141026 AOC Sunday Report

Anglican Orthodox Church

Worldwide Communion

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sunday Report

Today we celebrated the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity and Rev Jack Arnold’s 22^nd birthday!

From Bishop Garth Neel

You will likely be aware of the events that occurred this past week in Canada, the murder of a Canadian soldier in Quebec and then of another in Ottawa. The shooter in Ottawa was able to gain access with his weapon to the House of Commons Centre Block, just across the street from the war memorial where he shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo (age 24) of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. Cirillo was guarding the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. Once in the Commons building, he fired his rifle several times in a hallway outside rooms where the Prime Minister and the majority of the other MPs were meeting. One of his bullets passed through the door of the caucus room of the opposition party.

While he was hiding behind a stone pillar in the hallway, near the parliamentary library, Mr. Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant-at-Arms (historically a royal body-guard, now the top cop on the Hill), came out of his office, saw the shooter’s rifle protruding from behind the pillar, dove down onto the floor in front of the shooter and emptied his handgun into his body. A number of other Mounties, who had been moving down the hallway toward the shooter, then opened fire as well. The shooter was killed. It appears he was Quebec-born, a muslim convert, whose father had once gone over to Libya to fight for the regime there. It is clear that he had no real knowledge of what was going on inside Centre Block when he entered, as he passed completely by the room where the Prime Minister was speaking and made no attempt to enter.

Canadians are proud of their security forces and grateful for the very quick action of Mr. Vickers. He is a 30 year veteran of the RCMP and during that time never had to fire his service weapon once. After killing the shooter, Mr. Vickers returned to his office, reloaded his weapon, and then joined the other Mounties as they made sure there were no more shooters involved. Mr. Vickers went into the caucus room to tell the P/M that he had engaged the shooter and that the man was deceased. When he appeared the following day at the opening of Parliament, carrying the ceremonial mace, the P/M and all the other M/Ps gave him a standing ovation. He is a true Canadian hero.

My prayer is Canada will, as a nation, awaken to its obligation to worship and serve the one true God, changing the many ungodly laws we have enacted in the last 50 years or so. Then shall she be true to her motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare … From Sea to Sea … taken from Psalm 72 … for this is a prayer not only for the righteous and just dominion of the earthly king who rules from sea to sea but also for the recognition of the dominion of the One True King … who rules over all. May God grant that the church in Canada will rise to its duty in these challenging days.

Love and blessings – Garth

On Point

Someone asked, where do the quotes come from? The answer is from the people who uttered them. But, how did you find them? Oh, that. Some from Bishop Jerry, many from Rev Bryan Dabney, a few from other places, some from Rev Geordie Menzies-Grierson, but overall mostly from Bryan. He always has some great ones to share. On to the On Point quotes –

Charity

‘Charity’ now means simply what used to be called ‘alms’—that is, giving to the poor. Originally it had a much wider meaning. (You can see how it got the modern sense. If a man has ‘charity’, giving to the poor is one of the most obvious things he does, and so people came to talk as if that were the whole of charity. In the same way, ‘rhyme’ is the most obvious thing about poetry, and so people come to mean by ‘poetry’ simply rhyme and nothing more.) Charity means ‘Love, in the Christian sense’. But love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people.

Jack Lewis

Mere Christianity

The Past

We must beware of the Past, mustn’t we? I mean that any fixing of the mind on old evils beyond what is absolutely necessary for repenting our own sins and forgiving those of others is certainly useless and usually bad for us. Notice in Dante that the lost souls are entirely concerned with their past. Not so the saved. This is one of the dangers of being, like you and me, old. There’s so much past, now, isn’t there? And so little else. But we must try very hard not to keep on endlessly chewing the cud. We must look forward more eagerly to sloughing that old skin off forever—metaphors getting a bit mixed here, but you know what I mean.

Jack Lewis

The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 14:34

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

St. Matthew 13:45-46

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

St. John 6:44

But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

St. Jude 17-19

We ought to be diligent Bible-readers because the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. We shall never fight a good fight if we do not use it as our principal weapon. It may well be feared that there is not enough Bible-reading amongst us. It is not enough to have the book. We must actually read it and pray over it ourselves. It will do us no good if it only lies still in our houses. Knowledge of the Bible can only be got by hard, regular, daily, attentive wakeful reading. Memorized Scripture is a stronghold against sin in the hands of the Spirit.

JC Ryle

19^th century Anglican bishop and author

That religion which is reluctant, or forced, whether by fear or by stress of conscience, is spurious… unless the service we render to God flows from the heart, it is no evidence that we are his children.

Charles Hodge

19^th century American theologian and author

Perhaps one day this too will be pleasant to remember.

Virgil

1^st century AD Roman poet

Talk of imminent threat to our national security through the application of external force is pure nonsense. Our threat is from the insidious forces working from within which have already so drastically altered the character of our free institutions — those institutions we proudly called the American way of life.

Douglas MacArthur

20^th century American general officer and hero

Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

George Washington

18^th American patriot, general officer and president

How strangely will the tools of a tyrant pervert the plain meaning of words!

Samuel Adams

18^th century American patriot

(a letter to John Pitts in Jan. 21, 1776)

Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.

Thomas Jefferson

American patriot and third president.

On evil

I think one may be quite rid of the old haunting suspicion—which raises its head in every temptation—that there is something else than God—some other country . . . into which He forbids us to trespass—some kind of delight wh. He “doesn’t appreciate” or just chooses to forbid, but which wd. be real delight if only we were allowed to get it. The thing just isn’t there. Whatever we desire is either what God is trying to give us as quickly as He can, or else a false picture of what He is trying to give us—a false picture wh. would not attract us for a moment if we saw the real thing. Therefore God does really in a sense contain evil—i.e., contains what is the real motive power behind all our evil desires. He knows what we want, even in our vilest acts: He is longing to give it to us. He is not looking on from the outside at some new “taste” or “separate desire of our own.” Only because He has laid up real goods for us to desire are we able to go wrong by snatching at them in greedy, misdirected ways. The truth is that evil is not a real thing at all, like God. It is simply good spoiled. That is why I say there can be good without evil, but no evil without good. You know what the biologists mean by a parasite—an animal that lives on another animal. Evil is a parasite. It is there only because good is there for it to spoil and confuse.

Thus you may well feel that God understands our temptations—understands them a great deal more than we do. But don’t forget Macdonald again—“Only God understands evil and hates it.” Only the dog’s master knows how useless it is to try to get on with the lead knotted round the lamp-post. This is why we must be prepared to find God implacably and immovably forbidding what may seem to us very small and trivial things. But He knows whether they are really small and trivial. How small some of the things that doctors forbid would seem to an ignoramus.

Jack Lewis

The Collected Letters of CS Lewis, Volume II

Conviction is not repentance. It is one thing to be awakened at five o’clock in the morning, but it is another thing to get up.

Anonymouse

Christ is not only the Saviour but the salvation itself.

Matthew Henry

Propers

Each Sunday there are Propers: special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.

The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.

The propers are the same each year, except if a Red Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saints instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent.

The Propers for today are found on Page 215-217, with the Collect first:

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle for today came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning at the Seventeenth Verse of the Fourth Chapter. Typical of Paul, he uses a spiral argument with a seemingly confusing structure to further instruct the people on how to become the New Man. Our nature is not good, but rather straying from good. We have to work at good, by ourselves good is not attainable, but through Christ, we can attain good. Paul asks us to lie no more, particularly to ourselves, but rather to “speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” If we are angry, we must “let not the sun go down upon our wrath.” We should not live off others, but rather, “labour, working with our hands the thing which is good, that we may have to give to him that needeth.” Speak good, speak that others might learn. Put away ill feeling, give in to God and be “kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” God wants us to be happy, to be good and to enjoy life. If you find this no other place, listen to the words of St. Paul.

HIS I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Today’s Holy Gospel came from the Fourth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the First Verse. Jesus came upon “a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Present were scribes of the temple. They thought to themselves., “This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. Sometimes we are tempted to view the troubles of this world as the only issues we have to confront. Surely the trouble we have here pales to that we have if we make the wrong choices here and end up in the pit. Many can heal the palsy; only through Jesus can our sins be forgiven. In this case, the sins were forgiven and the problems of this earth resolved. The power of Jesus was again made manifest.

esus entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Bishop Ogles’ Sermon

We are oft fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes. Today is one of those Sundays. Today’s sermon starts off with the collect, and like always, it will give you a lot to consider in your heart.

Sermon Notes

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church

26 October 2014, Anno Domini

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel

Matthew 9:1-8

As the Collect for the day says, we are not able to please God in the ways of righteousness, but we can be pleasing to God in the strength of our faith in the Righteous One – Jesus Christ. Even the little acts of faith we exhibit are not ours, but come at the mercy of the Holy Spirit. If He rules our heart, our ways will be pleasing to God. There is no other way in which we can please Him.

Jesus, in the previous chapter, has just cast demons from two young men which He sent into a nearby herd of swine. The two men were set free from these demons, but the swine rushed over a cliff into the waters below and perished. The herdsmen rushed into the city and told all. We are told the entire village turned out to meet Jesus – not to express gratitude for the goodness to those possessed of demons – but to prevail upon Christ to depart from their shores. They feared loss of revenue more than loss of their own souls. So Christ departs, since He is a gentleman and does not impose His company upon those who do not welcome Him, and proceeds across the Sea of Galilee to His own hometown. It is here that we pick up on today’s text.

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city

It is likely that multitudes were anxiously following the movements of Christ by word of mouth. Every rumor of His coming was eagerly received. Were it the same today!

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed

Amazingly, there were men who had early heard of Christ’s crossing to them from the Gaderenes. They had already, by their strong faith, gone to the home of their cherished friend and prepared him on a stretcher to bring to Christ. We are not told of the faith of the man afflicted by palsy, but the faith of his friends would prove sufficient. The man being brought to Christ had a serious illness. It was a CHRONIC illness much as sin is to every man born of woman. His illness had taken away his liberty to move, to associate, and to speak out on matters of faith and life. Doesn’t sin steal away our liberty in the same way?

