The Beacon— February 2017

Table of Contents 1

From Fr. Jim+ 1 &

2

Announcements 3

Birthdays,

Anniversaries,

Events & Scrip

4

Church Symbols 5

Money Matters 6

Devotional

Meditation

7

Closing

Information

8

Dear Church Family, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Though many seem to want to ignore the truth, The Episcopal Church (TEC) is in rapid decline. Looking at the statistics published by the national church, the Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) has fallen 26% over the past decade. The medium ASA has declined to 58 in 2015. Currently, there are 329 congregations with an ASA of 10 or below, and 71% of the congregations are below 100. However, the good news is that there are growing churches. If you attended the annual meeting last Sunday, you heard me speak about a report that looked at growing churches in the TEC (The Episcopal Church). I wanted to share a few items from that report this month as we enter our vision campaign. You can find the report at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/new_facts_on_growth_2014_final_0.pdf. We’ve all heard the quote popularized by Mark Twain, ”There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” So, as always, we should not just take any study as gospel as there are many factors that can affect church growth and any statistical study. Yet, there is much information that we can glean from the report. For example: Growing churches were more often found in the South and the West;

typically were found in newer suburbs; were founded after 1996; and were racially mixed. Location is important, and we are in a growing area.

Growing churches were described as having a clear mission and purpose, which the majority of the members know, and exhibit an emphasis of living that mission and purpose in daily life.

Churches with one or more “non-traditional services” were more likely to grow, as were churches with “vibrant and engaging worship at the service with the largest attendance,” along with churches described as “spiritually vital and alive.” Growing churches have more than one service on Sundays.

Growing Churches more often emphasized having their youth and children read or engage in other worship leadership activities during worship. They also showed a greater emphasis on their children’s and

Continued on page 2)

Page 2 Rector’s Letter (continued)

youth Sunday schools and ministries. Growing churches described their coffee hours as vibrant to chaotic. They engaged in special

events and fellowship gatherings more than once a month. In response to the question, “To what extent are your congregation’s members involved in

recruiting new members,” growing churches responded with “quite a bit to a lot.” Growing churches responded to visitors by warmly greeting them, and making multiple efforts

to contact them. Growing churches were more likely to be using new technology. Growing churches typically had 21% or more of their congregation who are age 34 or younger.

So, does this mean we must dump everything we are doing, dump all tradition and become a non-denominational mega church? Of course NOT! The churches described were Episcopal Churches. It seems to me that these churches were simply living out their purpose. They were loving God, loving their neighbor, making disciples, and building His kingdom. They worship, disciple, fellowship, evangelize, and serve.

We have many of the characteristics listed above. We do need to improve in several vital areas, especially in our commitment to fulfill the vow we all have made during baptisms: “Will you do all

in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” What we need is for the Lord of the harvest to “send out the laborers.” I pray everyone will participate in the vision/purpose /program we are starting. I also pray that we will all lay down our personal wishes, and “take up our cross” and follow our Lord. In Christ, Fr. Jim+

(Continued from page 1)

Page 3 Announcements

We are in need of adults to help with the teens and/or Children’s Chapel on Sunday morning. We have a Children’s Chapel during the 9AM service and during the 11AM service. There are different activities that can be done with the teens, depending on your time availability, and schedule. Also, if you just want to sit in on the Children’s Chapel to see how it is run and what goes on, that would be great. Please contact Amanda Hedman, Beth VonEnde or Fr. Jim if you have more questions in these areas or if you are willing to help out.

Made to order Wreaths ($45) & Baskets ($35)

Proceeds go to Gateway Fund

Laura Lawson and Darralene Duggins are donating their time, talents and materials to make these crafty projects. Select your own colors and/or team colors. All money goes to the Gateway Fund. Contact Laura (941-776-8653) or Darralene (941-727-7719) for additional details.

Keep an eye out for that photo bomber!!

New Wednesday Night Class

We are starting a new six-session class series from Rich Warren, The Miracle of Mercy on January 25th. It’s not too late to join. This class will include: Forgive others unreservedly Help those who are hurting Be patient with those who are difficult Show kindness to enemies Care of those who are lost

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) All are welcome, come as you are and bring a friend or two. If you can only come for one of the services below, that’s fine.

Wednesday Night Schedule Bible Study—4:30PM Potluck—6PM Teen Bible Study—6:30PM Worship—6:45PM Mercy Class—7PM

Page 4

View St. MM's Calendar

February Birthday’s 1 Patti Norris 2 Marianne Strimer 2 Alyce Faye Grant 5 Terry Poles 6 John Connor 14 Don Morin 14 Lauren Strimer 20 Mesa Serbin

February Anniversaries

13 Chuck & Heather Johnson 14 Chris & Mariah Johnson 27 Sal & Laura Serbin

February Events

4 Restoring the Soul 9AM-3PM 8 Daughters of the King—9:30AM 8 SilverRingThing.com 13 Women’s Bunco—7:00PM 16-18 Healing School II 25 Turning Points—10AM 26 Daughters of the King Induction

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Events & Scrip

Scrip Coordinators: Lucinda & Rich Hart Phone: 941-746-0841

Email: luchart95@gmail.com

The scrip card program is designed to give you the full value of the card and give our Lord a little something extra.

