Dear Friends,
Hope all of you have recovered by now from Christmas and Epiphany! We had a wonderful candlelit Christmas Eve service that was beautifully decorated by the Altar Guild chaired by our Directress Betty Goddacre with red and white poinsettas and not one, but two creches! Special thanks to Paul and Ruth Abraham for the large altar creche and to Pat McIntosh for the lovely smaller creche that enhanced our worship space. Our lovely Advent Wreath and Paschal Candle stand given to us by the Hogue Family served and will continue to serve as a an essential asset to our liturgical worship. And we cannot forget the wonderful organ given to us in time for our Christmas Eve service.
For those of you who were unable to attend our special services of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Lessons and Carols and the Epiphany Evening Prayer Service with Eucharist, you just missed out and we missed you! Our readers were exceptional and the Special Music by Frank Zilinyi and Jessica Marcrum was glorious! Special thanks also to our dear organist Jean Matthew who faithfully shared with us her fine gift of music. I know that some of you out there think that we are barely getting by, but what you don't understand unless you come and see for yourself is the many blessings the Lord God has given to us not only in gifts, but also in service from some of the best worker bees and talented people around! We are truly blessed here at St. Raphael's by the Sea.
Speaking of Blessings, just wanted to remind you of our upcoming Annual Meeting this Sunday on January 23rd following our 10 am worship service. We will be providing a light lunch at no cost to those attending. Please plan on attending even if your name is not yet in our Parish Register. Since we have not even been in existence for a year yet, some of you are wondering why we are even having an Annual Meeting. Well, we want to make sure that we are in compliance with the ACNA's canonical requirements so we can submit a Parochial Report for 2010 on our status.
We will be showing a presentation of our brief, but exciting history of how we began and where we are now. Some of you may recognize yourself in some of the pictures, since without you there would be no St. Raphael's by the Sea. The Finance Committee will also be giving a PowerPoint presentation for us. This information is most helpful in seeing how far we have come in such a short period of time. Also, what we need to do to grow our presence on Fort Myers Beach. So please make this Sunday a priority on your calendar and plan to attend as we reflect together on what the Lord has already done for us and seek His will to know Christ and to make Christ known!
Blessings!
|
|
Deacon Susan Twerdy Rhodes' Corner
Did you know that you are dead to sin and that you are alive unto God through Jesus Christ your Lord? (Romans 6:11) Did you know that you are fashioned by the Master's hand (Ephesians 2:10), that you are worth the body and blood of Jesus (Luke 22:18-19) and that you are accepted? (Ephesians 1:6)
These truths from Scripture, (and there are many, many more!) apply to all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
Did you know that you are forgiven (Colossians 1:14), that you are not under the law but under grace (Romans 6:16) and that you are walking in newness of Spirit? (Romans 7:6)
Those of us attending the healing class have begun to discover these truths as each one of them became real to us, not only in our heads but in our hearts!
If you've read these promises from Scripture and aren't sure in your heart that they apply to you, then I invite you to attend the healing class, which is being held after the service. Come, learn and experience the healing power of God!
Blessings!
Deacon Susan |
|
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.
|
|
About the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the ACNA
Dynamos Youth Retreat
Consider Dynamos #9, March 11-13, 2011. (Applications to be posted after conclusion of Dynamos #8. However, apply to be Rector).
Who?
- Candidate- If you have never been to a weekend like Dynamos and you're in high school, you can participate as a candidate. You can download a Candidate application and a medical form.
- Team- If you've been to Dynamos already you can apply to be a member of God's team on Dynamos #9. You can download a Team application and a medical form.
Have questions? Need more information? You can contact Father Andrew Rowell by email or telephone, (850) 701-0664 ext. 18 or Barbara Boone at bboone@talchamber.com to find out everything there is to know about Dynamos.
 Join the Dynamos Facebook Group.
What? Dynamos is the spirit in motion, God acting in the world and in our lives in a powerful and amazing way. Dynamos is the youth renewal retreat for high school students, run by the students of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.
|
 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.
|
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.  |
|
Rummage Sale
We are now ready to start gathering your sellable donations for our first Rummage Sale.
