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The Bible In Our Worship [The following essay is taken from the booklet “The Lord Is In His Temple" which was first published in 1958. We maintain the same position today regarding God’s Word.] Since the Bible is the only place where God speaks to us, it is proper that the Bible be given an important place, not only in the sermon, but also in the worship of the Church. This is done to an unusual degree in the Reformed Episcopal Church. We seek to be a church of the Reformation and are, therefore, Reformed. That is, as Luther and the other reformers of the sixteenth century restored the knowledge of the Bible to the people, so we seek to have people know what God has spoken. Since, in the Bible, we know what God has said, Reformed Episcopalians insist that a lesson from the Old Testament and another from the New Testament be a part of Morning Prayer and a recommended part of Evening Prayer. There must also be a selection from the Psalter (or Psalms) which is the hymnal which God gave to Israel through such men as Moses, David and Solomon. Thus we see that three portions of our worship are directly in the words of the Bible. In the service of the Holy Communion, the commandments are read, and selections from the Gospels and from the Epistles are required so that three portions of the Bible are used here also. It is important to note that the quotations from the Bible are so arranged as to be in keeping with the Church Year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Trinity, etc. See how the Old Testament lesson frequently records God’s promises and the New Testament, their fulfillment. The Psalms also apply to the season of the Church Year. In addition to the directly quoted portions of Scripture, the prayers, and collects are based upon clear teachings of the Bible. Because of this we become used to God’s way of prayer and worship and learn the truths which form our attitudes toward Jesus Christ and toward one another. Prayer, in and of itself, is not pleasing to God. God has told us: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Proverbs 28:9.) Our prayer and worship must be in the spirit and attitude of Jesus’ example: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name…” (John 14:3.) And what was His example? “Not my will but thine be done” (Luke 22:42.) We have no right before God’s throne, sinners that we are by birth (“they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies”--Psalm 58:3,) except by reason of the fact that we accept Jesus’ shed blood as the covering for our sins. We must be so grateful to Him that we are constrained to obey Him. He said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6.) God has told us the importance of worshiping Him properly; He has revealed the true way in the Bible. Through our Book of Common Prayer, our thoughts and words may be directed toward God for true and acceptable worship. How carefully we ought to listen to the reading of the Bible portions in our services of worship, and how faithfully we ought to read and consider what our Maker has revealed to us so that we may know the truth. By keeping the Bible basic to all our worship, we can know Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.   PARISH NEWS The Rev. and Mrs. William Jerdan were with us Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. The Jerdans have been missionaries in France for 37 years and are presently on furlough. Diane gave a power point presentation of their work following Morning Prayer. Bill preached in the service of Holy Communion. During coffee hour they showed a video of their work and answered questions. Do be in prayer for the Jerdans as they seek God’s guidance for their future ministry. UPCOMING SERVICES & EVENTS LENT Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. The service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Lenten services will be held every Wed. in Lent at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. A Soup Supper will preceed each service starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING Sunday, April 11, 2010, following morning worship The meeting will be preceeded by a luncheon in the Parish Hall. MISSIONARIES OF THE MONTH Rt. Rev. Gerhard and Grace Meyer, Youth/Camp/Pastoral Ministries, Germany VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.andrewrec.org       Happy Birthday! Feb. 3 - Adele O’Brien Feb. 9 - Mike Acke, Sr. Feb. 12 - Sara Hassert Feb. 14 - Edwina Greco Feb. 15 - Tommy Kelly Feb. 18 - Larry Klingen Feb. 23 - Lorie Stultz Feb. 28 - Dorothy Novak

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S PRAYER Written at the age of 20 as recorded in “PROGRESS” February 1988 “Almighty God and most merciful Father…Since Thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draw near unto Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifices of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in Thy courts, pardon, I beseech Thee, my sins, remove them from Thy presence, as far as the East is from the West, and accept me for the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ: that when I come into Thy temple and compass Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense; and as Thou woulds’t hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers and give me grace to hear Thee calling on me in Thy Word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul and the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that I might hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, gracious God, the good work for which Thou hast sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends, and country; be our God and guide this day and forever, for His sake who lay down in the grave and rose again for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” WASHINGTON’S PRAYER FOR THE UNITED STATES, 1789 “Almighty God, We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that pacific temper of mind which demonstrates charity, humility, and were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."