Anglican Church of Saint Paul  e Newsletter
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June 1, 2017

The Anglican Church in
North America

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 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God,  tell this stone to become bread."
Luke 4:3


The enemy is devious. Satan uses words to confuse, twist and defy God's plans for our lives.

Early in Luke's Gospel, Satan tempts Jesus to use His divine power to benefit Himself; an act that the Father has not instructed Jesus to do. Satan is counting on the fact that Jesus is very hungry after fasting for 40 days and that He may be unsure of who He really is.

We know how this exchange ends. Frustrated because he cannot trick Jesus, Satan leaves Him until another, more opportune time.

The other day, I realized that Satan was lying to me as well to manipulate how I would act and immobilize me.

For months, I have heard a voice telling me a partial truth. The voice has reminded me that I am 61 years old. My mind and body don't operate the same way they did five years ago. The more the voice reminded me, the older I felt. I started slowing down, but it just got worse. Depression started to take over.  I had projects that needed to be done, but I had no energy to do them. 

Last week, I was attending our Wednesday morning clergy prayer group. I used to have the reputation of being the "hugger" of the group. I would stand when any of the other clergy would arrive and greet them with a big embrace. I was surprised to note that I no longer did that. Instead, I would sit down and reach out for a hand shake. Realizing this made me angry. A spiritual spotlight suddenly focused upon the lies and I realized that I was being played.

This week, I arrived at Wednesday prayer early and told my colleagues that I was there to repent. I am not old, I am just older. I may not be able to run and jump the way I used to, but I can certainly still offer love through hugs and words of encouragement. I can still do everything God has called me to do. Then, I proceeded to walk around the group, the way I used to, and give all of them a big embrace.

Has the enemy been messing with your head as well? Is he twisting truth into a lie in order to neutralize you? I can tell you from experience that your repentance, coupled with God's forgiveness and grace, is a transforming gift. Pushing away from Satan's agenda and refocusing on the LORD not only changed my attitude, it restored me to being the person who believed that " all things are possible with God" and that " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Now, what lies has Satan tricked you into believing?
LISTEN TO SUNDAY'S SERMON
 
Weekly Sermon

CLICK TO HEAR Fr. Chris' Sunday sermon.
PENTECOST CELEBRATION ON JUNE 4
 
Holy Fire
On Sunday, June 4, we will celebrate Pentecost together with a Spirit-filled worship service, catered lunch and Bingo party. This is always a very fun day, so please plan on being at Mowery Chapel in Owasso at 10 am to celebrate Jesus' gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
There will be no Bartlesville service this evening.
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS NEEDED FOR BINGO
 
Do you have a gift laying around the house that just didn't really fit you, but you aren't interested in re-gifting it? Here is your opportunity to share it with someone who really wants it! 
This Sunday, after our catered lunch, we will be playing White Elephant Bingo. It is just regular bingo, but the prizes are the white elephant gifts you bring to share. Please plan on bringing them to church on Sunday and let the game begin!
MEN'S BREAKFAST SCHEDULED
 
The men will have their breakfast on Saturday, June 3 at 8:00 am at Eggbert's  on Hwy. 20 (116th Street N) just East of QuikTrip.
TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - OWASSO
June 4, 2017                
Pentecost
Altar Guild T. Spears
First Lesson  B. Christel
Second Lesson  J. Lombardi
Chalice K. Black
Prayers J. Ide
Acolyte M. Anich
Oblationers G. Ernest/C. Fishback
Greeter M. Martin
Refreshments
CATERED PENTECOST LUNCH
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Children's Ministry Fr. B. Van Deventer/T. Hickey
A/V Crew J. Ide
June 11, 2017                
Trinity Sunday
Altar Guild J. & K. Skelton
First Lesson  N. Wolfe
Second Lesson  B. Scott
Chalice J. Lombardi
Prayers M. McLean
Acolyte B. Scott
Oblationers J. Ide/J. Lombardi
Greeter J. Ide
Refreshments C. Sword/M. Van Deventer
Friday Devotional SUMMER BREAK
Prayer Team SUMMER BREAK
Children's Ministry Fr. B. Van Deventer/T. Hickey
A/V Crew L. White
TWO SERVICE SCHEDULE - BARTLESVILLE
June 4, 2017   
Pentecost
Altar Guild
Lay Reader
NO
Chalice
BARTLESVILLE
Prayers of the People
SERVICE
Oblationer
TONIGHT
Bread
June 11, 2017   
Trinity Sunday
Altar Guild B. Garrison
Lay Reader
T. Chamberlain
Chalice
D. Gallery
Prayers of the People R. Smith
Oblationer R. Smith
Bread J. Gallery
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS REMINDER
        A
  • Pentecost this Sunday. We will have a catered lunch and White Elephant Bingo following the service. No Bartlesville service this evening.
     
  • "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)