180722 AOC Sunday Report

Anglican Orthodox Church

Worldwide Communion

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Sunday Report

 

 

Today is the Eighth Sunday after Trinity Sunday as the Endless Green Season marches on!

 

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, but overall mostly from Bryan.  He always has some great ones to share.  On to the On Point quotes –

 

Regime Change?

Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked about such a thing.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

20th century American president and general officer

 

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Proverbs 20:11

 

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4

 

When we consider how the glory of God shines in the upper world, we may well wonder that he would take cognizance of such a mean creature as man.

Matthew Henry

17th and 18th century English pastor and author

 

It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.

Patrick Henry

18th century American founding father and patriot

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 199-200, with the Collect first:

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

 

The Collect.

 

O

 GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Epistle came from Paul’s letter to the Romans, the Eighth Chapter, beginning at the Twelfth Verse. Paul tells us to live out our lives as Jesus instructed us to.  If we live as we want, we die and are gone.  If we live as Jesus commanded, we will live through to eternity.  Life is not about here, it is about doing well enough here so we can get there.  If we want the fruits of the heirship we have been given, we must live the part:

 

B

RETHREN, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Today’s Holy Gospel started in the Seventh Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, beginning at the Fifteenth Verse.  Matthew records the warning that so few heed. Many leaders talk a good line, but how do they actually act, particularly in private?  For it is private when none are looking that we are revealed.  If you want to get to heaven, you have to act the part, not just talk about it.

 

B

EWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 

 

 

 

Bishop OglesSermon

We are oft fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes.  Today is one of those Sundays.

 

Sermon Notes

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church

22 July 2018, Anno Domini

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

 

The Collect.

 

O

 GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

N

ow about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:14-24)

 

I begin my sermon today with a quote from the verse just preceding our Gospel text for today: Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. (John 7:13) Especially did men not utter words of praise for our Lord for the same fear that emerges in our own society by means of the brain-washing indoctrination of the politically correct social engineers. There were murmurs behind His back questioning His authority and teaching, but none to His face – except those who made the people fear to mention Him – the Jews.

 

The Jewish rulers marveled at the teaching of Jesus for He taught out of a deeper understanding then they could match. He had not attended a seminary or been taught by any of their elders of the Sanhedrin such as Gamaliel. I have found that many rough and unschooled (in seminary) ministers of the rural South preach with greater truth, conviction, and fervor than some of the graduates of the leading seminaries of today. At least they have not spent a greater part of their studies on market research, conflict resolution, and business management. But Jesus was REAL. He taught the Word of God with great understanding because He was the Person and Author of that Word.

 

What was the greatest characteristic that separated the compassionate teaching of Christ from the stale and heartless teaching of the scribes? Our Lord Jesus taught as one having AUTHORITY. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matt 7:28-29) From whence came that authority? From the Counsel of His Father in Heaven. When we preach likewise, knowing and believing God’s Word from which we preach, we likewise will have that shadow of authority in our sermons that typified the Lord’s teaching.

 

When they wondered at His vast knowledge of the Word, Our Lord explained: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  If any man will do WHAT? If any man will master his Bible text from which He preaches, He will know and understand the will of God, and He will know true Godly doctrine and differentiate that being taught in error by churches everywhere. The crowds may murmur against us when we preach true doctrine and and reveal the false doctrine being foisted on the people from almost every major denomination. I say ALMOST, because of all of the major denominations about which I know, there may be ONE someplace that teaches truth of which I am not aware.

 

How proudly do many clerics boast of their diplomas and degrees, their superior learning and calling when the most humble of believers in the audience may have been taught more directly by God the truths of the Gospel! When shall we ever learn that the authority with which we speak the Gospel is not ours, but God’s? Charles Spurgeon was converted by the preaching of an illiterate country deacon. The deacon clumsily spoke the truth of the Gospel to Mr. Spurgeon. It was not the eloquence, or lack thereof, of the deacon that touched the heart of that great preacher, but the authority of God inherent in the Word of God that the beloved old deacon spoke. Who cares how one comes by truth just as long as it is TRUTH?

 

There are far too many in the ministry today – the majority when even one would be too many – who teach their own opinions on a par with the written Word of God. Jesus points this out to us. Such ministers are not preaching to the glory of God, but rather to elevate themselves in the acceptance and popularity of their denominational authority. Can any true preacher, for example, acquiesce or even belong to a church that teaches abortion is commendable of God, and the desecration of the institution of marriage is acceptable to Mind of God who laid the foundation thereof? These are the cardinal false doctrines being taught, but there are thousands of others. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

 

But bear in mind that it is the responsibility of the believer to compare every sermon preached to see that it aligns with the unadulterated Word of God. Remember, too, that if the truth of God is spoken by a devil, it is yet the truth of God. Remember the words of the ungodly High Priest, Caiaphas, who spoke the truth and prophecy of God even if unwittingly? And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:49-52)

 

In order to grasp the fuller meaning of the remarks of our Lord concerning the Sabbath Day ( If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?), we will not to consider the events leading up to this exchange in John, Chapter 5.  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.  (John 5:5-16)

 

According to the law of Moses, it was required to circumcise a male baby on the eighth day after birth even if that day fell on the Sabbath. So, our Lord reveals their biased animus by pointing out that such work as removing part of the flesh of a child on the Sabbath Day is permitted by them but not the work of making the palsied man whole on the Sabbath Day. For this, they sought to kill our Lord. We, too, often get bogged down in legalism when the greater need for mercy and compassion may be most warranted.

 

Have you been taught by the modern church that you cannot judge sin? WRONG. Jesus, in Verse 24, actually commands us to judge, but He provides parameters for that judgment. Judge not according to the appearance, but JUDGE WITH RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT.  Any man or woman devoid of judgment will end up as road kill on the highway of life. We must use our faculties to judge in every venue of life. The modern church has been rendered sterile by an over-enthusiastic observance and misapplication of the words of Christ in another place –  Judge not that ye be not judged.  (Matthew 7:1) This quote is most often taken completely out of context and places the principle Christ is conveying on its head. Remember the fuller quote and meaning:  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; AND THEN SHALT THOU SHALT SEE CLEARLY TO CAST OUT THE MOTE OUT OF THY BROTHER’S EYE.  (Matt 7:2-5)  In other words, do not judge others by a more stringent standard than you judge yourself, for it is by the standard you judge others that you, too, shall be judged. Do not judge your own sin with the eye of a mole, and others’ sin with the eye of an eagle!

 

What does Christ mean when He commands us to judge with righteous judgment? How do we know the definition and standards of such righteous judgment? Do we not hold it in our hands – the HOLY BIBLE! Whatsoever God calls sin, we are obligated to call sin even if that sinner is a brother or sister. 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Men judge not only by appearance, but according to their own personal animosities as in the case of the text today. We must judge by God’s Word – therefore with His Judgment – not ours. AMEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold – Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion – Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly  contained in the forewords above.

 

Consider the words from the Collect, wherein we ask God who … ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; … to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us …

 

We must understand in our hearts that God does indeed “ordereth all things” here as well as in heaven. Even though it might not seem like it at times, we have to understand that ultimately He is the one in control of all of the Universe.  Once we understand that, then we can ask Him to keep us away from those things hurtful to us and incline our hearts towards those things that are good for us.  This is one of the many things for which we need the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in our hearts.  Without His Help, we cannot recognize the help we need.  We tend to think of ourselves as perfectable by our own work, without the need to depend on others (Him).  The problem is, it does not work.  Im our lives we cannot be a stable influence on our own life that God and the Holy Spirit can. We cannot give ourselves the calming influence that the Holy Spirit can. If we could have perfected ourselves, then God would not have sent His Son Jesus to come down and die for our sins and account us as perfect. And yet, we cannot seem to figure this out on our own.  To try what clearly does not work over and over again, is the very definition of insanity. On the other hand, if we look to God for help, for guidance, for direction, for course correction, for strength, for structure, for the ability to persevere, there is nothing that must be done that cannot be done.

