Thursday, August 13, 2026

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Sunday Service

PRAYERS

We Pray for our People

Bring the healing of your touch to all those who suffer in body or spirit, especially Downs IV, Holden, Barbara, Caitlin, Victoria, Alice, Annette,

Charles, Anne, Patricia, Bob, Eric, Amy, Trude, Donna, Carling, Carol, Rafaela, Scott, Frank, BJ, Ceara, Lois, and Amanda.

For those going through cancer treatments, and in remission, especially, Downs III, Lauren, Nancy, Shannon, Frank, Carmen, Zachary, Claudia, Will, Pete, Cara, Jennifer, Lauren, Melinda, Lindsay, Melissa, Kelly, Davidson, and Kelsey.

For the repose of the soul of Louise Rich.

May light perpetual shine on her.

A BRIDGE BETWEEN ALEX AND DAVE

Podcast: A Bridge Between

Episode 191: Made Worthy by Christ



Also available on Spotify:

Spotify: A Bridge Between

PARISH ACTIVITIES

New to You Summer Art Sale

July 5th - September 24th

Supporting Turning Points in Bradenton. 100% of the proceeds from our sale go to help people one step away from homelessness.  Please check out our donated Art Today! 

We are accepting any Art you are not using and want to donate. We accept framed Art, Sculptures, Carved items, Stained glass, Knick Knacks, Souvenirs, Jewelry, Silver, gold.  

Discussion Groups

Women’s Discussion Group will begin next Wednesday, August 19

at 10:15 in the Parish Hall.

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed

One of the most important things we do is gather after the service for coffee hour. If you are interested in hosting, the sign up sheet is on the Gallery table. If you would like help, sign up and we will find someone to show you how it is done. 

Online Giving

If you would like to give to the offering plate electronically, you can find the online giving link on our All Angels website by clicking the link below:

AllAngelsLBK.org

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer invites you to pray with them, every day, at 8 am, wherever you are. When you enter into prayer at 8 am (Eastern), you will know that others are praying at the same time. 

REFLECTION

Sabbatical Reflection

Week 12 of 12



And then there was one week left. At some point next week, I’ll start to make the transition back into the life and ministry of All Angels. Late next week I’ll be setting up my office computer system (which has traveled with me this summer) and will be checking in to see how the summer has been for our church leaders and staff. Spiritually speaking, I will continue in the growth that has started within me during the sabbatical. Prior to the summer, spirituality was a daily, and at times, hourly, encounter assisting the schedule of a priest. Taking a break from that schedule has shown a different side of God.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Ps 46:1)

But what about God while on vacation?

What is the experience of God in retirement?

Without the daily pressure of ministry – when I know that God is my strength and refuge – where then is God?

I am happy to report that God is still very present. God-in-sabbatical has been a Trinity of wisdom dispenser, guide, and deep-question-asker. When I don’t need daily help (which, of course, I always need God’s help) and have set aside time to ponder and think, God is very much present. Here’s the interesting thing: God is not more present or less present when on vacation or doing ministry. It’s the same God, of course, who is very much present. But, like how a sunset changes from one moment to the next, the complexity and depth of God’s presence changes when I am taking an intentional time to rest and read.

Jesus depended upon God’s presence daily in His earthly ministry. The Gospels show a number of times when Jesus escapes ministry to spend time alone with God. I have a better understanding now of why Jesus did that. The experience of God while at rest is different than when involved in daily ministry. God is the same; but the encounter of God is different.

I had a very good boss at the insurance company. Tim was always present to help me with underwriting decisions and how to craft up communication strategies. Every Friday we went out to lunch with the rest of the unit. Tim-at-lunch is a different experience than Tim-at-work. Tim-at-lunch was interested in my life; like how Christi is doing, how home ownership was going, and if I am preparing funds for retirement. Tim-at-work was interested in my work-stuff. It’s all Tim (he’s the same guy) but my encounter with him was different. I had no idea how important those Friday lunches were but, as it turned out, they were equally important to the day-to-day managerial Tim experience.

If I had not taken a sabbatical, I would have missed out on the God-of-sabbatical – the One who asks deep questions, who guides me and encourages me to research and think harder about things. The One who is interested in my resting life as well as my ministry life. God is the same God but my encounter with Him changed. And this is perhaps the best gift of sabbatical: encountering God-at-rest and seeing that whether in ministry, or at rest, God is always my strength and my refuge. 

– Fr. Dave