Devotional readings for each day Parish prayer concerns, birthdays, and

anniversaries July 7, 2019—July 13, 2019

Good News Daily

Sunday, July 7 Psalm 147 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (vv.10-11 NIV)

I’ve often wondered how society and my understanding of Scripture would be different if I lived in a land that was ruled by a king. The only experi-ence I have with this is through the movies. When the king passed by, the peo-ple bowed; not based upon their like or dislike of him, but what he could do if you did not. He demanded respect and was someone you feared, yet always wanted to get a little closer to. I love the fact that we serve a good (really good) King whose greatest delight is those who fear Him and trust His unfailing love. He’s not the King who admires our great accomplishments or the many things we possess. He’s not impressed with how we look on the outside, or how much money we make. All He wants is for us to fully revere Him alone and trust that His love will always come through for us.

1 Samuel 14:36-45; Psalm 146; Romans 5:1-11; Matthew 22:1-14

Birthdays: Anniversaries: Monday, July 8 1 Samuel 15:1-3, 7-23 But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offer-ings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” (vv.22-23a)

“Listen to Jesus and do what he says” is the best advice I’ve ever re-ceived. Sometimes I wish the Lord’s words weren’t so black and white, but in-stead offered more latitude: “Rebellion is not a good idea, but if you do rebel, it’s OK,” or “Obedience is nice, but if you don’t obey, just do a lot of good church things to make up for it,” or “Arrogance is not worshiping yourself, it’s just pride in all the great things you have accomplished for God—unlike all the other peo-ple in your church.”

Because I bear Jesus’ name, he’s serious about how I portray him. So, when I disobey what he says in Scripture or what he tells me to do right then, I’m trusting in my own power over his. When I’m not loving my neighbor or lov-ing God, I’m being arrogant and saying that I bow down to myself—I’m worthy

Pray for: Our weekly intercessions: Give thanks for St. Paul’s, Brownsville, St. Mark’s, San Marcos.

Our Parishioners: Billie Fulton, Kathryn Woehler, Travis Kiker, Mike Cain, Jimmie Huckins, Frank Har-wi, Peggy Shearer, Pablo Guajardo, Truman Wheeler, Brandi Woehler, Jake Bain, Kate Beebe, Pam Currier, Nancy Priest, Lorraine Rodriguez, Alma Benavides-Garcia, Joe Carlson, Christopher Weaver, Nancy Gillard, Dolores Jones, Bob Schneider, Jerry Cramer, David Jauer, Dick Copeland, Joan Cor-nell, Dick Lathrop, Nancy Rybicki, Barbara Niemann, Lucy Wright, Dolores Neugebauer, Bob Thomp-son, Carol Schreiber, Landon Wagner, David Sheppard, Aaron Pfeiffer, Helen Lynch, Arthur Reedie, Caroline Barnett, Brian O’Connor, Martha Hubby, Martha Gaston, Nancy Perrin, John & Lee Throop, Geoffery Martin, Nan Allen, Ray Parker, Donte Butler, Jennifer Hall, Bruce Gill, Mary Ann Wheeler

Our Armed Forces: David Foster, Kaleob Williams, Joshua Lavender, Therese Rosito, Aaron Paseur, Bill Oslin, Spencer & Melissa Smith, Matthew Mustard, Marcus Grell, Evan Walters

For Those who have Died:

Long Term:

Elaine Marshall—friend of Beverly Wheeler Ron Lane—father of Paige Felter Karen Lane—friend of Beverly Hamlett Robinson Family—friend of the Crusius family Aldrich and Bannister families—friends of the Harmon family Gilbert Douglas—brother-in-law of Tom Foster Frank Persyn Jr.—friend of Harris family Jason Decker—friend of Nancy Leming Kurt Wiechert Jr.—friend of Scott & Nancy Perrin Greg Norz—son-in-law of Frank Woolf David Foster—son of Tom Foster Karen Arnold—friend of Tom & Marlee Green Richard Needham—brother of Sue Needham Laura Tillbury —friend of Joan Eccles Gayle French —daughter of Joan Eccles Taryn French—granddaughter of Joan Eccles Carolyn Andro—family of Bill & Judi Frerichs Carolyn Gregg—friend of Jocelyn Harris Gloria Quiroz—friend of the Harris family Joe Bodak—friend of Gary Villani Kyle O’Brien—friend of Tom & Marlee Green Finnie Family—friends of Gary & Cathy Villani Judy—daughter of Eloise Hooper John Norris—father of Lloyd Norris Heidi Foreman—mother of Jeff Nelson Marlys Kubesh—friend of the Harris family Celia Carranza—St. Thomas school family Bob Dalton—son-in-law of Tom Foster Bonnie Applegate—friend of Helen Lynch Michelle—friend of Esther Rickey Rick Farrar—friend of Cady family Meghan Stapleton—friend of Jennifer Palmer Tammy Baird—friend of Tom Foster Kimberly Reed—grandchild of Throops Wade Gray—son of Lee Throop Savannah Gray—grandchild of Throops James Gillis—friend of the Throops Emily Dietz—friend of the Stephens family Robert Smart—cousin of the Swain family Sauder Family—friends of the Thompsons Jana Greer—daughter of Turner & Martha Hubby Mary Ryder—sister of Nancy Perrin Leslee Reed—daughter of the Throops Brenda Daugherty—sister of John Throop John Cowey—brother-in-law of the Harris family Jim Rich—brother-in-law of the Harris family Lisa Sjobeck—friend of the Woodall family Aaron Brady—St. Thomas school parent Eileen Park—sister of Carol-Ann Britt