 

In other words, on our own we cannot do anything that works, but with God’s help, we can do things that work!  It is not because of us, that we can do things that work, but because God is acting within us with the help of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is key to following God here on Earth. He is our lifeline to salvation, giving us the resources that we need to be able to follow His Will. He can help us put aside our fears, worries, concerns and do what we need to do. He is a very big part of God, and He should be a big influence in our lives. He is how God communicates His Will to us to be done. He is our direct connection with God’s calming and wise influence. And He also gives us our marching orders. It may not necessarily be what we want to do, but in the end, it is better than anything we could want to do. God asks only that we do our very best.  By the way, do not confuse saying you are doing your best with actually doing it. There is a difference between words and actions!

 

The difference lies in what our actions convey. Do our actions convey faith or disbelief? Do our actions convey that we are followers of the Gospel? Or are we just another set of Christians in Name Only (CINO). If we are true followers of Christ, then our actions will convey faith. If we are not of Christ, our actions will convey unbelief. I know what I want my actions to convey, do you? Our faith means nothing, if it is not evident in our actions. We would then not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ within us, who saves us. It is not our faith that saves us, but Him who rose and died for our sins. It is the faith of Jesus Christ that has saved us and not our own faith. Our own faith did not account us as perfect, His Faith, by dying on the cross for our sins did.  Let us not confuse our faith, with His Faith that saved us, by His Actions.

 

He acted for us and not only talked the talk as it were, but walked the walk as well. He cannot be truly within us unless we ask for Him to come in and help guide our actions. We cannot buy our way into heaven, nor any other way we can think of will get us into heaven, but the way that God provided for us, will get us into heaven, that of His Son Jesus Christ, who was sent to die for our sins that we would have eternal life, to all that believe upon His name. BELIEVE, is the key word. To truly BELIEVE, you must act in a Christly manner, believe that He died for our sins, and to live out the faith as preached by Him.  If you do not believe any one of the tenants of the Nicene Creed, then you cannot be considered a Christian, for all of the elements necessary to be a Christian are consolidated into the Creed. It is an easy way to find out who is and is not a Christian. Just ask them if they agree with the Nicene Creed. If they have any qualm with any concept found within in it, then you know they are not a true follower of Christ. It summarizes the story of the Gospel into a Creed that we acknowledge and believe. It summarizes it into a creed that we Christians are called to follow, believe and spread through the world. We are not called to just mindlessly repeat this creed, but we are to truly think upon each point in the Creed, and think about what it means for us and our salvation, and act upon this Creed.

 

There are 66 books in the Bible, of those 27 are in the New Testament, of those Saint Paul wrote 13, almost half!  More than anyone.  Paul gives much of the guidance and direction we call The Word of God.  Yet, his message is very simple.  People claim to find it hard to grasp, which mostly means they don’t want to hear it.  If they truly did want to hear it, they would not offer up those excuses! Today, Paul tells us, much like last week, that if we are of this world, we die of this world. Pretty simple message, right? Yet if we will accept our adoption by God, we will be entitled to call Him Abba, or Daddy.  We have been emancipated from the bondage of sin and are now freemen under the promise of eternal life.

 

What a wonderful gift this is. We are no more beholden to sin, no more under the eternal debt of sin, but we have been freed from that terrible master Death, and now we have a absolutely perfect master in God. He truly is the most perfect master for us, better than we could be of ourselves. Which is why slavery has never truly worked. We ourselves were in slave to sin, and in no condition to be a master of anyone. Fortunately for us,  God came up with the perfect way, the One Way, His Son Jesus Christ to die for us that we might gain a bridge between this earth and life eternal.

 

In order for us to truly be adopted, we have to be willing to follow Him and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, here on earth, for better or for worse, in times good and in bad, and never give up, never give in and always focusing our minds on how we can best serve Him. To truly show we are adopted Sons and Daughters of God, we must be willing to act in a manner worthy of this adoption. We will fail at times, that is true, but the key is that we always return to Our Lord, ask for His forgiveness, and start again a new, acting in a manner worthy of being adopted Sons and Daughters of the Great High King, God the Father Almighty.

 

For, if we are His children, then we gain His Birthright and all resulting from that status. Again, this is simple, but following as His Children can be a fairly difficult task, if we try to do things without His guidance it will not go as well. Actually, without His Guidance, we cannot do anything that is great or worthy. But with His Guidance, we can do all things! While we may have some cause for suffering here on earth, the resultant glory will all be well worth it.  The problem with this is that while we are all willing to suffer (just not today) we are so often not willing to put off what we want to do now for what God wants us to do.

 

We need to realize if we put off what we need to do now, in the future it will make things for us here harder.  So if we do what we need to do today, we will have the satisfaction of doing what He wants for us today and not having put it off until tomorrow which will never come for us. Once again, it is what we want, not what He Wants. What He wants will ultimately result in our salvation, what we want will ultimately result in our eternal damnation.  I know which way I want to go, do you?

 

That leads right in to the point Jesus said in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew when He Tells us to take great care in who we choose to follow. There are many today who seem to say the right things, but do the other. We must focus on their actions and see how it matches their spoken claims.

 

There are far too many so called ministers out there saying what  at first glance appears to be the right thing, but in reality their actions do not show they believe. To paraphrase scripture, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In the case of individuals like Creflo Dollar, we can see that his treasure is in mammon wealth of this world and His heart is not set on following God.  This duplicitous nature is not becoming of those who would be ministers of God.

 

Therefore, those men cannot be true ministers of God, but must be false prophets. Scripture has been given to provide an unchanging standard against which we should judge the words and actions of those who would lead us towards God.  Jesus tells us to listen to those who preach of the Gospel and discard the words of those whose teachings are not congruent with The Word.    To quote President Reagan, “Trust, but verify.”  Does what the person say match with The Word?

 

We all have Bibles, most the Authorized Version or some version based on the Textus Receptus.   Does what the person preach match what God has said?  Does their life live that talk? We do not want to follow people that produce evil, corrupted fruit, but good and plentiful and delicious fruit! A good tree will not bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot ever bear good fruit! So is it with our actions, if we truly do our best to follow Him, our actions will produce good fruit; if we don’t, we will produce bad fruit.

 

Actually, that brings us to another point, does the Bible you use match the real Word of God.  It is not the grammar or style that counts, but the facts, the points, the real message of Scripture.  The Authorized Version comes from the Received Text and is reliable.  Make certain the version you use loses nothing in the translation. The modern versions use corrupted manuscripts omitting a large number of verses that corrupt the message of the New Testament, and in the case of John 3:16 for example, dilute Jesus Christ’s status as the only begotten son of God. The newer Bibles also are copyrighted so “Man” owns it, and not the author of Scripture, God our Father. In this case, these newer Bibles are not Bibles at all, but doctrine books of men set on not following Scripture.

 

So once you let the Holy Ghost into your heart, then take the direction He Offers, read and understand Scripture, you will know what you are supposed to do.  Then, you need to actually act on that knowledge.

 

Action counts.  For by their actions ye shall know them.

 

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

 

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God – Live of God – Act of God

 

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 as well as the Missionary Diocese of South America.

 

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

When is it good to give thanks to the Lord?[1]

22 July 2018

Psalm 92 • Proverbs 11:24-31 • Matthew 7:15-21

 

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

 

The Collect.

 

O

 GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The psalmist writes in the 92nd Psalm about the best time to praise the Lord.  It is at all times. There isn’t any exception, morning, noon, or night, Sabbath days, any days, all praise being in response to what God has provided for us. We have been given the privilege of being admitted to the presence of the Lord to give praise. We have this duty to praise the Lord not only in public, at weekly worship, but everyday; not only in public, but in private, and in our families. We should give thanks for the blessing of another night’s rest, give thanks for the end of another day added to our lives. We need to give thanks for everything, our employment or impending employment, we need to thank the Lord for all that he has blessed us with, food, shelter, health, and peace.

 

There are so many folk who do not know the designs of God’s providence or worse yet do not care to know them. And yet those who do know have that much more reason to be thankful.  Think about those who waited years for the coming of the Savior. They waited in great anticipation, it moved their very spirit, as they waited.  We see those who met Mary and Joseph when they brought Jesus to the temple for presentation, they burst into songs of praise.  Two strangers, Anna, a widow, served the Lord for 84 years at the temple and Simeon, a just and devout man, who was waiting for the Messiah. Each of them brought a blessing to the couple and the baby Jesus.  How much more should we praise the Lord, now having the full Word of the Lord in our possession, having knowledge of his first and second coming, and knowledge and gift of salvation?

