CHURCH NOTES News, Events, and Notes of Interest for the week ending December 11, 2015 CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES Evangelical Anglican We are Christians who Worship in the Anglican Tradition. Our Mission is to Obey, Follow and Bear Witness to Jesus Christ. Church of The Apostles is a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.
Christmas Services Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24, 2015 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Christmas Day Friday, December 25, 2015 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist God our Father, on Christmas Night you make known to us again the coming of our Lord Jesus: confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The First Sunday after Christmas Sunday, December 27, 2015 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ Sunday, January 3, 2016 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Lord God, the bright splendor whom the nations seek; may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ring in the New Year United In Faith with Galatians 6:10 Thursday, December 31, 2015 A Multi-Church Event Worship Service: 5:00 p.m. Quidnick Baptist Church 484 Fairview Avenue Coventry Roast Pork and Turkey Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Praise & Music with Ray Athaide: 8:00 p.m. Dessert and New Year s Toast: 9:00 p.m. Church of The Apostles 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry Reservations Required!!! Freewill Offering (Offerings to benefit the Galatians 6:10 Project) Invite a Friend!! There is a signup sheet in the Narthex for reservations, or you may call the Church Office (821-7609), or email Barbara Bickerstaff (bickerstaff@apostlesri.org).
Religion is the opium of the people Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions. [from Critique of Hegel s Philosophy of Right by Karl Marx, German philosopher, economist, sociologist, journalist and revolutionary socialist, (1818-1883)] I had surgery early last year. Prior to my surgery, I had no experience with narcotics or in Marx s choice word opium. I remember returning home the same day after my surgery and writhing in pain with no one around to help. The pain was so intense that I could not answer phone calls because I had left my phone on the dresser, away from the bed. So I took two tablets of the Oxycodone given to me at the hospital, and man did it feel so good after few minutes! The bed felt unusually warm and cozy, to the point that I forgot I had just had surgery. I remember narrating this experience to a friend and she said, Blessing, you were high, that s what was happening to you! I had no idea that that s what being high translates to (no wonder it is a controlled substance), because man, it felt so good!!! But after about six hours reality settled in as the pain resurfaced. If you know a little about philosophy, agnosticism, or atheism you may have heard this quote, religion is the opium of the masses (people) read to you or you may have read this quote yourself. This quote when read in exclusion of the entire quotation would suggest that Karl Marx was against religion. But was he really? Let s look at the quote as a whole. Religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress. It seems to me that Marx admits that people are in distress and religion offers them comfort in the same way that people who are
physically going through pain from injuries, or, as in my own case, surgery, receive temporary relief from narcotics (opium). To Marx, religion is the protest against the real distress. What is the real distress that Marx has in mind? Is it not the existing economic and political structures that cause suffering to the masses and disenfranchise the poor in our society? Is not the perversion of the truth revealed in God s holy Writ, and His original plan for marriage between a man and a woman? Sadly, some Christians, Pastors and Theologians included, have dared to say that the Church ought not to be divided over such issues. I will save this thought for another time. The second part of the quote recognizes religion as the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of the heartless world. Let s assume that Marx s use of the word religion is in the context of organized religion or institutionalized faith (I am arguing that religion could, but not solely, refer to institutionalized faith). He admits that it is a sigh (of relief?) of the oppressed creature. It seems to me that Marx is saying that the purpose of religion is to create relief for the poor and oppressed through its creation of illusory fantasies for these disenfranchised people. I will argue that he was irate about the political and economic systems in place in his day that hindered the poor from achieving true happiness in this present world form. Religion then says to the masses; it s okay, do not worry, this world is not all there is. Do not worry about this transient world, its wickedness and indifference to true virtue and happiness because you will find happiness in the life to come. (For Christians, we believe that Faith in the soon coming King (Jesus) not only creates relief for the unregenerate person, who accepts His offer of salvation through its emphasis on the eschatological promises of renewed life and final rescue from the stain of sin, but also empowers us to live day by day.) Marx concedes that people are in distress and religion provides comfort or alleviates the pain in a similar fashion as narcotics would provide temporary relief to those who are going through physical pain. What I find fascinating is that Marx recognizes that opiates do not heal the physical injury in the same way that