John Shauver—father of Dan Shauver Beth–sister of Dan Shauver George Blucher—friend of Patti Keller Rosalie Christiansen—friend of Patti Keller Bernice Rich—sister of Jocelyn Harris Lilly Walters—niece of Charles Harris Tami Peasinger—cousin of Stephanie Cady Caren Corbett—friend of the Perrins Guy Perrin—brother of Scott Perrin Diana Castillo—mother of Kelli Spencer Ruby Read—friend of Kathleen Stephens Teri Hall—friend of Marlee Green Patsy—friend of Helen Lynch Qi Wang—school grandparent Neva Williamson—friend of Tom Foster Larry Neal—friend of Mike & Patti Horridge Lito Davila—uncle of the Davila-Rodriguez family Ronnie Sutton—friend of Patti Keller Eric Gonzales—nephew of Marlee Green Asher Cochran—friend of the Felter family Michael Gill—brother of Bruce Gill Sue Brown—cousin of Bruce Gill Larry Neal—friend of the Horridge family Grace Lorton—mother of Ron Lorton Breanna Tugwell—friend of Jocelyn Harris Helen Hanson—sister of Virginia Lukefahr Paul Jette—brother-in-law of the Wallace’s Short Term Chuck Carter—son-in-law of Pat Cain Kelsey Hall—friend of Kevin Frei Sam Pack, Jr—nephew of Charles & Jocelyn Harris Doris Gajeske & family—friends of the Rickeys Guiann—friend of Elizabeth April Hottman—friend of Virginia Lukefahr Jeff & Carol Dawson—friends of Tom Foster Mary Lou Dopyera—friend of the Rickeys Genean Rose—sister of Tom Rickey Lisa Dutton—friend of Esther Rickey Ashley O’Quinn—friend of Helen Lynch Becca and Jeff—friends of Helen Lynch Jan Whaley—sister of Carol Keith Stuart—nephew of John & Carol Keith Phyllis—niece of John & Carol Keith Evelyn—friend of Helen Lynch Bob Smith—father of Stacy Barry Kelsea—granddaughter of Dick & Helen Lynch

Clergy

The Rev. Mike Michie, Rector The Rev. Don Wilkinson, Assisting Priest The Rev. Turner Hubby, Assisting Priest The Rev. Nate Bostian, Assisting Priest The Rev. Dick Copeland, Assisting Priest Church Staff

Kathleen Stephens, Parish Administrator Ryan Becker, Minister of Music Barry Brake, Contemporary Worship Leader Kevin Frei, Youth Minister Cathy Villani, Director of Christian Formation George Guerra, Sexton

Church & School Business Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm

School Staff

Allison Newman, Head of School Emily Sanders, School Office Manager Vestry

John Worthington, Senior Warden Greg Bellos, Junior Warden Victor Llana, Treasurer Jennifer Bowen-Shauver, Clerk Pam Currier, Hospitality & Fellowship Kathleen Brennen, Newcomers & Communications Leigh Ann Owens, Worship Jessica Muller, Christian Formation Ed Marden, Senior Adult Ministries Warren Hylton, Outreach & Youth Liaison Robin Karstens, School Liaison Nadine Winningham, Young Families Rusty Biechlin, Chancellor

St. Thomas Episcopal Church and School 1416 N. Loop 1604 E. † San Antonio, Texas 78232

(210) 494-3507 Church † (210) 494-3509 School

(210) 494-0678 Fax

E-Mail: stthomaschurch@tom1604.org † Website: www.tom1604.org

Facebook: facebook.com/tom1604church † Twitter: twitter.com/StTom1604

Collect on Sunday — O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer for Guidance— Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

to stand in the way of God? I fear that I sometimes miss what the Holy Spirit is doing because it doesn’t look like my experiences. Lord, forgive us and give us eyes to see Your Holy Spirit working so we, too, can praise You.

1 Samuel 17:31-49; Psalms 20, 21; Mark 1:14-28

Birthdays: Jax Frankhouser, Kamryn Woehler, Mitchell Murphy Anniversaries:

by Sarah Scanlan

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP PO Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790

www.biblereading.org

to be worshipped. Lord Jesus, save me from myself. Open my ears to hear your words, even your heart, so that I will do anything you ask.

