Light of Christ Anglican Churchlightofchristva.org/NewsletterArchive/The_Beacon... · Teresa’s...
Transcript of Light of Christ Anglican Churchlightofchristva.org/NewsletterArchive/The_Beacon... · Teresa’s...
April 2018 In this issue:
Page 1
WyldLife Update
Page 2
Mike’s Message
Want Ads
Page 3
Senior Warden Report
Thank You Letter
Page 4
Deacon’s Corner
An Observation
Page 5
In the Lord’s Service
Page 6
Magazines in Our Library
Light of Christ Anglican Church THE BEACON
P.O. Box 609 • Heathsville, Virginia 22473
9500 Northumberland Highway
804 580-4555 • email: [email protected]
www.lightofchristva.org
Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
The past month has been full of joy as I have spent tons of
time with kids and their parents. I am volunteering with the
middle school track team, which has been such a blast! There are
currently 43 kids on the team who are excited for a fun season. I
am the long distance coach and work with about 10 athletes daily.
This has been such a wonderful opportunity of relationship
building and consistent time with kids. We’ve also held various
events, including dinner out at T&J’s Dairy Barn in Burgess, movie
nights, and game nights. With each event that kids come to, we
get the chance to deepen our friendships, and I get the chance to
earn the right to be heard to share the Gospel with them. I have
also gotten to meet some high school students who are interested
in volunteering with WyldLife. It has been so fun getting to know
them and see the heart they have for Christ. Please continue to
be praying for opportunities to hang out with kids and to earn that
right to be heard!
We will be hosting a WyldLife reception at Light of Christ
after the worship service on Sunday, April 15th during coffee
hour. There will be an
opportunity to give
financially to help
s u p p o r t L O C A ’ s
p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h
N o r t h u m b e r l a n d
WyldLife. Please make
every effort to attend
so you can hear more
about WyldLife and our
vision for the teens of
our community!
WyldLife Update from Laura Raciborski
2
Blessings! Mike Moffitt
Mike’s Message
Morris Dillingham is looking for an exercise bike. If you have one you are not
using, please contact him.
“Your Love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we
are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1
I am writing this from my room in a city in Asia, where I have been for the last six days. For me, there is a feeling of being disconnected when I travel so far from home. There are so many differences in the way that life is lived here and almost nothing is familiar to me. The people in this Asian country are very welcoming and friendly and do everything they can to accommodate. The food has been good, but I think I’ve had more curry in the past week than in the past five years. The traffic here is extremely congested, and there don’t seem to be any traffic laws, other than you drive on the left (except when you don’t want to, apparently). The drivers here are first class and could compete on any NASCAR circuit that I’ve ever seen. Roads that are barely big enough for one car serve as the path for two cars and an untold number of motorbikes. I’ve seen this kind of congestion in Africa, but the people here are exceptional. In the time that I’ve been here, I have not seen an accident but have witnessed hundreds of close calls. I’ve yet to see anyone get particularly upset at being cut off or nearly sideswiped. I visited an ancient temple and a shrine and have seen the beauty of the countryside. I’ve met and spoken with many people from all over the world who are here either visiting or working for non-profits. I’ve not been bored at all, but the two things that have carried me through the disconnectedness of being in a place so culturally different are my times in the evening when I Skype with Teresa and my times with the Lord. We are so blessed to live in a time when
communication is so accessible and cheap.
Everyday I’ve been able to sit at my laptop and see
Teresa’s beautiful face and talk and laugh with her
in real time. One night, our son Ben called Teresa
on her cell phone while we were chatting. She held
the phone up to the screen of the laptop, and we
could hear each other like we were in the same
room, even though we were separated by
thousands of miles. It was wonderful to hear Ben’s voice, and it was so comforting to be talking with ones whom I love so deeply. It was a reminder of how much we need to keep in touch with the ones we love, and how much better life is for it. The same is true of the absolute need for keeping in touch with God who loves us completely. I have traveled quite a bit over the years and have often found myself in places and situations that were completely unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable. The one constant in my life is the awareness and certainty of the presence and love of God going with me. The result is that when I’m in those places, I don’t wait, but I run to God. I visited a local church and an international church that averages 35 nationalities each week. I didn’t know anyone in either church, but I felt right at home. The worship in both places took me to the throne of grace, and the Word preached nourished my soul and gladdened my heart. It’s amazing that wherever you travel God
has gone before you and revealed his love and
mercy to those in that place. I have been reminded
of that many times this week. I look forward to
coming back home and being with those whom I
love deeply, and if you’re reading this article, that
would mean you too.
If you can write using calligraphy, or know of
someone who can, please contact the church office
for help with a special project.
3
Thanks be to God
and the Family of Light of Christ!
We serve a mighty God! Quick to save and
ready to answer our prayers. For this we are most
grateful. We are overjoyed to inform you that our
granddaughter, Alli Simunich, has gone home! She
was discharged from the UPMC Presbyterian
Hospital in Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon. She
underwent a double lung transplant on January 31,
2018. The Lord heard our cries and, through His
strength and with the skills of the doctors and
transplant team, she is a new woman—free to
breathe the life-giving air that God provides!
