Spirit of the Eagle – July 2018
Spirit of the Eagle
Saint John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for July 2018 from Father Tim
Summer is now underway with the arrival of July! Mary’s arrival to visit Elizabeth is commemorated on the 2nd of July, and the arrival of our nation’s independence just two days later on the 4th. Elizabeth proclaimed God’s special blessing on Mary, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, and God has blessed us as a nation more times than can ever be known. What about each of us? Do we count our blessings each day? Or do we only dwell on the crosses we carry daily? We can look to Elizabeth and Mary to find inspiration and hope because they were thankful and always mindful of their blessings. Elizabeth was well past her prime, expecting with child, and knew she would have to source energy and strength she had never tapped before. Where would it come from? Mary was very young, unmarried, expecting a child, and knew she was at risk of being shunned or even stoned. How would she explain her circumstance? Obviously both women were bearing heavy crosses. But a simple visit, spending a few weeks together, talking quietly face to face (no cold technology), laughing together, sharing meals, encouraging each other hand in hand, and having joyful heartfelt fellowship inspired them to be mindful of God’s blessings. The Savior of mankind was on His way. We should always be mindful of our blessings at Saint John’s. God has blessed us with finances. God has blessed us with craftsman to repair His beautiful church. The last few weeks we were blessed with a couple new visitors. Did we make them feel blessed to be among us? We have had many blessings from God at our little parish, most especially the blessing of each other. ~Father Tim
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Come now, insignificant man, fly for a moment from your affairs, escape for a little while from the tumult of your thoughts. Put aside now your weighty cares and leave your wearisome toils. Abandon yourself for a little to God and rest for a little in him. Enter into the inner chamber of your soul, shut out everything save God and what can be of help in your quest for him and having locked the door seek him out. Speak now, my whole heart, speak now to God: ‘I seek your countenance, O Lord, your countenance I seek.’ Come then, Lord my God, teach my heart where and how to seek you, where and how to find you… Teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me as I seek, because I can neither seek you if you do not teach me how, nor find you unless you reveal yourself. Let me seek you in desiring you; let me desire you in seeking you; let me find you in loving you; let me love you in finding you. ~ St. Anselm of Canterbury
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Construction and restoration projects are still on track through summer! The roofers have completed the repairs to the bell tower roof, the turret roof, and the Narthex roof. We should be leak free! Thanks be to God. You may have noticed some windows missing in the bell tower and turret. Those are in the process of being restored. We can now, at our convenience, finish plastering and painting the small cracks and crevices inside the Narthex. Finally, some of you have already taken advantage of items inside the glass display case in the Parish Hall. We will continue (in a small way) recreating the old St. John Church Book Stall where you will find copies of Christian books, St. John bookmarkers, and other interesting items. Stop by periodically and look for new items!
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July Spirituality Class
In July we will be continuing our transitional class with both Spirituality and Bible Study through the summer. The class in July will cover The Persistent Widow (Luke 18). The study of God’s word is central to the life and mission of our parish church of St. John the Evangelist. Please join us after Holy Mass on the 15th of July for an engaging, dynamic, and informative exploration of the Holy Scriptures. All are welcome, but be warned: continued exposure to God’s word will change your life.
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When bitter thoughts, of conscience born, With sinners wake at morn, When from our restless couch we start, With fever’d lips and wither’d heart, Where is the speil to charm those mists away, And make new morning in that darksome day? One draught of spring’s delicious air, One steadfast thought, that GOD is there. ~ John Keble, The Christian Year
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If the widow, who cast her mite into the Treasury, brought joy into the heart of the great Watcher of all men’s deeds, surely that heart has received joy over and over again in our poor Landport alum, for His eye saw the self-denial entailed. There are some who give that which costs them nothing. There are some who give that which costs them their pleasure. There are some who give that which costs them their daily bread. At that cost over and over again many of our people have cast into the Treasury of God. ~ Fr. Robert Radclyffe Dolling, Ten Years in a Portsmouth Slum
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St. John July Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 1st of July, we celebrate Trinity V, Vestry Meeting after Holy Mass
Sunday, the 8th of July, we celebrate Trinity VI, Coffee Hour after Holy Mass
Sunday, the 15th of July, we celebrate Trinity VII, Bible Study after Holy Mass
Sunday, the 22nd of July, we celebrate the Trinity VIII
Sunday, the 29th of July, we celebrate Trinity IX
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July Birthdays & Anniversaries
Suzie McHale – Birthday – July 1
Leslie & Michael Griswold – Anniversary – July 9
Trudie Baur – Birthday – July 14
Judie Boughner – Birthday – July 21
Micheal Fraser – Birthday – July 26
Tom Hulsey – Birthday – July 30
Mike Lenz – Birthday – July 31
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I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries. Even so then at the present time also there is a remnant. ~ Jeremiah 23:3; Romans 11:5