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From The Pastor's Desk
Why go to Church?
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made ‘no sense’ to go to church every Sunday. It was written in the mid-1950’s, but the response is as relevant today as it was the day it was published.
He wrote: “I've gone for 30 years now, and in that time, I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time, the preachers and priests are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”
This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column. Much to the ‘delight’ of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
“I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.”
“But, I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today”. “Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”
When you are DOWN to nothing, God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical and our spiritual nourishment!
IF YOU DO NOT SEE GOD IN ‘ALL’ - YOU CANNOT SEE GOD AT ALL!
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Parish News and Announcements
- On July 15th, we were honored to have Father Richard Cumming from St. Mary the Virgin in Liverpool, New York be our guest celebrant.
Father Cumming is from the Diocese of the Holy Cross and he was accompanied by his son William. To my knowledge, this is the first act of showing our official unity with other dioceses and jurisdictions within the G-4 communion.
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Prayer Requests
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Special Needs
The Hoffman Family, Leighanne, Erik, Scott, Thelma, Vincent, Christine
Attending College
Courtney, Sarah, Morgan, Alicia
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Sick
Lynn, Cindy
Shut-in
Marlene, Charles, Ruth
Studying for Ministry
Greg
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Armed Forces& Law Enforcement
Jim, Charles, William, Tommy
All those serving our country here and abroad. All police officers and 1st responders.
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Note regarding the Prayer List
Please remember the parish prayer list is purged every month.
If someone you know requires continued prayers, please ask that they remain on the list.
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Theodore (Ted) Hoffman:
On June 14th, 2018, we laid to rest our dear brother Theodore (Ted) Hoffman. There is so much to say about Ted. His humbleness and optimism beamed from him even when he was not feeling his best during the chemo treatments. Among other notable characteristics, which I have used from Fr. Bob’s sermon with his permission, are he was a proud marine.
The Marine Corp’s motto is: Semper fidelis (sem.per fa-day’lis), it is a Latin phrase that means “always faithful” or “always loyal”. NO meaning could be MORE appropriate or more honorable in describing Ted as a Marine, a husband, father, friend, leader, and faithful servant. A proud/loyal Marine. A devoted husband to Marge for 55 years. A father who along with Marge instilled the Christian faith in their children – all are believers. A friend – look around you! A leader serving on the vestry of several churches. And a faithful servant always willing to serve our Lord and others. Ted had his liturgical opinions, so it was an honor to serve a thurifer (the person who carries the incense). In summary, “his life was an example of how one ought to live while preparing for Eternity, preparing to go to heaven.” We say good-bye for now, but we will see you again.
Robert Edsall:
On June 21st, 2018, we laid to rest another dear brother Robert (Bobby) Edsall. He was the son and stepson of Robert and Maryann Edsall. From his obituary we learn Bobby was a devout Christian, a shining example of character under difficult circumstances, and was beloved by all. He was a popular participant in social activities and the workshop of Helping Hands, Inc, a service organization for handicapped people, of Bechtelsville. He was a long time participant with Special Olympics in swimming and bowling, and enjoyed summer camping.
May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Bishop’s Visit
Bishop Grundorf is scheduled to visit Holy Spirit on Sunday, September 16, 2018. He will be Consecrating the Church Building to the Glory of God. A luncheon is being planned and a sign-up sheet will be provided in the Narthex.
If you would like to be received as a new member or want to be Confirmed during the Bishop’s visit, please notify Father Tufton.
Synod Report:
From July 18th-20th, it was a blessing to be able to participate in the Anglican Providence in America’s 50th anniversary synod. Connecting with others within our own Anglican communion shows we are not alone. A majority of the people were friendly and hospitable. There are a lot of happenings in our jurisdiction and several shared how God is working in their congregations and community. The bishop shared prayers are being answered as there are several seminarians and most of them are young which no other jurisdiction can claim. Bishop Ken Meyers gave an educational and entertaining presentation about eschatology also known as the end times. His premise is most of the events have already taken place and there is the future event of Christ’s second coming. Father David Haines was consecrated as a bishop. Several relationships and connections were made which will be beneficial.
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Birthdays
July 3 - Bobby Edsall
July 7 - Tami Alderfer
July 22 - Marlene Renner
July 29 - Ted Hoffman
August 2 - Ruth Adlam
August 5 - Robert Edsall
August 6 - Marge Hoffman
August 13 - Ann Snyder
August 18 - Jim Leary
August 22 - Bill Aichele
August 30 - Martha Leary
September 12 - Rev. Robert Tufton
September 13 - Caroline decamp
September 29 - Charles Barto
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Anniversaries
September 2 - Bill & Karen Aichele
September 3 - David & Angelica deCamp
September 22 - Jim & Martha Leary
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Ask the Seminarian:
In John 5:1-15 - Why did Jesus ask the man (an invalid for 38 years) laying on a mat by the pool of Bethsaida,
"Do you want to be healed?"
