231231 AOC Sunday Report

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion

First Sunday after Christmas Sunday Report

Today was the first Sunday after Christmas.

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 –

Happiness

Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.

Dale Carnegie

The Modern Man

We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.

Jack Lewis

The difference between death and taxes is death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.

Will Rogers

Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see these things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Luke 10:23-24

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Psalm 71:1

The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Proverbs 14:11

O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Jeremiah 10:24

Christians do not hurl the truth like a spear at a sinful world. We are called to live the truth, to teach the truth, to be the truth, and to love our neighbors on the basis of that truth.

Albert Mohler

20^th and 21^st century American theologian and teacher

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 Anglican Church, being founded on the principal of one nation, one church, holds patriotism and true love of country in great regard. It is quite interesting the majority of the Founding Fathers were members of the Church of England and transferred their national church identity to what became the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States. Like Henry VIII and Thomas Cranmer, they saw the need for a national church. Not a captive arm of the government, but a link to God for the people of the nation.

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 the minister or in the case of Morning or Evening Prayer without a minister by the senior member present.

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 102-103, with the Collect first:

The First Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

LMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle for today comes from Paul’s letter to the people of Galatia, the Fourth Chapter beginning at the First Verse:

OW I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Gospel for today came from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the First Chapter, beginning at the Eighteenth Verse.

HE birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Bishop Ogles’ Sermon

Presiding Bishop Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

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

Sermon Notes

First Sunday after Christmas

Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

31 December 2023, Anno Domini

The First Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

The Epistle

Galatians iv. 1.

The Gospel

Matthew i. 18.

In those dark days before the Coming of Christ, we were under bondage of the law as the Galatian Epistle intimates. We could not know God in a personal relationship, but through laws written on Tables of Stone we tried hopelessly to be perfect and righteous. But as the Prayer of Collect tells us, Christ came and took OUR nature upon Himself that we might take HIS Nature upon US. Being made children of God through adoption in Grace, we are kept in His mercy by the constant inner counsel of the Holy Spirit to obey the Law of Love. Being privileged children of the Father, we are no longer in bondage to the law but made members of the very household of God.

Did you believe that the Christmas Season has passed? Well, it has not. In fact, we are merely at the center of the Christmas Season according to our Lectionary. The larger picture for the Christian is that Christmas is ALWAYS and unending in its meaning and impact upon our lives. The birth of Christ was so cataclysmic that all of Eternity, and our own time-scale, has been divided into the BEFORE and AFTER of that great event. Despite efforts of the detractors of Christ to change it to Common Era (CE), or Before the Common Era (BCE), the question remains: What happened 2023 years ago to cause the Gregorian Calendar to begin our years with reference to that date? It was, of course, the birth of Christ. I care not if the world resents this, or cannot grasp it – it is established and irrefutable historical fact!

We have, in the Gospel of Matthew, a matter-of-fact account of the birth of Jesus. There are no ‘maybe’ or doubtful expressions about it – the Gospel speaks with the force and effect of complete reality and truth. Before the birth of Christ, Emmanuel (that is, God with us) was only a prophetic promise. After the birth of Jesus, it became a steadfast reality. Matthew addresses the occasion with a focus on Joseph, whereas Luke gives us a parallel account with a focus on Mary. This is entirely logical in reason and timely purpose. The royal line of His Kingship, for legal purposes, came through his presumed father, Joseph. Of course, His true Father was God, but Joseph was the legally recorded father for purposes of lineage and descent. Christ must first be absolute Sovereign before He can be Lord of all. His priestly descent came through Mary, and there never was, or ever shall be, a High Priest after the Order of Melchizadek as was Jesus!

Matthew clearly informs us that Jesus had no earthly descent, but was the only Begotten Son of God. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Joseph and Mary were espoused to each other, but the marriage relationship had not yet been consummated when Christ was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Ghost of God. All claims of new bible versions to the contrary, this is biblical fact beyond and question.

Let us examine Joseph’s qualities as Jesus’ caretaker.

