Canterbury Tales Roanoke, Virginia Volume 23, Issue 2 March April 2018 A WORD FROM THE PULPIT THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE DEVIL Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (A portion of scripture from S. Matthew 4:1-11) After he is baptized, Jesus is led out into the wilderness for forty days. During those forty days, he neither eats nor drinks anything. At the end of the forty days, the devil suddenly appears in an attempt to finally defeat the divine power of God by using God s own words. Recall our gospel reading for Epiphany 3 found in S. Mark 1. In this portion of scripture, the evangelist decribes the baptism of Jesus, and straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Here in front of the Scribes, Pharisees, and all the other Jewish people God has proclaimed this man Jesus, who has just been baptized, as His Beloved Son. Now the devil begins his evil plan, by using God s words, if you be the Son of God... then do this or do that. Using these words are meant to cast doubt upon the idea Jesus is indeed the Son of God. The devil is saying, perhaps you are not really the Son of God, but if you think you are then prove it. It is the devil s intent to cast doubt in the mind of Jesus concerning his relationship with his heavenly Father. The devil is actually telling Jesus to prove you are the Son of God. The devil does the same thing to us, trying to cast doubts on the love and grace of our Lord. As children of God we are asked each day to prove it, to prove we are truly children of God, which we become at our baptism. We do not have to prove anything to the devil; we just need to remain faithful to God s Word, through prayer and living in the shadow of Christ, following him wherever he goes. In the book Jeremy Taylor, Selected Works, 1 we are warned to be prepared for the coming of the devil because we are children of God, my son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare the soul for temptation. 2 Satan hates to lose a potential minion to his enemy God. [It is necessary then] we pray [so] we may not enter into temptation... 3 The devil tries to put doubts into our hearts placing doubts in our hearts that God does not care for us; he is too busy to be concerned about one little person here on the little planet in this gigantic universe. When things go wrong, we may very well ask the question, why has God left me? Our doubts can lead us to the point we may say, there is no God, if there was a God, 1 Thomas K. Carroll, Ed., Jeremy Taylor, Selected Works, (New York, Paulist Press, 1990). 2 Ibid., 253. 3 Ibid., 328. 1
why are all the bad things happening to me? God does not leave us, we leave him. He is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be tomorrow an unchanging God. God does not cause these things to happen, however, he may allow them to occur recall the Book of Job. Many bad things happened to Job, and Job had doubts, however he never lost his faith and belief that God would rectify his difficulties. God did not tempt Job, nor does he tempt us. He uses these difficult times to test us, as he tested Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and others to strengthen their faith and trust in the one true living God; trusting God would do what he has promised to do throughout history to love, care and protect his people. God is sacred and holy, sin cannot be in his presence, therefore, he cannot or will not tempt us. The devil s goal, is to cause man to pull back from God, and to denounce him as our heavenly Father. He does this by disguising sin and making it appear as an attractive event or thing, something we cannot resist. He entices us with this beautiful article, telling us everything will be worth that one little bite (Sounds the situation in the Garden). However, there is no such thing as a little bite; once that little bite has been taken, everything changes. That little bite in the garden changed man from being completely taken care of by God to now having to work by the sweat of his brow. Each of us are tempted everyday, however, the important lesson from our gospel is how to overcome that temptation. In his temptation after his baptism, Jesus uses God s words to fight the devil and to stand firm in his trust of his heavenly Father. In his temptation of Jesus, Satan proves he knows scripture, therefore, we must know it better than Satan. One purpose of partaking in the Lenten fast is to help us focus on God and away from the earthly appeals of Satan. When Jesus went into the wilderness, he left the world behind. By withdrawing somewhat from our normal way of life, by selfexamination and repentance, by prayer, fasting and self-denial, we can be humble in spirit, we can cleanse our minds and bodies of the imperfections we have allowed into our hearts. By prayer and reading and meditation upon God's holy Word, we force the devil to reveal himself and attack us openly. That is the time the Holy Spirit will take over to protect us from the Evil