Now this man is being brought to Christ, on the strength of his friends’ faith, to make him whole. It is much like the woman taken in adultery being dragged before Christ – the only source of healing and forgiveness – by men who intended her no good at all. We have all needed a friend, or even a stranger, to bring us to Christ and introduce us to that great Personage and Lord. The man with the palsy was in a most miserable of human conditions. So were we before we were brought to Christ.

There are two powers revealed here in the text – the power of sin to destroy and make miserable, and the power of Christ to make whole and impart joy and liberty. We see in this account that our own faith may be essential to bring another to the point of being made whole in Christ. We learn, too, that often the efforts of more than one is necessary to bring one to Christ, and these must work in unison (in carrying the bed level at all corners).

Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Jesus’ notice is fixed on the faith of the men who bring the victim sick of the palsy – not the victim. He sees THEIR faith and is moved to compassion and amazement. One point I will make at the onset of the account: the furthest thing from the mind of the man afflicted by this horrible ailment is most likely not forgiveness. He desires, above everything else, to be made free of the disease. But he does not realize that faith precedes freedom and liberty. In first aid, we learn that the most important consideration in treating a victim of some violent crime or accident is to STOP THE BLEEDING, if there is any bleeding. This is the medical procedure of ‘triage’ which requires treatment of the most serious and life-threatening condition first. Our most serious affliction is not leprosy, or palsy, or physical blindness! It is SIN. Sin kills finally and forever! Jesus treats that affliction first! Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

That’s right – that same old gang of detractors and doubters that followed Christ everywhere. They still follow Him and doubt the miracles of life and love of which God is benefactor. They saw Christ heal blind Bartemeus; they saw Him call Lazarus from the grave at Bethany; they saw the young daughter of Jairus restored to life – yet, they believed not. Why not, do you suppose? I believe it was because they did not WANT to believe! If we believe Christ, we must abandon self. Our free wills must be exchanged for that Will (Mind) which was in Christ! No longer would they be king of the mountain, but Christ would be – so they traded their birthrights in God for a bowl of Esau’s porridge. But never doubt – our thoughts are not kept from the notice of Christ. He knows our hearts better than we know them ourselves.

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Be not deceived, God is not mocked! Jesus knows all of our thoughts – past, present, and future! Perhaps these rascals were shocked that Jesus read their hearts without their speaking. Why do ANY of us think evil in our hearts? Because, until we have known Christ as Lord and Savior, we have all of the traits and characteristics of our father, the devil.

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Jesus Christ is God also. He has His seal of authority to prove all things. Any man could falsely proclaim, Thy sins be forgiven thee! But what would be the result? Our sin would remain just as excessively as before the words were spoken. But when the same words are spoken by Christ, they bear the seal of Divine Authority! In truth, they are not the same words when spoken by Christ. Our words are like gold-colored lead coins compared to His 24 karat solid gold words of the Realm of Heaven. He proves all things by the Power of His Word. It is easy for man to speak false forgiveness, but what of speaking true healing? Forgiveness is an inward and invisible work of Grace granted by God. Physical healing is an outward manifestation of miraculous proportion. The first is greater, but the second is more observable! The foolish high churchmen (Pharisee) have been asked a question they dare not answer. Nonetheless, the answer is immediately revealed to their doubting eyes!

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

The Seal of Authority of Christ is a plain manifestation to those who doubt. The man, stricken with the palsy, has been healed of his most critical disease (Sin) and is now given liberty to move and to shout after being healed of his palsy. He not only arises from his bed, he obeys that voice of authority and picks up his bed, and carries his bed to his house. Liberty in Christ is a TOTAL liberty! We are no longer held down and bed-ridden, but have liberty not only to move, but to bear burdens and to go to our wonderful home that awaits all who belong to Christ. And he arose, and departed to his house.

But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men

It is paradoxical, indeed, that the multitudes of common folk recognized the miracle as coming only from God, but the Pharisees did not! Of course, even the multitudes did not recognize that it was God Himself that stood before them, in Christ, to perform this miracle. How many today see the miracles but not the hand of Christ behind them? How many walk the lonely road to Damascas, wanting to see Christ, when He walks right beside them?

Behold, I am with thee always, even unto the end of the world! AMEN

Sermon – Rev Jack Arnold

Church of the Faithful Centurion – Descanso, California

Today’s sermon tied the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and talked, as is oft the case, of the need for action, not simply diction.

Consider the words of the Collect, “…without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts …”

The collect continues on the theme from last week, that without God’s mighty help through the Holy Spirit, we are not able to understand what we need to do to be one with God, to follow His Will; we need Him, through the Holy Ghost, to direct us in our endeavors, beliefs and understanding.

This trend is evident in the Epistle, where Paul writes to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 17. “Yet henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened and alienated from the life of the God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

Paul basically is saying that we should not do as the world does and look into ourselves for guidance for our spiritual lives. If you look into your inner self, you will find blood, guts and bodily fluids. Looking there for guidance is just inviting a nasty disaster for our souls when we die and wake up from our death to find we are not only physically dead but have died a spiritual death, a permanent separation from God, as we are on the other side of that “fixed gulf.” There is a way to avoid this fixed gulf, and that is to accept His spiritual help and guidance and to let the Holy Ghost into our lives.

To do that, we must openly accept Him into our hearts and let Him guide our thoughts and actions. St. Paul tells us that we must begin to live our lives anew, to leave off the old sinful ways and thoughts of our old lives, but to reboot as it were, and to start afresh by being honest, not prone to anger, to work hard, and think, speak and act kindness and to forgive as you would have God forgive you. This will show up a little later on, but it is an important message that bears repeating.

To be successful, Paul says we need to fix ourselves upon the waypoint of Christ and God and not use ourselves for a moral compass. For if we use our sense of direction, we shall not get far and indeed we will be in much distress, though we would not think of it otherwise due to our easily corruptible minds. However, if we rely on Christ as our navigator, He shall never fail us in His directions, if we will but listen to him. He, unlike us, will never let us down or withhold anything that we need to know, but the catch is that we have to be willing to listen to him.

Paul also gives very practical and simple, though hard to follow, directions on living our lives:

Be honest;
Avoid anger;
Do not let anger linger over night;
Follow not the guidance of the devil;
Quit stealing;
Work hard;
Think kindness;
Speak kindness;
Act kindness;
Forgive as you would have God forgive you, which He hath done in Jesus Christ!

We move on to the Gospel, where Jesus, attending to a sick man, picks up on the evil thoughts of the temple scribes, who think to themselves Jesus blasphemed. However, if they realized who truly the Son of God was, Jesus, they would be shocked if they realized they had just accused God of being a liar and blasphemer. However, their darkness in their hearts, like the vanity of the Gentiles minds that Paul talked about, prevents them from seeing the truth of the person of Christ. Then he asks them, which is easier, to say that the sins are forgiven, or to actually say “Arise and walk”, or in other words, the command or the actual physical action of the healing, of which is more important?

The command is important, but we find Jesus doesn’t just talk to hear himself talk. Unlike some of the more modern “Christian” televised preachers who do, but to make a point and to act according to that point he makes. If we believe His commandments, we will keep them, which means our behavior, our actions, will match His Words. The book Acts of the Apostles, isn’t “Meditations”, “Philosophies” of the Apostles, but Acts. Jesus puts forth emphasis on “Actions speak louder than words” through his actions. Actions truly show where a persons heart is set. He may profess to be a member of Our Lord’s church, but if his actions do not match his profession then we shall clearly know he is not truly our Christian brother. We must make sure that our actions match our belief in Scripture.

If we profess to be Christians, then we need to act like Christians, not just say that we are Christians. As the ending sentence at the end of the sermons I have given thus far go, “Be of God”, “Live of God” and finally, last but especially not least “Act of God.” We have to Be of God, and Live of God, to live our lives in a Godly and Christian way, which means as Paul said “Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk”, so should we not walk in the ways of the world but that of God and His Heavenly Kingdom. Though originally, the term Gentile meant non-Jews (Ephesus was an early Gentile Christian church), nowadays Gentiles are those who conform to the world’s philosophies, including Christians that are Christians in name only and not in deed/actions, who do not follow “Be of God, Live of God and Act of God.”

To Act of God, we must follow the commandments of Christ and act according to them, loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we do the three step process “Be of God”, “Act of God” and “Live of God”, we will find ourselves in a much better position than walking in the ways of the World.

The time to act is NOW. Will you act? For whom will you act? Will you count the cost before you act?

Action, not diction, is what counts. It is by your actions you are known.

Be of God – Live of God – Act of God

Bishop Dennis Campbell’s Sermon

Bishop Dennis is a brilliant speaker. He is able to take biblical precepts and make them perfectly understandable, even to me. Oft he provides the text of his sermons and I take the utmost pleasure in passing them on:

Responses to Christ

Matthew 9:1-8

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

October 26, 2014

It is a scene typical of the Gospels. Jesus arrives in a village and the sick are brought to Him for healing. In this case it is a man “sick of the palsy.” The Greek used in Matthew 9:2 is the word from which we derive our English word, “paralysis,” and the man “sick of the palsy” had some form of paralysis. We are not told how extensive this paralysis was, but are told it was enough to prevent him from walking, for in the dispute with the Pharisees Jesus said that it was just as easy to say “Thy sins be forgiven thee” as it is to say, “Arise and walk” (vs. 5). I notice there is no accusation of a phony miracle here. Nowhere does the Bible suggest that anyone doubted the reality of the miracles of Christ. Even His enemies knew His miracles were real. Sometimes, they even brought the sick to Jesus, so He would heal them on the Sabbath and they would have something to argue about with Him. We saw this in our reading from Luke 14 on the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. There was never any doubt about Jesus’ miracles because the sick He healed and the dead He raised were well known by the people around them. He could not have faked them. Also typical of the Gospel scenes, there are two responses to Jesus; some rejected Him, some received Him.

Rejection was the response of the Pharisees. Some of them did, of course, receive Christ, and some of them are now with Him in Heaven, but most of the Pharisees blatantly rejected Christ. Thus, verse 4 of our reading for today says, “And Jesus, knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” And verse 3 tells us the Pharisees said of Christ, “This man blasphemeth.” In reality it was they who blasphemed. God Himself stood before them, the One they claimed to worship and love, the Messiah they claimed to be waiting and praying for. Yet they rejected Him. They accused Him of blasphemy, and, in the name of God, they killed Him.