He had a tender love and consideration for Mary. It would have been ‘unthinkable’ in that day and time for a man to wed a woman who was pregnant with another man’s child. So Joseph, unwilling to make a public spectacle of his precious Mary, was inclined to put her away in some secret or distant place so no one would slander her name and character. This would have been an unusual emotion in those days, but Joseph was a just man.

Once the true identity of the child Father was revealed to Joseph, he was then willing to bear the ridicule and shame of his community by marrying Mary. What may seem dishonor to the world may be immense honor granted by God? It may seem a disgrace to the world for us to proclaim Merry Christmas instead of so-called Happy Holidays but the least God expects is that we honor His Son by our view of the event of Christmas.

We know little more about Joseph except that he was a carpenter. Jesus learned that trade from Joseph, no doubt. The focus now turns to Jesus, and appropriately so. The same implements of the carpenter’s trade that built houses and tables were the same used to craft a crude cross for both the manger and the cross of Christ. All things of His life pointed to Calvary.

The Gospel, or Good News, was summed up in the name JESUS! That name is ÅIhsou’ß Iesous, in the Greek which means Salvation of God, or Jehovah is salvation. Though Jesus has many names, another profound name for Christ is Emmanuel, or God with Us. What a comfort to know that we can enjoy the very presence of God in Christ! He is not a God that is far away and uncaring, When we walk with Christ, we bring the Kingdom of God near us. The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:9) These two names – Jesus and Emmanuel – are of great importance to us. The first, Jesus, describes His Office and purpose; the second, Emmanuel, describes His nature – that is, WHO He was.

The name, JESUS, was not given to the babe by man, but by God the Father. . . . thou shalt call his name JESUS (Jehovah is Salvation) : for he shall save his people from their sins. The Old Testament rendering of this name in Hebrew would have been the commonly known ‘JOSHUA’ of the same meaning. You will note that Joshua led the people of Israel into the Promise Land, and Jesus, the greater Joshua, will lead His people into a greater Kingdom of Promise.

In what way would Jesus save us’ from our sins? . . . for he shall save his people from their sins. He would first save us from the GUILT of our sins. The wages of sin is death. We have ALL sinned. Therefore, we justly deserve death. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Yes, we ALL have sinned: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) You can see by this that, under the terms of the law, there can be no hope for our salvation. But the terms of the law were satisfied by His perfect submission to that law in paying the price for our redemption.

First

He took our place on the cross. Therefore, claiming that blood of Christ as remission for our sins, we are made free of guilt. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

Second

Jesus saves us from the POWER of Sin! Sin has no power over the believer unless we deliberately open the door to the devil. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…… Therefore, brethren, 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. (Romans 8:1-2,12-13)

Third

Jesus saves us from the CONSEQUENCE of sin: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9) For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess 1:9-10)

Fourth

Jesus saves us from the PRESENCE of sin: And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Rev 7:13-17)

Jesus is a name filled with glorious comfort and inviting satisfaction: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30) When we surrender our futile works to Christ, and accept His works of righteousness, how simple and easy do our burdens become, for it is Jesus who carries them.

What of His name, EMMANUEL that informs us of the nature of Jesus? Seven hundred years passed between the prophecy of Isaiah and the fulfillment of that prophecy. The weak human faith may have given up the expectation, but with God, all things are sure and certain. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) Please do not tell me that a young woman shall conceive and bear a son for it was spoken of god that the young woman was a VIRGIN. Here is how the NRSV corrupts Isiah’s prophecy: Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 NRSV) Are you so literarily challenged that you cannot distinguish the great errors being propagated by these apostate bibles? The VIRGIN conceives a Son whose name is EMMANUEL! How does the name EMMANUEL describe the nature of Jesus? First of all, it identifies Jesus as God for it means GOD with us! Jesus is the central figure of the Trinity. He is God! In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is described as the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Can any demean the name of Jesus? Can the new versions demote Him to simply ‘a son of God’ like unto us, or is He what the Bible claims – The only BEGOTTEN Son of God?

