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What is intercessory prayer? Quite simply, intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament. (As in Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel). But Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. He was the greatest mediator (intercessor) that ever lived. Because of this we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of others according to his will. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. A wonderful model of intercessory prayer is found in Daniel 9:3 as he prayed for his people who had turned away from God. It has all the elements of true intercessory prayer. True intercessory prayer seeks to not only know God's will and see it fulfilled, but to see it fulfilled no matter whether it benefits us and no matter what it cost us. It seeks God's glory, not our own. There is an erroneous idea in contemporary Christianity that those who offer up intercessory prayers for others are a special class of super-Christians, called by God to a ministry of intercession. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Bible is clear that all Christians are called to be intercessors. All Christians have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and, just as He intercedes for us in accordance with God's will, we are to intercede for one another. Let us pray¡... --Fr. Rex
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSICAL FELLOWSHIP COME—ALL YOU ENJOY SINGING TO OUR LORD JOIN-IN THE JOURNEY-Beginning November 4th. ALL-MUSICAL VOICES WELCOME When: Wednesday evenings 6:45 – 7:30 Where: Church Sanctuary How Long: 7 weeks WHAT MUSIC CAN Be Offered for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas. For Information contact Henrietta O’Neill
For the Beauty of the Earth
“Eucharistia” is a Greek word meaning “Gratefulness” or Thankfulness”---and Folliot Sandford Pierpoint (1835 – 1917) wrote this most beautiful hymn. He intended the hymn to be sung during the service of “Holy Eucharist” or Holy Communion” as many of us call it.
Not only are we grateful for God’s gift of His Son – whose death and resurrection we remember by the bread and wine of communion – but we are grateful for all the other gifts of God’s love by which we are surrounded every moment.
Look up the Hymn 416 – What are some of the specific gifts named in the stanzas of Mr. Pierpoint’s hymn. You may notice that the words chosen were simple, every day words for the text.
It may be that each time we partake of communion we not only think of our gratitude for Christ but of our thankfulness for All the gifts of beauty, of time, and of love with which God fills each day.
Blessings to all, Henrietta O’Neill
Safeway and Kings Soopers Gift Cards Safeway and King Soopers gift cards are available through St. Alban’s. Friends, neighbors, yourself, everyone is welcome to purchase them! Proceeds go to our Building Fund. Minimum card purchase is $2.50, maximum is $500. There is a minimum of $200 required for a total group order. Both stores accept the cards at their gas pumps but you must pay at the kiosk for Safeway. You can order cards on ANY Sunday and I will have them to you by the following Sunday, usually sooner. Please place your check in the offering plate and mark the Memo Line - Safeway or King Soopers. Orders are NOT tax deductible nor are they considered contributions to St. Alban’s. If you go grocery shopping or fill up your car at either store, please consider buying gift cards and help support St. Alban’s Building Fund! TREASURY NOTES Below is a summary of the financial results for the first three months of the year. Total Assets | $ 89,139 | Total Liabilities | 2,856 | Equity | Temporarily Restricted | 32,515 | Unrestricted Net Assets | 53,768 | Total Equity | 86,283 | Total Liabilities and Equity | $ 89,139 | Budget | Actual | Variance | Plate and Pledge | $ 28,511 | $ 33,225 | $ 4,714 | Total Income | 29,324 | 36,861 | 7,537 | Total Expenses | 37,706 | 38,855 | (1,149) | Net Income | $ (8,382) | $ (1,994) | $ 6,388 |
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Food for Our Journey To return next month in the June issue of the Sword… In the meantime, Janice has submitted the following inspirational (and fun) item! Enjoy! How To Plant Your Garden while the dew is still on the roses.... FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING, PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS: 1. Peace of mind First, you Come to the garden alone, 2. Peace of heart 3. Peace of soul PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH: 1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3. Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS: 1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help one another TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME: 1. Thyme for each other 2.. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. Blessings, Janice
STEWARDSHIP Understanding a deeper understanding of true giving. There was a woman who tells us about how challenging sermons, family devotions, and a visit from Every Member Canvassers challenged her to reconsider her family's priorities regarding the use of money. Like many of us, she had focused on worldly goods more than Christian stewardship. Do we not think about the next "worldly thing" we want to get, far more than we consider what we can do on behalf of God and the Kingdom? In short, don't we often put our "wants" first and God's work somewhere down the list in our priorities? Well, she came to realize that even when their income had doubled to $40,000 annually, they were still giving the church the same $500 annually that they had when their income was lower. She thought this was like embezzling money from God. Should not God have a healthy portion of a family's income? And certainly, given the fact that God enables us to have whatever we have: life, talent, energy, guidance, our church, and time on earth... should we not glorify God with worship, service and with responsible and generous stewardship? God gives us the freedom to choose what sort of steward we will be! Jesus gave us the direction we need to follow: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth," he said " But store up for treasures in Heaven.... for where your treasure is, there your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Thanks Again, Stewardship Chair, Roy
