Author: Skip Sopscak

From Deacon Ron Reno:

We had a lovely “First Sunday after Christmas Morning Prayer with Communion service.”  Nick and the choir sang two Cornish carols that were exceptional. It was a small group at church but they were mighty. We are all servants of the Lord and doing His will is what saves our souls. We are blessed.

We had a conversation before Christmas about having our services changed to 10 instead of 9:30 on Saturday.  We would like to have a discussion during coffee about the possibility of that change. Please think about this and feel free to discuss your thoughts on this. If you are not available this Saturday; feel free to email Deacon, Nick or Lynda about your opinion. We are all doing our best to do God’s work on this earth and we want to do what is best for our people in this mission church.

We may have a visitor with his family Saturday; Father Paul Thompson from Hancock, Iowa. During COVID we did a baptism of a baby for a member of his closed parish. I do remember that he planned to attend a service when we were at Westminster.

Attached is Father Andrew’s homily along with our bulletin. God bless, Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

Our First Sunday after Christmas service will be at 11:15. It will be a Sung Morning Prayer and Communion of the Presanctified gifts service. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Please remember that Christmas is not just one day; our 12 days of Christmas starts at midnight Christmas Eve and lasts until January 6th on Epiphany Saturday. Within that 12 days, 8 days are called the Christmas Octave (Octave of the Nativity) which continues until January 1st which echoes the Solemnity the Nativity of the Lord. Our church calendar calls this the Circumcision of Christ and the Octave Day of the Nativity. This Octave really is an eight day celebration to impress upon our souls the mystery of God which also imparts joy and grace into our lives.

Our Christmas Day Lessons and Carols with Communion was done on Christmas Eve. Thank you Robert, Deb, Linda and Julia for doing an outstanding job reading the lessons. Thank you Nick and the choir for the wonderful choice of music you provided for this service. It is such a blessing to sing Christmas Carols we know. The choir sang “Remember, O Thou Man” and it was exceptional.

“GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that thou hast poured the new light of thy Word made flesh; so He who doth illuminate our hearts by faith may likewise in our works show forth His glory. “ Collect from Christmas Day. Let us pray for everyone to have a joyous 12 days. God bless Deacon

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. This mission church will meet at 11:00 this Sunday. The College of Saint Mary’s is having their graduation this Saturday. This move will allow us to have the Deacon’s liturgy this coming “Rose” Sunday. The College of Saint Mary likes having us here and they made sure that Campus security works with God’s mission church here in Omaha. It is such a blessing for us to use this magnificent chapel.

Thank you Lynda for all you do, your love for God’s children and your love of our humble little church family. Lynda is our connection to this chapel.

Gaudette means “rejoice” in Latin. During the season of Advent, we await for the celebration Christ’s birthday and His coming again. Advent is four weeks long but in the middle of it, we get to enjoy a joyful “feast” day. This unique Sunday stands out as a beacon of joy and a brief respite from some of the more somber aspects of the season. Lighting this pink candle reminds us that even in the midst of our preparations, there is joy in the expectation of the Saviour’s arrival.We had a lovely sung MP and Communion of the Presanctified Gifts for the second Sunday in Advent. The choral postlude “Out of Zion” was beautifully done.

Collect from the Second Sunday in Advent
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures be written for our learning, Grant that we may in such wise hear them, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

The homily, student art and a copy of our bulletin is attached. God bless

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

Thank you Father! We were blessed with the full Eucharist by Father Andrews. Father and his wife Anneliese make this journey from Fort Collins, Colorado. They are part of our church family and we must remember to thank God whenever they can come. Traveling mercies and good weather make this journey possible. The opening hymn “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Stuttgart was wonderful and the organ postlude “Meditation on Stuttgart” by Broughton was well done! It is such a blessing to have the choir we have, and the great joy they bring this Chapel. Father also used anointing oil on our newest member Robert Sutherlin. Robert has been coming for the last three weeks and decided to swim the Tiber to join us. May God bless Robert.

Advent began last Sunday and there are four Sundays in Advent prior to Christmas. For us this is the Advent season. Advent has two themes for
our preparation for His first coming. We also have an ancient expectancy and ardent desire of the Messiah’s second coming. For us the Christmas season begins the night before Christmas (Christmas Eve) and continues and includes the Sunday after Epiphany.

A  thoughtful explanation of the season was given by Pope Pius XII. “With the coming of the birthday of the Redeemer, the Church would bring us to the cave of Bethlehem and there teach that we must be born again and undergo a complete transformation; That will only happen when we are intimately and vitally united to the Word of God made man and participate in His divine nature, to which we have been elevated.”

