |
K. Smith |
Bread |
J. Gallery |
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September 10, 2017
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Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
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Altar Guild |
J. Chamberlain |
Lay Reader |
G. Kane
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Chalice |
Y. Vaughn
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Prayers of the People |
Y. Vaughn |
Oblationer |
T. Chamberlain |
Bread |
J. Gallery |
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IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS REMINDER
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Each Wednesday night, the service of Compline is offered at 7 pm in Mowery Chapel.
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Missionaries Chuck and Robin Martinez
will be here on September 24 to tell of their work in Guatemala. They will be speaking during the Adult Sunday School and a love offering will be taken.
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ACSP Women's Retreat will be held Saturday, October 28, from 9 to 5 pm at Sequoia Lodge.
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"Pennies From Heaven" Building Fund Project
: Milan Anich will bring his pickup truck each Sunday to pick up aluminum cans. When he has a sufficient number, he will take the cans for recycling and the proceeds will be deposited into the building fund.
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Our Mission Statement Is: "REACH, TEACH, PREACH JESUS!" Approved by the vestry of the Anglican Church of Saint Paul on August 23, 2007 |
Our Vision Statement Is: The Anglican Church of Saint Paul will become a church united in love, growing spiritually through small groups of individuals studying God's Holy Word, praying for one another and the blessing of the church, and working towards the goal that the Lord's "salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6) Approved by the vestry of the Anglican Church of Saint Paul on February 17, 2011 |
Our Core Values The following scriptures summarize our church's Core Values: OUR PRIORITY - First of all, seek God. "... seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) OUR DIRECTION - Come out of the wilderness to the LORD and beckon others to join us. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) OUR PURPOSE - Be healed and become a place of healing and peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) OUR REMINDER - In all things, it is the LORD who gets the glory. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6) OUR REWARD - Keep our eyes upon the prize. "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." (Revelation 2:17) Approved by the Anglican Church of Saint Paul Vestry on August 23, 2012 |
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