Tom and I and Alli’s family can’t begin to
express our gratitude to this wonderful family of
friends and believers of LOC! You have lifted us up
and supported us in our time of need. Thank you,
dear friends.
I am including a picture of Alli saying goodbye
to the amazing Dr. Pablo Sanchez, who was the man
who decided to give her a “shot” at living (his words).
He has been wonderful, and Alli thinks he is the
most fantastic doctor she has ever met—and she has
met a few in her lifetime!
Joyfully,
Tom and Elaine Price
Maundy Thursday Worship—7:00 p.m. March 29th
Good Friday Worship—12:00 noon March 30th
Easter Sunday Worship—10:00 a.m. April 1st
followed by a celebratory coffee hour
courtesy of Hospitality Team 2
Everyone is asked to please gather in the church
immediately following worship for a group photo.
Also, there will be no children’s Sunday school
or nursery on Easter Sunday.
Tim e for con fess ion … wh en Er n ie
Pr octor an d Walt TeSt r ak e appr oach ed m e
abou t join in g th e Ka ir os Pr ison Min is t r y
team , m y ca r efu lly cr a fted ex ter n a l im ag e as
“th e Sen ior War den ” d icta ted th a t I g ive a t
leas t a pass in g th ou g h t to pa r t icipa t ion .
Rea lity beg an to set in as I was
com plet in g th e m an y for m s r equ ir ed by th e
Depar tm en t of Cor r ect ion s an d wh en I ag r eed
to join th e team for an a ll-day t r a in in g sess ion
in pr epar a t ion for th e u pcom in g Apr il 19 th -
2 2 n d K a ir os Week en d a t Bu ck in g h a m
Cor r ect ion a l Cen ter . I don ’t m in d sayin g th a t I
was a lit t le n er vou s.
Wh at I ex per ien ced was an am azin g
ex am ple of th e Holy Spir it ’s awesom e power to
g r aciou s ly t r an sfor m , equ ip , an d lead m en to
br in g love an d h ea lin g to th ose desper a tely in
n eed of J esu s. I’m con vin ced th a t th e biblica l
love an d fa ith fu ln ess on d isp lay by th e m en
an d wom en en g ag ed in th is m in is t r y is a
won der fu l m odel for a ll of ou r d iscip lesh ip
an d ou t r each effor t s h er e a t Lig h t of Ch r is t .
P lease a lso be in pr ayer for ou r Ka ir os
team as th ey pr epar e to bold ly br in g th e lig h t
an d love of God’s ver y g ood n ews to th ose wh o
ar e in desper a te n eed of h ope.
You r s in Ch r is t ,
Bar t
From the Senior Warden
4
Deacon’s Corner
The college basketball
season is almost over for
another year, but I still find
myself reflecting on my favorite
team and their coach. The
coach is Tony Bennett of the
University of Virginia. Tony is
known for his strong Christian faith and builds his
basketball program around “Five Pillars,” all with
a scriptural basis. These are posted everywhere and
discussed in daily practice with his team. The
pillars and description are the following:
Unity—do not divide the house
Humility—know who we are
Passion—do not be lukewarm
Servanthood—make your teammates better
Thankfulness—learn from every circumstance
These are Christ-like values, but in team
player language that really speaks to me. I
encourage you to turn to Colossians 3:12-17. Here
you will find the Apostle Paul describing similar
values for Christian living. These words remind me
that as a member of the family of Christ, and of His
church, we strive to live this way with each other in
all matters.
My team had a disappointing end to their
highly successful season, but their coach still holds
to these values and stresses the importance of
living this way with disappointment as well as
success. There’s a lot to learn here!
Deacon Mary Swann
An Observation
As I sit up in the
choir looking out into the congregation, I notice a few things. People are
territorial. Many people sit on the aisle seat,
s o m e t i m e s a l o n e , sometimes as a couple, and if anyone wants to sit in that row, he or she has to squeeze around those folks
since they do not want to move inward to allow someone to take the outer seat. Others always sit in the back.
This territorial behavior was mentioned in one of my classes at George Mason University. So I experimented. Each day I would sit in a different seat
in a class room. A student who usually sat there would come in, start for the seat and then, as if
surprised, would go sit elsewhere. When I went to Truro Church in northern Virginia, Fr. Martin Minns would ask people to please move to the center of the
pew so that others could fill in before the service started. Susan Moore, our visiting pastor’s wife at the last soup supper, even told me that one time their
family of six was visiting a rural Episcopal church years ago when they still had young ones at home, and they filled up a row in this small church. A
couple came in and announced that the Moore family was in their seats. Susan asked if they wanted them to
move and the couple said yes! Now we are not such a church, and I think folks feel welcome here. Most of us try to greet newcomers.
There are a few of us who need to sit on an aisle in case we need to get up in a hurry. But I would like to see
more folks sit closer to the front and to move in so that
the rows were filled. That way we could gather closer and easily greet more people. What do you think?
Just an observation.
