Anglican Church of Saint Paul  e Newsletter
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August 17, 2017

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  "You have heard that it was said,  'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:43-45 (ESV)


Over the past week, talk of the violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has dominated the news cycle and social media. Fingers are pointing in every direction as to who is to blame, who has said too little, and who has said too much.

I was talking to a group of friends this morning and one of them spoke about how we are each one decision away from darkness or light. Each decision we make has the potential to destroy or to build; to wound or to heal.

As I contemplated that statement, it occurred to me that we are often quick to assign blame as long as the finger of blame is not pointed back at us. That prompted me to wonder what decisions I  have   made over the course of weeks, months, years, or even decades which have contributed to the darkness of the world.

Like most everyone, I am deeply disturbed when people speak or act hatefully towards a group of people simply because they are different. But in some ways, I am like those I disapprove. I divide people into groups, also. The groups which I like have names like "family" and "friends." The groups which I dislike may have names like "terrorists" or "criminals." Still other groups may be those who resist me or maybe just won't support me. Ultimately, I, and dare I say we, divide everyone into just two groups: "us" and "them."

In the above passage from Matthew, Jesus is trying to break down the temptation to divide. He tells us that we must pray - even for enemies and those who hurt us. Why? Because prayer has the power to transform enemies into friends, or maybe I should say, "them" into "us."

Earlier, I told you that I wondered what decisions I had made, over the course of my life, which have contributed to darkness.

Here are a few of the answers I received. Maybe some will resonate with you.
  • The love I have shown is not equal to or greater than the sin I have committed.
  • When I have witnessed great acts of great evil, I have not responded with greater acts of love.
  • I have been much more willing to accuse others than I have been to accuse myself.
  • I do not pray for my enemies as often, or with as much enthusiasm, as I pray for those who love me.
  • My failure to pray for others and proclaim the love of Jesus to a broken world has contributed to a spiritual vacuum which allowed darkness to advance.
The world has demonstrated that it lacks maturity. Part of the answer to the world's problems is for us to become more spiritually mature. We are in the world, but we are not of it. We should be the light of the world. Our spiritual maturity should be the salt that provides life.

If we are concerned about the direction the world is taking, first, we should look at the direction our choices are taking us. Are our decisions moving us deeper into a more mature, dynamic and obedient relationship with Jesus Christ, or are our decisions creating a spiritual void in us and in the world, for the enemy to fill?
LISTEN TO SUNDAY'S SERMON
 
Weekly Sermon

CLICK TO HEAR Fr. Brad's Sunday sermon.
MINISTRIES TO RESTART IN SEPTEMBER
 
The summer break for Friday Devotional writers and Prayer Team members will end beginning in September.
Please watch the ministries calendar in the Service Schedule (below) to see when you are scheduled.
If you are not currently on the list and would like to be added as a regular writer, please contact Fr. Chris.
Deacon Jean will be contacting prayer team members to discuss changes in the ministry.
WOMEN'S AUGUST BREAKFAST SCHEDULED
 
The Women will have their breakfast at Eggberts,  just East of QuikTrip   on Hwy. 20 (116th Street N)  on Saturday, August 26 at 8:30 am.
The Men will have their breakfast September 2, at 8:00 am. The place for their breakfast is to be announced.
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.
MORE PRAYERS FOR SCHOOLS OFFERED
 
Fr. Brad and volunteers from the church have been offering prayers for Owasso's teachers and students.They have been walking  the perimeter of school properties while praying for protection and blessing for those who work and learn there. This week, they completed their blessing of the schools.



TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - OWASSO
August 20, 2017                
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild C. Fishback
First Lesson  B. Scott
Second Lesson  J. Skelton
Chalice K. Crutchley
Prayers B. Christel
Acolyte R. Van Deventer
Oblationers S. Parker/J. Skelton
Greeter S. Parker
Refreshments T. Spears/D. Spears
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Bread Ministry B. Scott
A/V Crew J. Ide
August 27, 2017                
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild M. McLean
First Lesson  N. Wolfe
Second Lesson  R.Anich
Chalice M. Anich
Prayers J. Ide
Acolyte M. Anich
Oblationers D. Spears/C. Sword
Greeter C. Sword
Refreshments C. Sword/M. Van Deventer
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Bread Ministry B. Scott
A/V Crew J. Skelton
TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - BARTLESVILLE
August 20, 2017   
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild B. Garrison
Lay Reader
T. Chamberlain
Chalice
D. Gallery
Prayers of the People R. Smith
Oblationer R. Smith
Bread J. Gallery
August 27, 2017   
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Altar Guild J. Chamberlain
Lay Reader
M. Boone
Chalice
D. Boone
Prayers of the People M. Boone
Oblationer D. Boone
Bread J. Gallery
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS REMINDER
        A
  • ACSP Women's Retreat will be held Saturday, October 28, from 9 to 5 pm at Sequoia Lodge.
     
  • "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.

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)