Dear Friends,
This month with the celebration of Valentine's Day, I believe that it is a good time to take a look at the importance of marriage. Unless you are familiar with the story of St. Valentine of Rome, you may be wondering why I have chosen this subject. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius II, marriages and engagements were forbidden in order to encourage young men to join the army. A priest by the name of Valentine defied the emperor's orders and continued to hold weddings, although he had to perform them in secret. When Valentine's defiance was discovered, he was arrested and taken before the Emperor. The emperor offered him leniency if he would renounce Christ. Upon Valentine's refusal, the Emperor sentenced the good priest to be clubbed, stoned and then beheaded.
During his imprisonment, Valentine stayed in contact with his flock through the writing of letters. The jailer's blind daughter visited Valentine during his incarceration. Through his prayers, her sight was restored. When Valentine's day of execution arrived, he wrote a farewell letter to the jailer's daughter, who had been kind to him. He signed the letter with these words, "From your Valentine". The day of his death was February 14th. In 270 AD, Pope Julius I had a church built in remembrance of St. Valentine. St. Valentine was martyred, because he understood the sanctity of marriage as a gift from God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter nine, verses three through nine it is written: "Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?' "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (New American Standard Bible) Is it really surprising then that Jesus' first miracle took place at the wedding of Cana where He changed the water into wine?
Whether we choose to celebrate St. Valentine's Day, I believe that now is a good time to reflect on the sacredness of marriage. Here in America, traditional marriage is becoming a thing of the past as more and more couples choose to live together without the sacred commitment of the marriage vows. Sadly, what these couples do not understand is that by not marrying, they are choosing to leave God out of their relationship. It is only through the sacredness of Holy Matrimony that a couple can ever hope to receive God's blessings. A relationship that is founded upon God is founded upon love that endures, because God is love. It is through God's love for us that we learn how to love one another.
My Valentine wish for all of you is for the love of God to fill all of your hearts and bring you the joy that only God's love can give.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Pastor Alice+
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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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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.
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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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Rummage Sale
The Rummage & Bake Sale
Was a huge success, thanks to
all the hard work of our members.
Thank you everyone who helped out,
You helped raise over $3400.00
for the church.
Winner's of the Raffle's are Pat Mcintosh for the Shell Ball
& Leeanna Parsons for the Shell Wreath.
Congratulations
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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 Jane Upsal
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
Siera Coleman Ann White Monica & Baby Matthew
Sister Teresa David
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 Toby
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
February Birthdays February Anniversaries
23rd Jim Westrope 8th Paul & Ruth Abraham
12th Rev. Alice & James Marcrum |
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.
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Joke for the Month
A young woman was taking an afternoon nap. After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's day. What do you think it means?"
"You'll know tonight," he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it--only to find a book entitled "The meaning of dreams".
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Valentine Berry Yogurt Crunch
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Ingredients:
- 3 cups plain low-fat yogurt
- 1 (1.5 ounce) envelope instant sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries, mixed
- 3/4 cup wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™)
- 1 cup blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries, mixed
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup sweetened whipped cream for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Combine the yogurt and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of the mixed berries and the cereal until blended. Pour the yogurt and berry mixture into a 9 inch pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, place the remaining 1 cup of berries in a medium bowl and slightly mash with a fork. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Set mixture aside at room temperature.
- Spoon chilled berry-yogurt mixture into serving dishes. Top with a spoonful of mashed berries, and whipped cream, if desired.
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Saint Raphael's by the Sea Church