Joan Blackstone
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
5
IN THE LORD’S SERVICE
Coffee Hour April 1 Hospitality Team 2 April 8 Eleanor Semerjian
Melinda Floom April 15 Randy Smith & Sharon Baldacci
Jeanne Hickey April 22 Bobby & Pauline Edmonds
Herb & Pam Smith April 29 George & Jan Beckett
Altar Rail Ministers April 1 Jim and Lyn Conley April 8 Tom and Elaine Price April 15 Steve Proctor and Mary Swann April 22 Walt and Phyllis TeStrake April 29 Stan and Judy Rasberry
Vestry Person on Duty April 1 Bart Morrison April 8 David Peresluha April 15 Alison Kimmitt April 22 Harrison Williams April 29 Ernie Proctor May 6 Barbara Seed
April 2 April 3 April 6 April 9 April 11 April 19 April 22 April 28
Chris Cralle Eleanor Semerjian Bill Ressler Bobby Edmonds Shirley Smith, Bob Dalzell Sally Custer Agnes Burke Ed Ulfig
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants named above, as they begin another
year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness
all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Happy April Birthdays!
Acolytes April 1 LeAnne Nguyen April 8 Hannah Hamlett April 15 LeAnne Nguyen April 22 Hannah Hamlett April 29 LeAnne Nguyen May 6 Hannah Hamlett
Lesson Readers April 1 Ward LeHardy (L)
Judy LeHardy (P) April 8 Ed Feddeman (L)
Jeanne Hickey (P) April 15 Lyn Neira (L)
Phyllis TeStrake (P) April 22 Priscilla Williams (L)
Ernie Proctor (P) April 29 Irene Haley (L)
Bart Morrison (P)
Eucharist Ministers April 1 Ward LeHardy, Lucy Logan April 8 Bart Morrison, Phyllis TeStrake April 15 Suzy Norman, ____________ April 22 Ward LeHardy, Elaine Price
April 29 Frank McCarthy, Irene Haley May 6 Harrison & Priscilla Williams
Ushers April 1 Jim Logan, Lyn Neira April 8 Herb & Pam Smith April 15 Ed Feddeman. Phyllis TeStrake April 22 Bobby Edmonds, Bill Tracey April 29 David & Cindy Peresluha May 6 Dave Gwaltney, George Beckett
Greeters April 1 Fred Wimberly
Constance McDearmon April 8 Bonnie Odend’hal, Peggy Lassanske April 15 Doris Myers, Julie Pritchard April 22 Phyllis TeStrake, Barbara Seed April 29 Howard & Lynn York May 6 Ernie Proctor, Bonnie Odend’hal
Counters
April Betty Dillingham, Pam Smith
Altar Guild
April Elaine Price, Leslye Morrison
Nursery April 1 No nursery on Easter Sunday April 8 Margaret Radcliffe, Jeanette Cralle April 15 Julie Pritchard, Saunee Hamlett April 22 Irene Haley, Alison Kimmitt April 29 Margaret Radcliffe, Jeanette Cralle May 6 Doris Myers, Julie Pritchard
Happy April Anniversaries!
April 1 Charlaine & Bill Andrulot April 9 Lydia & Vincent Haynie April 28 Courtney & Doug Ludeman
6
The Beacon LIGHT OF CHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCH
P.O. BOX 609
9500 NORTHUMBERLAND HIGHWAY
HEATHSVILLE, VIRGINIA 22473
April 2018
Recently, Jeanne Hickey gave me a copy of an excellent article that appeared in the
December 2017 issue of Decision magazine. The article, entitled “Holes in the Darkness,” was
written by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of the late Billy Graham, and a renowed author and bold
evangelical speaker in her own right. In the article, Ms. Lotz discusses the properties of light in
the context of a Christian’s response to the “darkness in our world.” She says light discloses,
dispels, divides, directs, and draws, and she cites numerous Bible passages as she discusses ways
Christians can “turn on the light.”
While we do not subscribe to this magazine (but could), we subscribe to another
magazine, which we receive twice a month. It is World magazine, which has a mission
statement of “Biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires.” World
magazine reports on the issues of the day, both in the U.S. and abroad, from the
perspective of the Christian worldview, and each issue contains reviews of current, popular
movies, books (children’s books and adult books), and music. The most recent issue (March
17, 2018) features a multi-page spread on the legacy of Billy Graham as well as an in-depth
article on Rachael Denhollander, the first woman (who is a Christian) to go public with sexual
assault allegations against gymnastics physician Larry Nassar, and the fate of religious
minorities who have fled Iran and are seeking asylum in the U.S. In addition, each month there
are op/ed pieces written by astute, articulate Christ-followers who comment on a wide range of
contemporary issues.
We have several years of back issues of World magazine in our church library, as well
as many back issues of Decision, CT (Christianity Today), Focus on the Family, First Things.,
and Biblical Archeology Review. These issues are available for you to read, either here at
church or in the comfort of your home. In addition, I would be happy to share the article
Jeanne brought in with anyone who would like to read it. Margaret Radcliffe
Magazines in Our Library