Reflections from your Co-Pastors
September 29th, 2020
Feast of the Archangels
Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and some would add Ariel, speak to us of God by their very being. Each represents a different relationship between God and creation. Michael is known as protector, the patron of policemen and firemen. Gabriel is known as God’s messenger bringing messages at pivotal points in Jewish history especially to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Raphael is the guardian of spiritual relationships and healing; an example is the story of Tobit. Ariel is known as the archangel whose resounding, majestic music is said to resonate throughout heaven and fill the universe with song. What we do know is that angels have been seen since the beginning of time as shown by ancient cave drawings.
All the antiphons for today in CHRISTIAN PRAYER: Liturgy of the Hours remind us that the purpose of angels is to praise God. We, at MoM, are endeavoring to increase our love of God as Love itself and so we can imagine that angels live in that same sphere of Love that we are searching for. Living in Love, I imagine angels are encased in continual praise of Love for Love’s wondrousness. I can’t help but believe that this also awaits us.
The gospel reading is Genesis 28:12-13a “And he [Jacob] dreamed that there was a ladder [stairway or ramp] set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him [or stood above it] and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.” (Translation from the New Revised Standard Version)
God sometimes sends us messengers of Love, luminous and wonderous. We probably all know someone who is so wounded that a relationship with God, Jesus, or Christ is impossible due to perpetrated harm. I have such a friend. She sits quietly daily and call her angels. They provide her with the security and the ramp she needs to transcend and transform.
A car-service driver who drove me to work in Manhattan about a year after 9/11 told me his story: A fireman during those awful days of the towers burning and the
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attempted rescues, he survived. During the remainder of that year, his two elementary aged children and his wife cried every day as he left for work and begged him not to go. He said “they are afraid I will not return.” After a year of that heartbreak every day, he quit and was driving a limo. He had a holy card of Michael the Archangel and gave it to me to read the prayer on the back for the protection of policeman and fireman. How much both groups need protections and illumination now!
I myself have a statue of Gabriel. I got it when I understood that I needed a life partner who could help me grow and who could pray with me. I reread the story of Tobit many times and was given the gift of Bob.
The owner of a massage school and master massage therapy teacher, who was my teacher, had a daughter who could sing like an angel, he said. He is Jewish and his daughter’s name is Ariel. It seemed so perfect.
When my father was descending into Alzheimer’s disease, he asked me if I knew how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. Remember that Catholic school image for angels? I knew then that he was deteriorating but also that he was ‘doing his spiritual work’ (as we say in hospice). We spoke of spirits not having materiality and so not taking up any space. He still couldn’t grasp it. I was happy he allowed me this privileged conversation. I think he loved angels.
I would love to hear your stories of angels. If you are comfortable, just send your story to this email. Thank you!
I am grateful for angels as God’s helpers, helping humans, bridging eternity with spaciousness. May God bless you today.
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Schedule - Sunday Services
Oct 4 - Father Teri; 5:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Oct 11 - Deacon Rosean; 5:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Oct 18 - Father Michael; 5:00 p.m. via ZOOM
Oct 25 - Faith Partners (3-Church) Service at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom
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Reminders
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Next Sunday Oct 4th - 11:00a to 5:00p - 3-Church (Faith Partners) Food Drive at Trinity LC
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Next Sunday Oct 4th - 12 noon to 1:00p - Blessing of Pets celebrating St Francis of Assisi at Trinity LC
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Register (by Oct 1) WORDS MATTER workshop is free To register and more information click here.
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Community Prayer Requests
For Lauren Roob entering into new cancer treatment- friend of Rosanna Bateman.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen. Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll.
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And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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For peaceful repose for the souls of those who've passed and comfort for the families.
Bob - Husband of Joyce Dehaven,
friend of Cathy Engel
David Heyman - member
Teri Kent - member
Pat DeMuth -sister of Jim DeMuth, member
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, member
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane
Bill, Greg, and Calvin -
friends of Deacon Rosean
And for Ted Boltz and comfort for Fr. Frank Quintana and family - an ECC Pastor of St. Oscar Romero, ECC in Albuquerque.
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Discovery and Perspective
An open discussion of scripture
Thursday at 9:00 am
All are welcome!
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Join in conversation and connection weekly with Pastor Jane
Thursdays - 9 a.m.
Zoom Video Link -
Zoom Phone/Audio Link
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 930 8604 8248 #
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Our Service Recordings and More
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#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Sunday we gave voice to the story of Breonna Taylor who was fatally shot by on March 13, 2020. The officers knocked before forcing entry, but how or if the officers announced their identity before forcing entry is in dispute. On September 15, the city of Louisville agreed to pay Taylor's family $12 million and reform police practices. On September 23, a state grand jury indicted one officer, not for Taylor's death, but on three counts of ”wanton endangerment” for endangering a neighbor with his shots. The two other officers involved in the raid were not indicted.
Taylor's death and the non-indictment of the police officers led to protests across the United States. Please spend a moment in silence honoring the memory of Breonna Taylor and an earnest prayer to end to the gun violence and systemic racism that plagues our country.
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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