Anglican Church of Saint Paul  e Newsletter
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August 3, 2017

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"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21


Many people, especially members of the military and first-responders, suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A simple definition is:  a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.*

In my work as Chaplain for the Owasso Fire Department, I often see the aftermath of PTSD. Occasionally, a single severe incident can bring on PTSD. But more often, PTSD develops as first responders experience one incident after another and do not, or cannot, process the bad experience before another is overlaid upon it. After years of seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and possibly even tasting all kinds of horrifying or disgusting events, the brain rebels and PTSD begins to set in. Among many other symptoms, those affected by trauma can experience depression, anxiety and a decreased compassionate response to others. In other words, sadness, worry and a detachment from your own feelings and the feelings of others, becomes a "new normal."

Although few of us actually exhibit all the symptoms required to be diagnosed with PTSD, our life experiences, piled one on top of another, can also cause us to operate from an unhealthy "new normal."

First responders and those in the military are notorious for resisting help in recovery from PTSD. The truth behind their reluctance is the fact that they choose their current suffering over anything that will bring old memories back into focus. Even though there are proven psychiatric methods that can reduce or even eliminate PTSD symptoms, they would prefer the demon they know over that which is unknown or experienced.

Not surprisingly, we are the same way.

Almost everyone I know can look back on their lives and testify to experiences of abandonment, abuse, loss, neglect, or rejection. Unhealed, these experiences fester and, over time, cause us to make decisions, not from a healthy perspective, but from an unhealthy "new normal."

Even though we know that, through prayer, God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, we fear the unknown and cling to our unhealthy "new normal." We would prefer to remain depressed, anxious, and dulled to our feelings and the needs of others because our issues make us fear that God doesn't love us THAT much and won't help us. Therefore, our issues have damaged our faith in the love and saving grace in Jesus Christ.

If this article has struck a chord with you, don't allow the enemy to keep you sidelined in your "new normal." Face your hurt and fear, talk to any of our clergy, allow us to pray for you and allow the LORD to exercise His glorious power within and restore you to His definition of normal.



*The National Institute of Mental Health has a very good article for those wishing to know more about PTSD.
LISTEN TO SUNDAY'S SERMON
 
Weekly Sermon

CLICK TO HEAR Deacon Jean's Sunday sermon.
THANK YOU FROM FR. CHRIS
 
I have just returned from a wonderful vacation during the month of July. 
The first week, I slept - a lot! On Sunday, I visited a local church where only the music minister knew me.
The second week, I pretended to be a vegetable and watched a lot of tv. I went to another church where I didn't know anyone.
The third week, I travelled with Toby to meet my sister and brother in Eureka Springs. Wonderful time! Also did some yard work. That Sunday, I came to our home church to welcome Eric as our new music director and worship with my friends and family.
The fourth week, Janey and I went to movies, played with grand kids, organized our garage and laughed. Again, I came and worshiped with my church family.
In all, I rested and appreciated Fr. Brad and Deacon Jean watching over the church in my absence. I gave God thanks for Frank and Betty doing the newsletter. I also gave thanks to God that He has blessed me with all of you! 
Blessings to all!
Fr. Chris
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY
 
The Men will have their breakfast at Eggberts  on Hwy. 20 (116th Street N) just East of QuikTrip  this Saturday, August 5, at 8:00 am.
The Women will have their breakfast at Eggberts on Saturday, August 26.
PRAYERS FOR SCHOOLS TO BE OFFERED
 
Fr. Brad, Fr. Chris and volunteers from the church will be offering prayers for Owasso's teachers and students over the next week. Fr. Brad is preparing a schedule to visit each school in Owasso. Similar to the ancient Welsh custom of "beating the bounds" of a parish, ACSP prayer teams will  walk the perimeter of school properties while praying for protection and blessing for those who work and learn there.
If you would like to participate on a prayer team, please contact Fr. Brad.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
 
The ACSP Women's 8th Annual Retreat will be Saturday, October 28, 2017.   Yvonne Mitchell a missionary with Reaching the World through Hammer and Sword will be our guest speaker.  Invite friends, the more the merrier.  Watch for more information.
TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - OWASSO
August 6, 2017                
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild T. Spears
First Lesson  J. Waters
Second Lesson  D. Robberts
Chalice T. Spears
Prayers J. Lombardi
Acolyte B. Scott
Oblationers J. Ide/J. Lombardi
Greeter M. Martin
Refreshments D. Roberts/K. Skelton
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Children's Ministry Fr. B. Van Deventer/T. Hickey
A/V Crew F. Christel
August 13, 2017                
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild K. & J. Skelton
First Lesson  J. Lombardi
Second Lesson  R.B. Roberts
Chalice M. McLean
Prayers R. Anich
Acolyte T. Spears
Oblationers M. Martin/M. McLean
Greeter J. Ide
Refreshments J. Sgarlata/S. Warnken
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Children's Ministry Fr. B. Van Deventer/T. Hickey
A/V Crew K. Crutchley
TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - BARTLESVILLE
August 6, 2017   
Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild B. Garrison
Lay Reader
G. Kane
Chalice
Y. Vaughn
Prayers of the People Y. Vaughn
Oblationer T. Chamberlain
Bread J. Gallery
August 13, 2017   
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild J. Chamberlain
Lay Reader
R. Smith
Chalice
R. Smith
Prayers of the People D. Gallery
Oblationer R. Smith
Bread J. Gallery
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS REMINDER
        A
  • ACSP Women's Retreat will be held Saturday, October 28. More information to come. 
     
  • "Pennies From Heaven" Building Fund Project :  Call  Betty Scott  if you have large quantities of aluminum cans to recycle and she will gladly pick them up.  Please bring smaller quantities of cans to the church so she can collect them there.

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)

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)