Septuagesima Sunday
February 20, A.D. 2011
O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, 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.
The Pastor's Paragraph
There are commonly pastoral needs in any group of persons which ought to be addressed, especially in a church congregation. I have been a pastoral counselor since 1960, trained over a year (four quarters) in two mental hospitals, a city prison, and a general hospital. Much of that time was earning my living as a full time counselor.
Over that time I wrote a book, Biblical Inner Healing, which acknowledges the legitimate truths discovered by the secular world in psychology, etc., but puts them into the Biblical framework (where they work much better). Christians must do that in every area of life. Truth is truth, whoever discovers it. Honest science is of God, even if the secular folks do not understand that. We Christians ought to understand it because God gave us science. The secular folks did not invent it -- there being hardly any when science was being invented in the late Middle Ages. Science as we know it came right out of the Biblical worldview. It could not have come any other way (but that is another story).
Christian Vision University, an online school, has been using Biblical Inner Healing for several years for its pastoral counseling courses with very good results.
I had retired from that work other than on occasions when such help was needed, but am reviving my ministry in that area because there is a need for it, and to help with income. Emmaus Ministries (dba The Road to Emmaus -- www.theroadtoemmaus.org) is the name of my ministry. There is a sliding scale according to one's income, which allows anyone to participate.
If you know of persons who might benefit from pastoral/family counseling, I would appreciate it if you would give them my phone number (562-697-5049), or even better, a good excuse to invite someone to church.
The deepest healing can come only from God. Who better than the Manufacturer would know best how to fix His product? Wholeness and holiness are deeply intertwined. Any compromise in one will compromise the other as well, and any progress in one will boost the other as well.
Epiphany Blessings,
Fr. Fox
Barbara Routh Requiescat in Pace
After a long and valiant struggle with cancer, our beloved sister-in-the-Lord, Barbara Routh, wife of our brother, The Rev. Deacon, Erik Routh, and mother of five wonderful children, went home to be with the Lord on Monday morning, February 14th. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Barb will never forget her kindness and compassion. Those qualities flowed from a heart which had been thoroughly conformed to Christ in love. Barb was a paragon of what it meant to walk in the light of Christ: she served Him all her days with joy and gladness; she shared the love of Christ with any and all; and she followed Him with complete abandon, even when it brought her into the valley of the shadow of death.
A funeral for Barbara has been planned for Saturday, February 19th.
The funeral information is as follows:
Time
Saturday,
Location
Cathedral Chapter of St. Vibiana, 923 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Special Notes
Parking for the funeral is available at Cathedral Chapel School, which is located at 755 S. Cochran Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036. A bus will be available for transport over to the church, but it is just a few blocks away and is accessible by walking as well.
The family welcomes the presence of anyone who knows, loves, or has been impacted by Barb and her life.
Additionally, a number of people have asked how they can help the family. The Routh and Ohlson families are not soliciting assistance in any way, but for those of who have asked, food is one kindness that would be especially welcome; restaurant gift cards, for example, may come in very handy. They also would not turn down financial donations to help offset the costs associated with the funeral, which include bringing family members from other states.
Flowers and cards may be sent to:
The Routh and Ohlson families
3605 Country Club drive, Los Angeles, 90019
Let us remember Erik and the children in our prayers, along with Barb's parents and siblings; beseeching our merciful Lord to sustain them in the fullness of His love and healing grace, at this time of loss and sorrow.
Most merciful Father, who hast been pleased to take unto thyself the soul of this thy servant; Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that having served thee with constancy on earth, we may be joined hereafter with thy blessed saints in glory everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Latest update on Susan Brown.
Susan began chemo therapy almost two months ago. She had her fourth treatment on February 15th and, except for some mild nausea, which dissipates completely after one or two days, she has had no unpleasant side-effects, and, in general, feels fine. The results of her CAT scan came in earlier this week, and they show a complete remission of the largest tumor on her liver, and significant shrinkage in the other two. Thanks be to God! Susan is considering a move back to southern California, so that she can receive treatment at City of Hope hospital, one of the finest cancer care facilities in the U.S. She is also planning on a week-long vacation down here, which she hopes to take very soon. Lets us continue remember Susan in our daily prayers; humbly beseeching our blessed Lord to grant her a complete recovery and healing.
O merciful God, Giver of life and health; Bless, we beseech thee, thy servant, Susan, and those who administer to her of thy healing gifts. Bless the means made use of for her cure. Fill her heart with confidence, that though she be sometimes afraid, she yet may put her trust in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Kelly Smith asks that continual prayers be offered for Russ' step father, Chuck Grant, who was hospitalized over a month ago with pneumonia. Chuck also has COPD and congestive heart failure, and his health has been tenuous for some time. Let us remember Chuck and his wife Betty in our daily prayers and supplications.
Join us in prayer for our brother Charles Hewgill, who has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, a very serious medical condition, normally requiring a bone marrow transplant for recovery. Let us pray in hope for Charles; beseeching our merciful Lord to provide all he will need, medically, financially and spiritually, for the successful treatment of his condition.
Fr. Jerry Kistler, requests prayer for Danielle, his wife, who has been suffering with an enlarged liver for several weeks. Let us remember Danielle and Fr. Jerry in our prayers.
Our dear sister, Eve Menees, requests prayer for her son, who has been diagnosed with stage 7 testicular cancer. Let us hold Eve's son continually in our prayers and supplications.
This Sunday is Septuagesima Sunday
Morning Prayer & Holy Communion
Scripture Lessons
Joshua 1: 1-9
Psalm 20 (p. 305)
I Corinthians 9: 24-27
St. Matthew 20: 1-16
Hymns and Service Music
Processional hymn # 577 "Awake, my soul"
The Preces # 601
Venite, exultemus Domino # 608
Te Deum laudamus # 613
Jubilate Deo # 642
Gloria Tibi & Laus Tibi # 730
Sermon hymn # 524 "God of grace and God of glory"
The Suffrages # 601
The Doxology #139
Sursum Corda & Preface # 734
Sanctus et Benedictus qui venit # 797
Agnus Dei # 712
Recessional Hymn # 558 "Oft in danger, oft in woe"
Assisting us in Worship
Celebrant and Preacher - The Rev. Fr. Earle Fox
Lay-assistant - Mr. Andrew Matthews
Crucifer - Mr. Skip Fraser
Lector - TBA
Usher - Mr. Les Jordan
Organist - Mrs. Esther Chen
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