It is not as though they lacked enough evidence to believe in Jesus. They were experts in the Old Testament law found in the Books of Moses. Yet Jesus said if they had really believed Moses they would believe in Him because Moses wrote of Him (Jn. 6:46). They had the entire Old Testament, and Jesus said the Scriptures testify of Him (Jn. 6:39). We have already considered the unquestioned validity of His miracles. So there was no shortage of evidence. Their problem was not lack of evidence; it was that they did not want to believe it. They were like the people spoken of in Romans 1:18 who “hold the truth in unrighteousness.” They have the truth, but they “hold” it, that is, they hold it captive. They suppress and restrain it, rather than receiving and believing it.

The evidence about Christ is available to all. The Scriptures are open and free. The life and ministry of Christ are known to the vast majority of people on this planet. Truly the “light shineth in darkness” (Jn. 1:5), but people love darkness rather than light (Jn. 3:19).

Tragically, it is not only “unbelievers” who persist in their darkness. Many who call themselves Christians live in a state of rebellion against God. I am not talking here about committing sins. We all do that every day. I am talking about an attitude that keeps God at arms length, even while doing religious things and thinking religious thoughts. Never forget that the Pharisees were theologians. They were the pious of the pious. They were more religious than the vast majority of Jews, and they knew more of the Scriptures than anyone else of their time. Yet they were outside of Christ because they never surrendered themselves to God. They never really said, “God, I will do it your way.” I know it costs a lot to do things God’s way. It costs a lot to surrender your time, your money, your family, job, your very life to God. But it costs a lot more not to. The Reverend Roger Jessup stated this well in a conversation we had while driving to our denominational convention. He said, “It is not so much that we break the commandments of God; it is that they break us.” They break us because we ruin our lives when we disobey them. We can no more build happy, productive lives while ignoring the laws of God than we can build a working airplane while ignoring the laws of physics.

Others, seeing the healing of the paralysed man, received Jesus. They marveled. That means they were shocked. It means they were amazed and astounded at what they saw. They knew the sick man. They knew his illness was real. They knew only God could raise him up and restore him to health. He had probably been to many physicians and received many treatments. He had probably been to many priests and rabbis, and there had probably been countless prayers sent to the throne of grace on his behalf. Yet he remained a cripple, until Jesus said, “Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”

We are so accustomed to hearing and reading these stories that we become inured to the shock value of them. We have to imagine ourselves in the presence of a rotting corpse raised to life again, or seeing a crippled person rising from the sick bed. Imagine Jesus walking through a hospital healing the sick and dying. Imagine Him going to funerals and raising the dead, and imagine yourself being there with Him and witnessing it all with your own eyes. Thus you may regain the marvel at what God has done in this passage of Scripture.

These witnesses were shocked. Their marveling included a strong dose of holy fear; they were in reverent awe because they knew they were in the presence of the Holy One.

Thus, they glorified God. This does not mean they ran around shouting, “Praise the Lord.” They didn’t dance or speak in tongues, or have an ecstatic, emotional experience. They did something more profound and much deeper than that. They acknowledged the glory of God deep in their souls. We might say, they “received” Him. They opened their hearts and souls to Him. The Bible tells us these people marveled, but I marvel at their faith. They did not have the New Testament to explain Christ to them. Christ had not yet completed His work of crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. They did not have the Church to help them on their way, yet they glorified God. They received Him. We have far more light than they. We live in the age of God’s full revelation in Scripture. Ours is the crucifixion, the resurrection and ascension, the Bible, the Church, the Sacraments, and two thousand years of Christian history. Therefore, ours should be the greater marvel, the greater awe, the deeper reverence, the deeper faith, the more faithful obedience. Let us pray to God to help us.

Holy Father, we have many benefits that, even the people who saw Christ in the days of His flesh did not have. Grant unto us a sense of awe when we read of Your miracles. Grant to us a sense of how shocking these miracles really are. And grant that, seeing them afresh in the pages of Holy Scripture, we, too, might be moved to glorify God. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+Dennis Campbell

Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia

Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church

Powhatan, Virginia

www.HolyTrinityAnglicanOrthodoxChurch.org

www.lifeinthescriptures.blogspot.com

Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor – St. Paul’s Anglican Church – Anglican Orthodox Church

Bishop Roy is pastor of the biggest AOC parish West of the Mississippi and is in charge of the Diocese of the Epiphany.

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

26 October 2014

Psalm 72 • Job 24:1-17 • Titus 2

God is Sovereign

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

There is a rather stark contrast in our Old Testament and New Testament lessons. The Book of Job reiterates what appears to be a wanton abuse of good people by evil people. They seem to be getting away with all of this abuse. Job points out that they do all this under the supposed protection of darkness. All of this activity is done in what appears to be secret. And yet as Job points out, God does see them, He is aware of their activity, their proclivity to evil, the damage they do with animal like abandon, …behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey:… All seems to be happening without any intervention by God. The warning against this behavior is found several times in this passage, starting with verse one: ‘why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?’ And again the several references to doing evil in the dark or at twilight, all in an attempt to avoid the Almighty. We know that God does not sleep or slumber, so the implication is He sees all. So no matter what the wicked do to try and avoid God’s eyes, they are not able to do so.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

When we compare and contrast the Old Testament lesson with the New Testament lesson we can see several valuable points to aid us in our daily walk with God.

In the second chapter of Titus, Paul is writing to new and ‘seasoned’ Christians at the same time. He expresses the need to eat, sleep, read, and profess sound doctrine. It is of the utmost importance to do these things. As Paul had written to Timothy and to the church at Corinth, he again emphasizes the need to be true to the Gospel message. All of the characteristics that he writes about are an important aspect of behavior, a behavior that the world is watching at all times. The idea of course to see if Christians mess up in their daily lives. We can and we do, we are not perfect, we are forgiven. That is an interesting point that can be made to nonbelievers. We as Christians are not perfect, but we are forgiven our sins when we ask forgiveness of the same. We are to be sound in faith, in charity, in patience, be teachers of good things, teach younger ones these truths and also showing a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness.

As we study this chapter pay attention to verses 9-11. Many false teachers try to use this and other similar passages to say the Bible promotes slavery. Balderdash. Define servant.

In a very real way, anyone who works for someone else is their servant. I know in our democratic ways we like to think of ourselves as independent beings, but in reality we have a boss or three when we work for others. In theory even if you have your own business, you still have bosses…they are your customers. But now back to the point. As a servant/employee we are not to talk back, follow the orders of the boss(as long as it is legal), don’t steal, this includes playing on the internet, taking long coffee breaks, being idle. Be faithful, be a good worker/servant: why ? Because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Make sure you show that grace of God in all you do as a person, a worker, a boss, a neighbor, a friend to both believers and non-believers.

9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

In conclusion, if we know God sees all, He is Sovereign and has control of all then it is our duty to God and His Kingdom to live and serve Him all our days. As we reread the last five verses of Titus chapter 2 let us reflect on what St. Paul is expressing as the right way to face the day to day grind we all find ourselves in; we are to look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Know that we cannot do this ourselves, we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world. We need to speak, exhort and rebuke with all authority, because it is the right thing to do as we serve the Kingdom.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Let us pray:

lmighty God, who hast bidden us seek that we may find, and who pourest out on all who desire it, the spirit of grace and of supplication; Deliver us, when we draw nigh to Thee, from coldness of heart and wandering of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say unto Thy Disciples, Come ye apart into a desert place and rest a while; Grant we beseech Thee to Thy servants now gathered together, so to seek Thee whom our souls desire to love, that we may both find Thee and be found of Thee. Grant such love and such wisdom to accompany the words which shall be spoken in Thy name, that they may not fall to the ground, but may be helpful in leading us onward through the toils of our pilgrimage to that rest which remaineth, where, nevertheless, they rest not day nor night from Thy perfect service; who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.

Benediction:

irect us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify Thy holy Name, and finally, By Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.O Almighty God, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the head cornerstone; Grant, us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

he Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace, now and for evermore. Amen.

✟

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s Sunday Sermon

We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, expouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

In our epistle today, the apostle Paul called on the brethren to put off

concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Nicodemus was troubled by our Lord’s comment that Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (St. John 3:3). He then questioned, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born ( St. John 3:4)? Our Lord plainly stated that what he meant by the expression to be born again was not to be understood in a literal sense, but rather in a figurative one. It is a spiritual rebirth accomplished in Christ Jesus by means of a person’s belief in him as God’s only begotten Son (St. John 3:16). So then the first thing that must be done to begin this process would be to embrace Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Some might contend that recognizing their sins ought to be first, but simply identifying troubling behavior does not remedy the problem. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, Sirs, what must I do to be saved (Acts 16:30)? To which they replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).

In an earlier chapter in Ephesians (1:13-14), St. Paul explained the process. First of all came the hearing of the word of truth in which the members of the church at Ephesus had placed their trust. They were willing to hear and to receive the gospel of salvation after which they believed. They thus took it into their spirits. This led to their being sealed with the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. This last portion refers to the eternal nature of our salvation. St. Paul noted earlier that God had predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself… (1:5), and that we then have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (v.7). And such is part of God’s intention that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ… (v.10) For it is in Christ that we have obtained an inheritance… (v.11), and that inheritance is eternal life in his kingdom. A person cannot fall out of the Master’s hand once he or she comes to Christ; but so many never truly make that commitment to him in faith and thus backslide and fall away much as in the parable of “The Sower” such was described as being the seed which fell by the wayside and took root only to wither away when trial and tribulation showed up (St. Matthew 13:20-21). And so the superficial Christian is not a saved person because if he truly was saved, he would not fall away from the faith and go after other gods.

The next thing that a true and faithful Christian ought to do is avoid re-entangling himself in those evils which he had engaged in prior to his coming Christ. He must renounce the things of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. The wonderful hymn by Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander entitled “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” has a verse that is apropos: “Jesus calls from the worship of the vain world’s golden store; from each idol that would keep us, saying, ‘Christian, love me more.’” We cannot keep to our former corrupted state and hold onto Christ. Our former evil selves would be unable to take hold of his hand without slipping out precisely on account of our sinfulness.