 

We know that rain falls on the just and the unjust. There are certain properties of nature that bless all who live on earth. In many cases, those who are unjust flourish for a season, we should focus on eternity. We need to seek for ourselves the salvation and grace of the gospel, being daily anointed by the Holy Spirit, helping us to behold and share in Christ the Redeemer’s glory.  It is from his grace, by his Word and Spirit, that we as believers receive all the virtue that keeps us alive.  This lively salvation makes us fruitful.  In light of the illustration of fruitful trees, older trees in nature sometimes begin to bear less fruit or no fruit. But in God’s trees (us) the strength of grace does not fail with the advancing of age. The last days of a saint are sometime their best days, and their last work is their best work: perseverance is sure evidence of sincerity.

 

I recently received word of the home going of a missionary nurse in the deep jungles of eastern Panama.  Sara Watkins had labored among the Embara and Choco Indians for at least 47 years. She was in all intents and purposes a doctor or nurse practitioner at the least. She did minor surgeries, set bones, saved infant children from parasitic infestations, too many cases to adequately recount.

 

Sara worked with another nurse, Edel Rassmussen, from Denmark.  Edel sent out a long e mail detailing the last evening of Sara here on earth.  Edel made sure Sara was in bed, then retired to her quarters, she came back much later in the evening and found Sara had gone to be with her Savior.  The point of this brief biography; Sara was 81 years old!  She was still healing the sick, translating gospel notes and giving several Bible studies a week to the women of both tribes there in the Darien jungles of Panama.

 

Some people are busy until the end of their lives.  It doesn’t have to be missionary work, far from home and family, it can be helping someone nearby, helping a neighbor, a friendly greeting and just a ready shoulder or listening ear.  We can make a difference, we can be a mission for the Lord, where ever we are.

 

So how does this all tie in?  We praise the Lord in our all.  Psalm 92 gives us a steady template to follow every day.  Beloved, let us go forth and praise the LORD.

 

Let us pray:

 

A

LMIGHTY God, whose compassions fail not, and whose loving-kindness reacheth unto the world’s end; We give thee humble thanks for opening heathen lands to the light of thy truth; for making paths in the deep waters and highways in the desert; and for planting thy Church in all the earth. Grant, we beseech thee, unto us thy servants, that with lively faith we may labour abundantly to make known to all men thy blessed gift of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who declarest thy glory and showest forth thy handiwork in the heavens and in the earth; Deliver us, we beseech thee, in our several callings, from the service of mammon, that we may do the work which thou givest us to do, in truth, in beauty, and in righteousness, with singleness of heart as thy servants, and to the benefit of our fellow men; for the sake of him who came among us as one that serveth, thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son’s Name; We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

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:

 

The Thoughts of the Wise

Psalm 107

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

July 22, 2018

 

Looking at Psalm 107 you see the words Book V at the top of the page.  The Psalms are divided into five books, and 107 begins the fifth book.  Why are they arranged in five books, and when did this arrangement take place?  An ancient Jewish tradition says it was done to coincide with the five books of Moses that open the Old Testament.  But, no one today really knows.  I mention it simply to explain why “Book V” appears at the top of the page.

 

BOOK V.

The Twenty-second Day.

Morning Prayer.

Psalm 107. Confitemini Domino.

 

O

 GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, * and his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath re- deemed, * and delivered from the hand of the enemy;

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west; * from the north, and from the south.

4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way, * and found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, * their soul fainted in them.

6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * and he

delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them forth by the right way, * that they might go to the city where they dwelt.

8 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his

goodness; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

9 For he satisfieth the empty soul, * and filleth the hun- gry soul with goodness.

10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, * being fast bound in misery and iron;

11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord, * and lightly regarded the counsel of the Most Highest;

12 He also brought down their heart through heavi- ness: * they fell down, and there was none to help them.

13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * he delivered them out of their distress.

14 For he brought them out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death, * and brake their bonds in sunder.

15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !

16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, * and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.

17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence, * and be- cause of their wickedness.

18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat, * and they were even hard at death’s door.

19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, * he delivered them out of their distress.

20 He sent his word, and healed them; * and they were saved from their destruction.

21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !

22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving, * and tell out his works with gladness!

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, * and occupy their business in great waters;

24 These men see the works of the Lord, * and his wonders in the deep.

25 For at his word the stormy wind ariseth, * which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep; * their soul melteth away because of the trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, * and are at their wit’s end.

28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, * he delivereth them out of their distress.

29 For he maketh the storm to cease, * so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest; * and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.

31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; * and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people, * and praise him in the seat of the elders!

33 He turneth the floods into a wilderness, * and drieth up the water-springs.

34 A fruitful land maketh he barren, * for the wicked- ness of them that dwell therein.

35 Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water, * and water-springs of a dry ground.

36 And there he setteth the hungry, * that they may build them a city to dwell in;

37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards, * to yield them fruits of increase.

38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly; * and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

39 And again, when they are minished and brought low * through oppression, through any plague or trouble;

40 Though he suffer them to be evil entreated through tyrants, * and let them wander out of the way in the wil- derness;

41 Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery, * and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.

42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice; * and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.

43 Whoso is wise, will ponder these things; * and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

 

Psalm 107 gives the thoughts of a man who is meditating on the ways of God.  You will find the word, “meditation” often in the Bible, and, due to views on meditation taken from Zen Buddhism and yoga, many today believe the Bible is teaching things like centered prayer or eastern mysticism.  It is not.  In fact, such things are completely foreign and anathema to the Bible.  Meditation, in the Bible means to study.  It is always content oriented, and it is never experience oriented.  Thus, we read in Psalm 1 that the Godly man delights in the Law of the Lord, and in his law “doth he meditate day and night.”  He is not looking for a trance or out of body experience.  He is studying the law of God and pondering the ways it applies to himself and to others as they try to live a Godly, righteous, and sober life.  Psalm 119:148 echoes the same idea, saying, “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in they word.”  Putting that verse in more modern English, we might say, I stay awake at night, that I may study the Bible.

 

Prayer, also, is always content oriented, never experience oriented.  It is always about actually praying, never about just feeling like we are praying.  We can say the same about every aspect of being a Christian.  It is always about being a Christian, never about just feeling like we are Christians.

 

Verses 1-9 of our Psalm recall God forming the people of Israel into a nation, and bringing them into the Land of Canaan to be His people and receive His blessing.  Those who read the Psalm in the Temple, like we who read it at home and in Church, know the story very well.  It begins at the beginning of our history; the Creation, the Fall, the Promise of salvation through a Deliverer,  the call of Abraham, and the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery into the Promised Land of Canaan.  The Psalm especially emphasises God gathering a people for Himself through the deliverance from Egypt.  God brought the descendants of Abraham into Egypt, and there He brought other people into His elect, from the east and west, and  the north the south (3).  Through four hundred years of slavery, He infused them with the hope of deliverance and a land of freedom.  He kept His word alive in them, so they forgot not to seek Him in worship.  He caused slaves from other nations to join themselves to Him, and they became part of God’s people, so when they were brought out of their bondage they were not all physical descendants of Abraham, but were a mixed multitude, according to Exodus 12:38.  They truly were gathered from the east and west, and the north and the south.

 

God, with a mighty hand, delivered them from the enemy, Egypt, as we read in verse 2 of our Psalm.  When they were hungry in the wilderness, verses 5 and 6 recall that He gave them manna and quail.  When they were thirsty in the desert, He gave them water from the rock.  After their time in the wilderness, He led them forth in the right way, and gave them the city, meaning the Promised Land, where they dwelt (7).

 

Later, God will lead Isaiah to quote from this Psalm when he tells the Jews they will be gathered back to the Promised Land after God allows them to be conquered by other nations and scattered abroad in the empires of their conquerors.  If you listen, you can hear the words of Isaiah 43:5 and 6 in verses 2 and 3 of the Psalm.  Look at verses 2 and 3 of the Psalm with me.

 

“Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed, and delivered from the hand of the enemy; and gathered them out of the lands from the east and from the west; from  the north, and from the south.”

 

Now listen as I read the words of Isaiah.

