Spirit of the Eagle – September 2016

Spiritual Tidbits for September from Father Tim

September has arrived and we now prepare to usher out summer 2016. The first day of fall 2016 coincides with Saint Maurice & Companions on the 22nd day of September. Saint Maurice was a member of the Theban Legion (its name from being raised in Thebes or Upper Egypt, a country full of zealous Christians), a Roman legion said to have been constituted by Christian soldiers from Africa in 287, who were all martyred (6600 of them) by the pagan Roman emperor of the West, Maximian Cæsar, for refusing to offer pagan sacrifices and kill their Christian brethren in what is now modern day Switzerland. This September at Saint John’s we will be launching an expanded 12 Sunday Fall Ministry Schedule which calls for “zealous” Christians. The purpose is to give more availability to Sunday worship, and the opportunity for higher Christian education for those who desire it. Just in my lifetime I have witnessed the world stealthily chipping away at the time Holy Church dedicates as its essential day of worship and fellowship. We live in a time which calls for Theban Legions. Lately I read an article in The Prayer Book Society where the author, Rev. G.G. Dunbar, gave a brief and accurate analysis of the history of Sunday service in a footnote: “The 1872 amendment to the Act of Uniformity known as the Shortened Service Act, marked the point where Anglicans started looking at their watches. Until then, as in some parts of the Christian world still, Sunday service could be a leisurely and extended gathering of community for the ministry of Word and Sacrament. In Anglican churches, ordinary [Sunday] service consisted in Morning Prayer, Litany, Ante-Communion and a lengthy sermon without interval — about two hours at least, and more if there were Communion. Many returned mid-afternoon for Evening Prayer, which might include a half an hour of public Catechizing. The expectation of getting it all done in one hour on Sunday morning is one of the most debilitating and historically eccentric aspects of late modern Christianity.” For those of you who desire it, this Fall at Saint John the Evangelist ACC you have the opportunity to be found zealous like the Christians of old. ~ Father Tim

†††

The best way for any one to know how much he ought to aspire after holiness, is to consider, not how much will make his present life easy, but to ask himself, how much he thinks will make him easy at the hour of death. ~ William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life

†††

Morning Prayer & Bible Study

Beginning Sunday, the 11th of September, through the 20th of November, the church will open at 8:45 AM for Morning Prayer (9:00-9:30 AM) and a Bible Study Class (9:30- 10:15 AM). These ministries will be led by Kevin Davis, Adam Cook, and Reza Akhtar. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray, learn more about the Bible (especially the Old Testament), or both! Please come upstairs to the Chancel and sit in the choir section if you would like to participate in the Morning Prayer Service. Please come downstairs to the Parish Hall if you would like to attend the Bible Study. Or come to both!

†††

September Spirituality Class

Please join us on after Holy Mass on the 18th of September as we discuss the Roots of Christian Mysticism. We will start with Jesus. All devout Christians must look into their own hearts and first determine who they are, and how their own identities relate to Jesus the Christ as Saviour, Messiah, Man and God. If Jesus were to ask you, “Who do you say I am?”, what would you answer? How seriously do you take this question? Your answer will bring forward how well you actually know yourself.

†††

Dayton Psalm Festival

Saint John’s once again will be participating in this years Psalm Festival at Gil Lynn City Park. There will be a Christian Bands, a Petting Zoo, Food & Beverage, Bake Sale, Auction Booth, Games, Activities, Prizes & Entertainment for Children. Saint John’s will be working a booth. Savannah will be helping the face painting for children.

†††

Psalm-Children

This month we launch our weekly Psalm-Children curriculum and classes after Holy Communion. Sunday the 4th will be on the Mass – Part 2 (taught by Mary Akhtar), Sunday the 11th class will be on the Bible (taught by Mary Akhtar). Sunday the 18th will be on Creation (taught by Savannah Butler). Sunday the 25th will be on Adam & Eve (taught by Judie Boughner). 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!

†††

In the olden time God’s prophet spoke of the safe highway which God would make for his people back from their exile into the promised land: A highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness: the wayfaring men shall not err therein. The redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35: 8-10. Back from our exile, caused by human sin, God has indeed made a way for us, by the Incarnation and Death of His Son, that through Him we may enter into the holy place, and gain the destined end of mankind. ~ George D. Carleton, B.D., The King’s Highway

†††

Anglican Church Women News

The next ACW meeting will be held immediately after church on September 11. We will be holding a “Kitchen Shower” for items we will need in our new, cleaned out kitchen. A liost of needed items we can use will be coming soon.

ACW Annual Dues: Please remember that all female members of our parish are ACW members; there is no sign-up required! The annual dues are just $5.00 and that goes toward items we regularly supply for coffee hours, etc…..

†††

September Birthdays & Anniversaries
Jennifer & Adam Cook – Anniversary – September 3
Joanna & Jim Barnett – Anniversary – September 5
Robert Kleven – Birthday – September 12
Gary Blade – Birthday – September 14
Rich Seyberth – Birthday – September 16
Lori Seyberth – Birthday – September 20
Liz & Michael Robbins – Anniversary – September 24
John Lipscomb – Birthday – September 26
Joyce & Jack Murray – Anniversary – September 29