So then ridding oneself of that old nature which was mired in sin is imperative if a person truly desires to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord said, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (St. Matthew 6:24). In the Ministration of Holy Baptism concerning the office for baptizing adults, the minister will ask the person seeking this sacrament the following: “Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?” The candidate’s answer is: “I renounce them all; and by God’s help, will endeavour not to follow, nor be led by them.”

Another thing a believer ought to do is be renewed in the spirit of your mind. This means to have that change of mind— to repent— and seek a new way of living. Only the penitent person will be enabled to put on the new man. Such a one realizes that the old life he or she once lived would doom them to an eternity in perdition. Such a one understands that God has offered him a new life— a new beginning— a second chance to become something different and thus be freed from the bondage of sin and degradation. People in sin tend to love their sins as Pastor Ellsworth once noted. They love them even and in spite of the injuries which such things had done unto them prior to their receiving Christ. But once Christ had come into their lives, they found a release from those sins. They then saw their former ways as God saw them, and were repulsed by them. Only by coming to see their former lifestyles as wicked and evil were they then enabled to truly say to God as the prodigal did, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son… (St. Luke 15:18).

Recognition of sin opens the way to repentance and aids us in keeping the old man from ever coming back. And so with repentance, the old man— the old nature— is put off and the new man is put on. The new man is born again— born from above— not of the flesh but of the Spirit. The new man is cognizant of sins past to which he or she will not turn to again. That life has died in the baptism of the Spirit, and from that moment a new creature has been born, not in physical terms, but after a spiritual manner. Such a person does not change physically so much as they change within. That is the real change— the change that will result in a new man being donned and kept. As the apostle Paul has written concerning this new state of being, But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6). We have been quickened that is made alive in the spirit and bearing the promise that we will one day be made alive eternally in a new body that will be like that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is of the greatest importance for every Christian to seek after God’s will and that includes understanding the nature of their salvation. It should be understood that only through a true and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God can such be obtained. For only in his name and under his blood do we receive his free gift of grace. And only by confessing our sins to God in his most blessed name do we receive remission for those sins.

Regenerated or born again believers possess that blessed assurance which Christ supplies, and that empowers them to go forward in his service. It is my prayer that each of you will seek to be made right with God today through his free gift of grace which is in that name that is above every name, even Jesus Christ our Lord. It is also my prayer that if you have not done so, that you will come to see the need for his salvation and embrace him as your Lord and Saviour. Do not wait for tomorrow as it is promised to no one. Come to Christ Jesus today.

Let us pray,

LORD, we pray that you will impress upon the hearts of all who are as yet outside of your hedge of protection, the need to be regenerated— born again of thy most holy Spirit— and that they will indeed turn unto thee and be saved; for this we ask in the name of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week, Bryan+

After Church Hospitality

We would like some pictures of your after service gatherings. Come on! Help out!

People in our Prayers – http://faithfulcenturionprayerteam.blogspot.com/

Why? Prayer is an extremely important activity.

It is not that God knows not our needs, for He surely does. Yet, Jesus commanded us to ask God for those same needs. In addition to the obvious of asking God for help, offering thanksgiving and the like, prayer helps us focus our thoughts on how we might do God’s work.

The Prayer Team of the Anglican Orthodox Church was established to help our members and fellow Christians pray for those in need and to give thanks as well for the blessings we have been granted.

Who can be on the list? Do I have to be a member of the Anglican Orthodox Church to be prayed for?

No! The only qualification to be on the list is that you want our prayer team to pray for you. We are Christians and are happy to pray for you, no matter who you are. If you want help from God, you are our kind of people.

What is the commitment from the prayer team?

Each member of the team will pray for the desired outcome at last once per day.

How do I get myself or someone else on the prayer list?

You can email one of the prayer team leaders: Jack – jack@faithfulcenturion.org or Dru – dru@ faithfulcenturion.org, or call the office at (619) 659-3608 or fill out a prayer card at church.

What should I ask for?

Depends on what you want. Some people merely want God to be asked to heal their ills and be mentioned by their first name, others want a specific outcome and / or have more of their personal information known to the team. Ask for what you want. It is your desire and need for prayer the team is attempting to meet. For typical examples, see the list below.

Updating the Team

If you are on our prayer list, or if you have submitted a person that you have asked us to pray for, please update one of the team members or Hap in person, by telephone or email. It helps to be able to pray specifically for these individuals including their specific needs; plus if they get better, it is nice to give thanks!

Please note that on the yellow (maybe green or orange if you get an old one) cards at church, you can ask that those to be prayed for have their names disseminated to the prayer team. Those names will be said in church and appear here. Or, you can ask that their names and purpose be kept confidential, then only Hap will know to pray for them.

Prayer List Notice – If you have someone on the prayer list and their needs have changed, please let us know. We’d like to update our prayers to reflect the need and most important to give thanks!

Travel

Whitney Cruz is on travel through the beginning of November to the United Kingdom and Europe. Pray for safe and enjoyable travels for her and peace of mind for her mom as she waits for Whitney’s return.

Birthday

Jack Arnold celebrated his 22^nd birthday on 26 October 2014.

Margie Arnold Haynes celebrated her 94^th birthday on 25 October 2014.

Mrs. Kay, that is Kay Denton, celebrated her 70^th birthday on 2 October 2014.

Move

The Thomas Family is now in Okinawa for a second short tour. Please pray for this new assignment to go well for Kurt and for Mary and the kids to make new friends. In particular pray that Kristyna and Mitchell will develop good friends and schoolmates there so as to further their development as both Christians and citizens. Give thanks the safe move and ask for continued good developments.

Departed

Nafees, sister of Shamim Gray, passed away the morning of 16 October 2014, as the result of heart problems. Please give thanks for her time here on earth and pray for her family members who of necessity remain behind, in particular her mother and sister Shamim.

Jeffrey, Jennifer’s Father, passed away from complications of diabetes and kidney failure on 25 September 2014. Please give thanks for Jeffrey’s time here on earth and pray for trust in the Lord, comfort and peace of mind for Jennifer and her family who of necessity remain behind.

Dennis Ogles, Jr. Uncle, Friend and Compatriot of Bishop Jerry Ogles, passed away 29 August 2014. The Ogles family is very close and wonderful followers of our Lord. Please join them in giving thanks for Dennis’ time here on earth and family and friends he left behind. You are known for what you do and his family tells the real story of his life. Please pray for his family who of necessity remain behind, that they might put their sorrow at the temporary separation on God’s back, while they look forward, not back.

Nearing the end of their time here on earth

Maggie is nearing the end of her time here on earth. Please pray for Maggie and her husband Dub as she prepares to go home to be with her family who have gone before her. Pray for the faith of her family to build and the transition to be good.

Alan is a victim of metastasized colon cancer already destroying his liver. His youngest sister has put aside her hard-earned career to care for her brother in these days on earth. Please pray for him as he prepares to go home to be with his family who have gone before him. Please pray for comfort, understanding, strength and guidance for Alan and his family who will of necessity remain behind.

Saundra is in ICU with congestive heart failure after a heart operation. She is aged and frail. Saundra is near the end of her time here on earth. Please pray for comfort, understanding, strength and guidance for Saundra and her family who will of necessity remain behind. Pray for the love of God to stay foremost in their hearts.

Polly is in hospice care with dementia and spinal stenosis. Please pray for her as she prepares to go home to be with her family who have gone before her. Pray for the faith of her family to build and the transition to be good.

Homebound or Infirm

Mary is an elderly woman who has fallen four times in the last couple of days. Please pray the doctors find a reason for her falling and that God will stabilize, comfort and heal her.

Lily is the caregiver of her elderly husband Harold; she fell down the stairs and has a break that will take six weeks before she can be on her feet again. Please pray for rapid healing for Lily and for a plan to form that will make things tolerable for both of them.

Martha and Irene both have Alzheimer’s Disease. Pray that their hearts will stay close to Jesus.

Walter has many health issues and is growing weaker and weaker. Pray Walter will learn to be able to swallow correctly.

Joan has had serious medical problems that have kept her confined. On 26 September 2013, she took a fall. Please pray that in the weeks ahead her health will remain stable.

Lou has aspiration pneumonia. Please pray for the infection to be knocked down and for her continued recovery.

Norma, Sara’s mother is in a state of deteriorating health, both physically and mentally, with both dementia and Alzheimer’s. She is slowly drifting away, though she still recognizes Sara and prayer gives her a sense of peace. Please pray for both Sara and her mother to put their cares and worries on God’s shoulders so they can deal with the many problems involved.

In need of a miracle or understanding of God’s Plan

Cindy has been diagnosed with an aggressive malignant brain tumor. Please pray for a miraculous remission; that Cindy’s remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Cindy and her family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their sadness, fear, worry and terror.

Sarah, wife of Rev Geordie (AOC – UK), has been treating for ovarian cancer. She has lost her son, as well as a long time furry family member; she is home from hospital having had fluid drained from her lungs. God will give us all the strength we need if we but let Him. Having said that, Sarah is under more stress than can be imagined. Pray that Sarah and Geordie be guided to the new kitten God has chosen for them. Please pray for a miraculous remission; and that Sarah might put all her sadness, fear, worry and terror on God’s back so that her remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Sarah, Geordie and their family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Lloyds’ mother is in the hospital because of heart failure. Please pray for a miraculous remission of the heart failure; that his mother’s remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Lloyd and his mother and their family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Leon McKay suffered a stroke a few weeks back that has left him unable to speak and while undergoing evaluation the doctors also found he has a very aggressive cancer. Please pray for a miraculous remission; that Leon’s remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Leon and his family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Rev. Thomas Brooks is not improving and being kept alive by artificial machines. Please pray for a miraculous recovery and if that not be God’s Will, a rapid passing to home. Help Thomas’ family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry

Ronnie has kidney cancer that has spread and the surgeons are very concerned. Please pray the medical team to formulate a successful treatment plan and for a miraculous remission; that Ronnie’s remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Ronnie and family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Levi was cancer free for 4 years and just discovered he has kidney cancer. Levi has a great deal of faith and said whether he is healed or God takes him home he will be fine. Please pray for the medical team to pay attention and to their best and for a good outcome. Pray also that Levi and family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders. In particular, please pray for pain relief; Levi is 22 years old.