Jesus is also named the great I AM revealing the Eternity of His existence. He has existed from Eternity Past with the Father. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4) Further, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (EMMANUEL), (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

If we would have strength for the journey of our daily cross-bearing, we must be ever mindful of the hope of EMMANUEL. He is WITH us – even unto the end of the world. If you are weak and weary, grasp hold of the name, JESUS – Savior. He is our Advocate to defend us in our moments of weakness and trial. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)

How will you observe this great event – will it be by a nebulous term such as Happy Holidays, or merry Xmas; or will it be by its true identity of Merry Christmas? Will it simply become one day out of 365, or 365 days of a single day? It has ALWAYS been Christmas for 2,023 years since the very first Year of Our Lord – Anno Domini.

Sermon – Bishop Jack Arnold

Anglican Orthodox Church of the United States

Diocese of the West

Church of the Faithful Centurion – Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together because as is always the case there is a unifying message in the Scripture for this Sunday. Bp Jack’s sermon can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/b84T6HfiBCY

Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message as we look for our place in this world. Let us start by reading today’s collect:

The First Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

At this Christmastide, we have been concentrating on the joy of the Christ’s coming to earth; rightly so! But, in our liturgical calendar, the days go on. Right after Christmas, we celebrate Boxing Day in the Anglican tradition, but more than that 26 December brings us the recollection of Saint Steven Deacon and Martyr; he was killed under the direction of Saul of Tarsus, the same person who with God’s Grace and Help became Saint Paul. The following day, 27 December, recalls Saint John, the longest lived of the Apostles whose writing gives so much to the theology of the New Testament. Then on 28 December, we recall The Holy Innocents, whose deaths are connected with Jesus’ birth.

An odd combination of days and thoughts for those who do not choose to think or delve deeply into a subject upon which their eternal lives are dependent. Most people, if they go to church, are Creastors, that is people who attend church on Christmas and Easter. This is certainly better than not at all, but one wonders why the two major events of the Christian year do not inspire them to more in depth consideration of what is, after all, the instructions for the remainder of their life here on earth and eternity. As ministers, I guess most of us wonder why we cannot get the message across. Still other people, members of churches, come every Sunday, so long as it is convenient. That is certainly better yet, but their knowledge falls short of the information available in the Bible. While the Book of Common Prayer is a wonder, it only provides propers for the Sundays and Holy Days, the subject matter is limited to the 52 high points if you make every Sunday! Often parishes overlook inconvenient days, such as Holy Innocents, or even worse the Circumcision. They only fall on a Sunday every seven years and who will know, anyway?

At this Christmastide, it is not surprising to find To take our nature upon him, is a key phrase of the Collect, preceding To be born of a pure virgin, meaning He could not have been born from anyone else but Mary, who was at the time a pure virgin (this is before the birth of James, Jesus’ biological half-brother. But the more important part of the phrases is to take our nature upon him. When He came into this world, He took our nature upon himself, that is to say in simpler terms He became like us. That is, He became human. So He could experience what it is like to be us and how we operate and also so He could represent us in His Sacrifice upon the cross. This is a very core and important part of Jesus’s story. He came down to be one of us so He could experience what it is like to be human and relate to His Creation more. This is simply incredible and shows how much He loves His Creation that He would come down and become one of us, live amongst us, then suffer the death upon the cross and descent into hell and battle with Satan that we might have eternal life!

Part of becoming human meant He felt the emotions we feel; pain, joy, suffering and more material emotions; hunger, wants and needs. This He took upon Himself, so He might come to understand His creation more. That could only be done if He could experience our body for himself, thus requiring Him to incarnate into a human form in order to understand what it was like to be us. Even though He created us and thus knew a lot about us, He needed the experience of being us. And also, to sacrifice Himself for our sakes, He needed to be within our bodies, so He could be accounted as a human sacrifice, taking upon all of our sins upon Himself, that we might be accounted as perfect before God to enter into heaven. This is one of the most amazing things of the Incarnation, God Himself came down to view, meet and be with His Creation, to understand how they live on this Earth and not only to understand His Creation, but to save His Creation from eternal death. This is because He views us as part of His family, by adoption via the Holy Spirit.