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  KJV Isaiah 7:14

Have a thoughtful Advent season along with this anticipation of Christ’s birth. Saint John’s bulletin and freshman artwork are included, Blessings, Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

We have many traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, including Nick, David and the Deacon. There will be no Saturday service,  November 25. Please pray for traveling mercies for them, Deb, Madison and the ones of your family traveling to Omaha.

God willing, Father Andrews and Anneliese will be with us again to celebrate Mass for the first Sunday in Advent; which we will celebrate on Saturday December 3. Pray for good weather and traveling mercies for them also. Please remember to bring your wrapped gifts for the Sun Tar Anglican Church children by that date also. Remember how Jesus said “it is better to give than receive.”

O LORD, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their offenses; that through thy bountiful goodness we may be delivered from the bonds of sin, which by our frailty we have committed. Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Christ’s sake* our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen “Collect for Trinity 24”

I have attached Father Andrew’s Thanksgiving homily and please take time to read it. It has a historical perspective I think you will find interesting. I have also attached last Saturday’s homily along with our last bulletin. Please be safe and thank God for all the good things in your life.
Another blessed ‘Nebraska through the lens” fall image

From Deacon Ron Reno:

We were blessed with a visit from Bishop Ashman and his daughter Erin. We had a wonderful service and a gathering with homemade chili and other great food to support that. We also were blessed with a myriad of conversations during and after this gathering. Prayers for traveling mercies were successful. A special shout-out to Nick and the choir for the wonderful choice of music for the Bishop’s visit. “Lo! What a Cloud of Witnesses” for the sermon hymn was a great choice. It reminded me of how lucky we are that men like Bishop Ashman, Father Andrews and other APCK priests are doing God’s good work on this earth.

We will be blessed to have Sung Morning Prayer and the Communion of the Presanctified Gifts this week. Please take note in Saturday’s bulletin about the Pine Ridge Christmas Project in which we and others partake every year. Nick and Sean Reed will deliver those gifts. Please signup and support one of these children.

“Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” Collect for the “Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity”

Blessings everywhere!! Our bulletin from last weekend is attached for anyone to view. God bless.

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

We pray for peace in the Holy Land and for anyone whose life is threatened by violence and terror, that they be preserved from harm. We need to come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God for peace and justice for Israel.

Bishop Ashman will be here Saturday November 4th. Pray for traveling mercies; it is a blessing to us for this visit. I believe his daughter may be here also.

The CSM Chapel has graduation ceremonies on Saturday, December 16th. We will need to reschedule our services to Sunday, December 17th. God willing the service will be at 11 or 11:30.

“O Almighty and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us: that we, being ready both body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandant; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen” God bless, Deacon

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Good afternoon! I am confirming, God willing, Father Andrews and Anneliese will be here Friday for our gathering and we will be blessed to have a full Mass on Saturday. It is always a blessing to have Father and Anneliese visit; pray for traveling mercies for these two.

“Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and makes continually to be given to all good works, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen”

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Good morning. The signs of fall are all around us today including 50 degree temperatures. Enjoy this blessed weather and the turning of the leaves; I find late afternoon to sunset especially peaceful and beautiful this time of year. We will have Morning Prayer with Communion of the Presanctified gifts this week. Bishop Ashman will be here November 4th. Father Andrews may be here as early as October14th. We are blessed to have these holy men visit us. Pray for them.

“Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

Continue to pray for traveling mercies for David in India, Annaliese and Father Andrews as they travel. This picture was taken by Annaliese. It shows the beauty that God has given to us to enjoy. God bless, Deacon

From Deacon Ron Reno:

Good morning! We are having a wonderful fall this year. I hope everyone will get out today or tomorrow and enjoy the beauty that God has surrounded us with. As the trees turn, put yourself under one and see the light filter through the leaves and take a moment to thank God. Our busy lives sometimes take us away from seeing the beauty around us; try to take 10 minutes every day in the quietness of outdoors, hear the birds singing and watch the ever-changing cloud formations. Prayers at  those times will have a special meaning for you and your soul. God listens.

We had a lovely sung Morning Prayer service along with the Communion of the Presanctified Gifts this last weekend. Nick led MP and we are blessed to have him. I have attached the bulletin for Trinity 16 if people would like to see the music from that service. I especially loved the anthem the choir sung before the announcements and the homily was given. “O Lord Give Thy Holy Spirit” by Thomas Tallis was especially reverent and well done. We are so blessed to have the talents of Nick, Julia, Julie and Lynda in this choir. They sing for the glory of God and that is our main purpose here.

Collect for Trinity 16
“O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succor, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

Attached are the homilies for Trinity 15 and 16 by Father Andrews. We are also blessed to have Father Andrews as our Priest in charge. Father will be here either October 14 or October 21st. Bishop Ashman also will be coming soon to visit us. We must pray for traveling mercies for these Holy men. These are modern men who continue to fight the good fight and keep the faith given to us by Jesus. Blessings, Deacon