Spirit of the Eagle – August 2016
Spiritual Tidbits for August from Father Tim
August has arrived in the middle of what one could easily describe as a heat wave. With its arrival comes the Transfiguration of Christ, the Holy Name of Jesus, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the feast day of the Apostle and Martyr Saint Bartholomew just to name a few from the Ordo Calendar. In the Old Testament Job, that famous man of immense patience, is asked, “How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind? (Job 37:17). I can answer that one for Job, yes my garments are warm. Holy, Holy, Holy are they warm. God’s power over nature is such that we mortals cannot truly understand the deity, we can only marvel at God’s greatness. John Newton 1725-1807, repentant slave ship captain turned Anglican priest (yes the one who penned the hymn Amazing Grace) wrote, “God works powerfully, but for the most part gently and gradually.” God worked powerfully at Saint Johns in July. Three Confirmations and Ten Receptions into His little parish church on O’Fallon Avenue. He kept the Bishop busy. As our church family expands God will remold and refine us for the most part gently and gradually. 500 years before the birth of the Christ, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.” (Zechariah 13:9). This is heat we should be thankful for. Have a wonderful August full of holy blessings. ~ Father Tim
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“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
~ G.K. Chesterton, What’s Wrong with the World, Part I, Chapter 5, “The Unfinished Temple.”
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August Spirituality Class
Please join us on after Holy Mass on the 21st of August as we discuss and answer 10 Thought Provoking Questions that every Christian should contemplate. When it comes to the deep questions of life we may only think we know our answers — what we would do — how we would respond. How close to the real answer, the real truths are we? Are you up for a challenge to look deep inside yourself? The questions will be provided on the day of the class.
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Psalm-Children
There will be two Psalm-Children classes this month, the 14th on the Holy Eucharist (taught by Mary Akhtar) and the 21st of August on the Mass (taught by Savannah Butler) after Holy Communion. It is designed for age 2 through 12 years. Please make every effort to bring all related children in your family for these fun and educational classes. The children will participate, enjoy, and learn the foundation and building blocks of the Christian faith through bible stories and created crafts. Crafts and refreshments are provided, and we still need a couple more volunteers who have a desire to teach children the foundation of our faith to step forward and help!
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By gazing with the eye of faith at the infinite wisdom and omnipotence of God, to which nothing is impossible or difficult, and confiding in His unbounded goodness and unspeakable willingness to give, hour by hour and moment by moment, all things needful for the spiritual life, and perfect victory over ourselves, if we will but throw ourselves with confidence into His arms. For how shall our Divine Shepherd, who followed after His lost sheep for three and thirty years with loud and bitter cries through that painful and thorny way, wherein He spilt His heart’s blood and laid down His life — how shall He refuse to turn His quickening glance upon the poor sheep which now follows Him in obedience to His commands, or with a desire (though sometimes faint and feeble) to obey Him! ~ Father Lorenzo Scupoli, Spiritual Combat
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Thank You Very Much
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped or attended the Summer Picnic Asbury Church Match Grant fundraiser. Asbury University will match all money contributed dollar for dollar. The generosity and charity from the parishioners at Saint John’s continues to reflect Saint Luke 6:38 — Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. God bless all of you. ~ Savannah Butler
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August Birthdays & Anniversaries
Fr. Neuroth – Birthday – August 22
Janet Butler – Birthday – August 28
Carolyn Schmerge – Birthday – August 28
Savannah Butler – Birthday – August 29
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Ordo Kalendar for month of August
August 7 – Holy Name of Jesus – 10:30 Mass – Fr. Neuroth – Vestry Meeting – Outreach Backpacks
August 14 – Trinity XII – 10:30 Mass – Fr. Butler – 11:45 Coffee Hour – Psalm Children Ministry
August 21 – Trinity XIII – 10:30 Mass – Fr. Neuroth – 11:45 Spirituality Class – Psalm Children Ministry
August 28 – Trinity XIV – 10:30 Mass – Fr. Butler
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Rest in Peace, Robert Hooks
A funeral service for Robert Hooks was held on Saturday, August 6 as more than 20 members and friends of Robert’s family traveled from Ohio, Georgia and Michigan to join more than 30 members of SJC in celebrating the life of a much loved and important member here at St. John’s. In addition to a very nice service and eulogy from Fr. Butler, Robert’s family was treated to a delicious spread of food that was prepared by the ACW at the reception following the service. One thing is for sure; Robert’s family left Dayton knowing that Robert meant a lot to all of us here at St. John’s. And that is what a church family is all about. ~Mike Lenz