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The first month has been very exciting!
The first month at St. Raphael's by the Sea has been very exciting. God has blessed us with His Amazing Love. The angels have been busy bringing us new friends who are seeking a new spiritual home. They are finding it at St. Raphael's by the Sea.
We even had our first baptism! A young man visiting his mother came to our service and accepted Christ as His personal Savior. Our service was the second time he had ever been to church. Since he was leaving town, he asked to be baptized that night. The Altar Guild led by our Altar Guild Directress, Betty Goodacre, quickly set up a baptismal service for us. Two of the young man's mother's closest friends, who are also members of our new church, stepped forward to sponsor him. Most of the folks were able to stay after church to witness the birthing of a new soul into the Kingdom of God through the baptismal waters. It was awesome witnessing the movement of the Holy Spirit!
This is what church is all about. It is about bringing others to Christ. It is not about buildings, but about people. Buildings are important, but they are secondary. Our focus needs to be on bringing people to Christ and nourishing the Body of Christ, because it is peoples' souls that matters greatly to our Creator. As members of the Body of Christ, we are God's vessels of His Amazing Love. When others see God's Amazing Love in us, then they are drawn to the Lord like moths to the Light.
In expression of their love for Christ, we have been given generous gifts for our worship service. Thanks to all who have given beautiful gifts such as an antique processional cross, silver heirloom candlesticks, new brass bells, an antique silver chalice and paten set, a silver heirloom plate for communion bread and many other gifts of love so we can offer our best to the Lord. To help us kick off our first service, a special thanks goes to Jean Matthew who got us front page news coverage in 'The Sandpaper' with her article. This article was picked up by several online Anglican news organizations giving St. Raphael's by the Sea a widespread coverage beyond our greatest hopes.
For those of you who are already living in or planning to come to Southwest Florida, be sure to join us at St. Raphael's by the Sea. You don't want to miss out on witnessing the Spirit of God working anew through the beautiful liturgy of our Anglican heritage grounded in the traditional doctrines of the faith passed down from the Apostles and shared by an overwhelming majority of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As for being with old friends, you may be pleasantly surprised as to whom you will see. We here at St. Raphael's by the Sea are committed to focusing on Christ and people. That includes YOU!!! Join us on our exciting pilgrimage as we seek to know Christ and to make Christ known!
In the meantime, we deeply appreciate your support and cherish your prayers. Please check out our new website at www.saintraphaelsbythesea.org to keep current on where our pilgrimage is taking us. We are presently meeting at the Beach Methodist Church on Saturday evenings at 5pm until the end of September. In hopes of having a Sunday morning service we are keeping our options open as we look for another place that would accommodate this concern. Please pray for favor for St. Raphael's by the Sea as we seek to know and share the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus the Christ.
Blessings,
Pastor Alice+ |
Our Mission is to Know Christ and to make Him known to others. To accomplish that mission, it takes commitment and resources. Please read the next few paragraphs and do what you can to support and further the mission.
Our Prayer List
PARISHIONERS:
Roxie Smith Betty Goodacre AJ Bassett
Sue Egony Alfred Paprocki Pat McIntosh
FAMILY OF PARISHIONERS:
Chris Parsons Frandy Bassett Courtney Looney
Teddi Marcrum Gary Looney Jackie Parsons
Owen Riley Pam
FRIENDS Carol Hartman Tammy Joy
Lily Langster Amy Elaine Hastings
Bill Van Duzer Dott Bellows Bruce Keillor
Arthur & Mary Alice Keillor
Remember to pray for those who are in the military service and our nation's leaders.
Active military: Rockford Guy, John Bell, Adam Stock, Louis Feaman, David Bellows, David
Webb, Caroline, Nick Looney
Needs of our Church
- Financial contributions and donations to cover:
- Operating expenses; such as, rent for our worship space, supplies, secretarial assistance and office supplies, outreach, etc.
- Our very minimal tithe to the Gulf Atlantic Diocese
- Salary and modest expenses for our pastor
Prayers and support from our seasonal members to sustain our full time members in their efforts until you all return and physically "pitch in"
New members to expand our outreach and service in doing the Lord's work in our communities
Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries
September Birthdays September Anniversaries
9th Ardeth Westrope 5th Jim & Ardeth Westrope
12th Pat McIntosh 7th David & Sally Saunders
23rd Alice Leaden 22nd Arthur & Mary Alice Keillor
27th Bill Zack
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About the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the ACNA
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It is important to understand that the Manhattan Declaration is a call of Christian Conscience. It speaks to the church just as much as it speaks to the larger culture. In fact it is a clarion call to the church to take a stand on three vital issues: The sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and religious liberty.
Every day new threats emerge to these three core principles of a good and just society. And every day more and more people respond by adding their names to the Declaration. Each of these signers has committed to speak and act in defense of biblical truths with respect to the three issues it addresses. Each agrees that these truths are not open to compromise. And each has become part of a growing movement of people standing shoulder to shoulder in defense of these three vital moral issues.
As the movement grows and as more and more people across America pledge to be uncompromising in their faith, the Manhattan Declaration will have a huge impact on our society. By standing united and in speaking the truth on the vital issues of life, marriage, and liberty we will serve the common good move our nation toward justice.
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family. It was in this tradition that a group of prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders, and scholars released the Manhattan Declaration on November 20, 2009 at a press conference in Washington, DC. The 4,700-word declaration speaks in defense of the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty. It issues a clarion call to Christians to adhere firmly to their convictions in these three areas.
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Joke for the Month
The Hand of God
Little Philip was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in infant school. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother commented, 'Doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?'
"Yes, 'replied Philip, 'God did it and he did it left handed.'
This confused his grandmother so she asked him, 'What makes you say God did this with his left hand?'
'Well, 'said Philip, 'we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand.'
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Grilled Marinated Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails attached
- skewers
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, mix together olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Reserve a small amount for basting later. Pour remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag with shrimp. Seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Preheat grill for medium-low heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
- Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp for 5 minutes per side, or until opaque, basting frequently with reserved marinade.
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