Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Christ Episcopal Church 14 May 2015 1216 Seventh Street, Anacortes, WA 98221 360-293-5790 [email protected] www.christchurchanacortes.org Reflection Quick Links... Diocese of Olympia Facebook Don Ibsen The first human experience of seeing one's self could have been in a reflective pond---still water-knowing one's self---the Godperson with-in. We only see things through our limited human capabilities with our five senses. We have not yet progressed in our human evolvement to fully "see" the spirit realm that coexists in our lives. Hence, when Jesus spoke in his time on earth and when He "speaks" to us today, we can only perceive his mystical and paradoxical words through our imagination and our faith. Many years ago, when I was at a serious crossroads in my life and needed to reevaluate, center, comfort, and heal myself in order to know what direction I should go, I came upon the reading of John: 14, "A word of Comfort," and had a very personal experience. As I read the lines, I strongly felt as if Jesus was physically sitting right next to and talking to me. "Let your heart not be troubled, Don. You believe in God, believe also in me....I am preparing a place for you....I am coming again, and will take you to myself....And where I go you know, and the way you know." (This was coming at me in a way that was so real.) Then, as if He was not sure that I was really hearing Him, as did Thomas and Philip question Him in verses 5 and 8, He looked me straight in the face and said, Don, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life....Have I been so long a time with you, and you have not known me?" (Now He moved to the other side of me and said) "If you love me, Don, Keep my commandments....And I will send another to you, The Holy https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 1 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Spirit....who will dwell with you forever....the world cannot see him nor know him, but you will know him, because he will dwell with you." (Then, Jesus went on to say to me), "I will not leave you an orphan....Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you....Arise, Let us go from here." (That experience has never left me. And, yes, it did greatly help me reevaluate, center, comfort and heal myself.) (Note) I don't read and reflect on scripture with my intellect focused on every word and numeration or get hung up on the questions of could that reading be possible? The "Good News" that Jesus' life was focused on and that I read in scripture, I tend to absorb and reflect more with my heart than my head. I have long since realized that the Big Picture truths that the Gospels reveal are not in the actual numbers or literary style, but the basic faith affirmations that overlay the line by line readings. Peace. Don Readings 17 May 2015 Ascension Sunday Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 2 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Psalm 47 Clap your hands, all you peoples; * shout to God with a cry of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared; * he is the great King over all the earth. He subdues the peoples under us, * and the nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, * the pride of Jacob whom he loves. God has gone up with a shout, * the Lord with the sound of the ram's-horn. Sing praises to God, sing praises; * sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is King of all the earth; * sing praises with all your skill. God reigns over the nations; * God sits upon his holy throne. The nobles of the peoples have gathered together * with the people of the God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God, * and he is highly exalted. Ephesians 1:15-23 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 3 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Luke 24:44-53 Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. Servers 17 May 2015 Altar Guild Dana Jenkins, Kris Whitely 8:00 am Morning Prayer Christ Episcopal Church Worship Leader Dale Ramerman 9:30 am Morning Prayer Chandler's Square Community 1300 O Avenue, Anacortes Worship Leader Dale Ramerman 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Christ Episcopal Church Presider The Reverend Diane Ramerman Preacher Dale Ramerman Deacon No Deacon Eucharistic Minister Dana Jenkins Acolyte https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 4 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Kai Perschbacher Reader 1 Sandy Mathis Reader 2 Pamela Foggin Ushers Micael Raphael, Emily Raphael Greeter Sandy Mathis Coffee Hour Micael Raphael Tellers Pamela Foggin, David Laidman Announcements Sunday Morning Faith Formation Interfaith Cooperation concludes this Sunday, May 17 9:00 am Breakfast 9:15 am Program Parish Hall Gathering Room Farewell Reception Please join in bidding farewell to Bishop Sandy and Mari Hampton. Wednesday, May 20 5:00-7:00 pm Parish Hall Gathering Room Spiritual Book Group Wednesday, May 20 7:00 pm Village Pizza 807 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes Discussion and reflection will continue on The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Please bring suggestions for the next book to discuss. Questions? Contact Betty Anne McCoy at 360-588-8859. All are welcome. Prayer Shawl Ministry Interested in participating in a Prayer Shawl Ministry? Join us for a meeting to discuss the direction this new ministry will take. Friday, May 22 3:00 pm Parish Hall Gathering Room All are welcome! New to needlework? We can get you going! https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 5 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Compassion and the love of creating these shawls by hand combine into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Please come and learn more! For further information, contact The Reverend Carol Rodin, 360-941-3076, [email protected]. Congregational Conversation Sunday, May 24 Following the 10:30 am service Topic: Congregational Discernment Update from Our Webmaster You can find the weekly bulletin meditations archived at www.christchurchanacortes.org. Hover your mouse pointer over "Weekly Meditations" in the menu, and a cascading menu will open by month and contributor. The website also has an archive of homilies, a variety of schedules, an archive of monthly newsletters, the previous month's weekly newsletters...and more. -The Rev. Deacon Eric Johnson Summer Learning & Lunches Program Volunteers are needed for the Summer Learning and Lunches Program. This community outreach program is sponsored by the Anacortes School District, in partnership with volunteer support. Please join us for an informational orientation on Monday, May 18, 4:00-5:00 pm in the Anacortes Middle School Library. The Red Door Thrift Shop Appreciation Tea Wednesday, May 27 3:00-5:00 pm Parish Hall Gathering Room Weekday Service Centering Prayer Thursday, May 21 6:00-6:30 pm New Weekday Service Schedule Centering Prayer: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 3:45-4:15 pm Evening Prayer: 2nd, 4th, & 5th Wednesdays, 6:00-6:30 pm Healing Prayer is available upon request. Please contact The Reverend Carol Rodin. Growing in Grace Faith Formation for grades 6-12 Thursdays 6:00-7:30 pm, beginning with dinner Parish Hall Gathering Room Bring a friend. All are welcome. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 6 of 7 Christ Church Weekly Update 5/14/15, 23:21 Growing in Grace Dinners Cooks are needed to provide dinner for our Growing in Grace group. Please sign up on the sheet posted in the Parish Hall kitchen. Women's Group Tuesdays, 8:00-9:15 am Parish Hall Gathering Room Please join us, all are welcome. Men's Group Fridays, 8:00 am Parish Hall Conference Room Please join us, all are welcome. Chandler's Square Services 2nd Sundays Communion Service All Other Sundays Morning Prayer 9:30 am Chandler's Square Community 1300 O Avenue, Anacortes Sunday Clergy Schedule 10:30 am Service May 24 Presider: The Reverend Carol Rodin Preacher: The Reverend Deacon Eric Johnson Deacon: The Reverend Eric Johnson May 31 Presider: The Reverend Diane Ramerman Preacher: Brian Lennstrom Deacon: The Reverend Eric Johnson Forward email This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected] | Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribeâ„¢ | Privacy Policy. Christ Episcopal Church | 1216 Seventh Street | Anacortes | WA | 98221 https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121035039056&format=html&printFrame=true Page 7 of 7
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