religion whether organized (or merely personal), does not resolve the underlying causes of people s pain and suffering. Instead, religion helps them to explore why they are suffering and helps them to look to an imaginary future, where pain and suffering would be completely eradicated. But for we believers, Faith in Christ is absolute not imaginary a future where the King of righteousness will return and establish His sovereign rule in our world. A future where there would be no more sickness, oppression, war, poverty, and dying. A future, where in the words of the Prophet Isaiah, God will destroy the shroud that enfolds all the peoples (Isaiah 25:7). A future, where those who are not part of the First Advent, will not take part in the Second Advent. Although it would be misleading for me to insinuate that Marx did not have disgust for organized religion, when this quote is considered in its entirety, it seems to me that he inadvertently uses religion as a polemic to the temporary relief obtained from the unjust political and economic system that enslaved and constantly kept the less privileged in perpetual poverty by policies which offered them temporary relief. The point is that the pleasure and comfort (i.e. opiates) that the world offers through avenues that are short of God s glory are transient in nature. This is because the evil One and the society offer sinful pleasures, but always hide the price tag. Unfortunately, many in our world today, including some Christians, make up their clientele base. May God helps us! God s Best Wishes during this Advent season! Blessing Jacobs+ Come, thou long expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee. Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
The Deacons Corner... Remembering Our Saints As we journey together through the Advent and Christmas Seasons, let us not forget the saints who cannot be with us because of health reasons. Please include them in your prayers. Virginia Bainton Brookdale Health Center Ethel Bliven Brookdale Health Center Dot Brewer at home Anita Butler at home Millie Croteau Greenwich Nursing and Rehabilitation Fran Duffy Morgan Health Center Roy Ronci Riverside Nursing Home Pearl Sainsbury Brookdale Health Center East Doris Smith at home If you would like more information about any of these dear sisters, contact me. Bill Sexton Congregational Care Minister O God, our hearts are filled with joy and gladness as we prepare for the coming of your Son our Lord. Help us to share that joy and gladness with others where ever we may be. We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Women s Bible Study A Women s Bible study is starting on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. We will be using a study from Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie titled: THE SON OF DAVID. This ten-lesson study covers the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. It traces the history of the people of God from the time Joshua led them into the Promised Land through the years of having no king, to having a series of kings, to being exiled from the Promised Land, and finally returning to the Land where they awaited the coming of the True King. This study reveals the Kingdom of God not only as it once was, but also as it is now, and as it will one day be. Readers will see Jesus as the greater Joshua who leads his people into rest, the greater Boaz who has done all that is necessary to redeem, the greater King who will sit on David s throne forever, the greater Restorer and Rebuilder who is building his church from ruined stones, and much more. We will meet on the first and third Fridays on every month from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex and if you would like more information please contact Deacon Kathy Kettle (573-0773). The Homeless Project The Homeless Project, an ongoing endeavor, is gearing up for winter! We are collecting items for winter survival kits to be passed out to the homeless in our communities. Among the items needed are energy bars, bottles of water, hand/feet warmers, socks, flashlights, hats, scarves, mittens, etc. The items will be packed one gallon zip lock bags and the bags will be available to anyone who would like to keep one in their car for distribution to someone in need. Collection boxes are in the Narthex under the Giving Tree. For further information, speak with Deacon Deb Adams (828-7998). Thank you!
ALL: A Health & Wellness Testimony Driving in my car the other day, I heard the song Surrender All by Rich Dalmas: Take all I am, Lord, and all that I cling to. You are my Savior I owe everything to. Take all my hunger for all that s forbidden, every desire and sin I keep hidden In my journey with Christ in my life, I have often struggled with surrendering to God s will, with my treasures, with my relationships, but especially with my eating. Over and over, I have turned over parts of my life but over and over, I have taken them back. ALL doesn t stay ALL for me. I m not a yoyo dieter; I have often lost weight and kept it off for years but eventually, I have regained it. It s hard to give up what we feel is ours, forgetting conveniently that ALL we have comes from God. We live comfortably, having all our needs met and yet we want more. Food is readily available, abundant, and I want more! After Easter this year, I again surrendered my food and eating at my doctor s request. I changed my eating habits completely; I made exercise a priority again. And change has come, slowly but surely over the months until I look and feel more like the woman God wants me to be. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). I am trying to answer God s call to glorify him through my body, to worship God through offering myself as a living sacrifice, one day at a time. Is it any wonder that God honors that worship with feelings of well being and health? And I continue to struggle with ALL, that word that keeps challenging me to put God more in charge of me and my life. It comforts me to know that I don t struggle alone, that my brothers and sisters in Christ struggle with the same issues. And two thousand of years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote of the struggles of his brothers and sisters with the same issues. We are ALL in this together. Isn t that a wonderful gift from God? ~Sara Oliveira