 

I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;  I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

 

Like all of the Psalms, and all of Scripture, Psalm 107 looks ahead to the spiritual deliverance of God’s people from the four corners of the earth into His Church and Heaven through faith in Christ.  I remember the words of a pastor from the 1970s who said of his preaching method, he takes his text from the Bible, and makes a beeline for the cross.  He could do that because every verse and every word of the Bible looks forward to, or back to the cross of Christ.  It all teaches about the preparations for the cross, or the results of the cross.

 

Let’s look at verses 2 and 3 again; “the Lord hath redeemed, and delivered from the hand of the enemy; and gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west; from the north, and from the south.”  We often see this idea, and even these very words used in the New Testament.  John the Baptist spoke of the Messiah as one who comes to “gather his wheat into the garner” (Mt 3:12).  Ephesians 1:10, an important verse for understanding the plan and purpose of God, says God plans to gather into one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth.”  Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 wrote of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “our gathering together unto Him.”  When the virgin Mary visited Elizabeth, whose child leaped in her womb for joy, she was moved by the Holy Spirit to sing the song recorded in Luke 1:46-55, which we often read during Evening Prayer and know as the Magnificat.  Mary, also takes the words of verse 9, and applies them to Christ.  Listen to Psalm 107 verse 9; “For he satisfieth the empty soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”  Now listen to Luke 1:53; “He hath filled the hungry with good things.”

 

Let’s look now at verse 10; “Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, being fast bound in misery and iron because they rebelled against the words of the Lord, and lightly regarded the counsel of the Most Highest.”  The verse, in its first application, refers to the many times God allowed foreign invaders to attack and enslave the Jewish people because of their sins.  The book of Judges records many of these conquests, and the grace of God, who forgives and restores the Israelites when they repent and return to God.  It is these times of conquest and deliverance that the Psalm refers to in verses 10-14.  Isaiah quotes it in reference to the Babylonian conquest of Israel three hundred years after the Psalm was written.  But, if we look at Matthew 4:16, we see it quoted and applied to the ministry of Christ delivering His people from the bonds of sin and revealing salvation by the blood of His cross. “The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”  All Scripture points to Christ.  He is the fulfillment of its every word.

 

The Psalm goes on to show the misery into which sin in general, and our own is particular, has imprisoned humanity.  “Foolish men are plagued for their offence, and because of their wickedness” (17).  The sorrows of life are part of that plague.  Sickness, storms, wars, and death, are all plagues brought upon us by sin.  Some of them are the natural result of following our inclinations.  War is an example of that, for war is always the result of some group aggressively moving against another group, which then must fight to defend itself.  Some of the miseries of sin are the result of God’s punishment on us.  Storms and sickness and death are examples of this.  Please listen closely here.  I am not saying every sickness is God’s punishment for sin, or every hurricane is God’s wrath on a guilty and sinful place.  I am saying God allows these things to happen because of sin.  Through our sin, we  turned against nature.  We began to abuse nature for our own lusts.  Nature, because of our sin, was turned against us.  That is why there are storms and illnesses and death.

 

In verses 23 through 30, the Psalm addresses storms through the experience of sailors at sea.  The waves rise and fall, lifting the ship up to the heaven, meaning the sky, and plunging it down again into the deep.  The sailors’ souls melt within them.  They are at their wit’s end.  Those words, in verse 27, by the way, are an example of how much the English language has been shaped by the Bible and by the Book of Common Prayer, yet most people today do not even realise it when they use these phrases.

 

Yet, God, in His mercy, does not allow the storms to continue forever.  At His word, the winds cease and the waves become calm, “For he maketh the storm to cease, so that the waves thereof are still (29).

 

Verses 33- 41 tell of God drying up the well watered places due to sin, and making the dry wilderness springs of water for the sake of the righteous.  But I want to turn now to the main point of the Psalm.  It is found in a refrain that is repeated in verses 8, 15, 21, and 31.  The Psalm, meditating on the ways of God, looks at the way God delivered Israel from Egypt, and the way He delivers His people from their sins, and says; “O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.”   It meditates on the darkness of sin and the light of God’s revelation, and says; “O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.”   It says it again after meditating on storms and nature.  And in  verses 42 and 43, the Psalm states clearly what should be the natural result of meditating on these things.  This should also be the result of meditating upon the Gospel of Christ, and to the revelation of God in Scripture.  These things are not given so we can become Bible scholars, or to make us giddy with emotions.

 

The are given to us that we might have faith, and turn to God in faithfulness and hope.  That is the meaning of the Psalm’s conclusion:

 

The righteous will consider this, and rejoice; and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.  Whoso is wise will ponder these things; and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

+Dennis Campbell

Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia

Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church

Powhatan, Virginia

www.HolyTrinityAnglicanOrthodoxChurch.org

www.lifeinthescriptures.blogspot.com

 

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, espouse the truth and live the truth.    This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.

 

Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Proverbs 11:23-31 is an Old Testament affirmation of II Corinthians 9:6-7 wherein the apostle Paul observed, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. God has called on each of us to give of our substance and wherewithal to provide for our church bodies and to take care of those that are in need particularly those of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

 

In Verse 24 of Proverbs 11 we find godly generosity described as, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. True and faithful Christians— whether they have been blessed with a lot or a little— will give of their substance because they desire to please God. On the other hand, if an unrighteous person withholds when he or she possesses the ability to give, their lack of charity will result in a curse rather than a blessing. Notice the qualifying expression: more than is meet. What this means is that one is keeping back from God what he could contribute without material injury to himself and his family. In a word, he is being “stingy.”

 

In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) our Lord warned of just such an estate. The man was described as being rich as he possessed more than enough goods to live on comfortably, but he still desired even more. He did not consider that God had made it possible for him to possess all that he had. And indeed, God does give people the ability to acquire and accumulate wealth. The problem comes when those who have been so blessed will not attribute to God his due. They will not thank him, neither will they recognize their duty to open their hand to others who are in need. They will withhold their gains simply to ingratiate themselves before men. What pridefulness. What arrogance. Notice in Verses 20 and 21 how Jesus closed the parable of the rich fool: But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

Returning to our lesson in Proverbs 11:25 we find the curious use of the word liberal. The passage states that, the liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself. Now this word has nothing whatsoever to do with its use in our political parlance. Liberals in our world are persons who believe in a progressive ideology which, to a greater or lesser degree, empowers government to take from the productive by force or fraud and give it to those who are identified by the government as ”eligible recipients” of that largess.

 

On the other hand, the use of this word in Scripture refers to any person who has within himself a generous nature and readily gives of his own substance to assist those in need. In the Old Testament sense, it referred to providing assistance to a fellow Israelite. In the New Testament, it refers to helping anyone who is in need, but more particularly one who is a fellow in Christ. And God sees our giving and rewards us with his understanding of sufficiency on our behalf. When you do for others, God will do for you. It is not a proverbial tit for tat. Still, it opens the door to God’s “showers of blessings” if one will from the heart give to those of his servants who are in need. While we may not always recognize the things that God is doing on our behalf the refrain of an old hymn will point us in the right direction: “Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.”

 

The modern liberal favors “compulsory compassion”, while the biblical liberal is one who makes the decision on a personal level to give without the government telling him how much or if at all. In truth, compulsory compassion is nothing more than compassion under duress. We can liken it unto a man who holds a knife to your throat and demands money from you. He may tell you that it is for a good cause. He may attempt to justify the taking in any number of ways. Nevertheless, he is still taking from you against your will. Do you feel his compassion? (He might even have the word etched on the blade.) Will you feel compassionate because you have been forced to hand him your wherewithal in such a manner? It does not matter what sort of forced extraction process is used, the result will be the same: you are being robbed of your substance without your consent and without any consideration for your needs or that of your family. Needless to say, you will not feel any less revulsion in being violated “for a good cause” whether it be a thief or robber, or the government.

 

But God has never been interested in forcing people to give in spite of their situations as governments are prone to do. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were to give a tithe of the things they grew on the land and of their flocks and herds. And if they gave as they were supposed to, God promised to multiply their produce. God is not like human rulers who squeeze every last drop of product from their citizens and subjects. He calls on us to give out of love for him and for our fellows. He calls on us to give willingly as he is willing to give when we ask of him for the things we perceive we need.

 

And God is interested in our commercial affairs as well. In Proverbs 11:26 we read, He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. To assist us with this verse, let us turn to Amos 8:4-7. The prophet was given to pen these words against the wicked of that day who, swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances of deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.