Roxie Smith has generously stepped forward and provided us with the funds to rent a space that we will be able to gather, store and prep the items for a rummage sale
scheduled January 28th & 29th 2011.
Please bring your smaller items to the church for Cris Zack, Leeanna Parsons,
Roxie Smith or Jim & Pastor Alice and they will see that they get to the staging area that we have rented. For the larger items please make arrangments with one of the five
people listed above to drop off or have picked up.
|
Our Mission is to Know Christ and to make Christ 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.
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
Our Prayer List
PARISHIONERS:
Roxie Smith Betty Goodacre AJ Bassett Sandy Smith
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 Betsy Chalut Harold Futch
FRIENDS Carol Hartman Tammy Joy
Lily Langster Amy Elaine Hastings
Bill Van Duzer Jean Matthew Stan Hastings
Carolyn Shirly Durbin Arthur & Mary Alice Keillor
Chad Matthew Margaret Patterson Meghan
Allison Watkins
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
Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries
January Birthdays January Anniversaries
|
Canon 10.Sec.2 of the ACNA Constitution Concerning Duties of the Laity
It shall be the duty of every member of the Church:
1. To worship God, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, every Lord's Day in a Church
unless reasonably prevented;
2. To engage regularly in the reading and study of Holy Scripture and the Doctrine of the Church as
found in Article I of the Constitution of this Church;
3. To observe their baptismal vows, to lead an upright and sober life, and not give scandal to the
Church;
4. To present their children and those they have led to the Lord for baptism and confirmation;
5. To give regular financial support to the Church, with the biblical tithe as the minimum standard
of giving;
6. To practice forgiveness daily according to our Lord's teaching;
7. To receive worthily the Sacrament of Holy Communion as often as reasonable;
8. To observe the feasts and fasts of the Church set forth in the Anglican formularies;
9. To continue his or her instruction in the Faith so as to remain an effective minister for the Lord
Jesus Christ;
10. To devote themselves to the ministry of Christ among those who do not know Him, utilizing the
gifts that the Holy Spirit gives them, for the effective extension of Christ's Kingdom.
|
Joke for the Month
|
An "Oldie" but a "Goodie" --- From Bayshore Bulletin |
|
During a fired-up sermon, the spirit impressed a great illustration on a local pastor. He said, "Our church needs to get back to the basics. We need to become like a babe, and learn to get up on our hands and knees and crawl like we've never CRAWLED before.
This church needs to CRAWL before the Lord."
As the pastor paused briefly, From the back of the sanctuary came a voice crying out, "Let 'er CRAWL preacher, let 'er CRAWL."
The pastor continued, "Then we need to work on studying the word and strenthening ourselves to where we can STAND and be strong in our faith.
We need to STAND for the LORD."
From the back of the sanctuary the voice replied back, "Let 'er STAND preacher, let 'er STAND."
Encouraged even more, the pastor continued his illustration by saying, "This church needs to then take one step at a time, putting one foot in front of the other until we can WALK with the Lord the way we should.
This church needs to WALK for the Lord."
From the back of the sanctuary the voice replied back, "Let 'er WALK preacher, let 'er WALK."
By now the Pastor was fully inspired by the encouraging Brother in the back.
Spurred on by the response the pastor continued with enthusiasm, "The church needs to then get into a stride where we can RUN for God. But first, it's going to take each and every member of this church, each and every one of you, to join in.
"You're each going to have to make a commitment to tithe, you're each going to have to make a commitment to study the Word daily, you're each going to have to commit to pray daily, and you're each going to have to commit to assembling here as part of this body each and every time the church doors are open.
"Then and only then, can this church RUN for the Lord."
After an exceptionally long and thoughtful pause the voice cried out from the back of the sanctuary with a somewhat disappointed tone, . . .
"Let 'er CRAWL Preacher, Let 'er CRAWL." |
|
Baked Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 bunch kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Directions
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
- Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutritional Information 
Amount Per Serving Calories: 58 | Total Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 0mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saint Raphael's by the Sea Church
