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September 30, 2004
Bishop's Prayer for Dn.Tim & Fr.Philip
We ask your prayers for the health and well-being of those in need, especially The Rev. Mr. Timon Barr of Saint Gabriel’s United Episcopal Church, Springdale AR. and the Reverend Philip F. Stenzel of The Church of the Epiphany, Mobile, Alabama.
O MERCIFUL, God, giver of life and health! Bless, we pray thee, thy servants Timon and Philip, and those that administer to them of thy healing gifts. Grant that they may be restored to health of body and of mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.+Stephen
The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber Sr.
Presiding Bishop
http://www.united-episcopal.org
Posted by frleo at 1:54 PM
September 29, 2004
Update from Florida -- Howard Baird
I received an email from parishioner Howard Baird, who has been in Florida securing his property in light of the recent hurricanes. I'm posting his email so we can all be updated:
Just back from "Disaster Island". I had Naomi and her mother stay at Pam's in Louisiana until hurricane Francis passed to the east. Then when Ivan became a threat I moved off the island to a motel about 25 miles inland. Landfall was at 1:50 am Thursday 9/15 at Gulf Shores, AL., waking me at 2:10 with all the noise. No damage to the motel or parked cars from trees. The power had gone out Wed night about 9:30 but, miraculously came on Thurs evening at 6:45pm, permitting me to remain in the no-sweat-set! And it appears we were among the few in Pensacola and wide surrounding area to have power. Only those businesses with a generator were open in the next 10 days. Luckily my room had a refrig and microwave.
By Monday the sheriff arranged for buses to take the hundreds of property and business owners over the bridge; a process starting at 9:30 am and running to 2:30pm, for just a look-see. It was an ugly scene: shattered wood, bent metal, up-rooted and broken trees, houses with some damage to those that disappeared and personal belongings turned to junk everywhere. Any house not on pilings, or stilts, was gone from both the wind at 120 to 130 mph, and the surge estimated at our location to be 10+ feet. With our house on 8 foot pilings, and positioned among other houses and standing trees, that I believe diminished the wind effect, came through remarkably. Everything under the house, lattis on all four sides, storage shed and its contents, the lower portion of the elevator enclosure, the back stairs, the hanging storage cabinets and the in-house vacuum were gone. And so was the under-the-floor insulation and the particle board holding it up. The out-building with sink, toilet and shower for cleaning-up after fishing and the dock were gone, with the boat-lift crushed, the boat totaled and and half under water. Lattis on both ends of the back porch were gone with the screening and outdoor carpet torn-up. Inside I found the surge had not entered, but it did rise enough to wet the insulation and sub-flooring and warp the parquet flooring, dampening our just laid carpet in some places enough to pull it from the baseboard. And finally, on the roof, only one of the four turbine vents was blown away!
I included all this detail as practice for filing insurance claims for wind, flood, home owners and the boat. Our first retirement home, the Vista del Mar condo, is another and sad story. It was undercut by the wind and crashing 30+ foot waves, developed cracks on both side, dropping the east arm section, where our unit is, and is now awaiting the inevitable condemnation. No one is even permitted on the property. Naomi is losing an heirloom table cloth, me a keyboard, and both the memories of 17 years of pleasurable beach-side living with family and friends. No word yet from our board of what will develop.
Howard and Naomi are both back in town. Let us all be thankful to God for their safety and return to us here at St. Gabriel's.
Posted by frleo at 12:31 PM
September 28, 2004
Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
A reminder that St. Gabriel's will have Holy Communion on Wednesday, September 29th at 6:00 p.m. in celebration of the Feast Day of St. Michael and All Angels.
Also, as was announced this past Sunday, we will now hold Eucharistic Services every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. to honor God and afford parishioners the opportunity to increase their involvment with the Church. Please keep your Church in mind as the Wednesday "hump day" approaches each week, and avail yourself of this opportunity to renew your spirit in Christ.