Ray Daley is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served his country during the Korean War era. Ray is taking chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Meanwhile his son Trevor is in the hospital in a coma and seems to have lost the will to live.

Pat has been under treatment for colon cancer for sometime. He has had major complications the last few days and your prayers will be appreciated by family and friends.

Dorothy had pneumonia, on checking her lungs they found tumors which permeated the lung area. Further investigation found a primary site in the colon, with the lung being secondary. It would appear there is no viable treatment at this time. Please pray for a miraculous remission; that her remaining time here on earth might be good. Help Dorothy and her family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Scott, one of our Lord’s ministers who collapsed a week ago and is in the ICU of a Medical Center since he had a pulmonary embolism, with a concurrent infection of several bacterial agents. He has stopped breathing on several occasions, and may have undergone brain damage. He currently is on DNR. Please pray for recovery so that he will continue to do his Lord’s calling.

Becky has fourth stage metastasized lung cancer and is not doing well with chemotherapy treatments. Please pray for Becky and her husband as they are together during this difficult time in their lives.

Jane has fourth stage cancer and is not doing well. Please pray for Jane and her family as they are together during this difficult time in their lives.

Larry Howes suffered a fairly severe stroke. 4 December 2012, doctors replaced a valve in a shunt that had been put in about two weeks before, and Larry responded very well. He was able to go home.

Pray also for confidence in our Lord for Larry and his family. Larry needs a miracle, pray for one. Please.

Colleen has been battling pancreatic cancer over the last year and it has now spread to one of her lungs. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Christine has cancer of the colon, which spread to her liver; she is receiving chemotherapy and is having difficulty eating. Please pray for the medical team treating her to pay attention and do their very best; pray also for confidence in our Lord for Christine and her family.

Todd and Kenny have both been fighting osteocarcinoma for over five years and have been told their time here on earth is nearing its end, absent a miracle from God. Both are ready to go home and leave the pain, but would like to stay. Please pray for them and their families.

Surgery

Albert had a pacemaker installed recently. He will require surgery soon for a leaking heart valve and has just been told he has esophageal cancer. Pray he will turn to God and come to know Him on a more personal basis as the days go by.

Jane underwent heart valve repair surgery on 3 July 2014. Please pray for full recovery. Pray also Jane and her family to put their worry on God’s shoulders.

Mario has early-diagnosed prostate cancer and had surgery. Pray for complete remission and that Mario and his family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders.

Eddie has upcoming bladder surgery. Please pray for the surgical team to pay attention and to their best and for a good outcome. Pray also that Eddie and family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders.

Testing and Treatment

Bryson was born with a low weight and his blood sugar is running low and they are having trouble getting him to eat. His mother Elizabeth is very concerned. Please pray that those treating Bryson will pay attention and do their very best for him. Pray also that Elizabeth will let the Lord carry her worry.

Maverick, a newborn little boy, has congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This is an inherited genetic defect that limits production of one of the many enzymes the adrenal glands use to make cortisol.

Most of the problems caused by classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia are related to a lack of cortisol, which plays an important role in regulating your blood pressure, maintaining blood sugar and energy levels, and protecting your body against stress.

This condition has no cure, but can be managed. Prayers are requested for Maverick, and his parents Kellie and Robert, as they adjust their lives to deal with Maverick’s condition.

Carol Anne needs God’s comfort and healthy test results as she is anxiously undergoing tests related to previous hysterectomy and experiencing symptoms in the surrounding area.

Garth Neel is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphomacancer. He had to postpone last week’s chemotherapy due to low white blood cell count. Please pray his numbers will get in line so that the treatment can continue. Pray for medical team contemplating and evaluating the treatment that they might be guided to the correct choice and do their very best. Pray also for peace of mind and trust in God for Garth and his family.

Garth is the AOC Bishop of Canada with oversight of South America and a really both good and nice fellow.

From Garth – I was able to have my second chemo therapy treatment yesterday and all went well. I am feeling okay today and seem to tolerating the drugs without many side effects. There are three more treatments scheduled at three week intervals. We are giving thanks to God for all who pray for us. (23 September 2014)

Jennifer has some lumps on the right side of her neck; they have grown and multiplied. In the last few months she has been having problems swallowing. Jennifer has an appointment with specialist in several weeks to try and discover what it is. She is having a great deal of anxiety as she waits for her Doctors appointment and will appreciate your prayer for anxiety and health.

Rick has heart problems. Please pray for guidance for the medical people treating him that they might pay attention, do their very best and make the right recommendations regarding treatment. Pray for help for Rick and his wife Wanda to keep their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Clay has melanoma. Please pray for guidance for the medical people treating him that they might pay attention, do their very best and make the right recommendations regarding treatment. Pray for help for Rick and his wife Pam to keep their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry.

Tom is battling cancer. Please pray for guidance for the medical people treating him that they might pay attention, do their very best and make the right recommendations regarding treatment. Pray for help for Tom to keep his trust in the Lord and let Him carry his worry.

Atina has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Pray for guidance for the medical people treating her that they might pay attention, do their very best and make the right recommendations regarding treatment. Pray for help for Atina to keep her trust in the Lord and let Him carry her worry.

Evelyn has been diagnosed with bone cancer. Pray for guidance for the medical people treating her that they might pay attention, do their very best and make the right recommendations regarding treatment. Pray for help for Evelyn to keep her trust in the Lord and let Him carry her worry.

Stacy has Multiple Sclerosis and was hospitalized for what turned out to be food poisoning. Pray for trust in God for Stacy and Chris as they deal with Stacy’s illness.

Dick Gray had developed a Merkle Cell carcinoma just under his sternum carcinoma which is considered a stage four carcinoma since it has ‘metastasized’. He traveled to Seattle, Washington where he was examined and considered for a new type of treatment. That treatment will not begin for at least three months, so they referred him to the Rutgers University Cancer Institute, New Brunswick, New Jersey. They have accepted him into the evaluation process, which will begin on Monday 11 August 2014. Rutgers started with monkeys and had good results, so now they are working with humans, Dick is hopeful as he has oft been referred to as an “Old Monkey.” Please pray for peace of mind and safe travel for Dick and his lovely wife Jennifer as they travel to New Jersey this weekend. Pray for those contemplating the treatment that they might be guided to the correct choice and do their very best. Pray also for peace of mind and trust in God for Dick and his wife Jennifer. Dick is the Treasurer and a Vestryman at Saint Paul’s AOC in Missouri.

Janet Jessup had a stroke on 3 July 2014. She has made some progress and is now out of the stroke unit and in the General Surgery and Care Unit. Please pray for those treating her to find the appropriate treatment and for trust in God and peace of mind for Name and her family, in particular her husband of 43 years, Rev Roger Jessup, minister of Saint Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Orthodox Church.

Dennis had a stroke on 30 May 2014. Pray for his wife and family during this time of recovery Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Dennis and his family, most particularly his wife; as well as for God’s guidance for the neurologists and other medical people treating him they might find the best course of treatment and allow Dennis to heal completely.

Liz Strauch had a pineal cyst, which in the end responded well to a surgical draining last year. Since November 2013, similar symptoms have returned. A CT Scan turned up what is thought to be either a new cyst or an enlarged pineal gland. More testing, including an EEG is in the works. She can no longer work. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Liz and her family, in particular her husband Ken and sons Caleb and Nathan; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment and allow Liz to heal completely.

Steve fell from a roof Saturday, 5 April 2014. His injuries were multiple, extensive, severe, and life threatening. He is slowly making improvements. He still has a long road to travel and is still in great need of prayers. Yours are very much appreciated. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Steve and his family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment and allow Steve to heal completely.

Faye is in the hospital because she is weak has been receiving blood transfusions. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Faye and her family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment and allow Faye to heal completely.

Tom has heart and kidney problems. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Tom and his family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment and allow Tom to heal completely.

Harold has had a severe stroke. He is now home, but his family is looking for a rehabilitation facility to help him recuperate. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Harold and his family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people caring for him that they might find the best treatment facility to allow Harold to heal completely.

Joe has had a preliminary ALS diagnosis. Pray the final diagnosis will something that will allow him to continue taking care of his devoted young family. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Joe and his family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment.

Mark hadswelling and fluid buildup in his lungs. It appears things may be getting under control. He needs to use a Bi-Pap mask to breathe until his lungs clear and he hates it. Pray that he will be able to adapt so his lungs can clear. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Mark, as well as for his family, and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment.

Preston is reacting poorly to recent neck surgery and now has problems with his liver count; Physicians feel that dialysis will help. There may be a blockage in the bowel and an operation might be necessary. Please pray for the medical team to pay attention and to their best to determine how to help Preston and for a good outcome. Pray also that Preston and family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders while Preston does his best to facilitate a return to good health.

Marianne is hospitalized with a perforated colon. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Marianne, as well as for her family, and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment.

Erica has a non-malignant Brain Tumor which cannot be surgically removed due to the size and location. They are going to attempt chemotherapy. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Erica, as well as for her family, and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment.

Brenda is in the hospital because of bleeding on her brain. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Brenda, as well as for her family, and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment.

Mackenzie is a young girl with leukemia. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Mackenzie, as well as for her family, and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find the best course of treatment.

Mack has had diabetes most of his adult life. Circulation in his legs is very bad and doctors are considering amputation. Please pray his medication will help and he will not face amputation. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Mack and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment.

Michael has been diagnosed with lung cancer recently after making it through gastro intestinal cancer last year. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Michael and his wife Gayle; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment.

Ken Strauch has been tired and is anemic, he had a colonoscopy which found a pair of polyps which were removed and are being tested. Just for good measure they found he has a hiatal hernia with ulcers, basically part of his stomach is pushed up into his esophagus and is bleeding from there. Sounds like there may be surgery involved. Please pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Ken and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that they might find the best course of treatment.

Adriano is in the hospital due to high sugar and high blood pressure. He is very weak and will appreciate your prayers.

Heather recently found out she has cancer. Please pray for peace of mind for her and for the medical team treating her will be guided to the right solution.