It’s that time again! Below please note the schedule for scrip Sundays 2017.

February 5th March 5th & 26th

April 2nd (for Easter) May 7th June 4th

We now have helpers to assist between the earlier services. Carolyn Thompson and/or Cindy Morris will receive/deliver Scrip orders. In addition, we are working on accepting more payment options other than checks. We realize that in today’s world many people like using the computer or credit cards. The cards are just too pricey for the church to consider. We are researching some alternatives. More to come!

Restoring the Soul: This class is Saturday, February 4th 9AM to 3PM. Registration and coffee will be from 8:30AM to 9AM. It is open to anyone and is free. A love offering will be taken. A light lunch will be served. If you can only make part of the day and not the entire day, please feel free to join us anyway! Bring a friend or two. Teaching by Fr. Jim Hedman. RSVP to the church office or sign-up in the St.MM's church Narthex, so we can plan for food and drinks. Church Office: 941 751-5048.

There is a Healing School Level II on February 16th-18th, 2017. For more information, go to the following web site: http://www.amazinglovehealing.com/ministry_school_healing_prayer_2_mary_magdelene.html or call the office and ask for Bridget.

Page 5 Church Symbols

THE POWER OF SYMBOLS: The modern mind rebels against the unknowable. Thus, we use microscopes and telescopes to see what the unaided eye cannot see. We use computers to count what we cannot count on our fingers and toes. We climb to the top and dive to the bottom to see what is there. When faced with the truly unknowable, we resort to symbols. God is unknowable, and truth about God must be expressed in symbolic language. It makes no sense to ask the size or weight (or age) of God, just as it makes no sense what is the meaning of sodium chloride. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, he frequently resorted to symbols—a mustard seed, a pearl, a buried treasure. To be a Christian is to live in a world filled with symbols in scripture, art, music, architecture, literature and prayer. Just as an immigrant must learn to speak the language of his/her adopted country, so the Christian must learn the language of the symbols which abound in the church.

SYMBOLS OF THE TRINITY: The church often resorts to symbols to say better what words cannot say well. Probably the oldest symbols depicting the Holy Trinity are triangles, especially equilateral triangles, sometimes in elaborate forms. Another early symbol is of three fish, each with its head at the tail of another forming a circle or a triangle. Natural symbols were also used by the early Church to teach the doctrine of the trinity, such as the three-petal fleur-de-lis. During the Renaissance, the Trinity was symbolized by an eye within a triangle with rays shining out in three directions, probably derived

from Proverbs 15:3. Have you looked at the back of a U.S. dollar bill lately? Hmmmm! ALPHA AND OMEGA: God was before anything else was and will be long after everything else is not. The early Christians used the Greek letters alpha and omega in conjunction to express this notion. Because alpha is the first and omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, they were probably used colloquially in the first century to stand for “the beginning and the end,” much as modern retail establishments might advertise that they have “everything from A to Z.” Early Christians understood the Greek letters to connote “from the beginning of all things to the end of all things” or from creation to the eschaton (end of humankind).”

Extract from: Church Words origins and meanings by: Stephen E. Moore; Forward Movement Publications © 1996

By Harold Crapo, Jr.

Page 6

Personal Financial Stewardship A budget is a spending plan. You develop a budget to plan your monthly expenditures. The plan determines in advance how much of your income you are comfortable allocating to each spending area. Your income and spending allocations will be defined by your values and interests.

In developing your budget as a Christian, one of your first tasks will be to examine the priorities that God has directly revealed in his Word. Basically, there are four general budget categories that are clearly mandated: giving, saving, living expenses, and debt repayment.

Giving is part of the budget: God’s Word directs us to give him our first and best. In Proverbs 3:9 we read, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” The Apostle Paul wrote, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Giving demonstrates our gratitude for who God is and what he has done for us.

Saving is part of the budget: To prepare for emergencies and to have resources so you can achieve your financial goals, saving is essential. In Proverbs 21:20 God shares his wisdom regarding saving: “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.”

Living expenses are part of the budget: If you have not previously developed a budget, you could be struggling to discover a reasonable allocation for your lifestyle that you can afford. An important first step is to distinguish between what you need versus what you want. Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). What you allocate for your living expenses should be established with the money that is left after giving and saving.

Debt repayment is part of the budget: In Scripture, God warns you to be cautious about debt. God’s Word does not forbid you from borrowing money, but it does discourage it. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). The Bible is clear as to your responsibility to repay money that you borrow.