A Message from the Outreach Committee Dear Family of St. Albans, I am writing this as a representative of the Out Reach Committee. Here at St. Albans we have, as a community of believers, always felt strongly about outreach. In lean times and times of plenty we have given a portion of our income to out each. When my husband Bruce and I came to St. Albans some thirty years ago it was definately lean times. We were a congregation of about fifteen people. Our understanding of giving was, to say the least, limited. We began giving because we were a little fearful that the doors might close if we didn’t help . We were receiving so much from the church we sure didn’t want that to happen! { I did say limited- didn’t I?} Over the course of time I learned that there are many ways of giving.. Not only money but with time and talents as well. Even in that I it took me some years to find the real reasons for giving time and talents. In the beginning I was trying to be a part of something bigger that myself. I found my new identity in service. {Still limited-right?} Whatever my intentions were over the years , they have led me to this belief. That giving, whatever form it takes, leads to Love. We give because we love! The Out Reach Committee is asking to increase our giving beyond the doors of St. Albans. I feel this is a wonderful challenge! At this time of my life I personally feel the need to be more connected to all of God's children, and as a result closer to God. You all are so loving and giving! -- Phyllis Cook Some Outreach Opportunities Meals on Wheels: County is in DESPERATE need of volunteers to deliver meals in the Windsor area. If interested, please contact Mary Margaret Cox at 353-9738 (Greeley) Deodorant Soap, Toilet paper, Flour, Juice, Saltine crackers and Sugar. Please leave items on the tables so we don’t attract “little critters”. Thank you Meals on Wheels of WeldWindsor Food Pantry: A collection basket is inthe Parish Hall. Items needed are: Shampoo,Windsor Clothing Bank:Hosted by the United Methodist Church at 5th & Walnut. Hours of operation are 9 am - 12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays when staffed with volunteers. A sign is out front when it’s open. Just for Fun! . . . Hymn Titles by Occupation Do you know your (specific) hymn(s)? When you go to Church this weekend be sure to smile as you go through your Hymnals! Dentist's Hymn.............................. Crown Him with Many Crowns Weatherman's Hymn..................... There Shall Be Showers of Blessings Contractor's Hymn........................ The Church's One Foundation The Tailor's Hymn......................... Holy, Holy, Holy The Golfer's Hymn......................... There's a Green Hill Far Away The Politician's Hymn.................... Standing on the Promises Optometrist's Hymn....................... Open My Eyes That I Might See The IRS Agent's Hymn.................... I Surrender All The Gossip's Hymn........................ Pass It On The Electrician's Hymn................... Send The Light The Shopper's Hymn....................... Sweet Bye and Bye The Realtor's Hymn........................ I've Got a Mansion Just over the Hilltop The Massage Therapists Hymn..... He Touched Me The Doctor's Hymn......................... The Great Physician AND for those who speed on the highway - a few hymns: 45mph................... God Will Take Care of You 65mph................... Nearer My God To Thee 85mph................... This World Is Not My Home 95mph.................... Lord, I'm Coming Home 100mph.................. Precious Memories
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The Sword Why I walk…2010 by Gayle Martinchick Last year I told you about several reasons why I walk…participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer every year. Why do I train hundreds of miles of walking to do 39.3 miles in one weekend every year (this year is my 5 This past year, I discovered a completely unexpected reason to walk. It was a true revelation for me! Last year my friends Jill and Patrick walked with me in Charlotte, NC. We all finished, thanks to you all for the contributions for us to raise the $1800 each that is required, and thanks to God putting us together as a team to support each other through the training and the walk itself. If Pat wouldn’t have been my ―crutch‖, I wouldn’t have pushed with my injury at mile 24 to finish. I would have sat on the curb until a sag wagon scooped me up, and I probably would have stayed in bed on day 2. This is the revelation of how important the Avon Walk is for those who have not had or do not have (or will not develop) breast cancer or be victimized by it through a loved one. Patrick had a hip replacement about 5 years ago. Surgery didn’t go well, and a year post-op the pain was worse than it was before surgery. He came to my massage office to see if something could help him find relief. For anyone who has been to my office, you know about the staircase one must climb to get there. We don’t have an elevator. He could barely make it up them. We have been in a massage therapist/client relationship every week for over 3 ½ years, and needless to say, we have built a strong friendship. We’ve laughed, talked, bitched, talked, sometimes even cried, and talked some more in all those sessions. He revealed to me just this past year that he was on the brink of suicide because of the pain, the limitations that pain put on him, and the depression that spiraled his whole being into darkness through the whole experience. He said that if this rehab option didn’t help him, it was the last chance. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer saved Patrick. And he does not have breast cancer. It was a goal, a vision, for him. He had always been a very active, athletic type, and it was something that he could look forward to in his rehabilitation of the hip. It gave him hope that he really could rehab. It gave him a reason not to quit on life. It then proved to be confirmation for that hope and faith when he not only crossed the finish line both days, completing more than 39.3 miles in the one weekend in Charlotte, NC last October but drug me with him on his arm, because I was injured. He wouldn’t let me quit. ―The 3 of us trained together, flew 2/3 of the way across the US together to do this, and we’re going to finish together‖, he said. So I took off my shoes and donned flip-flops for the last 2.2 miles of day 1. It helped him to see that he could follow through all the way on a project, see it to fruition, and sign up to do it again the following year. It showed him that he can let go of fears and limitations he thought plagued his life and move beyond them to accomplish something he set out to do. It helped to move him to a new level of himself. It helped him on a new journey of self-growth. When he first started training, he could barely make 4 miles, a city block in Fort Collins, with me. We clocked hundreds of miles of training for that walk over a 6 month period of time. We did fundraisers, a raffle, and used blackmail & coercion to raise the money to go. We need your help again this year to make it a reality to walk Santa Barbara, CA in September 2010. We’d really like to do it without the blackmail and coercion this year. Of course, I still walk for Mom, Tana, Terri, Patty, Bonnie, Barbara, Nina, Roshan, Marjie, Lydia, Bobbie, Lynette, Lyndie, all the patients in whom I’ve palpated breast lumps, and everyone victimized by this disease. I walk for the 1 in 7 women who will get it (1 in 4 with a family history), and all the men, too. I walk because every 3 minutes a new diagnosis of breast cancer is made in this country alone. I walk for a cure so that nobody else will suffer with it or die from it. And I walk for everyone who needs this walk to make life a better journey all the way around. This is why I walk… Please can you help us raise the money? We each have to raise $1800, so Jill, Patrick, and I have to raise a total of $5400 again this year to participate as a team. The easiest way to contribute is to go to my personal website: www.tinyurl.com/gaylewalk and make a credit card donation. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer" and send it to me at 8110 Three Eagles Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80528. All donations are tax deductible. I thank God for my health and for the privilege to be able to do this. I thank you for your financial support to be able to do this. As long as I have you, I will continue to walk… I also please ask for your prayers for an eradication of this horrid disease, comfort & healing for those who suffer from it, and for the safety and support of those of us who walk for education about early detection, research, and financial support for underprivileged people for these things. Thank you and God bless you!!! Again, my website address to donate now is www.tinyurl.com/gaylewalk . In Christ, Gayle Martinchick ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KIDS IN CHURCH. . . The Lord's Prayer 3-year-old Reese recited: ¨Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. And,One particular four-year-old prayed: ¨And forgive us our trash baskets, as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets... Amen! th time) and put the effort into raising the mandatory $1800 each year? The absolute core reason is because breast cancer needs to be eradicated, and the people who have been diagnosed with it need help. Early detection, education, research, and prevention are all keys to ending it. This year I lost a friend to the disease. Patty died a few months ago after fighting it for years. I found in March of this year that another friend was newly diagnosed. I’m sad, angry, and hurt. This is why I walk… This is why I walk...
A Report from the Altar Guild
This church year is quickly coming to an end. I would like to pause, take a moment, and share with you what has been happening with the St. Albans Altar Guild!
The women of the Guild are Elaine Lewis, Sheri Ricker, Bobbie Manderbach, Lynn Peterson and Phyllis Cook. This summer you have noticed the beautiful flower arrangements on the altar each Sunday. Lynn has a wonderful gift of flower arranging. We call her "our flower lady". Bobbie does the washing and ironing of our linens. She has been working very hard to bring our linens and vestments "up to speed" and has improved the quality of all of our supplies. Elaine, Sheri and I make communion bread, buy the wine and take turns setting up communion for our three services each Sunday. We also dress the altar and church for weddings, funerals and baptisms.
The guild has a silent partner who is always there to help. Dennis Ricker replaces the votive candles in the grotto, fills the oil in our lectern candles and whatever else needs doing. Now that summer is over and we get back to a more normal schedule, we will be meeting more regularly. We are looking forward to the changing seasons in the church i.e. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. We feel especially blessed to be able to serve our Lord in this ministry. As we go about our duties in the church, we take the opportunity to spend some quiet time with the Lord. Our prayer is that God be glorified and that your worship be enhanced by our efforts. Love to all--Phyllis Cook Altar Guild
The Order of the Daughters of the King We as Daughters of the King at St. Alban¡¯s affirm our love for Jesus and, through this love, pray for our parish and those in need. As we meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month our minds come together and look to our Lord for His guidance to fulfill our vows and sustain our commitment as ¨Dnurturing women, accepting all peoples, bridging differences, and cherishing traditions.¡¬ If you have a desire to reflect God¡¯s love and reach out through prayer and service to spread His Kingdom, please, come join us! For His Sake, Virginia Webb, Gwen Moore, Jan Groom, Susan Grande, Sheri Ricker, and Jan Steele, Jeanne Armstrong, Lynn Peterson, Janice Scatterday, and Karen Anderson. . We meet at Janice Scatterday's, 1384 Saginaw Pointe Dr. at 7:00 pm.
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