Jim has had an aneurism and blood clots. Pray that healing will come.

Georgia has liver and pancreatic cancer. The doctors are evaluating whether to do surgery and how to tackle the disease. Georgia is a faithful Christian and appreciates your prayers. Pray for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find out the source of the problem and best course of treatment. Pray also for peace of mind and trust in God for Georgia and her family.

Lana’s doctor found something on her lymph nodes and ovaries. Pray for God’s guidance for the medical people treating her that they might find out the source of the problem and best course of treatment. Pray also for peace of mind and trust in God for Lana and her family.

Healing

Liz had a massive stroke at age thirty-seven. The prognosis is good but she has a long road ahead. . Please pray for guidance for those treating her, for trust in our Lord for Liz and her family, for healing.

Ebick is suffering from a severe ulcer but the Doctors cannot give her the proper dosage of the medicine due to her six month pregnancy. Please pray doctors will find an alternative avenue for treatment or that God will provide.

Stan is going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer. He is elderly and the treatments are tiring him. Please pray for his wife Marvelene as they do this together.

Casey has strep throat along with her mother Deanna and Grandmother Virginia. Please pray that the other members of the family may stay healthy while those with strep throat recover quickly and rapidly.

Meg recently found out she had heart problems causing low blood oxygen levels, loss of focus resulting in an emergency room crisis. As a result of the symptoms she made errors on the job that caused her to lose her job. She is grateful for the excellent medical care she has received and optimistic, feeling with God’s intervention in her life her health may be reversed and a new job will become available.

Donald is in the hospital and had his leg amputated on 14 April 2014. Pray he will adjust and healing will begin.

Dallmus has lost 40 to 50 percent of his sight. Pray he will learn to cope with the situation and that he will trust in God to heal as He will.

Lucius Dabney (father of Rev Bryan Dabney) is now at home recovering from an infection. Please pray for a complete healing of the infection and return to health.

David has many concussions and unable to go to school, read books, watch TV and has headaches and migraines. He has trouble sleeping and his family will appreciate your prayers for this 10 year old young man.

Barbara Apple fell the week of 11 January 2014, in her home, breaking her right humerus (the large upper arm bone) in a spiral fracture, which cannot be set. Movement is very painful and due to a total lack of energy, she is more or less bedridden. Healing does not seem to be going well at this point. Pray for inspiration for those caring for her that they might find the appropriate treatment. Please pray for Barbara to put her trust in the Lord, look to Him for strength and for her to gain energy so she does not lose the mobility she has; pray for a full and rapid recovery. Please pray also for her husband Bob who is taking care of her that he might be comforted and strengthened in this time of stress.

Gladys has breast cancer and has had a lumpectomy. She needs to take a year off of her work to have chemo treatments.

Alwin Jack has had a stroke and recently has had a relapse. Please pray for those who treat Alwin that they might chose the best possible treatment and pray for peace of mind for Alwin during the recovery phase.

Carolyn has Multiple Sclerosis with complications. Pray Carolyn and her children will be close to our Lord Jesus Christ as they and family members help to ease the problems.

Jeong was in an auto accident and sustained a serious back injury. Please pray for a full and rapid recovery.

Dale was hospitalized Sunday 25 August 2013, after a heart attack. Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating him and for peace of mind for Dale and his family.

Gil Garcia developed a bed sore which precludes sitting and is now confined to his bed. Gil has very smooth and delicate skin, please pray for a rapid healing of the sore so he can get out of bed and move around in his chair. Gil spent almost a year in the hospital the last time this happened. His faith and his attitude are almost beyond belief, he is an example to us all. But, we pray this time he will heal quickly. Pray also for his lovely wife Mary who takes care of him. Pray for both of them also for strength to deal with the loss of their son Bernie.

Bill had malignant growth removed from a lip last month and seems to be experiencing a re-growth of the cancer. He asks your prayer for the medical team treating him and for peace of mind for himself.

Hank has osteoporosis, which has caused him a great deal of pain and inconvenience in the past few years. Pray for his healing and that his medical bills will be met.

Evelyn is an elderly woman who has had problems with her eyes and is now blind. It appears some sight will return shortly, pray for that to happen!

Joanne has begun kidney dialysis as a result of kidney failure due to extensive chemotherapy. Additionally she cares for an adopted drug addicted baby who is now nine years old. Please pray for her to keep her faith, to let the Lord carry her worry and concern and to give her strength. Pray also for those treating her that they might pay attention and do their best.

Mr. N. Anand is in the hospital and is seriously ill. He is being encouraged to pray for repentance of his sins and to depend upon our dependable God for a cure and recovery of his health. Pray that he will be a strong witness for Christ.

Jacob has been going through some dental procedures and has some pain and aggravation with the numbness. Please pray for comfort and strength for him, as well as for guidance for the medical team treating him that they might pay attention and do their best.

Jean fell and broke her ankle in three places. She will be in the hospital for rehabilitation for the next 6 weeks. Please pray for comfort and strength for her, as well as for guidance for the medical team treating her that they might pay attention and do their best.

Bud and his wife for their continued welfare and enthusiasm. Bud has been advised of an aneurism in his heart of a size not mandating immediate surgery. This comes at a time when he has sole care of his wife who recently broke two vertebrae and thereafter sustained pneumonia.

Virginia has Sinus and Allergy problems giving her severe problems. Pray that the Doctor will discover why it continues and find a cure.

Steve Thornell had a brain aneurysm, which was found before it burst. He is home from the hospital and working hard on recovery. He lacks energy from seven days in the hospital. His doctor told him he has to make serious life changes. One of the two main arteries in the back of the head is now completely closed. He must take blood thinners, he has thick blood and recent chemotherapy made it worse. Steve has always operated at 110 percent, he needs help to slow down. Please pray for trust in the Lord and a full and rapid recovery. Pray for peace of mind for Steve and his family.

Arlen is receiving treatment for lung cancer and recently experienced a ruptured colon during treatment. She is alone in Oregon but does have a friend who has traveled a great distance to be at her side. Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating her and for strength and trust for Arlen.

Oscar discovered some time ago he had blood clots in his leg and lung. He has been treated for them and has not been cured. He now will be facing surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

Angela had an ischemic stroke (clot).Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating her and for strength and trust for Angela. Please pray also that she and her family might put their worries on our Lord’s back so she can work hard towards recovery.

Nora had a stroke mid February 2013. Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating her and for strength and trust for Nora. Please pray also that she and her family might put their worries on our Lord’s back so she can work hard towards recovery.

Linda has been hospitalized for several days with a gastrointestinal problem. Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating her and for strength and trust for Linda.

Dester is suffering from unknown skin and diseases. Please guide the medical team treating him to find out what the problem is and cure it. Pray also for Dester to trust in the Lord.

Lee has Arterial Fibrillation; the medical people are not sure how to help her. Please pray for guidance for the team treating her and for Lee and her family to make the right decisions regarding treatment..

Nell recently adopted two children and has just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Mary Lou has been suffering with seizures. She was in the hospital with a 24 hour monitor and is being sent home from the hospital with two medications and orders to return in 2 months for another MRI to review whatever is going on in her brain. Please pray for guidance for the medical people treating her, as well as peace of mind and trust in God for her and her family.

Kathleen has spent the last two weeks in the hospital. She has been diagnosed with colitis, shingles and possibly colon cancer. Pray she will be comfortable and begin to heal.

Rachel has Mitochondrial Myopathy. This is a hereditary disease of the muscles and they do not have a cure for it. Part of her pain is her family does not believe she is indeed ill, as she appears to be just fine. Please pray her family will learn the truth and be supportive of her; pray also the medical people treating her will find the right measures to minimize the disease. Most particularly pray for Rachel’s trust in God.

Nicolas is in the hospital with serious symptoms of a heart disorder. Please pray for peace of mind for him and guidance for the medical team looking for the cause and cure.

Mrs. Baek an elderly women fell and injured her spine. Doctors cannot repair the spinal injury due to her age. She fell again the morning of 12 December 2012, breaking her collar bone which is also untreatable. Mrs. Baek is in severe pain and will appreciate your prayers.

Juanita is a young girl who was in a coma because of a blood disease. She has not come out and is gaining strength. They are awaiting results from blood samples. Her family thanks you for your prayers and asks that you continue.

Barbara had an accident while cooking and the pressure cooker blew up in her face, causing second and third degree burns over her face and upper body. Because of this she has incurred kidney problems and may need a transplant.

George had foot surgery. Please give thanks for the surgery and pray for a full and rapid recovery.

Nellie is in the emergency room of a hospital in a great deal of pain. Please pray for peace of mind for her and guidance for the medical team looking for the cause and cure.

Lauralee Meade underwent a lumpectomy on Friday after Thanksgiving. A further anomaly has been discovered and she had additional preventative radiation treatment. Please pray for a complete remission of the cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Bill, Sara’s husband, had a third abdominal surgery on 22 November 2011, to remove a tumor. Bill is doing better keeping the doctor’s instructions, for which we are all grateful, including taking chemotherapy once a day for one more year. He has decreased the consumption of alcohol and eating at least mostly properly. Please pray for help for him to continue do all this. Please pray also that Bill might turn his heart outward to help those around him, as well as live a long and healthy life to the honor and glory of God. Pray also for peace of mind for Bill and his wife Sara.

Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) has had a chest infection, perhaps viral, but seems to be getting better. Please pray for continued peace of mind for Mrs. Kay and her family. Give thanks for her trust in the Lord and her positive attitude.

Matt Alcantara, age 16, came back with ZERO SCANS again in August 2014! Matt has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a very rare and often lethal form of cancer with limited treatment options. This is a disease that is about 90 percent fatal in a couple of years. He has no hip joint on one side, but he walks and swims! Courage? Guts? You bet! Please also give thanks for the great faith of Matt and his entire family. Their faith and trust is a wonderful example for each and every one of us. But, now is not the time to stop praying. Actually, it never is the time to stop praying!

Judith Clingwall, is afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She is currently in Laurel Place, an extended care facility in Surrey, British Columbia. Judith’s condition has worsened recently. Please pray for her to take an active part in her own life, for her strength, peace of mind, trust in God and remission of the disease so she might return home to her family. Pray also for strength for her husband Martin as he deals with all the problems and stress of Judith’s situation.

