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August 31, 2004

Photo Gallery Update

At long last, our Photo Gallery has been updated with some really cool pics. Please CLICK HERE to see pictures of the Gabriel Youth Community's Camp Out, and the Bella Vista Mission's first Eucharistic service.

Enjoy!!

Posted by frleo at 11:22 AM

Charity Reminders

As announced this past Sunday during Mass, St. Gabriel's is collecting certain items for charity:

When cleaning out your closets this Fall, please set aside clothing articles to donate to the Battered Women's Shelter. Clothing articles of all types and all sizes are needed. Please also remember to bring in canned and boxed food items which will be donated to the Christian United Pantry.

Donations of clothing and food will be accepted at the Church through November 1st. Please contact Ellen Weaver for additional information.

Posted by frleo at 7:39 AM

August 29, 2004

We Have The Same Boss

This Saturday, Holly and I drove to Eureka Springs to celebrate Holy Communion with John and Marge Parkhurst. What a great experience to share the Sacrament with this wonderful couple who have been married for over 50 years and have been very faithful to their Morning and Evening Prayers. Even their cat, Maumo, is in attendance when it's time for Prayer. God bless the three of them!

After the service, we headed to Hillspeak to meet with Captain Swindells, from whom we received a vestment, prayer books and hymnals for the Bella Vista Mission. It was time for lunch, so we drove to a local restaurant. Eureka Springs hosts special events each weekend, and this time it was a BMW rally. We drove around in circles to find a parking space and thought we would pull up alongside the driveway without disturbing the traffic. A gentleman rushed out and told us not to park there, but then he saw that I was a clergyman and said "well, pull up a little in front and park." Thank God!

As we stepped out of the car, he said, "You must be from India." I knew he was Roman Catholic from his pendant. I said "yes" and asked him about his pastor in Eureka Springs, who is also from India. I told him I was an Anglican priest, and to this he replied, "We have the same boss -- never mind Anglican or Roman!"

WE HAVE THE SAME BOSS. What a wonderful sentiment and what a great analogy. No matter what denomination we belong to in the corporate body of the Church, we all have the same boss -- the same CEO -- our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Posted by frleo at 9:02 AM

August 28, 2004

Mountain Home In The News!!

The Agape Press (Christian News Service) published an online article on August 26th regarding our own Deacon Sam Seamans and his ministry in Mountain Home, Arkansas:

(AgapePress) - An Anglican minister who left the Episcopal Church USA over its open disregard for scripture says he has no regrets. The Arkansas pastor has formed a small but growing congregation that is now part of the United Episcopal Church of North America.

...

"When I had to choose between being obedient to Christ and being in a biblically based, biblically founded and practicing church, I knew that was going to entail leaving many friends," he says. In addition, he contends it is more difficult for clergy than for the average lay person to leave the Episcopal Church -- because pastors must find "new bishops and new ministry," he says.

CLICK HERE to read the article in full, and HERE for contact information regarding this wonderful ministry for Christ.

We so truly appreciate Deacon Sam and his good work in establishing Christ's presence -- expressed faithfully through the Anglican tradition -- in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Posted by frleo at 1:23 PM

August 27, 2004

Take the name off the list?

It's nice to hear someone tell you to take their name off the Prayer List because they are well. Isn't it amazing what Prayer can do? I believe in the prayer of intercession, for when two or three of us gather in His name and ask, it is granted. Prayers do wonders. They heal, they support, uphold, bring clarity, and accompany someone through difficult journies.

In this sense, we are our brothers' keepers, and we have a right to support each other in prayer. During one of my visits Jan told me, "we will be there at St. Gabriel's to show our appreciation and gratitude." She did get well and she came -- not just herself, but her entire family. This is another confirmation that when we agree together and ask the Good Lord, He delivers what we ask. And in our circle, what goes around comes around -- the more we give, the more we will receive.

Posted by frleo at 10:19 PM

August 26, 2004

Love to Belong

After our great worship each Sunday, the coffee hour bustles with life -- visitors and parishioners in a pleasant exchange. There is a new exhuberance in everyone, and there are exciting future plans in the offing. In addition to our Women's Auxiliary, we are starting a Women's Ministry, a wonderful opportunity for women in Spirituality. There will be a Men's Guild (in traditional Episcopalian terms it was known as The Brotherhood of St. Andrew) and of course there is the GYC -- Gabriel's Youth Community.