 

Clearly, God will call into account those who are in the business of providing essentials items and who keep them back, or overcharge for them so that they might receive a bonus by fraud. Long ago God commanded the Israelites to, do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights… shall ye have… (Leviticus 19:35-36). When people, businesses or governments engage in greedy, malicious and fraudulent behaviors, God will judge those responsible and call them into account for such actions. Revolutions have been fomented on precisely such grounds. The people’s curse can be very harsh when they come to themselves and see just how much they have lost to those who masked their predations with hypocrisy and deception.

And that brings us to Proverbs 11:27 which states, he that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. When men seek after God, they will find him ready to receive, redeem and reward them. God has loved mankind with an everlasting love. Why did he go to all the trouble to reach out to humanity across the ages if he did not love us? Why would he go to the lengths that he has done as recorded in both testaments of the Bible? But if we will not diligently seek after him, then we will fall into the Devil’s camp and be lost. The misery of our rejection will be upon our own heads should we turn from his gracious offering which he has made in Christ Jesus to save us from our sins.

 

Part of our diligent seeking after God requires us to avoid trusting in our wealth or in things more than trusting in God. Proverbs 11:28 reads, he that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. In I St. Timothy 6:17-19, the apostle Paul called on the youthful Timothy to, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in the uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. The righteous man will flourish. He will receive of Christ an incorruptible crown that will never fade. Those who are godly and possess wealth are those who are willing to give as God puts it upon their hearts to give. They will give willingly and cheerfully. They will rejoice in their giving to help others because they know that God will not leave them if they were to fall.

 

The remainder of Proverbs 11 speaks of possessing godly wisdom and bearing fruit. Every thing we do should be governed by the expression, “Will what I wish to do be acceptable to my heavenly Father? God says that, Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner (Proverbs 11:31). God remembers our thoughts, our words and our deeds. Don’t keep anything back as if you were hiding such from him because you cannot. We will err from time to time as that is part of our nature. But when we err, we ought to confess it to God the Father in the name of his only begotten Son and be forgiven of that error.

 

In that light, if you have been erring via withholding, ask God for guidance that you might give to assist your church or those of the faith that are in need. And give not because you feel compelled, but out of gratitude to him who loved us before we ever loved him. Give because God will bless you now and ever after. From the time my son was a small child, my wife and I have given him gifts at Christmastime, his birthday and at other times as well. We did so not because he gave us anything of tangible value but because he was our child and we loved him and he us. God looks on each of us as his children and every day that we have life, food, raiment, shelter, jobs, you name it, he has given to us pressed down and overflowing. We cannot give him anything that approximates what he has done for us. And all God really wants from us is our love for our Lord once said, If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

 

Do you love God?  Do you love his Christ? Are you willing to receive his most holy Spirit? God’s love is ready and waiting. All we must do is accept it by accepting Jesus Christ and then live as he has commanded. Giving to God involves more than money, it involves our whole being. Commit yourselves to Christ’s will today, and be not bound by the lusts of the world, the flesh and the devil.

 

Let us pray,

 

O

 most holy God, who has loved us more than we could ever in this life understand, give us hearts that will bend to your will and love the things that you love while avoiding those things that you hate; for this we ask in the name of your Son and our Lord and Saviour, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Have a blessed week, Bryan+

 

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 your 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 our happy duty 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

No known travel this week.

 

Birthdays

Bishop Jerry celebrated his 75th birthday on 3 June 2018.

Bob Reisor celebrated his 72nd birthday on 3 June 2018.

 

Immediate Prayer Please

Ann Jamieson broke her leg this week while playing softball away from home in a tournament, her father’s engine gave up the ghost driving to pick her and her mom up.  Her mom is a photographer and she lost all the pictures she has recently taken due to an electronic issue. Ann’s brother and sister are wondering what is in store for them.  The Jamiesons would appreciate your prayers for healing for Ann and patience and insight for them all.

 

Shamu is in the beginning of an experimental drug treatment to allow her absorb nutrients after her twentieth or so abdominal surgery most of which were done by Walter Reed Medical Center until she found John Hopkins who have saved her.  Pray also for her to continue her trust in our Lord as she goes through this difficult time.

 

LTC Jay Houston a very confident Christian, particular friend and one of Hap’s favorite WSOs had a biopsy the morning of 9 May 2018 for an apparently major lung issue that has been going on for some time.  Please give thanks for the surgical team paying attention.  Pray also for peace of mind for Jay and his family, as well as a favorable result.

 

Ken Harris lost his wife Carol in December after many many years of happy marriage and is really lost and unable to regain his place here on earth.  Please pray that he will be able to adjust to her passing and concentrate on those things which he needs to do in order to be an effective and useful member of society here and now.  He has much left to do here and right now, he just cannot see his way clear to doing those things.  Please pray he will look to God for solace and help at this time of need.

 

Evelyn, an 88 year young woman recently experienced a TIA affecting her sight, speech and walking.  Please pray for God to guide those treating her and for her to let God carry her worry.

 

Tricia broke her left arm and it seems to be recovering slowly.  Please pray God will enter in to her, help her to regain range of motion in her arm so that she will not require surgery.  She would appreciate your prayers for healing and patience.

 

Chelsea Brown has need of God’s strength and guidance for her, her daughter Lauren and those around her.  Her life has been in turmoil for the past two years.  Chelsea was in an accident which left her without the use of her right arm for almost two years, though after two surgeries it is back, her daughter has had three sets of lung blood clots, dropped out of college and lost her job and car due to another accident.  Things are very bad for them, they need housing as they are about to be evicted from their current apartment.  Please pray that God will give them the direction and strength they need and that the government officials in Raleigh will see clear to provide housing.

 

Jill was on life support; her family members traveled a great distance to see her and returned home safely.  Jill’s condition improved to critical, but needs your prayers to continue her recovery.

 

Samson Hendrik has prostate cancer and his kidneys are not working. Pray our Lord Jesus Christ will be close to him and his family of friends during this illness.

 

In need of a miracle or understanding of Gods Plan

Doug Lambert has been battling Congestive Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for  some time now.  The conditions combine to make him very weak.  He asks that you pray for the medical team treating him to do their best, to be open to God’s guidance and for him to keep his trust in the Lord and not worry.

 

Neal has heart problems and is very weak, he also has COPD, kidney problems, his potassium is too high, he came back from the point of death.  He is now home and permanently on oxygen.  He is doing well, for that he and his family are grateful and ask your thanksgiving prayers.  More importantly, please pray Neal will accept salvation through our Lord and Savior.

 

Paul is in hospice and ready to meet His Lord.  Please pray for Paul as he prepares to go home to be with his family who have gone before him.  Pray for the faith of his family to build and the transition to be good.

 

Dot is an elderly woman with liver cancer.  Please pray for Dot 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.

 

Mrs. Tiffany (90) has chosen to refuse extraordinary care as it will not gain much earthly time.  The Tiffanys have been together for a long, long, long time. Pray for Mrs. Tiffany and her husband as together they begin this Journey to be with their Lord.

 

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.

 

Ron had a Heart Attack, at the hospital he found out he also has Kidney Cancer.  He is a man of faith and is in need of prayer for his health and that the Lord will provide strength for his family.

 

Kathy Cox Merritt has been receiving Chemo and 12 November 2016, had bowel resection surgery and was given a very bad prognosis.  Kathy just retired as an RN in Orthopedics at a local hospital; sometimes a little medical knowledge can be dangerous to the patient but she remains positive. Please pray for Kathy’s healing and peace and comfort for her and her family, both spiritually and physical

 

Krysti is off life support and able to talk, please give thanks for the good news.  She is still unable to feel her legs. When that comes back she will go to a rehabilitation facility.  Krysti has used drugs, has high blood pressure, is diabetic and has organ failure. Her families are with her and will appreciate your prayers.

 

Pat has metastatic osteosarcoma; there is little that can be done.  Please pray for a miraculous remission; that Pat’s remaining time here on earth might be good.  Help Pat and family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their sadness, fear, worry and terror.

 

Amy has been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and has cancer all over her body, and in one of her kidneys which are no longer functioning.  Amy and her family have asked for prayer to stop the growth and to aid the family financially with the medical bills. At present she has to have surgery every two months to place stents. Pray Jesus will be close to all.