Vince (age 15), reoccurrence of Osteosarcoma, recent testing found a nickel sized tumor in his lungs. The doctors are consulting with a specialist in Houston. Please pray for guidance for the medical team and for peace of mind for Vince and his family.

Thanksgiving and Continued Healing

Jenniffer had surgery for breast cancer on 15 October 2014, which seemingly went well; please give thanks for that. She is in considerable pain and has an apparently minor infection. Please pray for the pain and infection to both subside. Pray for guidance for the medical people treating her that they might pay attention, do their very best and for a good outcome. Pray for help for Jenniffer to keep her trust in the Lord and let Him carry her worry and concern as she recovers. Please pray also for strength and courage for her family as they try their best to help her.

Earl had successful surgery to remove a cancer on his nose. They had to go deeper than they originally thought, so he will need plastic surgery to rebuild the nose, but all the cancer was removed! Please join Earl and his family in giving thanks for the great result!

Jim had infection complications from diabetes in his foot. The infection appears to be under control and he has been released from the hospital. Please join in giving thanks for the quick and good result and pray for complete healing.

DiAnne Thornton had back surgery 23 September 2014, with apparently good result. Please give thanks for the good result and pray the L5 decompression will allow her walking abilities and balance to be restored.

Alice had a mastectomy on 17 September 2014, that apparently went very well with a good result. Please give thanks for the good outcome and pray for full healing and complete remission.

Mary had successful hip replacement on 10 September 2014. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and ask for God’s help in her recovery.

Kathy had what seems to be very successful surgery on Wednesday, 3 September 2014, for cancer that returned somewhat unexpectedly. Please give thanks for the good results of the surgery and pray that the cancer will be held at bay by this action. Pray also for Kathy and her family to let God carry their worry, concern and terror so that Kathy can recover fully and quickly, so as to gain the best result. Help their entire family to keep their full trust in God.

Peggy had very successful knee replacement surgery 26 August 2104. She is going home on 29 August 2014 with no pain! Please give thanks for a great result.

Nathan had successful surgery on 4 August 2014, to remove a tumor near his heart; he is home from the hospital. They think they got it all but he will continue on chemotherapy for a little while. Nathan and his family thank you for your prayers.

John Evetts had successful extensive heart surgery; he is still in the hospital and recovering. He is in good spirits. John and his family thank God for the answer to many prayers on his behalf. John is a minister in the Anglican Episcopal Church which as a relationship with the AOC. We look forward to his return to his ministerial duties at St. George’s Anglican Church in Ventura in the near future.

John Evetts entered the ministry after a lifetime of work in industry and business as well as service in the Armed Forces in Vietnam. Like the Apostles, he came to the ministry from the secular world of work. Rev. Evetts is married and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

We thank the Rev. Evetts for his service to our country and his continuing service to God and His people.

Mary Thornell had surgery on 30 October 2013, at the Riverside Community Hospital to remove a huge mass along with about ½ her colon and part of her lower bowel. Mary finished chemotherapy 17 June 2014. Tests the week of 2 June 2014 showed totally clear scans. For now, treatment is done after the last chemotherapy session. Please give thanks for the great result and also for the strength, guidance and peace of mind our Lord gave Mary and her husband Jim, as well as daughter Janice and son Jimmy, she underwent treatment. Please pray she will stay free of the cancer in the future.

Eli a two month baby is back home after going to the ER the night of 28 May 2014, not able to breathe. Please give thanks for her recovery and pray for strength, courage and understanding for Eli’s family; as well as for God’s guidance for the neurologists and other medical people treating Eli they might find the best course of treatment and allow Eli to heal completely, as well as for strength and understanding for the parents.

Jim has been hospitalized and had several operations for cancer the last few years. The physicians discovered a number of spots; but his exam was better than expected-prayer changes things and he thanks you for your prayers. Please continue him in prayer for he will have another scan in April.

Al had an abscess found on his liver for which he was hospitalized, it turned out to be benign and will not require surgery, he has been released from the hospital. Please give thanks for this good result and pray for continued healing.

Elma is suffering from cancer. She was taken home from the hospital on the advice of her Doctor. We were asked to pray that Elma’s remaining time here on earth might be good and that Elma and family might put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their worry. Since then, Elma’s Bishop told us a great Miracle of the Lord is working over Elma. Doctors sent her home to die, but now she seems to be doing all right. On behalf of her, thank you for all of your prayers. Please continue praying for her complete healing.

Dennis has heart problems; now the medical people treating him discovered a large mass on his liver which turned out to be a cyst! Please give thanks for this great development and pray for peace of mind and trust in the Lord for Dennis and for God’s guidance for the medical people treating him that the contemplated surgery might go well.

Dwight had major oral surgery, for which he gives thanks. He is recovering slowly and asks your prayers to speed the process.

Mike is a veteran who has served his country when she called. Please pray he will open his heart to God so He can make Mike’s crooked road straight and pull him towards the summit rather than to the pit.

Dick’s left arm was amputated after treating for Merkel Cell carcinoma over a year ago. He is now believed to be cancer free and is waiting to be fitted with an artificial arm. Please join Dick and his family in giving thanks to Our Lord Jesus Christ for his recovery as well as for their trust in God.

Bob Smouse had shoulder surgery on 28 November 2012. While the surgery went well, he is still in pain and would also appreciate prayers for continued healing and the pain to subside. He promises to work very hard on recovery therapy.

Carol Stone, the sweet wife of Mike Stone, recovered far better than expected from a severe brain bleed, but fell recently and broke her hip. She still requires 24 hour care, which Mike provides with little help.

Business

Mark’s business is in difficulty. He works in a shrinking field, of which he is one of the country’s true masters, but there is little work available. He asks that you pray that he can find a way to survive in his industry, which he loves and needs his talents. Pray he can find new sources of business and new ways of doing things, perhaps someone to partner with to better use his talents. Pray also for those who work for and with him that they might do their best to help.

Financial Guidance and Employment

Caleb David has finished law school and will appreciate your prayers as he seeks employment as an attorney.

Charlie is coming along in his need of both spiritual and financial. Please pray God will continue to fill his heart with the Holy Ghost for guidance. In addition, Charlie needs God’s guidance as to how to handle his life from this point forward. After many years in the aerospace industry, he is looking for a place to employ his talents to the mutual benefit of a company. He asks that you pray for God to guide him.

Carmine is looking for employment. Pray God will guide her and she will accept his guidance; something she has not always done, so your prayers will be especially appreciated.

Doug recently became unemployed from his job of 18 years. He has been applying for jobs, but unable to get one at this time. His wife is working; this is not enough for the family. Please pray he will find employment with a firm that will be able to use his considerable skill and hard work to benefit both the firm and the family.

Catherine and Lewis are at a low ebb due to a struggle for employment. Your fervent prayers will be appreciated.

Lori is considering a potential change in her employment. Please pray for God’s guidance in considering all aspect of her potential work.

Sara is concerned about the future with her company. She would appreciate prayers for her continued employment and that her firm might find more and better ways to use her considerable skills.

Financial Guidance and Healing

Clark is in need of salvation; for God’s Will to be done in his life. Pray his family will be blessed with the financial miracles that come from doing His Will.

Timothy and Sharon had their home foreclosed the morning of 15 April 2014. They are experiencing spiritual, emotional and financial crisis at the current time. Please pray for God’s guidance as to how they might handle the financial difficulties in which they have found themselves and more importantly have them draw closer to God and each other.

Linda, Rick, Christian and Sawyer are a family experiencing spiritual, emotional and financial crisis at the current time. Please pray for God’s guidance as to how they might handle the financial difficulties in which they have found themselves and more importantly have them draw closer to God and each other.

David and Lorna are having financial problems. They are trying to find a smaller home which may be more affordable. Lorna has had an ongoing battle with brain cancer, her trips back and forth to the hospital have drained their finances to the point they sometimes struggle to have enough food in the house. Pleaser pray for Lorna’s healing and guidance on how they might handle the financial difficulties in which they have found themselves.

Guidance 

Flora is in remission with cancer, but has high blood pressure and fatigue. Flora’s Mother recently died and this has caused added stress. Please pray that she will be able to let God carry her worry and sorrow so she can do the things she needs to do.

Elizabeth and Gunner need your prayers for their general well being. Pray that they might see the Light of the Lord and let Him guide their lives. Pray they might open their hearts not only to the Lord, but to each other to become one in Him and happiness.

Eric and Betty need your prayers for their general well being. Pray that they might see the Light of the Lord and let Him guide their lives. Pray they might open their hearts not only to the Lord, but to each other to become one in Him and happiness.

Eli has lost his way both spiritually and mentally, please pray for him and his parents Ed and Barb, who are having great struggles seeing their son, go through these afflictions having brought up in a Christian home. Please pray his parents can find a way to help Eli.

Marie has suffered the loss of her husband, her job and her pet all in a short period of time. Please pray for peace of mind for Marie, as well as for trust in the Lord for her and those around her that she might adjust to the changes in her life and move forward to the honor and glory of our Lord with His Help. (140607)

Mitten has a Christian talking to him about Christ. Mitten does not believe and does not seem to care. Please pray Mitten will see the light.

Kristen, Rickey and their two children ask you to pray for grace, wisdom and understanding as they attempt to cope with infidelity, separation and possibly divorce as a result of backsliding from the Lord into the World.

Aaron has a problem seeing is where his life should be leading him. Please pray that he can listen to his father Paul and those around him who want him to work hard and obtain a real education now rather than just coast towards oblivion.

Danielle has accepted Christ as her Saviour. Pray she will read the Bible and meditate on His Word so she can grow in him.

Helene and her family ask your prayers for them as they deal with the loss of Alan, husband and father.

Stephanie seems to be very deeply into post partum depression after her baby was born prematurely. Please pray for her Mother in Law who is going a great distance to help Stephanie and her new Grandson. Pray that Stephanie will be able to direct her attention outward, rather than inward.

William is an elderly man living with his Son and Daughter in-law. William is causing trouble in the family because of his demanding ways and continually using bad language. The family is at wit’s end to know how to handle him and will appreciate your guidance and prayers.