In order to avoid dependence on others and to set a good example, you should develop a budget. If you include the four above parts within your budget, you will gain control of your money.

By Parish Publishing

Money Matters

Page 7 Devotional Meditation Scripture Reading: “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will” (2 Corinthians 8:3-5). How Much to Give?

Don’t we often ask: “How much should I give?” Unfortunately, from our selfish perspective, we may really be asking: “How little can I give and still call it a gift?” Giving is not something that comes naturally to most of us. By nature, we are selfish people who are only interested in our best interests, which is the accumulation of more and more comfortable and enjoyable things. Without a relationship with Jesus, our giving is nominal at best.

In contrast, the generous giving of God’s faithful people is clearly written about in Scripture and is also very evident in the many faithful givers in our churches. The difference between Christians and non-Christians is that, in Christ, Christians become new creations. Our old self, with its selfish and self-centered attitude, has been replaced by the new person who is united with Christ through faith and commitment to him. We are not perfect, but God has changed us. Out of love for Jesus, we are compelled to give generously to our churches and to those in need. As Christians, we see our time, talents, and treasures as tools that can be used to extend God’s kingdom. When we faithfully use our lives and blessings in his service, he is honored and worshipped.

In our Scripture reading, Paul used the giving of the Macedonians as a model for the people in Corinth to see as Corinthians considered their gifts to the distressed Christians in Jerusalem. The Macedonians pleaded for the privilege of sharing. They did not know the people in Jerusalem personally, but they wanted to help fellow believers. The Macedonians gave beyond their ability which is giving sacrificially. They didn’t give their leftovers or what they could afford. They gave to the extent that it impacted their lifestyle.

The Macedonians gave because they were new creations in Christ. Giving came naturally after God had control of their hearts. As we spend time in God’s Word and participate regularly in the Sacraments, God will grant us hearts that will plead for the opportunity to give.

Discussion Thoughts: 1. What are some indicators that our time and money are overly important to us?

2. What should we be giving?

3. In what financial condition were the Macedonians, and why were they able to give so generously?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, you are the owner and giver of all things. Help us to acknowledge you as the source of everything. Grant us, Lord, the same grace and faith that allowed the Macedonians to give so willingly and generously. In your name we pray. Amen.

By Parish Publishing

11315 Palmbrush Trail

Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202

Phone: 941-751-5048

Fax: 941-751- 4174 officesaintmarymagdalene@verizon.net

ST. MARY MAGDALENE’S EPISCOPAL

We’re on the Web! Click this link:

St.MM’s

OUR VISION STATEMENT

That all humanity be in full relationship with God & one another.

(based on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We seek to live out Jesus’ Great Commission of making disciples of all people, by

being present in the world and ministering God’s redemptive gifts of love & grace.

OUR STAFF

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Diocese of SW FL The Rev. James E. Hedman, Rector

The Rev. Dr. Sharon L. Lewis, Assisting Priest Neil Keith, Music Director

Bridget Rochon, Publications Becky Schellinger, Bookkeeper

Michelle Tarte, Nursery

SUNDAY

7:45AM—Holy Eucharist (Rite One)

9:00AM Contemporary/Family Service w/ Nursery Care

9:15AM Children’s Chapel

11:00AM—Rite Two/Traditional Service w/Nursery Care

11:15AM Children’s Chapel

TUESDAY

7:30PM—Worship Practice

WEDNESDAY

10:00AM—Healing Service

4:30PM—Bible Study

6:00PM—Food, Fellowship and Worship

6:30PM—Teen Bible Study

7:00PM—Class

THURSDAY

10:00AM—Quilters

6:30PM—Choir Practice

FRIDAY

7:30AM—Men in Christ Men’s Bible Study

Recommended Web

Sites:

Diocese of Southwest Florida

Episcopal Relief and Development

The Text This Week

(A collection of resources for your own

Bible study.)

Bible Basics

(A great pronunciation guide - a voice

reads the word out loud to you.)

The Bible Gateway

(The entire Bible in different translations)

The Daily Office (A “high-tech” way to join in the daily

prayer of the whole Church)

The Book of Common Prayer

Do you have something for The Beacon?

E-mail (by the 19th of each month please,

and mark it “For BEACON”) to

publicationsstmm@verizon.net

We would love to get to know you better If you have any news that you want to share with our church family, please inform Bridget. Email: publicationsstmm@verizon.net or call the church office. Do you (or did you) have an unusual hobby, pet or business? Do you have a praise report, story / testimony about God’s movement in your life? Do you have a family member who has written an article that made it into a newspaper, magazine or on-line? Do you have a family member who has received an award, certificate or honor that you would like to share? Bridget would love to hear about it and possibly put it in a future St.MM’s newsletter or announcement.