March 1, 2010
“In God the Lord whose word I praise,
In God I trust and will not be afraid.” (Ps. 56:10)
Dear Church family,
I received a call at 7am this morning from Eric Sohlgren, our attorney, notifying me that our petition to the US Supreme Court has been denied. The court does not give reasons for its denials.
This is well and truly the end of the legal road for us and I know some of you are disappointed that we will never recover our property and that this kind of injustice will continue in other legal battles across the country. We especially think of our sister churches, St. David’s, All Saints and St. James and the road before them. Do keep them and other sister churches further afield in your prayers.
I know others of you are relieved that the legal wrangling is over and we can be about the work of the Gospel unhindered. Or you may be feeling a mixture of both disappointment and relief, as am I. Where ever you are, know that we will continue to walk forward together and that our Lord is with us.
The other question that rises is what was that all about? I am not sure that is a helpful question. Rather, we need to remember why we did what we did as we continue to trust God with the outcome. So let me remind everyone the main reason we felt compelled to appeal. It was for the sake of our sister churches so that they wouldn’t have to experience the pain and loss of being evicted from dear and memory filled houses of worship. So that they would not suffer the same injustice that we have suffered at the hands of false shepherds in the leadership of the Episcopal Church. By the way, I say that without bitterness or anger. It is simply a fact. May the Lord have mercy upon them.
So remembering why we did what we did, and remembering that the vast majority of our legal costs have been funded as though manna from heaven, we are to rest in God’s good purposes for us. He will continue to prove himself to be utterly faithful.
Finally, I want to leave you with the psalm verse that spoke peace to me in my evening devotions last night:
“In God the Lord whose word I praise,
In God I trust and will not be afraid.” (Ps. 56:10)
You may find it helpful to continue to pray this until is settles deeply in your heart.
So ‘forgetting what lies behind… [let us] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14
October, 2009
I just wanted to take a moment to share that we at St. Luke's are doing well. Our final service in the building two Sundays ago was the most joyous in memory. The Lord really blessed us, especially surprising us with the sense of his presence and blessing at our new worship site (Seventh Day
Adventist Church, Vallejo Drive in Glendale) immediately afterwards where we had our reception.
Our inaugural service this past Sunday with Bp-elect Bill and Ron Jackson back from England was just wonderful. We also had representatives from St. John's Fallbrook (now Christ Church Fallbrook) and St. James Newport Beach. It was all very encouraging and we had such a sense of freedom. Luther's words come to mind, "Let goods and kindred go; this mortal life also."
But I do ask for your continued prayers even as we pray for you. It always seems like after the big hurdle is crossed and the guard is let down that the enemy quietly attacks. Please pray for our continued protection.
Blessings to all and thank you for your many prayers and support,
Rob Holman+
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galations 5:1
PS. Attendance at our first service was 188 not 60 as reported in the press.
Together we stand with some 100,000 Anglicans in 700 parishes in 28 dioceses in North America who affirm the biblical foundations of our Anglican tradition. A majority of Anglicans in our worldwide Communion of some 77 million members have already recognized the Anglican Church in North America of which we are now a part, as the valid expression of Anglicanism in North America.
Tue, 03/02/2010 - 12:46pm | 
Tags: Parish 