 

Gemma Dillinger has been treating for breast cancer for over a year now, after surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, she is reaching the limit of her tolerance with no end in sight.  Please pray for her to gain strength and ground on the cancer.  Help her to continue with her faith in our Lord, she is not afraid to go home, but wants to make sure it is time.  Pray she will be encouraged to not give up until it is her time to go and that her time here on earth with her family will be good.

 

Janet has had a blood borne cancer for several years.  Her faith in the Lord is great and she is ready to be with Him.  Pray she will be encouraged to not give up until it is her time to go.

 

Holly has had Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer and now it is in her spine. Please pray for guidance for the medical personnel treating Holly, for a miraculous remission; that Holly’s remaining time here on earth might be good.  Help Holly and her family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their sadness, fear, worry and terror.  Pray for strength and courage for Holly.

 

Tim was on a kidney transplant list and started dialysis and was taken off the transplant list for a heart problem that required stents, while putting in stents a leaking valve was found. A port was put in and something happened and it has to be redone. In several days he will have a valve replaced, after heart surgery and recover he will go back on the transplant list. Please remember him in prayer in the days and weeks ahead.  Pray he will put his worry on God’s shoulders so he might be at peace and rest.  Pray for those treating him that they might pay attention and do their best.

 

Marilyn has been diagnosed with non-operable pancreatic cancer. Please pray for a miraculous remission; that Marilyn’s remaining time here on earth might be good.  Help Marilyn and her family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their sadness, fear, worry and terror.

 

June found she has a recurrence of colon cancer, which is now Stage Four, that is it has spread.  Please pray for a miraculous remission; that June’s remaining time here hon earth might be good.  Help June and her family put their trust in the Lord and let Him carry their sadness, fear, worry and terror.

 

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 some time.  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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Homebound or Infirm

Loretta Walker is aging and losing some of her mental acuity, and thus independence, she is also plagued by diabetes and loves sweets.  She is understandably vexed with this.  She and her family ask you to pray God will help keep her mind and body together and that she not be mean or bait those who care most for her.

 

Sarah had to move to an Assisted Living Home and has found the adjustment very difficult. Please pray she will come to terms with the situation and that her Lord Jesus will be close to her.  She recently lost 30 pounds and her eyesight is deteriorating.  Pray her appetite will improve and her eyesight will return to normal. Most of all, please pray our Lord Jesus Christ will be close to her at this difficult time.

 

Larry H has general weakness as the result of extreme fatigue.  Larry is now up and about, walking without assistance.  The depression is still a part of his life.  Due to several chronic illnesses, he will never be able to live on his own.  On the other hand, he has been transferred to a facility near his former home so he will be nearer his friends.  Larry has difficulty with the lack of what he considers fairness in the Word.  Please pray for help for Larry to put his trust in the Lord, relax and build strength and give Pastor Roy guidance on helping him.

 

Laurel Bessessen (95) has begun to lose her mental abilities to recall people, places and things around her.  Her family is no longer able to care for her at home and she is in a skilled care facility.  She is the last of that family’s generation.  Please pray for the mental degradation to stop or for her to leave for home.  Pray for her family who do their best to care for her, visiting every day; for her children Cookie, John and Bill, as well as the other members of the family.

 

Judith Clingwall is afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  She is currently in Laurel Place, an extended care facility in Surrey, British Columbia. Please pray for 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.

 

John has Alzheimer’s pray he will call on God to help him as he deals with this.

 

Steve, brother in law of Paul Martin, appears to have early onset dementia.  Steve had teenage children and is very concerned for them.  Please pray for the disease to stall or abate and for peace of mind for Steve and his family.

 

James is on oxygen all the time, this is bothersome to him and terrifying as well.  Please pray for James to put his worry, his bother and his terror on the Lord.  Pray for strength and guidance for James and his family.  They suggest this verse, I am thine, save me, for I have sought thy precepts.

 

Joan has had serious medical problems that have kept her confined. Please pray her health will remain stable.

 

Norma, Saras 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.

 

 

Surgery

Maria Carla is going to the hospital for corrective surgery. Pray our Lord Jesus Christ will be close to her as she has this operation. Pray for her father who will be taking her a long distance for the operation.

 

Marcia has had a biopsy of a mass in her breast which indicated a tumor that must be removed. Pray the surgical team will be open to guidance, pay close attention and do their very be Pray for peace of mind and trust in God for Marcia and her family.

 

Edware is having his fourth back surgery (in the last four years) Please pray for the medical team to pay attention and to their best and for a good outcome.  Pray also that Edware and his family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders.

 

Jeff has been undergoing surgery, chemo and radiation since October for pancreatitis and Pancreatic cancer. Please pray for the medical team to pay attention and to their best and for a good outcome.  Pray also that Jeff, his wife and family will be able to put their worry on God’s shoulders.

 

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.

 

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

Bryan Alford (~40) has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and seeking treatment.

 

April and her husband ask you prayers for the Lord to guide them and lead them both to the correct medical care; and that the family may receive comfort in the process.

 

Michael Moriarty has been diagnosed with upper duodenal cancer which is the upper section of the small intestine.  It is fairly rare and they have not decided how to treat him.  Pray with Michael, his family and friends that the medical insurance people will fulfill their obligations and the physicians treating him will be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for continued trust in the Lord for Michael, his family and friends in this worrisome time.

 

Josh has two little children and just discovered he has a rare form of Cancer. Please keep him and his family in your prayers in the days ahead.

 

Ross an elderly gentleman has been diagnosed with Leukemia. Ross has had good health until now, your prayers at this time will be appreciated by his family and friends.

 

Carman was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Pray for her family as they continue to help her get the proper care.  Pray with Carman, her family and friends that the physicians treating her will be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for continued trust in the Lord for Carman, her family and friends in this worrisome time.

 

Kathie Lynn Holter sister of Rev Phil Ternahan, was just diagnosed with Stage Four lung cancer (never smoked) which spread to the brain. She was operated on 26 June 2016.  Please pray with Kathie, her family and friends that the physicians treating her will be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for continued trust in the Lord for Kathie, her family and friends in this worrisome time.

 

Tina just found out she has cancer on her left kidney. Please pray for guidance for the people treating her and for trust in our Lord for Tina and her family.

 

Martha is now home after testing and she does not have cancer, but she does have bad kidneys and is adjusting and getting ideas to work with that. Please pray for guidance for the people treating her and for trust in our Lord for her.

 

Spencer has been diagnosed with Autism.  Please pray for guidance for the people treating him and for trust in our Lord for him and his mother Lorna.

 

Michael has cancer of the blood and is starting chemotherapy.  Please pray for the physicians treating him to be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for Michael.

 

Clay has a large gallstone; he is in poor health and not currently a surgical candidate.  Please pray for the physicians treating him to be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for Clay.

 

Jim Sevier has been in the hospital for heart related troubles.  Please pray with Jim and his family the physicians treating him will be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for Jim and his family in this worrisome time.

 

Claude has been falling and he does not know why. Pray doctors will discover what the problem is and he can continue without any more difficulties.

 

Gretchen has been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and is now being treated with exercise, nutrition and vitamins.  Please pray with Gretchen and her family the physicians treating her will be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for Gretchen and her family in this worrisome time.

 

Pete has not been well and is back in the hospital with another stroke.  Please pray for the physicians treating him to be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for Pete and his family in this worrisome time.

 

Mary Lee has bleeding into her stomach and they cannot find the sources. Mary Lee is in CCU and her husband Maurice is not eating until she returns home for is so upset.  Please pray for the physicians treating her to be guided in their assessment and treatment plan, for a full and speedy recovery to good health and for trust in the Lord for her, Maurice, as well as the rest of the family in this worrisome time.

 

Glenn Porter, MAJ USMC Retired, has Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis, which causes him to be unable to get enough oxygen into his system without supplemental oxygen all the time.  The only real treatment is a lung transplant, without a transplant he has between two to five years here on earth.  Please pray for him to continue in his faith and for a set of lungs to become available.

 

 

Pat has an aneurism of the brain, pray she will make the right decision on how to treat this problem and it will be healed.

 

Dan is very sick with cancer and is starting an experimental treatment.  This treatment will take Dan away from their family business and put even more stress on him and his family.  Please pray for Dan’s wife who is meeting with Steve who plans to keep the family business going while Dan is ill.  Pray for Steve as he has many new responsibilities.