St. Gabriel's has been experiencing the touch of Divine Providence and the power of God's Spirit. There is a greater sense of belonging and love for the house of God. While we humbly follow His ways and accept His graciousness, we pray for His continued guidance.

May His presence guide us all wherever we are.

Posted by frleo at 2:23 PM

August 25, 2004

Passing on the Wellness Wish

Hello again! Glad to touch base with you after a brief spell. I have been visiting Jean Chase, who is recuperating at Washington Regional. I also had a wonderful visit with Don Gregory at Northwest Medical Center. Don was hillarous. He introduced me to the dietician as "Dr. Leo from the Middle East" and told her to watch out for my bombs. Returning the humor, I said "yes, I do bombard the minds of people and touch their hearts with His Gospel." What grace-filled moments these were, as I was able to share with them God's words of comfort and love and give them His Body as spiritual food.

Hospitals are not homey certainly. I don't wish that for anybody. If we should land there, the first few days would be hard to focus on anything else other than our health. But then there would come moments of boredom, wondering what to do. It is in these moments that we could take time to pray for others who are in a more serious health situation than ourselves -- someone known to us or perhaps even a stranger.

Emmanuel "God with us" is ever at our side, especially in moments of sickness and struggle. Once we receive His comforting presence, shall we not pass it on to others?

Posted by frleo at 11:25 AM

August 21, 2004

Gabriel's Youth Community

Hello Teens!

Now it's your turn to be in the spotlight! St. Gabriel's is proud of each of you, and you are going to be such a powerhouse for our Awesome God through Gabriel's Youth Community (GYC).

The GYC will meet each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the undercroft. There are a lot of things being planned so you can have a great time and at the same time grow in the deeper knowledge and love of our Lord.

I am very pleased to announce that Annette Lay will lead the GYC as its Director. Annette had been the Youth Director at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Springdale, and we are so thankful that she has agreed to accept this responsibility for us.

I want to thank all of you kids who participated in our first GYC Camp Out. Still recovering from the ticks and bug bites? Let's all thank Ed Knox, our Senior Warden, for the wonderful time we had at CAMP KNOX. Thanks also to Lindsay Johanson for her valuable presence at the camp.

Since there is a lot of thanking going on in this post, the best way to thank everyone is to LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. Let us pray for each other.

May GOD BLESS YOU !

Posted by frleo at 10:08 AM

August 20, 2004

God I Wish I Knew What You Are Up To!

Life takes its turns -- sometimes unexpected and at times amazing. We wish we knew what is cooking for us in the future. Yet nothing ever happens to us without His knowledge.

We tend to hold on to people, places and things and wish the happy times would last forever and the ecstasy would be prolonged. But then something happens to shake us up into the real world. We need to sit back and relax, knowing that He is in control. He knows all. Our past, present and future are but "here and now" for Him.

We can only take one day at a time and move along cherishing His loving presence. Let us not waste our time wondering what tomorrow will bring. Cherish every moment so that it becomes a reminiscent past, and welcome every new moment with openness.

CAUTION: IT'S THE WEEKEND. TAKE YOUR TIME AND JUST RELAX IN HIS PRESENCE

Posted by frleo at 8:08 PM

August 19, 2004

Thank You God For Being There For Me

Sometimes life takes us through its ups and downs. We are happy when things are fine and moody when we are in the dumps. Such a fluctuation often leads us into thinking like William Shakespeare's Sonnet No. 29:

"When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least..."

It is good to stop thinking the greatness of ourselves, of our uniqueness, and seek HIS presence in such moments. It is good to remember that there is a God who knows me by name, who knows each of my moves. That He will not let anything happen to me without His knowing. That not one sparrow falls dead to the ground without His knowlege. That each of us is not just another entity in the faceless crowd.

As He knows the name of the stars, He knows us by name. We are carved on the palm of His Hand. This thought alone would be sufficient to carry us through. A LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE WILL SET EVERYTHING ALRIGHT as someone has said.

Posted by frleo at 5:17 PM

August 18, 2004

Feast of St. Bartholomew

The Feast of St. Bartholomew, one of the original Twelve Apostles also known as Nathaniel, will be commemorated with Holy Communion at St. Gabriel's on Tuesday, August 24th at 11:00 a.m. All parishioners and visitors are invited to attend.

