Spirit of the Eagle – November 2018
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for November 2018 from Father Tim
November has arrived with rain and color. The more rain you have through the summer means, at least in most cases, the more color you see in the leaves of Fall. Of course if you have many Fall storms with high winds the color can be short lived. Which brings me to the subject of Bambi. Yes Bambi. The original Bambi – A life in the Woods, book written by Felix Salten. Most of us have seen the Disney film version and I have read recently it is somewhat different than the book (no surprise right?). In the book there is an intense chapter on leaves. Two leaves discuss life’s tendency of change and question life after death:
“They were silent a while. Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, ‘Why must we fall? . . .’ The second leaf asked, ‘What happens to us when we have fallen?’ ‘We sink down.’ ‘What is under us?’ The first leaf answered, ‘I don’t know, some say one thing, some another, but nobody knows.’ The second leaf asked, ‘Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we’re down there?’ The first leaf answered, ‘Who knows? Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us about it.'”
For those living in the world who know not, nor believe in Jesus the Savior of mankind, the conversation of the leaves is their conversation. Thankfully for those of us who do know Jesus the Christ our conversation is much different. For us the sad, solitary pain as the leaves fall one by one has been replaced by our communion of hope and joy because Jesus has “come back to tell us about it.” Do your best to spread the Good News. I pray your November is full of thanksgiving, faith, and confidence. ~ Father Tim
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The eyes of my soul were opened and I beheld the plenitude of God, by which I understood the whole world both here and beyond the sea, the abyss, and all other things. And in this I beheld nothing save the Divine Power, in a way that is utterly indescribable, so that through the greatness of its wonder the soul cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘The whole world is full of God.’ Wherefore I understood that the world is but a little thing; and I saw that the power of God was above all things, and the whole world was filled with it. ~ Blessed Angela of Foligno
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Small window restoration will wrapping up this month if all goes as planned. Painting of the exterior trim of the church has been completed as well as the plastering and painting inside the Church Porch and Narthex. Saint John auto window clings are available in the parish hall. Please put one on your automobile and do a little advertising for our parish. They are in the shape of a shield and a little over 3 x 3 inches in size. I am attempting to create a shirt design for Saint John’s as well. We will continue (in a small way) recreating the old St. John Church Book Stall where you will find copies of Christian books, Saint John book markers (a good item to give to friends), and other interesting items. Stop by soon and peruse the items already available for use! ~ Father Tim
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October Spirituality Class
In November we will be continuing our transitional class with both Spirituality and Bible Study. The class in November will cover The Book of Revelation, The Apocalypse of the New Testament. 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 18th of November 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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Take care not to think, since we read in Sacred Scripture (or say in quoting it) that God causes evil or non-being, that I am criticizing or denying what is said there. But, in reading Scripture, we ought not to attend so much to the impropriety of the words that covers truth as pay attention to the propriety of the truth that is hidden under various kinds of verbal expression. ~ Anselm of Canterbury, On the Fall of the Devil
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Would you like to commemorate a special occasion? Honor a special person or remember a deceased loved one AND help out your parish? Would you like to mark a special day in your life? Please consider donating money to the Altar Guild for the flowers used for our at Holy Communion. Beautiful flowers glorify God and beautify His holy altar where we gather to receive the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, and deepen our sense of community as we join together with fellow parishioners.
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He [Jesus] showed me a little thing, the quantity of an hazelnut. I looked thereon with the eye of my understanding and thought; What may this be? And it was answered generally thus: It is all that is made. ~ Julian of Norwich
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The human soul’s conscious attainment of God. At bottom, atonement is wanted simply and solely to help man to do that; to enable the spirit of life to reach its goal. If we did not want God, we should be very well satisfied where we are: but we are not satisfied—- “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts shall find no rest save in Thee.”~ Evelyn Underhill, The Essentials of Mysticism
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St. John November Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 4th of November, we celebrate All Saints (transferred), no Vestry meeting
Sunday, the 11th of November, we celebrate Trinity XXIV, Annual Meeting
Sunday, the 18th of November, we celebrate Trinity XXV, Bible Study after Holy Mass
Sunday, the 25th of November, we celebrate the Sunday Next Before Advent
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November Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mary Anne Neuroth – Birthday – November 9
Elsie Sams – Birthday – November 10
Bob Schmerge – Birthday – November 13
Carol & Bob Schmerge – Anniversary – November 16
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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
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The seeking of Jesus the Christ and the quest for chivalry lead directly to one place only: Anglo-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Tim
Don’t forget our Annual Parish Meeting on the 11th of November!!! This is an important Sunday to attend and help set the direction of our parish for 2019. Lunch will be provided.