Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity

Father Acker first addressed the congregation clad in a white cassock with an embroidered green stole knotted into his rope belt. His chasuble hung over a nearby chair. In contrast to these formal trappings, his bare toes peeked out from his sandals, and a guitar hung around his neck as he readied to join beginning guitar student Jack in playing "When the Saints Go Marching In." The effect caught the feel of the space -- a school auditorium, three rows of folding chairs, and a couple of electric candles vs. the brass cross emblazoned with the traditional IHS, the heavy cloth over the chalice, and the lace cover atop the table holding the water and wine. The service, in fact, was a mix of structured liturgy and personal interaction: Acker, now genuflecting repeatedly at the altar with his back to the congregation, now listing a host of first names during the intercessory prayers. (Besides the more formal intercessions for those in adversity and those who have "departed this life in thy faith and fear," Acker named "those in need of thy healing touch...those in need of strength and guidance...those who are homebound...those serving in our armed forces...those who are traveling....")

Apart from these personal asides, the liturgy stuck close to the Book of Common Prayer. (As he administered Communion, Acker repeated, "The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.") Because of the language, additions and departures were notable. When Acker reached the prayer for the Bishops, he mentioned "Rowan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the primates of the Anglican Communion" and "all the clergy of the Anglican Communion Network chapter here in the diocese of San Diego, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word."

Acker's sermon asked the questions, "How do we come to know Jesus?" and "How do I know that I know Jesus?" and answered, "Knowing Jesus starts with seeing who He is and accepting what He gives." The Gospel recounted Christ's telling Simon Peter to cast his nets one last time, Peter's amazed cry of "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man!" and Christ's assurance that, in the future, Peter would be "catching men." Acker provided both chronological and geographical context and then observed, "Jesus was not merely going along picking up disciples here and there. Jesus knew Simon Peter for over a year, and he knew Andrew, James, and John. Jesus was not some Svengali who said, 'Follow me, follow me.' They knew who he was. They weren't being asked to walk off a cliff."

Acker continued, "How do you get to know someone? You spend time with them." And as you do, you share in Peter's recognition that "the reality of our life is here, and what God wants that reality to be is over here." But after that, "we find we become friends of God. What's important to God becomes important to us. We see how we participate in His plan, not only for our own lives, but touching the lives of those around us." And we gather as a church, "that we might support one another in our life in Christ."

After Communion, Acker anointed Walt, a congregant scheduled for surgery, "beseeching our Lord Jesus Christ to sustain you with His presence...and that Thou would bless the surgeons, the nurses, and all those who look to his needs." He prayed over a couple celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary, "that they might so love, cherish, and honor each other, that they come to all the joys of Thy heavenly kingdom." And he accepted 64 cents -- "heavy coin" -- from Jim, who was celebrating his 64th birthday. "Watch over thy servant Jim, O Lord. As his days increase, strengthen him when he stands, comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful, raise him up when he falls, and in his heart, may he find peace which passes understanding...." All prayed together: "Many happy returns of the day of thy birth. May seasons of joy be given. May God in his mercy prepare you on earth for a beautiful birthday in heaven."

Sponsored
Sponsored

What happens when we die?

"We receive God's promise of life with Him through the baptismal covenant," says Acker. "Baptism isn't static, but a dynamic incorporation into the risen life of Jesus by the forgiveness of our sin. Without His promise, we are left to the mercy of God. God chose to love us and create a way to live with Him forever. In His love, He wouldn't force it upon us. But God bids us to choose life, life with Him."

Denomination: Anglican Province of America

Address: Sunday worship at Alpine Elementary School, 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine.

Phone Number: 619-722-1772

Founded locally: December 2005

Senior pastor: Reverend Keith Acker

Congregation size: 30

Staff size: 1

Sunday school enrollment: as needed

Annual budget: $40,000

Weekly giving: $725

Singles program: no

Dress: fairly casual, some button-down shirts, some shorts and T-shirts

Diversity: mostly Caucasian

Sunday worship: 8:30 a.m.

Length of reviewed service: 1 hour

Website: http://www.alpineanglican.com

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Melissa Etheridge, The Imaginary Amazon

Events April 1-April 3, 2024
Next Article

Didja know I did the first American feature on Jimi Hendrix?