Throughout our lives, God tests us and asks us questions which challenge us. Jesus asks this man if he wants to be healed, so his heart could be revealed. The invalid could have had a harden heart because of his circumstances. He could have been mad at God that he was an invalid. He could have been depressed because he was not able to enter the pool when the waters were stirred and be healed. How often do we let our circumstances get the best of us or get frustrated when things do not go our way? The invalid demonstrates hope that circumstances can change especially with God’s help. He believes what he cannot see or what seems to be an impossibility.
Another reason Jesus asks the invalid if he wants to be healed is because God desires to hear from His children. God does not want us to take Him for granted and to expect Him to meet our needs. Indeed, God is omniscient (all knowing) but we are not to exploit this characteristic. We need to be humble enough to ask for help. We must have the courage and make our requests known to God. Just as we cannot help a person who does not tell us what they want or need, the same applies to God. He wants us to verbally ask for what we want or need. At the same time, Jesus demonstrates God willingness to grant our request. Just as it brings joy to a parent to be able to say yes and provide for their child which brings them happiness, the same applies to God. God enjoys making His children happy. In some cases, as in this one, God even grants miraculous requests.
Do you have a question you would like to ask the seminarian? If so, please submit to me in person, by email, or by phone.
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Pastor's Teaching
Principles of Prayer
(The Lord's Prayer as our blueprint
Part 2)
Praying this prayer places some demands on us.
I cannot say "Our" if I’m living only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I don’t try to act like His child.
I cannot say "Which art in Heaven" if I am laying up no treasure there.
I cannot say "hallowed be Thy Name" if I am not striving for holiness.
I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come" if I’m not doing my part to hasten that day.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to His word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in Heaven" if I’m unwilling to serve Him here and now.
I cannot say "give us this day our daily bread" if I’m not relying on Him to provide.
I cannot say "forgive us our trespasses" if I harbor a grudge against someone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in its path.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I haven’t put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot say "Thine is the Kingdom" If I am not loyal to the King as His faithful subject.
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what people may do.
I cannot give Him "the glory" if I am seeking honor only for myself.
I cannot say "forever" if my life is bound by the things of time of this world.
The question for us all is this, what are we relying on? When we rely upon education, we get what education can do; When we rely upon skill, we get what skill can do; When we rely upon technology, we get what technology can do; When we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.
When we pray, we receive the gift of God Himself. Prayer is communion with God. He wants us to know Him. As we grow in prayer, we discover that prayer is more than simply asking God for things. Prayer is not an attempt to make God do something. It is an act of submission to Him with the understanding that God’s answers are wiser than our prayers. In prayer, we rely on God.
In John’s first epistle, he cautions that our prayers need to be “according to God’s will” (I John 5:14). Those devoted to prayer do things by prayer. When faced with a challenge, the first thing to do is to go into prayer, not action. Those devoted to prayer give priority to prayer and are never too busy to pray. Our level of Christian commitment is gauged by the character of our prayer-life.
For many people, the Lord’s Prayer is simply a prayer to recite. But if we truly pray this prayer with understanding, we will find it changes our lives. The Lord’s Prayer begins with God’s glory, and then we bring up our needs. The Lord’s Prayer is God-centered, not me-centered. The Lord’s Prayer is a blueprint for prayer. It is appropriate to pray these words because in them we find the entire message of the Bible and a summary of our relationship to God.
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Your source for learning about our Anglican heritage
Did you know? From an Anglican Glossary.
The censor, or thurible, holds the burning coals on which the incense is placed. The chains permit the censor to be swung by the thurifer while incensing the altar, the celebrant and the people.
Incense is one of the most ancient forms of ritual worship. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 25:6, when God commands that the people bring incense to the Tabernacle. It was used daily in the Temple. Its use was generally suppressed after the Reformation as a form of superstition and “popery.” It began its return with the Church Revival of the 19th century and is recognized by many Anglicans as a venerable tradition and an appropriate liturgical expression.
Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense – Psalm 141:2
Visit our website at Anglicana
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Sunday Worship Service: 10 AM – Other Services as announced
We are a Traditional Conservative Christian Church.
Our Schedule of Worship Services embraces Anglicanism in its’ broadest liturgical forms.
Most Sundays we celebrate Holy Communion according to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
We also provide a Healing Service including prayers, the laying on of hands and/or anointing with oil. The Healing Service is at 11:15AM on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
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Biblical Teaching - Apostolic Faith
Liturgical Worship - Sacramental Theology
WE BELIEVE that the nature and will of God were revealed once and for all by His Divine Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and that this revelation recorded in Holy Scripture cannot and must not be altered or reinterpreted to meet the changing desires of man.
WE SUBSCRIBE to the Faith and Order of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church as clearly expressed in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and that the Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation.
WE ARE MEMBERS of the Body of Christ under the Spiritual Leadership of faithful Bishops in Apostolic Succession adhering to traditional Christian doctrine and principles.
WE WELCOME ALL who seek a firm and unchanging foundation for their Christian Faith in this confused and troubled world.
Holy Spirit Anglican Church
1133 Orvilla Road
Hatfield, PA. 19440
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