Waiting Patiently Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Psalm 25:5) The Saturday morning women s Bible study group, Joyful Women, recently met at the Corner Bakery Café for fellowship and devotions. Using Advent devotions by Henri Nouwen, Priest (1932-1996), we talked about Advent and what it means to wait patiently. The word Advent is a noun meaning coming or arrival, especially of something awaited or momentous. Patient comes from the Latin word pati, to suffer. So in waiting patiently in Advent, we are suffering in the present moment for something momentous to happen. In our temporal life in this world, that momentous event is the birth of our Savior at Christmas. In our Christian reality, it is waiting for the promised Second Coming of our Lord. Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts because what we are waiting for is already present: Jesus. It is also an active, alert yes, joyful waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes. Active waiting demands that we become people who discern the coming of God into our midst and in our world. Is there a space in our lives where the Spirit of God has a chance to speak or act or show up? Do we allow ourselves to see God in those around us: our family members, friends, coworkers? Or, do we busy ourselves to fill up the empty spaces because we don t want to hear what God has to say? We talked about waiting and trusting in the Lord and reflected on some of God s instructions in his holy Word. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him (Revelation 3:20). We shared our
anxieties about all the tasks we are called to do as wives, mothers, grandmothers and servants of the Lord and acknowledged that time and again we need to remind ourselves and each other about who is in control. It is not us!! In all the broken areas of our lives and this world we live in, we need to trust in God s eternal plan, his promise of salvation for those who believe in him. To wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. It is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. It is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life. It is living with the conviction that God molds us in love, holds us in tenderness, and moves us away from the sources of our fear. With a heart trusting that we will always get what we need, we can walk through the chaos of this world performing and witnessing the miracles of life. Father, forgive me for failing to appreciate the blessings I have because I am too anxious about the future and the things I cannot control. Lord, by your grace may I learn the art of waiting for you and your gifts with an eager and joyful heart. Barbara Bickerstaff *Many of the thoughts and ideas in this article were drawn from Advent Meditations from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen. Joyful Women normally meets on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 8:00 a.m. Using the elements of prayer, study, music and conversation, this biblically based fellowship seeks to encourage women of all ages as we explore the issues and pressures we face in our chaotic lives and we seek to develop and deepen our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Each study is self contained. For further information, please contact Barbara Bickerstaff at 828-7216. In January, Joyful Women will meet on the second and fourth Saturdays.
Dear God: A Christmas Prayer for all the Children of the World We pray for children who put chocolate fingers everywhere, Who like to be tickled, Who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants, Who sneak popsicles before supper, Who erase holes in math workbooks, Who never can find their shoes. And we pray for those who stare at photographs from behind barbed wire, Who can t bounce down their street in a new pair of sneakers, Who never counted potatoes, Who are born in places we wouldn t be caught dead, Who never go to the circus, Who live in an X-rated world. We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions. Who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish, Who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money, Who cover themselves with Band- Aids and sing off key, Who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink, Who slurp their soup. And we pray for those who never get dessert, Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them, Who watch their parents watch them die, Who can t find bread to steal, Who don t have rooms to clean up, Whose pictures aren t on anybody s dresser, Whose monsters are real. We pray for children who spend all of their allowance before Tuesday, Who pick at their food, Who like ghost stories, Who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub, Who get visits from the tooth fairy, Who don t like to be kissed in
front of the carpool, Who squirm in church and scream in the phone, Whose tears we sometimes laugh at, and whose smiles can make us cry. And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime, Who will eat anything, Who have never seen a dentist, Who aren t spoiled by anybody, Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep, Who live and move, but have no being. We pray for children who want to be carried and for those who must. For those we never give up on and for those who don t have a second chance. For those we smother...and those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it. Amen. by Ina Hughs The crowds were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16) (The appointed Gospel Reading for the Feast of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342, December 6th)