Richard Meltzer goes through the Germs, Blue Oyster Cult, Ray Charles, Elvis, Lavender Hill Mob

Father Acker first addressed the congregation clad in a white cassock with an embroidered green stole knotted into his rope belt. His chasuble hung over a nearby chair. In contrast to these formal trappings, his bare toes peeked out from his sandals, and a guitar hung around his neck as he readied to join beginning guitar student Jack in playing "When the Saints Go Marching In." The effect caught the feel of the space -- a school auditorium, three rows of folding chairs, and a couple of electric candles vs. the brass cross emblazoned with the traditional IHS, the heavy cloth over the chalice, and the lace cover atop the table holding the water and wine. The service, in fact, was a mix of structured liturgy and personal interaction: Acker, now genuflecting repeatedly at the altar with his back to the congregation, now listing a host of first names during the intercessory prayers. (Besides the more formal intercessions for those in adversity and those who have "departed this life in thy faith and fear," Acker named "those in need of thy healing touch...those in need of strength and guidance...those who are homebound...those serving in our armed forces...those who are traveling....")

Apart from these personal asides, the liturgy stuck close to the Book of Common Prayer. (As he administered Communion, Acker repeated, "The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.") Because of the language, additions and departures were notable. When Acker reached the prayer for the Bishops, he mentioned "Rowan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the primates of the Anglican Communion" and "all the clergy of the Anglican Communion Network chapter here in the diocese of San Diego, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word."

Acker's sermon asked the questions, "How do we come to know Jesus?" and "How do I know that I know Jesus?" and answered, "Knowing Jesus starts with seeing who He is and accepting what He gives." The Gospel recounted Christ's telling Simon Peter to cast his nets one last time, Peter's amazed cry of "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man!" and Christ's assurance that, in the future, Peter would be "catching men." Acker provided both chronological and geographical context and then observed, "Jesus was not merely going along picking up disciples here and there. Jesus knew Simon Peter for over a year, and he knew Andrew, James, and John. Jesus was not some Svengali who said, 'Follow me, follow me.' They knew who he was. They weren't being asked to walk off a cliff."

Acker continued, "How do you get to know someone? You spend time with them." And as you do, you share in Peter's recognition that "the reality of our life is here, and what God wants that reality to be is over here." But after that, "we find we become friends of God. What's important to God becomes important to us. We see how we participate in His plan, not only for our own lives, but touching the lives of those around us." And we gather as a church, "that we might support one another in our life in Christ."

After Communion, Acker anointed Walt, a congregant scheduled for surgery, "beseeching our Lord Jesus Christ to sustain you with His presence...and that Thou would bless the surgeons, the nurses, and all those who look to his needs." He prayed over a couple celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary, "that they might so love, cherish, and honor each other, that they come to all the joys of Thy heavenly kingdom." And he accepted 64 cents -- "heavy coin" -- from Jim, who was celebrating his 64th birthday. "Watch over thy servant Jim, O Lord. As his days increase, strengthen him when he stands, comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful, raise him up when he falls, and in his heart, may he find peace which passes understanding...." All prayed together: "Many happy returns of the day of thy birth. May seasons of joy be given. May God in his mercy prepare you on earth for a beautiful birthday in heaven."

Sponsored
Sponsored

What happens when we die?

"We receive God's promise of life with Him through the baptismal covenant," says Acker. "Baptism isn't static, but a dynamic incorporation into the risen life of Jesus by the forgiveness of our sin. Without His promise, we are left to the mercy of God. God chose to love us and create a way to live with Him forever. In His love, He wouldn't force it upon us. But God bids us to choose life, life with Him."

Denomination: Anglican Province of America

Address: Sunday worship at Alpine Elementary School, 1850 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine.

Phone Number: 619-722-1772

Founded locally: December 2005

Senior pastor: Reverend Keith Acker

Congregation size: 30

Staff size: 1

Sunday school enrollment: as needed

Annual budget: $40,000

Weekly giving: $725

Singles program: no

Dress: fairly casual, some button-down shirts, some shorts and T-shirts

Diversity: mostly Caucasian

Sunday worship: 8:30 a.m.

Length of reviewed service: 1 hour

Website: http://www.alpineanglican.com

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Reader 1st place writing contest winner gets kudos

2nd place winner not so much
Next Article

Navy solves San Diego homeless crisis by retiring four locally moored ships

Decommision Accomplished
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.