Posted by frleo at 12:16 PM

It Is God's Grace Indeed

"The cry of every newborn reminds us that God is not yet tired of the world," said Tagore the nobel laureate poet from India. Not just the occasion of the newborn, but our lives are filled so much with God's visitations and encounters all the time. All we need to do is sit back and count the blessings and we will see Him present.

If you have reached your destination safely, its His grace.
If your needs are addressed today, His grace has been there.
Why, the fact that you are breathing is itself a lifetime miracle.
If you received an encouraging letter or instant message, it's His grace.
If you have seen something beautiful or the smile or greeting of another fellow human being, it's GOD'S GRACE INDEED.

To borrow St. Patrick's words, He is there within you, without you, before you, behind you. CHERISH HIS COUNTENANCE AND LOVING PRESENCE THIS DAY.

Posted by frleo at 10:23 AM

August 17, 2004

Traditional Worship Comes to Bella Vista

St. Gabriel's United Episcopal Church of Springdale (UECNA), 1803 W. Emma Street, has planted a mission church in Bella Vista.

St. Gabriel's Mission Church in Bella Vista will commence with Holy Communion Service this Saturday, August 21st at 5:30 pm at Bella Vista Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, AR 72715. The service, officiated by The Reverend Leo Michael, will be a traditional service using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

St. Gabriel's Mission Church welcomes all, especially Episcopalians seeking orthodoxy, Anglicans seeking traditional worship, and Roman Catholics seeking a sacramental church. For more information please contact Dr. Bobby Hall at 479-855-8099, or St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Springdale, 479-756-5074.

The United Episcopal Church of North America embraces the divine truth that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and the Supreme Head of His Body, the Church. Its members hold fast to nineteen centuries of life in the Spirit proclaimed by the Apostles' teaching and fellowship. We hold firmly to the truths of God's plan for man proclaimed in the authoritative Holy Bible. We also affirm that the 1928 Book of Common Prayer reflects the Bible on worship and teaching.

Posted by frleo at 10:32 PM

August 16, 2004

Welcome St. Gabriel's Youth!!

St. Gabriel's kicked-off its newly-formed Gabriel's Youth Community (GYC) with a camp-out August 13-14 at Camp Knox in Huntsville, Arkansas. The weather was great, and a good time was had by all.

GYC will meet Sundays at 9:00 am, and youth in grades 6-12 are welcome to attend. Children and Adult Sunday school is also held at 9:00. a.m, and Holy Communion follows at 10:00 am.

For more information on GYC and other newly formed groups at St. Gabriel's United Episcopal Church, please call 479-756-5074.

UPDATE!! As of September 5, 2004, GYC now meets at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday, after Service. Gabriel's Kids (ages 9 - 12) will meet separately at the same time.

Posted by frleo at 11:13 AM

St. Gabriel's Mission in Bella Vista

Dear Members of the Parish,

For some time now, the traditional Episcopal community in Bella Vista has been considering leaving ECUSA and joining the United Episcopal Church of North America. Given the exigencies of St. Theodore's (ECUSA), the Bella Vista group has decided that NOW is the opportune time to begin a mission.

In light of this development, I requested the Vestry members present for a quick meeting this past Sunday. The issue was discussed, and a motion was passed supporting the cause of our national church by planting this mission in Bella Vista as an undertaking of St. Gabriel's United Episcopal Church in Springdale, Arkansas. The Vestry approved the idea of starting the UECNA presence in Bella Vista with the following suggestions:

So, effective this Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with God's gracious help, the UECNA and the parish of St. Gabriel's will have a missionary presence in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Services will be held at the Bella Vista Lutheran Church. For more information, please contact Dr. Bobby Hall at 479-855-8099, or St. Gabriel's directly at 479-756-5074.

This is a great moment of God's grace for our church and its presence in Northwest Arkansas. Let us lift up this mission to the Lord in prayer and thank Him for this magnificent blessing. May His presence accompany us through these moments of growth in the life of our church.

In His service,

The Reverend Leo J. Michael

Posted by frleo at 7:28 AM

August 1, 2004

Transfiguration of Christ

There will be a special Eucharistic Service at St. Gabe's on Friday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m. in honor of the TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD CHRIST JESUS.

We encourage all parishioners -- who are able -- to attend. We hope to have some educational information regarding this blessed event posted on the website prior to August 6th, so please check back!

God be with you and keep you!!

Posted by frleo at 6:22 PM