Mark your Calendar December Monday, Dec 14 7:30 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal Tuesday, Dec 15 5:30 p.m. Praise Band Rehearsal Wednesday, Dec 16 12 noon Holy Eucharist Wednesday, Dec 16 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Thursday, Dec 17 7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting Monday, Dec 21 Christmas Memorials due Wednesday, Dec 23 12 noon Holy Eucharist Wednesday, Dec 23 NO Evening Prayer Thursday, Dec 24 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Friday, Dec 25 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service Monday, Dec 28 Office Closed Wednesday, Dec 30 12 noon Holy Eucharist Wednesday, Dec 30 NO Evening Prayer Thursday, Dec 31 5:00 p.m. Ring in the New Year January Friday, Jan 1 Office Closed Sunday, Jan 3 The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ Wednesday, Jan 6 12 noon Holy Eucharist Wednesday, Jan 6 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Saturday, Jan 9 7:30 a.m. Men s Breakfast Saturday, Jan 9 8:00 a.m. Women s Bible Study Friday, Jan 15 12:30 p.m. Women s Bible Study Sunday, Jan 24 1:00 p.m. Annual Meeting Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10, 11)
Notes and Notices... Thanksgivings and Memorials: The Altar Flowers, Sanctuary Candle, and Communion Wine are usually offered as a memorial to a loved one, but may also be offered in thanksgiving for a special occasion, such as a birthday, wedding anniversary or baptism. If you would like to offer the Altar Flowers, Sanctuary Candle, and/or the Communion Wine, there are signup charts on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Please refer to the directions on the bottom of the appropriate chart. You may also contact the office with the name and date you would like or if you have any questions. The next Men s Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, January 9th at 7:30 a.m. For further information, please speak with Deacon Bill Sexton. The deadline for articles and information for the next edition of Church Notes is Monday, January 11, 2016. Offerings for Flowers and Greens: The Altar Guild appreciates offerings to help offset the cost of Greening the Church. If you would like to have loved ones remembered at the Christmas services, please list their names below and return this form to the Church Office by Monday, December 21st. Checks should be made payable to Church of The Apostles. Offerings for Christmas Flowers and Greens Requested by Offering (Please make checks payable to Church of The Apostles. )
Weekday Prayer: A service of Morning Prayer is offered each weekday at 9:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Wednesdays at 12 noon and Evening Prayer is offered on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. As you have opportunity, please join with your Elders, Deacons, Church Staff and friends as we give thanks and praise to the Lord for all the blessings of this life, break bread together in fellowship, and offer our prayers for the Church, the world, our community and the needs of our Congregation, families and friends. *Please note that Evening Prayer will not be offered on Wednesdays, December 23rd and December 30th. The noon day Eucharist will be offered as scheduled. In the Mail Thank You From the Providence Rescue Mission A BIG thank you from the Providence Rescue Mission for the fourteen pies and the huge box of chocolates that we dropped off for their Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks to all who contributed. The Providence Rescue Mission has five facilities including the original building which houses the kitchen, dining room, chapel and meeting/classrooms. The other buildings provide food and shelter for short and long term residents. Here are some statistics for the third quarter of 2015: 8,979 Safe Nights of Shelter (6,721 men, 2,258 women) 26,247 Meals Served 8,425 Chapel Attendees The Mission is Christian based thus receives no government funding. Go to providencerescuemission.org for more information.
The Holy Eucharist Sunday Brunch Evening Prayer Morning Prayer Church Administrator Communications Officer Director of Christian Education Youth Mentoring Coordinator Health and Wellness Minister Organist and Music Director Assistant Organist Sacristy Minister Sexton Treasurer Clerk CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES Evangelical Anglican 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Church Office: (401) 821-7609 website: apostlesri.org email: office@apostlesri.org Church Staff Board of Elders Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Wednesday 12:00 noon Sunday 12 noon Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. Erin Mead Barbara Bickerstaff Linda Jones Rebecca Galloway Sharon Galloway, RN Marianne Salisbury Shyanne Slinko Barbara Battey Mike Edwards Bob Bickerstaff Joan Clarke The Rev. Rob Geoffrey 943-4661 The Rev. Blessing Jacobs 588-0006 The Rev. Chad W. Tvenstrup (Licensed Presbyter) The Rev. Conrad Ruppert (Elder Emeritus) The Rev. Mark Galloway (Bishop-retired) Ecclesiastical Dignitaries Lady Linda Greco 228-3060 Lady Sue Pillsbury 884-2947 Board of Servants Archdeacon Bill Sexton Congregational Care Minister 726-4549 Deacon Tom Bourn Servant Evangelism Minister 294-4186 Deacon Kathy Kettle Outreach Minister 573-0773 Deacon Deb Adams Stewardship Minister 828-7998 Deacon Doug Stomberg Buildings and Grounds Minister 397-5508 Deacon Emerita Cathy Morgan
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES 170 Fairview Avenue Coventry, Rhode Island 02816 Church Notes A publication of Church of The Apostles. Edited by Barbara A. Bickerstaff, Communications Officer. December 11, 2015 Volume 10, Number 11