Month: February 2024

From Deacon Ron Reno:

We have finished our four ancient “Gesima” Sundays this last weekend and we have done our best in preparation for Lent. We saw that change was coming and have celebrated Jesus’s birth, circumcision and more. We have discovered that Grace is not easily understood and Grace is probably undeserved. We know we are laborers seeking His reward and we worship Him best by living a godly Christian life. We do Him justice by gathering together by doing MP, doing music like “My God, I Love Thee” by Filbert, doing the the pre-sanctified gifts and the Eucharist when Father Andrews is among us. This mission church loves God!

O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all the virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ sake. Amen “Collect for Quinquagesima’

During Holy Week, when the most brutal sufferings of Jesus are put forward to us in the liturgy; the Church really invites us to follow His blood stained footsteps and in a way to carry the cross with Him. We often associate Lent as a time to give up things, change bad behavior, give up alcohol and maybe get in better physical shape. Sacrifice is good and can help us grow in our relationship with the Lord; all of those things are important to consider doing. I think God would look at it a little differently than just giving up things; sure, He wants us to seek penance but I bet He would be pleased if we added things like reading more scripture, maybe doing the stations of the cross at Saint Mary’s Chapel and work on renewing our faith in Jesus. I think He would choose us to add time, talent and treasure for the good of others and seek virtue. Charity, virtue and penance can be our foundation for this Lent and that by itself will strengthen our faith. Embrace adding anything that will help you to spiritually grow: use your Lenten books given to you by Saint John’s to reflect on.

We will do our imposition of ashes this Saturday just before services. Did you know Ash Wednesday dates back to the 11th century for us but the tradition of marking ones forehead with ashes goes back to ancient Hebrew times? PENANCE, does that sound familiar?

Our services the following weekend will be on Sunday, February 25 at 11:15. Please take note of this change.

God willing and the weather permitting, Father Andrews and Anneliese are hopeful to be here March 2, God bless, Deacon

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Bulletin_2024-02-10

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Pray for all of our Bishops. Pray especially for Bishop Ashman who has landed in the hospital again because of Covid. It reminded me of the need to pray for all of our clergy because the Devil is real and he attacks our clergy however he can. We must pray for mercy, the grace of God and His love to combat the Devil. The Devil is not omnipresent but he and his minions do try to destroy the people who bring the truth of God. That is especially true of God’s clergy and His Bishops.

We had a lovely External Solemnity of Candlemas along with the collect for Sexigesima. Candlemas is important to us because its ancient origins go back to the early church about 354AD. For the prelude, the choir did the Antiphons from the Candlemas rite. We chanted the Litany and the offertory anthem of “When Mary to the Temple Went” by Johannes Eccard was especially appropriate. A MUST read is Father Andrew’s attached homily. Father put a wonderful historical narrative to this ancient custom. Thank you Father!

ALMIGHTY, and everlasting God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that’s thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance pf our flesh, we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen “Collect for Candlemas”

O LORD God, who sees that we put not our trust in anything we do; Mercifully grant that thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen
“Collect for Sexigesima”

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Candlemas-Deacon Mass 2024

We celebrated Septuagesima with a sung MP with the Communion of the Pre-sanctified gifts while also having a external solemnity of Saint Charles Stuart, King and Martyr. We are blessed to be a small mission of God loving individuals and a choir that honors Him and the martyrs of the church. Our job on this earth is to love Him, be humble of heart and do His work and that includes in remembering His saints. Thank you choir for your hard work; I especially loved the anthem sung the “Call to Remembrance” by Richard Tarrant, maybe 1550 AD?

I attended the funeral of Don Gerlach, PHD  in Harvard Nebraska. Don retired to his childhood home in Harvard 2010.  Don was connected with us because of his love of Anglican tradition and liturgy. Don helped to found Saint Mary’s Anglican in Akron, Ohio in 1978. He was a member of that church but came to ours when he could; we claim him as a member also. Reverend Canon Leigh Aaron Kester from Saint Mary’s was the officiant of this service. It was a traditional Anglican service within the Harvard United Methodist Church. An honor guard was there at the grave-site and Don was given a proper Anglican Christian burial. Of your charity, please pray for the repose of Don’s soul.

O LORD, we beseech thee favorably to hear the prayers of thy people, that we, who are justly punished for our offenses, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen

Homily and bulletin are attached. God bless, Deacon

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Septu2024

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Earlier this week I received a call from a second cousin of Don Gerlach. Bonnie knew that last summer I offered to be backup clergy in case the priest from Saint Mary’s Anglican Church in Akron, Ohio couldn’t be here. A priest from Saint Marys will be there. Don was a founding member of that church in 1977. She also wanted us to know the latest information concerning Don’s funeral in Harvard Nebraska. Harvard is 132 miles west of Omaha.. Nick sent out an email this week about Don’s obit. Reading Don’s obit showed a man who lived a Godly full life. I encourage all of you to visit www.apfelfuneralhome.com to read about Don. Don was a very humble and generous man; he came to us when he retired to his ancestral home in Harvard and visited us whenever he could. He liked us and gave alms every month even when he couldn’t be here. The last couple of years Saint John’s took the sacrament to him whenever he wanted it. I told Bonnie that I would be there; anyone one that wants to go with me would be welcome. It will take most of the day that would include 4 1/2 hours of drive time.

We had a great 3rd Sunday of Epiphany. Our choir has such a sense of beauty when doing the music; they bring so much joy and love of God to the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Nick played  Noel “Minuet fut fait un Reveal” by JF Dandrieu as the postlude. I learn more about music from this group than any I have been around.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Collect for the Third Sunday after Epiphany

Good news from the Doctors office that my small tumor was benign. Prayers do work and we need to pray for all the people on the Saint Judes Prayer Group. We also need to pray for our friends and family. I have attached the correct homily from Father Andrew’s for last Saturday. I am also attaching our bulletin. God bless, Deacon

Bulletin_2024-01-20
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