THE TRINITY HERALD
The mission of Trinity Church is to share the joy of God’s love with our community, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
OCTOBER 2011
THE RECTOR’S COLUMN: FAITH, HOPE & LOVE
One of the more intriguing aspects of the Bible is that it mentions the presence of beings other than humans and God. These unnatural beings seem to fall somewhere between the realm of the “divine world” and the “earthly world.” Fur‐ thermore, while they can usually be classified as “good” or “evil” – aligned with God or Satan – occasionally the distinction is a little more nebulous. There are plenty of angels (literally “God’s messengers”) and demons described in the Bible, but this month, we’ll look at a few of the more mysterious creatures.
First of all, consider the cherubim (or cherubs). These creatures are mentioned over 90 times throughout the Old Testament, but only once in the New Testament (see Hebrews 9:5). Descriptions of the appearance of cherubim vary widely. Perhaps the only feature they all seem to share is that they are winged? However, none of the descriptions fit the depiction of a chubby, child‐like angel we frequently see around Valentine’s Day. The mention of the cherubim in relation to the Ark of the Covenant or Temple seem to indicate that they have only one face, while those mentioned in connection with the book Ezekiel have either two or four faces. In one case, Ezekiel 10:14, the faces are of various animals — most of which are also traditional symbols of the Gospel evangelists. Cherubim always appear connected with God, and frequently serve as guardi‐ ans of some sort. For example, after humans are exiled from Eden, cherubim stand guard along with a flaming sword around the tree of life.
We also hear about the seraphim (or seraphs) in the 6th chapter of the book Isaiah. Seraphs are said to be in atten‐ dance above God. They are described to have six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet – probably a euphe‐ mism for their genitals – and two remaining with which to fly. These are the creatures who shout “Holy, Holy, Holy” which is the very inspiration for the Sanctus we sing during our communion service. It is likely that seraphs are the same “flying, fiery serpents” that are mentioned in other portions of Isaiah: e.g. 14:29 and 30:6.
Another interesting creature of the Bible is the Nephilim, which may be found in Genesis, chapter 6, verse 4. The Nephilim were said to live on the Earth at this point in biblical history, not relatively long after creation. They are described as “the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of humans” and states that they were “great warriors.” This lack of regard of the barriers between heaven and earth and the possibility that the word Nephilim is related to the Hebrew word to fall might serve as inspiration for the notion that these are “fallen angels.” The only other place we hear about the Nephilim comes from Numbers 13. This is the account of Moses sending spies into the Promised Land where they encounter the de‐ scendants of Anak there. The Anakites (or Anakim) were apparently imposing giants and many of the Israelites were afraid of them. Verse 33 completes the connection between the Anakites and Nephilim. However, there is no explicit connection between these giants and perhaps the most famous warrior of the Bible, Goliath of Gath – who is said to be a Philistine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT: The Rector’s Column PAGE 2: Monthly Calendar PAGE 3: Worship Leader Schedule BACK: Announcements/Birthdays
J.D.+
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH OFFICE: (334) 289‐3363 ▪ 401 N. Main Ave ▪ P.O. Box 560 Demopolis, AL 36732‐0560 Website ‐ www.trinitydemopolis.org Facebook Fan Page ‐ www.facebook.com/demopolis Email ‐
[email protected] OCTOBER 2011
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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SUNDAY WORSHIP LEADER SCHEDULE October 9th
October 16th
October 23rd
October 30th
(16 Sun. Pentecost) Holy Eucharist
(17 Sun. Pentecost) Holy Eucharist
(18 Sun. Pentecost) Holy Eucharist
(19 Sun. Pentecost) Morning Prayer
(20th Sun. Pentecost)
LEM (Psalm)
A.D. Baker
Jay Wright
Luke Hallmark
LEM
Becky Cole
Ben Sherrod
A.D. Baker
Lector (#1/OT)
Carolyn Cowling
Frank Rutledge
Cecil Williamson
Lector (#2/NT)
Broughton Rogers
Bill Britton
Bryan W. Compton
Intercessor
Polly Tarence
Val Gifford
Doris Attaway
Officiant offers prayers
Broughton Rogers
Ushers
A.G. Westbrook & Ben Sherrod
Mem Webb & John Northcutt
Bill Britton & Bill Barley
Tommy Lee & Harris Nelson
Joe Richie & A.G. Westbrook
Oblationers
Rebecca Marlowe & Amelia Traeger
Virginia Kidd & Martha Kidd
Russ Gaddy & Patricia Gaddy
No oblationers (Morning Prayer)
Sarah Hallmark & Parker Hallmark
Crucifer/Server
Alex Wright
Allen Bley
Clay McVay
No crucifer (Morning Prayer)
Alex Wright
Acolytes
William Barkley & Paul Frankowski
Joseph Barnes & Parker Hallmark
James McVay & Sara McVay
No acolytes (Morning Prayer)
Sara McVay & Joseph Barnes
Parish Brunch
Bryan W. Compton
Dashiell McKay
Cindy Reeves
Ben Sherrod
Pearl Slay
October 2nd
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Amie Attaway (Officiant for Morning Prayer, no Eucharist) George Bley (lector) Billy Traeger (preacher)
ALTAR GUILD
Holy Eucharist
Jay Wright Becky Cole Stan Brasfield Lynn Brasfield
FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER Rebecca Culpepper Evelyn Maxey Sue Sanders Mary Dunning Paula Bird Peggy Eddins
If you discover that you are unable to serve on the appointed day, please find a suitable replacement and then notify the church office.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH POST OFFICE BOX 560 DEMOPOLIS, AL 36732‐0560
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS Anne Strange Dianne Lehning Mem Webb Jeanne Crawford Becky Lee Inda Pugh Tommy Lee Alex Wright Sue Sanders Bryan W. Compton Ashleigh Holifield John Crawford Philip Cole
1st 3rd 4th 9th 13th 14th 20th 20th 21st 23rd 26th 28th 31st
EYC ACTIVITIES
On Sunday, October 9th the church youth will be headed to Tuscaloosa for bowling and to attend the Pumpkin Patch at St. Matthias Episcopal Church.
Bulk BulkRate Rate U.S. U.S.Postage PostagePAID PAID Demopolis, Demopolis,AL AL Permit PermitNo. No.104 104
ANNOUNCEMENTS “SAWYERVILLE IN PRAIRIEVILLE”
SHOEBOX PREP
POINSETTIA SALES
For the month of The ECW is now taking October, the orders for poinsettias; all or‐ ECW is collecting hard ders must be placed by Octo‐ candies (no chocolate) ber 9th, 2011. The cost is $20 each and they come in four for Operation colors, red, white, pink and Christmas Child. There will be boxes for you to marble. They will be ready for pick up on Monday, Nov. deposit your items in 28th and must be picked up the parish hall (on the by Wednesday, November stage) and in the 30th. Please narthex of the church contact a member of the (under the table). ECW for more information.
The fall homecoming service for St. Andrew’s, Prairieville, has been scheduled for Saturday, October 1st, at 12 noon. This service of Holy Eucharist is being held in conjunction with the inaugural Sawyerville Work Project 5k Run/ Walk held earlier this day in Greensboro. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service, as usual. And pigskin VESTRY MEETING ECW MEETING fans shouldn’t fret or The ECW will meet on October The Vestry will meet fear, as Alabama and Auburn both have away Sunday, October 16th, 11th, at 5:30 PM in the Parish Hall. immediately games this day. following brunch.