This topic leads into the Epistle. As Paul says in his letter to the Galatians, we are not to be servants or slaves of God, but His own children, we are more precious to Him than servants or slaves. He views us as part of His very wide and extended family. He loves us like a father or mother loves their own children. That is a key difference between Christianity and Islam. Islam views its followers as a means to an end, but Christianity views the followers as part of God’s Holy Family in Heaven. We are not pawns but we are family members and participants in God’s big plan. This clearly shows Islam’s Satanic roots versus Christianity’s Godly origins. We are wanted by God as His Children, He loves us and cares for us very much, so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son that all who believe on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). That is a pretty big amount of love for us sinful beings! That He sent His Own Son to die for our offenses, our sins, shows we mean a lot to Him, that He loves us so greatly. This is truly deserving of being called the Good News. It is in fact Outstanding news for us. We should rejoice that He has made us whole, taken away the power of sins if we repent of them, so that we may continue to live our life for Him!

We are different than the world for this very reason. The world lacks the compassion, the love Christ has given us, and it is the reason why it is and has been filled with so much trouble and sin over the thousands of years of our existence. What Christ has given us is a gift beyond the world’s understanding and valuation systems. They simply cannot see the pure joy we get from following and serving God. The World will not know peace until they finally recognize that serving God is the only way to have peace on Earth. But we will not have as much trouble as the world has, for we have something they do not, the Love of God and Christ among us to comfort and restore us, and to refresh us whenever we are tired and weary.

We have to realize God took upon our nature and our infirmities for us, His love is infinite as He is infinite. He is the past, the future and the present, He is the Master of Time. He is indeed, the Lord of Time and He love for us expands beyond all the timelines into the unfathomable past and into the unknowable for us future.

When we pray, we must refer to God as Father, as He is our spiritual Father and physical Father too, for without him, our fathers would not have been created and our lives would not have sprung forth upon this Earth. He is our ultimate Father in this sense, for without Him, we would not be here. We are in a state of eternal debt to God for bringing us in and saving us from the trouble of our human nature. If we are to repay it, we must follow Jesus on the path to perfection, which we will never get to, but we will certainly never get to it if we never try.

As we came upon this midnight clear, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is here for us. Will we accept it? Follow Him, accept His Grace and all will be good forever.

He comes!

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. He wears many hats; he is the Bishop of the Master Diocese of the Midwest, the Diocese of the Epiphany as well as the Administrative Director of Central and South America. He is also the Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of the United States of America.

First Sunday after Christmas

Why is this Jesus?

31 December 2023, Anno Domini

Psalm 98 • Isaiah 9:2-7 • Matthew 11:25-30

The First Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

Isaiah 9:2-7

HE people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

As we reflect upon the passage from Isaiah, notice a preview of a coming phenomena. The sharing of the Gospel, the light of Christ the Redeemer, causes darkness and the accompanying fear to be rolled away.

Where ever the Gospel has been shared and accepted, the message Christ has come to redeem His people, there has been this effect upon those people.

Take for example the continent of Africa. When the true Gospel was shared by missionaries and church societies all over the continent, you began to see changes with those who accepted the message of the Gospel. The Good News, Christ came to redeem that which was lost. He came to his people, no matter where they were. …the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…. Those who were held down by the fear and darkness of a pagan culture, they saw the shadow of death lifted from them, …upon them hath the light shined….

Let us look at another example. China. We are in a deadly economic conflict with the largest quasi-communistic nation in the world. It isn’t true communism, it would have collapsed decades ago under that folly. So in adaptation, China has a command economy that pirates intellectual properties from the rest of the world, makes loads of financial profits and yet maintains a fairly strict control over its people.