God Bless.
Posted by frleo at 9:05 AM
September 25, 2004
Pastoral Visit Update
It's been a hectic week since last Saturday 18th September. A caravan from St. Gabriel's was at All Saints at Pittsburg, KS when our Presiding Bishop ordained Deacon Jon Hunter to the Priesthood. Then on the 19th Bishop Reber installed me as the Rector of St. Gabriel's during Holy Eucharist. The 21st and 22nd saw the National Council Meeting gathered at St. Francis Anglican Church at Ava, MO. The Deanery meeting was held at Branson, MO on 24th September, presided by Stephen Reber.
God's Spirit has been at work, as I have personally witnessed in all these current events. We thank the Lord for all His wondrous works. See you tomorrow at St. Gabriel's.
Posted by frleo at 11:08 AM
September 20, 2004
Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle
On Tuesday, September 21st, St. Gabriel's will celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew with Holy Communion at 11:00 a.m.
St. Matthew was a tax collector who dropped everything to follow Jesus when he was called. He is, of course, author of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. He is also known as Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew for the benefit of Jewish believers.
We sincerely hope that all who are able will join us for Holy Communion on this special Feast Day.
Posted by frleo at 12:12 PM
September 19, 2004
A Hearty Welcome to our PRESIDING BISHOP
St. Gabriel's is happy to have The Most Rev.Stephen C Reber, the Presiding Bishop of United Episcopal Church of North America, here in Northwest Arkansas. Welcome, Bishop Reber! We are very glad to have you in our midsts.
May this pastoral visit be one of blessings to our parish. God bless our Bishop and his wife Judy Reber.
Posted by frleo at 9:04 AM
September 17, 2004
Ordination of Deacon Jon Hunter
Please remember that tomorrow, Saturday, September 18th, is the ordination of Deacon Jon to the priesthood. Bishop Reber will preside at the mass to be held at All Saints Anglican in Pittsburg, KS at 10:00 a.m. Please CLICK HERE for more information about St. Anglican's Parish and for directions.
For those of us from St. Gabriel's who wish to attend, we are meeting at the church tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for car pooling. We intend to hit the road at 7:30 a.m.
Posted by frleo at 6:28 AM
September 16, 2004
Prayer for Those in Danger of the Storm - Bishop Reber
THOU, O LORD that stillest the raging of the sea;
Hear us and save us; that we perish not.O blessed Saviour; that didst save thy disciples ready to perish in a storm:
Hear us, and save us, we beseech thee.O LORD, hear us.
O CHRIST, hear us.
LORD, have mercy upon us.
CHRIST, have mercy upon us.
LORD, have mercy upon us.God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
Have mercy upon us.
Save us now and evermore.Amen
+Stephen
The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber Sr.
Presiding Bishop
United Episcopal Church of North America
Posted by frleo at 11:01 AM
September 14, 2004
Love Thy Neighbor
Florida, Cuba, Louisiana -- though they may be far from us, they are not far from safety. It is good for us to assist them through our prayers, even as we hear or read news of these natural calamities caused by the hurricanes. Wherever it may happen we are affected inasmuch as it affects our fellow human beings. Its good to take a moment and send our prayers their way, that someone would be an angel to them and help them through these moments of crisis. Why not take a moment, then, and pray for them all that are enduring so much loss. Let us be a true neighbor and invoke God's protection on them.
Posted by frleo at 3:49 PM
St. Gabriel's Women's Bible Study
St. Gabriel's will offer a Women's Bible Study on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 beginning Monday, September 27, 2004.
Our first study will be "Jesus, the One and Only" by Beth Moore. This 11-week study based on the Book of Luke will take the participants on a visual journey through the hills of Galilee with the Teacher, across the lake with the Master and finally, on the road with the Savior.
Please join us for this exciting study!!
St. Gabriel's will continue to offer dynamic studies of the Bible in future sessions. These will be announced through our newsletter and website.