Caitlin is in the grip of the Prince of Darkness; she thinks there is escape from reality in drugs. The saddest part is that reality is not as she sees it. Her family is despairing as they can do nothing to help her and ask that you pray for the Holy Ghost to enter into heart and show her the need for change before it is too late.

Nathaniel is in spiritual turmoil. His family and friends will appreciate it if you will keep him in your prayers for him to find the root of his trouble and accept God’s help to heal his heart.

Sam and her two children that have been living in a shelter and are to lose their place there. Please pray a place will be found they can stay in and recover.

Please pray Darlene will surrender her life to Christ.

Norrie is facing daily exams in the weeks ahead. Pray for calmness and concentration and to do the best possible.

Jonathan is addicted to drugs. He is now in jail awaiting trial. His parents and friends will appreciate it if you will keep him in your prayers for him to find the root of his trouble and accept God’s help to heal addiction.

Beth is suffering from ungodly treatment in her marriage. Please pray God will guide her in her behavior, actions and thoughts that she might be able to lead her husband to God so her marriage might prosper to the benefit of them.

Brandon a young man from a Christian family who married a year ago and almost immediately became estranged from him family. As a result he has had a serious problem with keeping the civil law. Please pray for Brandon that he will return to the Lord and the many problems will be eventually settled. Pray the hurt he has caused so many will be helped with our Lord’s care and love.

Dennis has some decisions to make and will appreciate our Lord’s guidance.

Earl to read and understand Scriptures he has been given.

Jeanette has had many members of her family die from diabetes and several are near death now. Jeanette does not know the Lord and is despondent and perplexed about her family and herself. Please pray she can open her heart to allow the Holy Ghost in to bring her knowledge and understanding.

Dr. Elizabeth Raj is teaching a biblical approach to the psychological problems facing many in our society today. She is battling against the growing influence of worldly psychology adopted by the churches themselves. Elizabeth constantly stresses answers are found between the covers of that precious Book, the Holy Bible. Please pray for encouragement, strength, fortitude and courage for her.

Abigail is a teenager who has behavior problems. She feels she is in an area of mental darkness. Please pray that she might look to God for help and not within herself.

Sara asks that you pray for guidance for her as she deals with the stresses of her family and life. Pray that she can separate those things which she can affect from those things which she cannot and give her grace to accept that she cannot do everything and can only change those things within her control. She asks for God’s help for her business so that she might remain gainfully employed while keeping up with the needs of her mother and husband and healing her own problems.

Jacquie to open her heart to God and accept His Love and Grace.

Hap asks you to pray he might be able to trust God will help him make the right decisions at the right time and not to worry uselessly, to change those things he can change, accept those things he cannot change, sleep well to be able to do the correct things with a clear head and that he will open his heart to the Holy Ghost.

School Challenges

Destiny, Blake and Janet

Anglican Orthodox Church

Philippines

Good news from Bishop Anthony of the Philippine Islands:

Dear Bishop+ Ogles:

Hello! I just arrived from Tabuk after consecrating the Chapel made out of cogon in Nambaran. Its exciting to see plenty of kids attending the service. On the opposite village, the whole community invited us to schedule a service in the place. Their sincerity was confirmed by the willingness of one couple, Mr. and Mrs. Nestor Binnuloc, to donate a portion of land for the purpose. I instructed The Rev. Sherwin to arrange a schedule of service in that place. Thank you again for your continuous prayer over our ministry here.

In Christ Jesus,

Anthony Pangsiw

Bishop of the Philippine Islands

Pakistan

Kenneth Gill of Lahore, Pakistan, who is filling the large shoes of his father, the Rev. Younis Gill, who ministered to the church in Lahore. Kenneth is serving the members of Lahore and is taking theological courses from our seminary in Pakistan. Rev Younis Gill went to sleep in God on 4 December of 2013. This is a huge undertaking and only with God is it possible, even then it is hard! Give Kenneth the perseverance required.

The Anglican Orthodox Church in Narowal, Pakistan had its wall boundary collapse due to heavy rain on 5 July 2014. Water from the street is entering into the church compound which may damage the church building. Please pray for our priest and his wife as they try to reconstruct the wall boundary as soon as possible in order to prevent further damage.

India

From Bishop John Nakka of our Church Family in South India. We must know, but by the grace of God, we could, and may, experience the same in our own land:

Dear ALL,

I am so painfully writing this mail as we are very very suffering a lot politically and also due to separation of our State. No power for around 10 to 12 hours in the cities and more than 12 hours in the villages. No enough drinking water, very hot summer…. Politically we are now really afraid as the sectarian hindu religious background parties took over the Union and State Governments. We are a religious minority in India and now our hearts started beating fast and do not know what happened for us in the near future. WE ARE REALLY UNFORTUNATE. We may live like a second grade citizens and we need to face a very hard persecution as was the Hebrews in Egypt. The persecution was already started and around 05 issues were reported for abuse, warnings and stopping the conventions etc., during this week alone i.e., just within a week after Mr.Modi took over the charge.

PLEASE PRAY FOR CHRISTIANS IN INDIA.

yours fraternally in Christ,

+John.

Central African Republic

Christians in the Central African Republic are experiencing the ravages of a war between the Muslim and Christians. We have both ministers and members of the Anglican Orthodox Church in Central African Republic. Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for all persecuted Christians and those around them.

Diocese of the Epiphany

Saint Paul’s, Moberly, Missouri would like your prayers that the Holy Ghost might enter more fully into their hearts so that they might be more effective in spreading the Word of God.

Diocese of Virginia

Saint Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Orthodox Church is under a lot of stress. We all are, but they need even more prayer. Rev Roger Jessup, their wonderful minister, is pressed by the duties of a primary care giver, in addition to all the worries of this world. They have one of their family’s primary breadwinners who will be soon unemployed, absent His intervention. As Rev Roger said so eloquently, “We must pray for those who mean us harm and deprive us of our property are our enemies: Our LORD has so commanded us.” We must pray they will see light and cleave to it while turning their backs on the Prince of this World. Equally important, we must pray that the Lord will raise up a political leader from among us as He has done in the past. Pray also for trust in God for each member of the parish and for them to find economic relief.

Armed Forces & Contractors 

Kristyna Thomas (Fort Bragg, NC – Boot Camp), Airman Donny Patton (Hulbert Field, Florida), Jordan Brown (USMC – Fleet Marine Force – Pacific), Trevor Jennings (USAF – KC-10 Boom Operator – New Jersey), Trevor Di Marco (USN – Whidbey Island, EF-18 Pilot), Kurt Thomas (USN – Camp Foster, Okinawa)

For Our Country

Our country has lost its way. Over half the people that vote, voted for a government that promises them things it cannot deliver in return for their souls which it can, will and does take. Our foreign policy backs the rise of Islam, we turn our backs on those who would follow God and arm those who murder them. Pray God will raise up a leader from among the people who can turn the country’s course 180° and attempt to come back to God. Pray the people will recognize that they are headed down a smooth wide road into the pit, a road that will get smoother and smoother, steeper and steeper until the only possible way is down. Down, into the depths of the pit. Pray people will recognize there is:

· One True and Triune God who is goodness in and of Himself
· All religions are not equal
· All ways of life are not equal;
· The Bible holds the Key to Life;
· All rights come from God, not the State;
· Good;
· Bad;
· Evil;
· Right;
· Wrong;
· Allah is the Devil;
· Abortion is no more than sacrifice of children to Baal.

Pray this recognition will not come too late. Pray we will, each of us, do our duty to God, Country and Family, putting His Honor above all.

Persecuted

Around the world, Christians are under attack, not only in the Muslim world, but from Hindus and others in India. Also, they are under continual attack in the name of “Separation of Church and State” in the western world, as it becomes actively atheist or pro-devil buddy. Please pray for God’s guidance and protection for all persecuted Christians and those around them.

Thanksgiving

Tuck Arnold and Patrice Li give thanks for safe travel to American Samoa this week.

Various Special Requests

Africa is experiencing an outbreak of the Ebola Virus; causing sickness and many deaths. Please pray for people of Africa and for their Health Providers.

The Anglican Orthodox Church in Peshawar, Pakistan sustained damage to their building as the result of heavy rains. At present the roof is being rebuilt and they have not been able to hold services. Pray it will be fixed very soon and a new place might be found until the church is restored.

Nathalie is teaching English in a small western Ukrainian town where they are having so many problems. Pray for Nathalie and others around the world who are standing up for Christian principles in their countries.

This is a horrible time for the people of India, Christians in particular; they are having problems with Hunger, Bank Closings, Transportation and Schools not functioning. Pray for the Leaders and Members of our Church in Eluru Andhra Pradesh. Pray their basic needs will be met and God will be close to them in this time of need.

Please pray for all the people of Egypt; Bishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt is asking your prayer as the supporters of the deposed Mursi government, with the support of the United States government, have been attacking Christian churches–Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox. They destroyed the car of Anglican priest Rev. Ehab Ayoub. The people of Egypt, the people of the United States need our prayers, even more so the people of the Muslim Brotherhood that they might repent of their evil and know God so the rest of the people may live in peace.

We ask that you pray, please ask God that the Holy Ghost might give you insight into how you might make the lives of your friends and family better. Remember helping others is not just those who you don’t know!

Please join us in praying that the Free Teen Guitar Class will be continue to be an opportunity for God to work in the lives of the kids and their families. Please ask God to guide the class to new opportunities to make Him known to others. Help us to let the love of our Lord shine through us into their lives, putting Him first, so that He might enter in to their hearts and lives.

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

2 November 2014 – Twentieth Sunday after Trinity – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA – END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – BACK TO STANDARD TIME

9 November 2014 – Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity – AOC Established 1963 – 51 years old – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

16 November 2014 – Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity – Holy Communion – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

23 November 2014 – Sunday Next before Advent – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

27 November 2014 – Thanksgiving Day – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

30 November 2014 – First Sunday in Advent – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

7 December 2014 – Second Sunday in Advent – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

14 December 2014 – Third Sunday in Advent – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

21 December 2014 – Fourth Sunday in Advent – Holy Communion – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

25 December 2014 – Christmas Day – Holy Communion – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

28 December 2014 – Holy Innocents – Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

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