Now let’s look at the church in China. A healthy Bible believing population of believers are thriving in China. Not the official church, under the thumb of the communist, but an underground church, not unlike the early Christians in the Roman Empire. Currently there is a great effort to close these illegal churches down. There have been arrests made, buildings bulldozed to the ground, Bibles confiscated, much destruction, at least outwardly to the underground church. What is the Chinese communist government forgetting? History.

Rome tried to destroy the faith once delivered. Many early Christians were banished, killed, impoverished, every effort was made to destroy the faith of these early believers. What happened instead? The Church flourished. It spread, it grew in spite of the persecution meted out by the Roman government. ….Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this… Today, in China, there are more Christians of true faith than in all of Europe. What?!? Yes, there are more believers in China than all of Western Europe. Think numbers. If China is a billion nine hundred million in population, and Christians in China number 1.5 percent, well….? Yes, there are more believers in China. Isaiah gave us the low down on what was going to happen when this baby was born.

…For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I firmly believe this is what Isaiah was prophesying. The growth of the faith, in spite of push back by the world, the flesh, and the devil.

There are places on earth today, where Christianity is thriving, in spite of it being privatized in post-modern society. As Christianity is being pushed out of the open forum in Western culture, it is becoming more and more influential in less advanced cultures. Why? Because there is truth in the Word. The people where the light has been shone, see that the truth sets them free of the fear of death and the unknown.

I’d like to read from the commentaries of Matthew Henry concerning the last portion of this passage from Isaiah. ….This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginning to the end of the world. Justly is he called Wonderful, for he is both God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints. He is the Counselor, for he knew the counsels of God from eternity; and he gives counsel to men, in which he consults our welfare. He is the Wonderful Counselor; none teaches like him. He is God, the mighty One. Such is the work of the Mediator, that no less power than that of the mighty God could bring it to pass. He is God, one with the Father. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; he is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established, men shall learn war no more. The government shall be upon him; he shall bear the burden of it. Glorious things are spoken of Christ’s government. There is no end to the increase of its peace, for the happiness of its subjects shall last for ever. The exact agreement of this prophecy with the doctrine of the New Testament, shows that Jewish prophets and Christian teachers had the same view of the person and salvation of the Messiah. To what earthly king or kingdom can these words apply? Give then, O Lord, to thy people to know thee by every endearing name, and in every glorious character. Give increase of grace in every heart of thy redeemed upon earth..

As we finish up the season of Christmas, also known as Christmastide, ending next Saturday on Epiphany, let us look at what great promises and joy Christ has given us.

First

His coming to live with us as fully man and fully God.

Second

Knowing He is coming again, to establish his new heaven and new earth, as it was supposed to be at the Garden, before the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Third

He has provided the Way to the Father; He is our Redeemer and Savior.

Fourth

Only by Him are we saved and redeemed from eternal separation from God.

Let us pray:

LORD, we join our unfeigned thanks for all thy mercies; for our being, our reason, and all other endowments and faculties of soul and body; for our health, friends, food, and raiment, and all the other comforts and conveniences of life. Above all, we adore thy mercy in sending thy only Son into the world, to redeem us from sin and eternal death, and in giving us the knowledge and sense of our duty towards thee. We bless thee for thy patience with us, notwithstanding our many and great provocations; for all the directions, assistances, and comforts of thy Holy Spirit; for thy continual care and watchful providence over us through the whole course of our lives; and particularly for the mercies and benefits of the past day; beseeching thee to continue these thy blessings to us, and to give us grace to show our thankfulness in a sincere obedience to his laws, through whose merits and inter-cession we received them all, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

HE Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this night and evermore. Amen.

HE LORD bless us, and keep us. The LORD make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The LORD lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

✟

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s Sunday Sermon

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

First Sunday After Christmas

In Matthew 1:23, we were given the account of the birth and naming of our Lord wherein the apostle cited the words of the prophet Isaiah: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (7:14). The name Emmanuel— or Immanuel— means God with us and is instructive as it made plain the intention of God to enter our world and to dwell among men so that he might bring them his redeeming grace. But to accomplish that redemption, he first had to clothe himself as a man in the flesh. He came in this manner to serve as a sacrifice so that those who would believe on him might have eternal life in his coming kingdom.