 

Timothy has brain cancer. He had surgery and is waiting for the pathology report to find out what kind of chemo he will need.  Please pray for continued guidance for the medical team treating Timothy and patience and trust in God for Timothy and his family.  Pray also for a full recovery for Timothy.

 

Helen was admitted from her doctor’s office 15 July 2015, as the result of a blood test, to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital with an extremely high white blood count. She and her husband are very active in the ministry of their church and are asking for believers to pray for them and their family, as they are facing very serious problems in the days to come.  Please pray for guidance for the medical team and patience and trust in God for Helen and her family.  Pray also for a full recovery for her.

 

Elma has been suffering with headaches for a long time.  Doctors have not been able to discover the reason for them. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Elma and her family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people caring for her that they might find the best treatment method to banish the headaches completely.

 

Barbara Apple is bedridden after a fall which left her with two paralyzed limbs. She continues to experience pain in the effected limbs and will be totally bed bound for the remainder of her life. Your continuing prayers for her are appreciated and are great comfort to her. 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 miraculous full and rapid recovery. Also, please continue to pray for her husband Bob who is her sole caregiver that he will be comforted and strengthened in his time of need.

 

Deborah has had a stroke, she is doing much better and out of the hospital. She has a problem with anemia and is taking supplements for that. Pray our Lord will be close to her and her family. Pray for strength, courage and understanding for Deborah and her family; as well as for God’s guidance for the medical people caring for her that they might find the best treatment method to allow her to heal completely.

 

Rev. Steve Boardman has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Pray that Jesus will be close and comfort his family and members of his congregation.

 

Hang So Ryu has cancer. Please 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 him and his family, as well as physical strength.

 

Olivia, age 7, has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma. The prognosis is good at this time, please 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 Olivia and her family, as well as physical strength.

 

Paul has been hospitalized recently several times because of persistent high fevers. He is being tested and checked by physicians and seems to have a slight scoliosis, a node and Schuermann’s disease.  Please pray it will be discovered how to treat these problems and healing will begin so he will be inspired to continue his education.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 is having surgery on 30 September 2016 to repair a hole in his aorta bleeding into the abdomen which caused stroke like symptoms.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

Jim Simmons’ Hodgkin’s disease has returned after 24 years. He hopes to get through this as he did before.  Jim would appreciate your prayers for the medical team treating him; please pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him to pay attention, to be open to God’s guidance and do their very best. Pray for trust in our Lord and peace of mind for Jim and his family.

 

Kurt Thomas asks for your continued prayer that his body not reject his transplanted heart parts  Pray also for Kurt to accept what he cannot do at present and concentrate on what he can do.  This is a very foreign situation for this Christian warrior.  He needs God’s help to adapt and prosper.

 

Vladia had a right knee replacement which went well, but since the operation she is experiencing very painful side effects from medicine, very low hemoglobin and also back problems.  She has been transferred back to the hospital to help correct these problems.  Please pray the doctors will seek God’s Wisdom and come up with a plan to help her get back on her feet and have some normalcy in her life.

 

Madisun Hanks (14) has Tourette’s Syndrome and suffers from horrible migraine headaches.  There are various very high risk treatments which provide some relief.  None of them are close and none are easy.  Madisun is truly one of the most inspiring young ladies we have ever come across, her attitude and actions are almost unbelievable.  No one should have to go through what she does, but she makes it through and performs incredibly when others just get by.  Please pray for Madisun, her mom Hilda who guides her through all this and those treating her.

 

Linda has a melanoma just forming and she needs to have it removed.  She has had severe medical problems the last 15 years and needs help coping. Pray for all of her family at this time as new problems have come to light.

 

Chris Hill (close friend of Jon Weston) suffered a brain aneurysm and needs your prayers. He came out of a coma he had been in since the week before Christmas 2016.  He is now in a stepdown facility. Every day is a new day to him; his memory seems to have been damaged to a point where it is not recovering so far.   Pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him to pay attention, to be open to God’s guidance and do their very best. Pray for trust in our Lord and peace of mind for Chris and his family.

 

Rev Bill had a stroke. Pray he will stay comfortable and Jesus will be close by, please pray for a full and rapid recovery.

 

Dennis will begin chemotherapy for an active cancer spot on his spine on 17 September 2015.  Please pray for a good result and tolerance of the treatment for him.

 

Vickie has been bothered with Migraines and all that go with the headaches.  Please pray for relief from the pain for Vickie.

 

Jon has Stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma. There is good news in that he is in remission; however the chemotherapy is producing neuropathy in  his legs so it is a challenge for him to get around. Please pray that he will be as comfortable as possible; he has been a Marathoner runner so this is especially difficult.

 

Amy has melanoma in her lungs, liver and kidneys; they have found a treatment for her that has a high success rate however the side effects are debilitating. Please pray she will be able to tolerate the side effects and the treatment is successful.  Amy has full trust in the Lord, but would still appreciate your prayers.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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 choose 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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, she is doing much better and she and her family thank you for your prayers. Her pain level is high and some medications have bad side effects. Please continue her in Prayer in the weeks ahead as she heals.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Kay Denton (Mrs. Kay) was able to get a hip replacement in spite of her heart and kidney problems and is recovering remarkably!  Please give thanks for this great event and result!  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.

 

Healing and Patience

Kym (43) has various hip problems which seems to be related to osteoarthritis.  And, her mother Ruth is in the early stages of dementia.  Pray for guidance for those treating both of them, as well as patience and trust in the Lord for both of them.

 

Christopher has had problems with his leg for some time.  Now he has to have it casted and it will stay that way for what to him seems an interminable time.  Pray for patience and peace of mind for this young man who has much he wants to do.

 

James for the Lord’s healing of health issues and give a remedy for many personal challenges at the moment.

 

Thanksgiving and Continued Healing

Bruce Arnold was hospitalized with Atrial Fibrillation and an enlarged heart.  He has had his heart stopped and re-started twice, as well as a temporary boost pump installed and removed.  He made it through all that and is now home and doing amazingly well.  Please give thanksgiving for that.  There is still more to go.  Please pray for guidance for the medical team treating him that they might find a complete solution to his heart problems.  Pray for peace of mind for Bruce, his wife Milly and his children Megan, Kikki and Bruce, Jr.

 

Shamu starts an experimental drug treatment to help her absorb nutrients after somewhere around twenty abdominal surgeries culminating in surgery at John Hopkins hospital 19 March 2018, where they found  a stricture in her lower intestine and relieved it.  Please pray this will be effectual in relieving her suffering.  She is also having trouble retaining nourishment and hydration, pray a solution will be developed for this problem also.  Please pray particularly she will retain her trust in God and her family will follow suit.

 

Bill had surgery November 2016 for a kidney tumor; he is one kidney short, but recovering very well for the present.  It appears the cancer has spread to another spot.  Please pray for Bill as he undergoes chemotherapy and perhaps other treatment.  Pray Bill and his family will stay strong in their faith and draw the strength they need from our Lord.

 

Anita had surgery on 4 November 2016 to remove what they thought were five tumors in her right lung, but turned out to be eight. They removed all eight. In addition, her lung was folded from her previous coil embolization. They removed the coils, unfolding her lower right lobe and oversewed the area. In reality she may come away with increased lung capacity. Anita, her husband Michael and family express for the power of your continued prayers and expressions of love. Please join them in giving thanks for God’s Grace and pray for her continued healing.

 

Bob Reisor had surgery on 19 September 2016 for a kidney tumor; he is one kidney short, but recovering very well for the present.  The cancer has spread to his lung and another spot.  Five years ago there was no treatment, but now it appears there is an oral medication that has shown great effectiveness on this particular cancer.  As of 12 January 2017, the main spot shrank from 3.3 cm (1 1/3 inch) to 2.2 cm (7/8 inch) and the spots on his lungs have receded even more.  And as of 22 June 2017, they have shrunk further.   Please give thanks to the Lord for such wonderful progress.  Please pray for Bob as he undergoes chemotherapy and perhaps other treatment.  Pray he and his family will be drawn closer to our Lord.

 

Atina has skin cancer, which is now in remission.  Please give thanks for the remission, pray for continued remission of the cancer; pray also for continued faith for Atina and her family.