Posted by frleo at 9:03 AM
September 13, 2004
Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
On Tuesday, September 14th at 11:00 a.m., St. Gabriel's will have Holy Communion in celebration of the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. We hope our parishioners who can work around their daytime obligations will attend.
This feast day commemorates three aspects of the Cross -- the first being its discovery in 326 by St. Helena Augusta, who traveled to the Holy Lands in search of sacred Christian sites after her son, Constantine, became the first Christian Roman Emperor. We also commemorate the consecration (c. 335) of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which housed the discovered Cross, as well as the recovery of relics of the True Cross which had been looted and taken to Persia. Emperor Heraclius led a military campaign into Persia (c. 638), recovered the relics of the Cross, and personally escorted the relics back to Jerusalem.
On this Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, we are reminded of our victory over sin achieved through Christ's death. We are also reminded of the power of the True Cross, the very instrument utilized by Christ to achieve His ends for our personal and collective salvation.
May our Lord God open our minds and hearts to his precious Son, who is ever ready to receive us and guide us.
Posted by frleo at 2:33 PM
September 8, 2004
Welcome Gabriel's Pre-Teens!
St. Gabriel's Pre-Teen Kids Group, for kids ages 9 - 12, will begin this Sunday (September 12th) at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Springdale, AR. Amanda Lay will facilitate the group at 11:00 a.m., immediately following 10:00 Holy Eucharist each Sunday. We wholeheartedly welcome our pre-teens, and the energy and insight they offer to our Church.
NOTE: Our other Youth Offerings -- Children's Sunday School and the GYC -- will now also meet at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.
Posted by frleo at 7:50 AM
September 7, 2004
Online Prayer Request is Available Now
We are pleased to announce that St. Gabriel’s has added Online Prayer Requests to its ministries. All prayers submitted online are received directly by Father Leo, who handles each request personally and confidentially.
To access the Prayer Request form from this page, please click on the link located in the left column. This link is also located in the left column of St. Gabriel’s home page.
Posted by frleo at 11:23 AM
September 6, 2004
Happy Birthday Bishop Reber
September 6th is the Birthday of Bishop Reber. Happy Birthday Bishop Reber!
We dedicate this day for the greater glory of God. What an incredible leader we have in the person of Bishop Stephen C. Reber, Sr., who is guiding our church faithfully to the Sacred Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition. He is a loving and caring man of God in the footsteps of our Good Shepherd. I have heard our flock call him the "People's Bishop". We are very blessed to have such a wonderful man as our Presiding Bishop, and we thank God for the gift of his birth.
Judy Reber, his loving wife, has shared her husband's passion for God's kingdom, adhering to the faith given to us from the saints. In addition to birthday wishes for Bishop Reber on September 6th, we wish both Bishop and Mrs. Reber a very Happy Anniversary on September 9th.
May God bless this great couple! I have personally conveyed our congregation's prayerful wishes to our most respected bishop and his wife.
Posted by frleo at 1:22 PM
September 5, 2004
Martha Lou Moore
We received the sad news about the demise of Martha Lou Moore, Paul Moore's grandmother. We ask all of our parishioners to pray for the repose of Mrs. Moore's soul, and to also keep Paul and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Posted by frleo at 8:36 AM
September 2, 2004
Jessa Scott
This morning I had a wonderful visit with Jess Scott from Rogers, Arkansas, administering Holy Communion for her. We are so grateful to God for the wondrous faith we find in our seniors. They are the pillars of tradition and sure want to walk in the ways of the Lord. Jessa has been a great member of St.Gabriel's and has not been able to attend church for the past two years on account of her sickness. With respect and gratitude, I saw her tear-filled eyes as she felt happily overwhelmed by our encounter in the name of Christ.
May God bless all His faithful ones, who long to join us for worship but are unable because of their age or health situation.
Posted by frleo at 11:50 AM