Author: Skip Sopscak

From Deacon Ron Reno:

We will be blessed to have Father Andrews and Anneliese for Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. David and Julie will be here also for another two weeks before they travel back to Michigan. Father will have two acolytes and a Deacon serving this week. God will be pleased that all of His children are doing His work. God willing, our little group will do Mathew 27: The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a challenge but we can do it for the glory of God.

We finished our annual meeting last week. All officers were chosen and our budget was approved.

The offertory anthem ”Eripe Me Domine” by the choir was exceptional and the communion anthem “Stabat Mater Dolorosa” was equally exceptional. Thank you Nick, Julia, Lynda and Julie sharing your God given talents with us. It is so wonderful to have music with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hates nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are planning for a Good Friday service as well as a Saturday Easter Service for Holy Week. Father’s homily was exceptional; please take time to read it. God bless, Deacon

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

Blessings all around. Father Andrew and his lovely wife Anneliese were here for the Third Sunday in Lent. It is always great for them to be with us. It is a blessing for us that he drives 8 hours to feed God’s children. We always pray for traveling mercies for them.

Father, you mean so much to this mission church. We were also blessed to have David and Julie here. They have moved to Michigan to be closer to his aging parents but will remain members of our small group. We have so many God loving people in this mission church.

Nick, Lynda, Julia and Julie had beautiful Godly music for this Mass. They sang an offertory anthem “Virgo virginium preclaire from Sabet Mater” by Rheinberger in Latin. They always surprise me with their God given talents. Please click on the attached bulletin to see what music was offered for Father Andrews. Father had some input on choices of the music.

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen “Collect for the third Sunday in Lent”

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hates nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness; may obtain of thee, the God of mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This collect is be said all through the Lenten season from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday.

Continue to pray for Bishop Ashman. He is getting better and praying helps. Our Bishops and Priests need our prayers because the devil is relentless in working against them. The devil is not omnipresent like God; but when we pray, we counter with the spiritual goodness that the devil cannot defeat. God bless, Deacon

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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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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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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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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

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From Deacon Ron Reno:

After church last Saturday, we took a vote and determined meeting at 10:00 on Saturday would be better for all of us. I love our small church family: you are the most humble and God loving people I have ever been around. This mission church is doing God’s work on this earth and I want to thank you for keeping this humbleness and love for Him, His Church, as an important core mission value.

Our Bishop’s are reminding us that humbleness is part of Anglicanism that sets us up apart from more secular churches. The rites and rituals of the church are important and lead us to keep our souls in contact with God. We are called to be holy, which means we do something to increase and grow our faith and love of God. It is our job as a mission church to do that ”missionary call” and evangelize. Let’s invite new people to join us when given the opportunity. This is a call to bring others to Jesus. I have attached Fathers last homily and our last bulletin so people can see the music that was sung at our last gathering. May God bless this mission church, His mission church, Deacon

Please take time to read this homily; it makes an amazing analysis about the three wise men.

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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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