 

Cindy (81) had an operation to remove a cancerous growth in her stomach which was successful.  She is now home, but in a bit of pain.  Please give thanks for the good result, pray for full and complete healing and remission of the cancer, as well as cessation of the pain; pray also for continued faith for Cindy and her husband Les (91).

 

Linda had successful dental surgery on 15 December 2015, she is also on a course of chemotherapy and this type of surgery was not recommended for people while they are taking chemotherapy.  But, it was an emergency and had to be done. Please give thanks all went well and pray for continued healing and for peace of mind and trust in God for Linda and her family.

 

Ruby broke her hip on 10 December 2015, surgery was successful.  Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for her full and rapid recovery.

 

Terry was undergoing radiation treatment for cancer, which he had to stop to amputate his leg below the knee due to diabetes.  The surgery was successful, he has been fitted with a prosthetic leg and foot.  He is in good spirits and positive about the remainder of his treatment.   Please join Terry and his family in giving thanks for the successful surgery and continue to pray for his return to radiation treatment and then to chemotherapy, ask God to give Terry, his wife and seven year old son trust in him for peace of mind and heart, as well.

 

Janet Jessup had a stroke and heart problems were causing huge issues for her.  They seem to have gotten her stabilized and she is home. Please pray for those treating her to find the appropriate treatment and for trust in God and peace of mind for Janet and her family, in particular her husband of 45 years, Rev Roger Jessup, retired minister of Saint Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Orthodox Church.

 

Sam had surgery on his entire large intestine that had become infected. At the time of the operation he was just hours away from a complete organ shutdown. He had had turmoil in his life over the years. Sam is now in the ICU and his Minister visited him and explained to him God had given him another chance for him to make things right with his Lord. Pray for his good health and his spiritual life with Jesus.

 

Ian had surgery to remove excess skin rendered a nuisance by controlled lost of 200 pounds.  Please give thanks for the successful result and for those treating him to have paid attention and done their very best on the lengthy surgery, taking the best possible care of him.  Please pray for his continued recovery and strength for his Mother who will be in charge of his after care.

 

Jenniffer had surgery for breast cancer on 15 October 2014, which seemingly went well; please give thanks for that.  She has had other complications which preclude her from making a full recovery in particular, the reconstructive surgery seems to have gravely affected her back muscles and nerves, resulting in both very limited mobility and extreme pain, the drugs are making her terribly sick; please pray those will be overcome.  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.

 

Mary Thornell has been battling colon cancer for three years now, she is currently treating at the City of Hope.  Things seem to be going well, the numbers seem headed in the right direction. Please pray for guidance for those treating her, as well as strength, guidance and peace of mind for Mary and her husband Jim, as well as daughter Janice and son Jimmy, as she undergoes treatment.

 

Elma is suffering from cancer.  She was taken home from the hospital on the advice of her Doctor.  We were asked to pray Elma’s remaining time here on earth might be good and 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.

 

Business

James and Sarah who have recently moved to a new area and have new positions in employment. They are finding much stress in the new surroundings and will appreciate your prayers as they adjust.

 

Financial Guidance and Employment

Kona is applying for a job in the hospital. Pray our Lord will find the right position for her and she will glorify Him in the work.

 

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 gidan ce in considering all aspects of her potential work.

 

 

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.

 

Gods Strength and Peace of Soul

 Roger is the caretaker for his ailing father who has been in the hospital for a week and his wife who had been declining emotionally, cognitively and in bodily health.  He asks you pray for strength and peace for him and help for those he cares for.

 

Charlie McCormack asks your prayer the Holy Ghost might fill his heart with light and drive the darkness far away.

 

Guidance

Zachary is having huge problems growing up.  He has let the wrong people guide his life and thinks he is the smartest person in the world.  He cannot or will not see the destructive power of drugs and lies in his life.  Pray his parents Lee and Shamu will come to see what course of action that they can take to help Zachary and safeguard his brother and sister.  Please pray for God’s guidance for all of them and in particular for Zachary to open his heart to God and his parents help.

 

Judy seemingly does not want to allow the Holy Ghost into her heart so she might come to know our Lord and Savior, despite the efforts of her family.  Please pray for her to open her heat and for her family to be at peace with their efforts.

 

Barbara has been recovering from cancer for the last three years. Pray for her husband Bill who has come down with a mental illness that may have been caused by much stress the last few years. Barbara and Bill will appreciate your prayers.

 

Larry is very weak and has periods of confusion and depression. Larry has been in the hospital and recently moved to a rehab. Please keep him in prayer as he begins to gain strength in the days ahead.

 

Thomas recently learned as the result of a parole violation he will not be allowed to return to society for the remainder of his life. He is despairing and fearful of his inability to cope with this new news and God’s plan for his life.  Please pray he will be able to work with God to live with the choices he has made and go forward.

 

Cam has gotten into some of the issues being with the wrong crowds, too much dinking and making the wrong decisions.  Pray he will ask God to send the Holy Ghost in to straighten things out and he will listen when He speaks to him.

 

Paul recently had his large toe amputated due to diabetes and is having a difficult recovery filled with fear about dying. He recently accepted Jesus as his savior and his family Rosie and Brenda are very grateful. Pray for strength for both Rosie and Brenda who are staying by his side through it all encouraging him on. 

 

Steve is addicted to alcohol, pain pills and gambling. Pray for wisdom, courage and strength to stick with treatment and follow God’s plan for his life.

 

Eli has some mental issues and has lost his way.  He has yet to come to grips with the demons chasing him.  Pray he will return to the Lord and his family.  Pray they will ask God to send the Holy Ghost in to straighten things out and they will listen when He speaks to them.  The family has been open to the Prince of Darkness and needs help.

 

Michael and his Family ask your prayers for wisdom as they are under trial and affliction to follow the law of the land and yet honor God in so doing.

 

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 she will be able to let God carry her worry and sorrow so she can do the things she must do.

 

Elizabeth needs your prayers for her general well being.   Pray she might see the Light of the Lord and let Him guide her life.

 

Gunner need your prayers for his general well being.   Pray he might see the Light of the Lord and let Him guide his life.

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Sam and her two children 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

School Challenges

Destiny, Blake and Janet

 

Anglican Orthodox Church

Madagascar

Please pray for the people in Madagascar, in particular for the members of the Anglican Orthodox Church there, who are being subjected to terrible flooding and unceasing rain.

 

Indonesia

Please pray for the Lord’s will regarding the establishment of an AOC church in Indonesia.

 

Pakistan

General and Ongoing – The forces of evil are strong in Pakistan.  The force of God stronger.  Pray for our Christian family there.

Ernest Jacob

Presiding Bishop Pakistan

 

Congo

Jimmy is a missionary in the Congo. There has been violent unrest in this country and also a water shortage. Please pray people will find water to drink and Jimmy will be a means of helping others to find the Lord.

 

Philippines

Please pray a Minister will be found who would like to serve in Tabuk, in the Philippine Islands.  The Anglican Orthodox Church has an established Church there and in the surrounding areas and need a Shepherd to lead the flock.

 

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, had to retire as he was so pressed by the duties of a primary care giver, in addition to all the worries of this world.  Pray for trust in God for each member of the parish and for them to find economic relief.

 

Armed Forces & Contractors

Dustin (USAF – Stateside), Kristyna and Luis Aviles (Army – Schofield Barracks, HI), Airman Donny Patton (USAF – Hulbert Field, Florida), Jordan Brown (USMC – Recruiter – Iowa City, Iowa), Trevor Jennings (USAF – KC-10 Boom Operator – McGuire AFB, NJ), Trevor Di Marco (USN – Whidbey Island, EF-18 Pilot), Kurt Thomas (USN – Virginia), Ethan (US Army Airborne – Southwest Asia)

 

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.

 

 

Education

Aaron is in need of God’s guidance to see what he needs to do to fulfill his potential and live his life in a manner which will bring true happiness to him.

 

Thomas Dabney is attending Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, to finish his Bachelor’s Degree.  Please pray for Thomas to focus on education and do his very best at school.

 

The near future, as well as Next Sunday

 

29 July 2018 – Ninth 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

 

[1] Always, anywhere, any time!

By |2018-07-27T21:26:39+00:00July 27th, 2018|AOC Sunday Report|Comments Off on 180722 AOC Sunday Report

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