One. It is from our basic need that Satan comes after us. If we are going to be easily tempted and turned away from God, then our roots are like the seed that fell on rocky soil; we have no depth in our faith, in our trusting of the Lord to feed us, to clothe us, to take care of us as He has promised. If we do not believe that one aspect of God s love for us, then we certainly cannot believe in the goodness and mercy of our Lord. As the young people in our confirmation classes are told, confirmation is not graduation, it is but the next step in growth of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Similarly, what we do in the Lenten season does not and should not end on Easter Sunday. The emotions we feel and the sacrifices we endure during Lent should carry forward throughout every day of the year. Therefore, may our God grant to us lasting strength, wisdom, courage, grace, and mercy to overcome the temptations we will encounter each day. And may God bless each of us in our daily struggles. Fr. Don 2
FROM THE VESTRY February 2018 Vestry Meeting Minutes February 25 th, 2018 St Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church Present: Fr. Don Poff, Thomas Eldridge, John Shields, Richie Tomlinson, Beth Rutherfoord, Chris Powell, & Katie Eldridge (recording). Opening Prayer by Fr. Don at 12:16pm. 1. Motion to approve January minutes by John and seconded by Chris. Motion carried. 2. Financial/treasurer report: Richard Tomlinson a. Richard will look into some information after some questions arose about the budget. b. For January, we did well. We also received some money from last year's pledges. c. Our treasurer asks that financial decisions made during each meeting be communicated to her soon after the meeting. 3. Junior Warden report: John Shields a. John is working on meeting with the HVAC system engineer, Mr. John Mann. b. Prillaman will be sending a technician to inspect our heating systems. We need them to walk around the entire building and see every part of our system. c. Richard found options for LED lighting bollards to replace the existing bollards at the main entrance. Costs at c.$260 to $960 each. Motion to have John Shields review the information and advise us by Tom, 2nd by Beth. Motion carried. 4. Senior warden report: Dr. Tom Eldridge a. Planning meeting next week on Sunday, March 4 th. Senior warden, junior warden, Earle, Altar Guild leader, Outreach committee leaders, Fr. Don, etc. will discuss a general plan for events throughout 2018. 5. Rector s report: Fr. Don a. Lenten Study Leading to Easter: Searching the Soul "Lavished on Jesus" discussion occurred on Saturday, copies are available to those who cannot make Saturday meetings (Will add portions to the Canterbury Tales) b. Visitations Tuesday mornings, but Fr. Don will visit people at any time (Feel free to call him.) 6. New Business a. Canterbury Tales: publish the vestry meeting minutes, personal stories of God's hand in our lives b. Preston estate Motion to assign these funds to the HVAC fund by Tom, 2nd by Chris. Motion carried. c. Schedule for Lent, Passion Sunday, Palm Sunday (10:30am Eucharist with blessing and distribution of palms, and procession), Maundy Thursday (6pm Eucharist, 8pm-4am Friday Vigil), Good Friday (9:30am Communion from reserved sacrament and 6pm Stations of the Cross with Evening Prayer), Holy Saturday (6pm lighting of the new fire and renewal of baptismal vows), and Easter (8:30am Choral Eucharist and 10:30am Solemn Eucharist) handout will be placed in the bulletin d. Fr. Don's Weekly Schedule Mondays off (although people may call and he can do visitations), Tuesdays for morning visitations and afternoon office hours (12pm-5pm), Wednesdays-Fridays office hours (10am-5pm), Saturdays for Lenten study. He also takes lunch breaks from 12:30pm- 1:30pm. e. We would like a new sign at the end of our driveway. Possible funding needed. 3
7. Next meeting: March 18 th (following meetings: April 22nd, then May 20 th ) 8. Motion to adjourn by Tom, 2 nd by John. Motion carried. 9. Closing prayer by Fr. Don at 1:22pm. Respectfully submitted by Katie Eldridge. FROM THE ALTAR GUILD (Joan Witt/Diane Poff) * Members wishing to provide altar flowers should see Joan Witt to make arrangements. A number of Sundays are still open, please indicate your choice! * We welcome Deborah Rogers and Diane Poff to the Altar Guild! And we need more help in preparing the altar for scheduled services! Please see Joan Witt or Diane Poff if you are willing to assist in the Altar Guild. * Easter lilies request forms are inserted in the Bulletin. Persons wishing to order lilies at $10.00 in remembrance of loved ones are asked to submit the form with check to Joan Witt. Deadline is March 18. Also, beginning on April 1, 2018 Diane Poff will be the new Altar Guild Chair. FROM THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE (Beth Rutherfoord) There is a need for hostesses and people to provide treats or a monetary gift to have treats purchased for Coffee