Psalms 1, 2, 3; Acts 9:19b-31; Luke 23:44-56a

Birthdays: Bill Hammett, Nancy Cramer, Savannah Mercer Anniversaries:

Tuesday, July 9 Psalm 6 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. (vv.8b-9)

I used to be afraid that if I didn’t pray in full and complete sentences, the Lord wouldn’t understand what I was saying. And then pain, desperation, fear or joy would arise, and I just couldn’t get any words out at all. The only thing I could do was cry. One time a friend had wounded me so deeply I didn’t even know what to say to God. I sat in silence and cried. Finally, in between sobs I said, “God I hope you can hear me because my heart is crying out as loud as it can.”

The Lord hears my weeping. He fully understands what every tear is say-ing and He receives that just like words. He knows and receives my tears of pain, or joy. Sometimes I pray in images because words just aren’t enough. And in mo-ments of great joy I’m screaming like my home team just won State. I’m grateful that the Lord is a multi-lingual God.

1 Samuel 15:24-35; Psalm 5; Acts 9:32-43; Luke 23:56b—24:11

Birthdays: Awaola Banigo, Eloise Hooper Anniversaries: Ernesto & Brittany Rodriguez

Wednesday, July 10 Luke 24:12-35 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (v.27)

I wish I could have heard this dialogue. Jesus explaining all the things in the Old Testament that pointed to him. I love the Old Testament—how it points to Jesus, reflects Jesus, makes us long for Jesus, and displays the perfect unity of the Trinity. It’s like a great action movie. From Creation, the whole Gang was there; and after sin entered, God said He would put hostility between the off-spring of Satan and the offspring of Eve. However, one of these offspring would crush Satan’s head and Satan would strike his heel. Wow, there’s Jesus right there in the OT! Not to mention the Passover in Exodus, the law in Leviticus, and the numerous prophesies about Jesus in the books of the prophets. In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, the people listed are all found in the Old Testament. It really helps me to understand why Jesus did the things he did.

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 119:1-24; Acts 10:1-16 Birthdays: Andy Blackwell, Gabriel Munoz Anniversaries: Shawn & Leah Saveen

Thursday, July 11 Psalm 18:1-20 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. (vv.16-19)

A few years ago, I was in an emotionally, verbally, and sometimes physi-

cally abusive friendship. It didn’t start out that way (it never does). On the out-side it looked fine because I was great at hiding and acting. I didn’t have the strength to leave or to ask someone for help, so I prayed and pleaded for God to have mercy and get me out of that relationship. Eventually she got married and moved out. I cried because I knew the Lord had saved me. I read my Bible and ran into Psalm 18. It was my story. A cord of death entangling me, the Lord heard my cry and was angry about what was happening to me. He cut through the heavens, reached down and took hold of me. He had saved me from my en-emies who were too powerful for me. I was so grateful; grateful to have life back, to be free, and to receive real healing for the wounds that had been in-flicted. Thank you, Lord, for delighting in me and saving me again.

1 Samuel 16:14—17:11; Acts 10:17-33; Luke 24:36-53

Birthdays: Daniel Terrazas, Liz Jauer, Rusty Biechlin, Timothy Raaberg Anniversaries:

Friday, July 12 Mark 1:1-13 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (v.11)

“I love you Sarah, and I’m so proud of you. Some people talk about do-ing the hard stuff, well, you’re doing it. You’re one of the few I know who will charge the gates of hell with a squirt gun. I’m so glad you’re my daughter,” my Dad said with tears.

I used to think God was really just a task-master, the heavenly manager, who was checking my spiritual production in order to decide whether or not He liked me. The Lord said to me, “If your earthly father loves you that much, how much more do I love you?” God makes it very clear that His love for Jesus is not based on production, but on who Jesus belongs too. And God isn’t just pleased, He’s well pleased. Not just a little—a deep well full of joy, acceptance, love, grace, and pleasure. After we accept Jesus as Messiah, repent from our old life, and follow him, these words of God are for us as well. You are God’s precious child, whom He loves; with you He is well pleased.

1 Samuel 17:17-30; Psalms 16, 17; Acts 10:34-48

Birthdays: Alexandra Prado, Gerri Mathews, Morgan Kates Anniversaries: Michael & Alexandra Koroscik

Saturday, July 13 Acts 11:1-18 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said; ‘John bap-tized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (vv.15-17)

Peter said these words to the circumcised believers in Jerusalem after finding out the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit. Peter explained his visions, his trip to Cornelius’s house, and how, while he was sharing about Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and praised God. Talk about a paradigm shift. People who once were unclean are now family. People I’m prejudice against, I now lay down my life for. Isn’t that like God? To take what we call unclean and give them the same gifts we received so we can’t say we’re better or more favored by God. God is big into family, all believers being one. So what if some of their experiences, traditions, worship styles, preaching methods, celebrations, or church buildings are different from ours. Who are we

To add names to the Prayer Lists: email kstephens@tom1604.org Please indicate whether the person is a parishioner, whether the need is long term (up to 6 months) or short term (up to 1 month), and the name of the person making the request. Requests must be received by Wednesday of the current week to be printed on that week’s devotional. All requests received after Wednesday will be reflected the following week.