˙ The Wings of the

Dove... ˙

The Newsletter of St. Thomas A’ Becket Anglican Church

850 Lucianlake Drive, Sumter SC, (803)773-2264

All things come of Thee O Lord, and of thine own have we given Thee. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Calendar of Events

20th Sunday of Pentecost  October 21, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Joel Osborne Genesis 32:3-8,22-30; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5; Luke 18:1-8a 

21st Sunday of Pentecost  October 28, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Joel Osborne Jeremiah 14:(1-6)7-10,19-22; Psalm 84:1-6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Sunday of All Saints   November 4, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Jim Brady Isaiah 1:10-20; 32:1-8; Psalm 32:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5(6-10)11-12; Luke 19:1-10 

23rd Sunday of Pentecost  November 11, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Joel Osborne Job 19:23-27a; Psalm 17:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13--3:5; Luke 20:27(28-33)34-38

24th Sunday of Pentecost  November 18, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Joel Osborne Malachi 3:13--4:2a,5-6; Psalm 98:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 

Last Sunday of Pentecost  November 25, 2001   11:00 AM Rev. Joel Osborne Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 19:29-38 

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Thoughts from the Vicar… I am still reeling from the savagery of the attack on the United States on the 11th of September, 2001. A certain writer in the State said, “We must stop calling this a ‘tragedy’, While the results of the sneak attack were indeed tragic, they resulted from premeditated attack on the sovereign people of this nation and that has a name. It is called an act of War. I have been told by those of “greater intellect” that we should “turn the other cheek” and be like “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild”. At the time of the writing of the Gospels to “turn the other cheek” was what you did it the event of being verbally assaulted. You did not return a harsh word with another harsh word. “Turning the other cheek” has nothing to do with the attack of one nation on another nation.  

My poor mind cannot comprehend how twisted and evil one has to be to take that which God has given and fling it back into his face. God gives us life and to allow anyone, even ourselves, to end that life is to usurp God’s goodness to us. What madness can incite a person to kill themselves while killing the innocents “along for the ride”? I am told that when a Moslem dies in a Jihad (Righteous Struggle) he is immediately translated to paradise where he waited on, hand and foot by 70 pure maidens who peel his grapes and cater to his every whim, and every infidel (that’s you and me!) he takes with him will become his eternal slave.

Well my brothers and sisters, Christianity has nothing like this! All Christians aboard the ill-fated flights and in the Towers or at the Pentagon, at the time of their untimely death just got to see Jesus; to walk hand in hand with Him to the Throne of Grace and Mercy. They enjoyed the pleasure of having God brush away every tear. The halt and lame among them received their new and perfected bodies that would never wear out or corrupt. 70 Maidens, peeled grapes and all the slaves in the universe do not equal the joy of being with God; of being able to climb up onto His lap and let Him enfold you in His arms.

Yes, I imagine when the line at the Pearly Gates started to form up on the 11th of September, and those who died in Christ were told, “well done my good and faithful servants”, the murderers of these saints found out that it was not maidens that awaited them, but imps, and demons, and the fires of hell.

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Act Two... 

The date is June 24, 1859. Suddenly, there he is, atop a hill overlooking the plain of Solferino. Napoleon's troops prepare for battle with the Austrians below, and Henri Dunant has a box-seat view from his place on the hill.

Trumpets blare, muskets crack and cannons boom. The two armies crash into each other, as Henri looks on, transfixed. He sees the dust rising. He hears the screams of the injured. He watches bleeding, maimed men take their last breaths as he stares in horror at the scene below.

Henri doesn't mean to be there. He is only on a business trip -- to speak to Napoleon III about a financial transaction between the Swiss and the French. But he arrived late and now finds himself in a position to witness first-hand the atrocities of war.

What Henri sees from his hill, however, pales in comparison with what he is soon to witness. Entering a small town shortly after the fierce encounter, Henri now observes the battle's refugees. Every building is filled with the mangled, the injured, the dead. Henri, aching with pity, decides to stay in the village three more days to comfort the young soldiers.

He realizes that his life will never be the same again. Driven by a powerful passion to abolish war, Henri Dunant will eventually lose his successful banking career and all his worldly possessions only to die as a virtual unknown in an obscure poorhouse.

But we remember Henri today because he was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (in 1901). We also remember him because of the movement he founded -- the Red Cross.

Act One of Henri Dunant's life closed June 24, 1859. Act Two opened immediately and played the remainder of his 81 years.

Many people's lives can be divided into Act One and Act Two. The first performance ends when one decides to ultimately follow a new direction or passion. Henri Dunant's old life, driven by financial success, prestige and power, no longer satisfied. A new Henri Dunant emerged in Act Two; one who was motivated by love, compassion and an overriding commitment to abolish the horrors of war.

For some, Act Two may begin with a conversion, or a turning point. Others speak of a defining moment. However it is understood, the "old self" is laid to rest and a new self is born -- one governed by principle, spirit and passion.

You may be ready for Act Two. It may be the next scene of a life that counts.

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The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a meadowlark sang. But the man did not hear. 

So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder & lightning rolled across the sky. But the man did not listen. 

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you." And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see. 

And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" And a life was born. But the man did not notice. 

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know you are here" Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on. 

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect. So often in our need and hurry we don’t see the very blessing that God sends us. We ignore His promise; that promise that Jesus made when He said, “I will be with you always; even unto the ends of the Earth”.

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MET IN THE STAIRWELL  

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news, Sept.

11, 2001. Neither will I.  

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Good-Bye." I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go."  

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.  

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to me for help. "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said. "Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now."

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.  

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there; comforting and assuring them that their Faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, and London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?  

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name-though they did NOT all know Me. Some met me for the first time on the 100th floor. Some sought me out in their last breath. Some couldn't hear me calling to them through the smoke and flames, "Come to Me...this way...take my hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.  

I did not place you in the Tower that day--you may not know why, But I DO. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.  

Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go." I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. 

Love, GOD 
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St Thomas A’ Becket Anglican Church

850 Lucianlake Drive

Sumter, SC 29154