Hour. Sign-up sheets are located in the Parish Hall. FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR I m sure that all have noticed, with concern, the diminished numbers of our Choir. This shrinkage seems to be inevitable, as members move away, go off to school, or simply reach a point where they feel that their voices don t quite make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Thus, we make a heartfelt appeal to all who care to add their voices at weekly services, to meet with us at 9:00 a.m. in the last classroom, where we rehearse the day s music. It doesn t matter if you can or cannot read music we ll help you learn the parts, and you ll really be adding to the solemn or joyful tone of our devotions. BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES We are happy to announce the birthdays of St. Thomas parishioners, and hope that news of significant anniversaries will also be called in, so we may post them in Canterbury Tales. MARCH BIRTHDAYS 1 Beth Rutherfoord 11 Bob Gill Andra Nassif 15 Fr. Marvin 16 Dr. Tom Eldridge 25 Linda Riffel 26 Chris Poff 30 Laura Wilbon APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 Katie Eldridge 12 Charles Manning 24 Diane Poff 26 Mar Reed 27 Patty Handy Gray Sue Williams 4
FROM THE PARISHIONERS FROM YE ED VINEGAR IN THE VINEYARD, or, The Householder and the Laborers Friend, I do thee no wrong didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way. -- Matthew 20:1 A householder there was, a robust man, Blessed with much wealth, all gained by honest toil, He sought for workers, when the day began, To prune the vines and till the fertile soil. Inquiring widely in the market-square He asked of each, What wage do you require? A penny? Good. Go see my steward there, There s work for all, be worthy of thy hire. Three times, all through the day, the goodman sent The idle scuts to gather the ripe fruit, Until, day nearly done, once more he went To hire the rest the hour became quite moot. The sun had set, men gathered for their pay And each received a penny, last to first. What s this? the eldest whined, we ve worked all day, A penny s scarcely fit to quench a thirst! Why, fellow, growled the owner, you agreed To serve for a denarius, did you not? Take it, you fool, and go your way, with speed, Enough of all your discontented lot! Thus Jesus, with a simple parable, Drove home the point: In heaven, first is last Disciples felt the lesson bordered terrible, Who should be saved, when mortal days were past? Jesus replied, Who would be chief, be lowly, The time is nigh when I shall wash your feet To serve in humble guise is right and holy, Great bliss shall come, before the Judgment Seat! 2-6-18 5
FROM THE FAITHFUL Do You Want to Fast, this Lent? Submitted by Betty Loving, Fast from hurting words, and say kind words. Fast from sadness, and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger, and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism, and be filled with hope. Fast from worries, and have trust in God. Fast from complaints, and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures, and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness, and full your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness, and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges, and be reconciled. Fast from words, and be silent so you can listen. Words from Pope Francis I MISCELLANEOUS Somethings we can learn a lesson or two from our pets. We recently lost our dog, Miss Daisy. She was 11 years when we had to put her to sleep. However, she never showed any signs of hurting until the very end. However, in all of her sufferings Daisy still gave unconditional love to all she encountered. We are to give unconditional love to all we encounter, just as Christ commanded us to do. This is not Miss Daisy, however, a good lesson anyway They keep us warm and comfortable, also. Fr. Don UPCOMING ACTIVITES March 3, 10, 17, 24 10:00 Morning prayer 10:30 Lenten study March 4-12:00 1:00 Parish planning meeting March 17 Parish Spring Picnic March 18 Vestry Meeting March 25 Palm Sunday 10:30 am Holy Communion with processional 6
March 29 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service 8:00 pm to 4:00 am (3/30) Vigil March 30 9:30 am Communion from the Reserved Sacrament 6:00 pm Stations of the Cross March 31 12 noon 2 pm Neighborhood Easter Egg hunt at the church 6:00 pm Lighting of the Paschal Candle and renewal of Baptismal vows. April 1 Easter Day 8:30 am Holy Communion 10:30 am Solemn Eucharist The Canterbury Tales is an official publication of St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church. Editor: The Rev. Father Don Poff Associate Editor - Richard Raymond Contributors: Betty Loving, Joan Witt, Diane Poff, Richard Raymond, Beth Rutherfoord, Earle Goodwin, Vestry, and Fr. Don. 7
St. Thomas of Canterbury ACC 4910 Hubert Road, NW, Roanoke, VA 24012 Church 540-366-9416 The Rev. Fr. Don Poff, Rector www.sttofc.org A Traditional Parish for Contemporary Living 8