Dear Friends,
What a terrific month October was for St. Raphael's by the Sea. On October 24th, we had our first Sunday morning worship which happened to be the historic Feast Day of the Archa ngel Raphael. We had a great turn out as folks in our new neighborhood walked over to 'check us out'. Most of them returned this last Sunday with more first time visitors. Word is spreading and it is bringing positive results.
Live music for our worship services began on Sunday morning's All Hallow's Eve service! With the gift of a keyboard from a local church, our organist from the old church, Jean Matthew, filled the auditorium with heavenly organ music. Jean has graciously offered to play for free until St. Raphael's by the Sea can afford to pay her. What a wonder gift from our dear friend! Thank you so much! Hopefully that time will come sooner rather than later!!!
A special thanks goes to the Zacks for the wonderful potluck luncheon held at their beautiful home after our first Sunday worship service. The ham provided by the Zachs was delicious along with the tasty dishes folks brought with them. For those who weren't able to join us, we hope you can make it next time. There was more than enough for all. Also, new friends were made and old friends got caught up with one another's news.
Our service was decked out in liturgical splendor with beautiful new vestments, and a new altar frontal made especially for us by Becky Stout, one of our charter members. Some of you may know her better as Sue Egony's niece. This past Sunday Becky gave us a lovely pulpit cover to go with the gorgeous green and gold liturgical set. You can see these on our web site or Facebook site. (Yes, St. Raphael's by the Sea is also on Facebook!)
This past Sunday, Sue Egony gave the parish a lovely antique altar cross. We also were given fifteen new 1979 Books of Common Prayer from an anonymous giver. With all these new gifts, our worship services are like Christmas! As I pointed out on Sunday, this is one of the joys of starting a new church - the receiving of gifts!
Looking ahead, on this Saturday, November 6th, St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church will be officially welcomed into the Gulf Atlantic Diocese at the Diocesan Synod. Roxie Smith is our lay delegate and Betty Goodacre is our alternate. In the Anglican Church of North America, parishes are allowed one delegate per 100 members - up to a total of six delegates. We will be processing in with a beautiful banner, complements of A.J. Bassett and Roxie Smith. A big thanks to these two great ladies for their generous gift.
The procession of the new parishes with their parishioners will take place at the end of the Synod. A special powerpoint presentation done by Jim Marcrum for our parish will be shown at that time. Thank you Jim! It wouldn't be happening without your computer techno skills. All of you are welcome to join us at the Synod for the procession around 3pm. For those of you who can't be there, we can't wait to report back to you on our first Synod. Hope to have lots of pictures to share with you.
We also have a special fund raiser happening in March of 2011. Paul Todd will be giving two concerts for us here at the Beach Movie Theatre on Saturday, March 5th. There will be a matinee at 4pm followed by an evening concert at 7pm. Tickets are $20.00 per person. You will want to purchase them early as Paul is a local favorite, who has sung nationally and has worked with acclaimed musical artists including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Phil Driscol. Be sure and mark your calendars for this one.
As you can see the Lord is pouring out His blessings on us. So hurry on down! You don't want to miss out!
Blessings!
Pastor Alice+
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About the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the ACNA
 Gulf Atlantic Diocese Holds Synod Clergy and delegates will gather at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 6, in the Sawmill Room at the Phillips Center on the Advent Christian Village campus near Live Oak, Florida. Synod will begin promptly at 10:00 and will conclude by 4:00 PM with lunch around 12:30. Guests are invited to attend. Guests who are having lunch at the Synod will need to register ahead of time. Parishioners who plan to be in the new parish processional need to be on the premises no later than 2:30pm as the procession is planned for 3pm. There are three new parishes being received into the Gulf Atlantic Diocese this year. They are: Christ Church, Vero Beach; St. Raphael's by the Sea, Fort Myers Beach; and All Souls Anglican, Jacksonville. The agenda for the Synod includes 2011 Diocesan Budget, Proposed Changes to the Diocesan Constitution and Canons, Compensation Guidelines for Clergy and Staff for 2011, Election of Candidates for Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Ecclesiastical Court, and Provincial Council. Please keep our delegates in prayer as they vote on these matters. |
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Donate On-Line to St. Raphael's by the Sea Church
To make it readily accessable and easy for our season members and friends to help support the missions of St. Raphael's by the Sea, we have set-up a means to receive donations via credit cards, debit cards, and direct from your bank accounts! Just click on the link below, enter you information and desired donation, and voila!, the transaction is completed for you direct into St. Raphael's by the Sea checking account. You can even specify how you want the funds used; from paying operating expenses, to flowers, music, Christmas, Easter, etc.
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 Mark Your Calendars for March 5th 2011!
Paul Todd will be coming to St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church located at the recently closed Beach Movie Theatre on Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach.
The Performer......
A critically acclaimed prolific writer, entertainer, composer, arranger, and singer, Paul Todd has been amazing crowds since he won the prestigious National Yamaha Keyboard Contest at the young age of fourteen. His career began with classmate singer Linda Eder as "The Paul and Linda Show", playing clubs and opening for such celebrities as The Pointer Sisters, Rich Little, The Gatlin Brothers, and Joan Rivers. After beginning his own solo career, Paul has experienced all facets of the music industry, and has headlined in theaters and concert halls worldwide. His Broadway performances include the Beacon Theater, where he performed in a special production of "A Night on Broadway", with Broadway greats: Hinton Battle, Carla Burns, and Danielle Furland. As a Christian artist, he has worked with some of his favorites, including; Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Phil Driscol. There will be 2 Concerts! A matinee' at 4pm and an evening concert at 7pm. Tickets are $20.00 per person. Proceeds will go to support St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church Outreach and Reserve Fund. Buy early to get a seat as Paul is quite popular locally.
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BLESSING OF THE SHRIMP FLEET
An historic turn of events has happened. The owner of the Shrimp Fleet, Dennis Henderson, contacted Betty Goodacre and invited St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church to host the Shrimp Fleet Blessing for 2011. The Blessing ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 20th at 2:30pm on the shrimp docks. The Rt. Reverend Neil Lebhar, Bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese in the Anglican Church of North America, has kindly accepted the shrimpers' invitation to bless the Shrimp Fleet. While the Blessing of the Fleet is the centerpiece of the event, activities for family fun are enjoyed by all, especially the shrimp eating contest at 1:30pm. Vendors will be at the docks and open from noon until 5pm.  |
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Leaders of Saint Raphael's by the Sea receive special recognized
by Beach Town Council
 | | Jean Mathews, AJ Bassett, Roxie Smith |
God has brought together here at St. Raphael's by the Sea a group of His people who love Him in thought, word and deed. This past week, three of our members were given the coveted Heritage Award as Citizens of Distinction. These three members are leaders and supporters not only in our church, but also in our community. It is a part of their DNA. The truth be told, they do not do what they do in the hopes of being rewarded. They do what they do, because that is who they are in Christ. |
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
Harry Marcrum Gary Looney Jackie Parsons
Pam Tasha Looney Stephanie Joy
Melanie Coleman
FRIENDS Carol Hartman Tammy Joy
Lily Langster Amy Elaine Hastings
Bill Van Duzer Bruce Keillor Stan Hastings
Carolyn Shirly Durbin Sandy & Sparky Smith
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
November Birthdays November Anniversaries 3rd Jessica Marcrum 21st Sally Saunders
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Joke for the Month
Jesus trys to Make a Point
Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked."This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded."Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.
"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"
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Recipe of the Month:
Thanksgiving Bread
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Add pumpkin and oil; mix well. Add dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon into two greased 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks
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Saint Raphael's by the Sea Church