Surprisingly, quite a number of folks today will miss the truth recited by Isaiah and repeated by Saint Matthew. While many of them may know the story of Jesus, they do not accept him as the only begotten Son of God. Some will claim he was but a man and nothing more. And all those stories of his divinity are but figments of an over-active imagination. Others may accept him as an idealistic teacher, but one who is nonetheless dead and not coming back.[1]

And so because they believe as they do, Christmas is just another day off from work, or a holiday dedicated to some mythical personality, and not the ever living Son of God. They will then miss the essence of Christ which is after all the real reason for this season. Oh, they’ll exchange presents and may even sing a Christmas carol or two. Perhaps they will attend church with family, and begrudgingly listen to a sermon concerning the Christ-child. But it will all be to no effect. They will come away as unconvinced as ever, particularly if they happen to attend some roadshowesque auditorium worship service where reverence for God has been set aside for entertainment and the cult of personality. They may even attend a church that has become so ritualized and emptied of the Holy Spirit the best the minister can do is read from a child’s story book concerning Christmas rather than read from the Scriptures and exposit to the congregation about the necessity for our Lord ever coming in the first place. So, what are these folk really missing? They are missing heaven! And all who die without Christ will suffer an eternity without Christ.

But such does not have to be their fate. Our Lord has called upon all true and faithful Christians to be ambassadors and witnesses on his behalf. We are to proclaim the gospel message wherever and whenever we can per the permission of the Holy Ghost. We are to have an answer for the faith which is within us should we be questioned by those of the unregenerate. God sent his Son into the world, that the world through him might be saved. Not the world system, but the inhabitants thereof (St. John 3:16-21). We should avoid the trap of attempting to save the world which the scriptures clearly speak against.

The Rev. E. M. Bounds noted in his work, Guide To Spiritual Warfare, that, the purpose of the church of God is… to regenerate and sanctify the individual, to prepare him by purifying and training him for the high pursuits of eternal life. The church is like a net cast into the sea… [whose] purpose is not to change the sea but to catch fish out of the sea. Let the sea roll on its essential nature while the net catches its fishes… To attempt to save the world while ignoring the individual is not only Utopian but also destructive… To save the world sounds… commendable… but it will result in making the church worldly and unfit for her holy and sublime mission. Christ said that gaining the world and saving the man are opposing objectives (see Matthew 16:26).

Clearly, we who have been regenerate by the Holy Spirit are called to be witnesses not alchemists. We cannot change the world system dominated by Satan any more than Medieval alchemists could change lead into gold. So then let us keep to those things that we can do, and leave the rest to the Master’s capable hands.

Christmas is indeed a time of giving, but we need to understand the truth behind the season. Our gracious and loving God has given us a gift of inestimable value which he expects us to accept and then use throughout our lives. St. Paul taught that, Even when we were dead in sins, [God] hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:5-10).

We who are born again of the Spirit have been saved with a mighty salvation. God the Father, because of his love for us, sent his only begotten Son to be sin for us. Without his first coming as that babe in Bethlehem— who grew to manhood, who faced the same temptations we have faced and did not give in, and who died for us on Calvary’s cross— we would still be in our sins and trespasses with no hope of ever being freed from this body of sin and death. Only by means of his coming in the flesh, born of a pure virgin, would the promise of our redemption be made manifest. As we continue on through this season of Christmas, let us remember and give thanks to God for his gift to us and remember that Jesus Christ is truly God with us.

Let us pray,

ATHER, we thank you for your gift to us of the Christ-child who grew to become our Saviour; and we further ask for a wise and understanding heart so that we might better witness of him to those who are as yet in the grip of the evil one; and these things we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Bryan+

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. When he provides the text of his sermons I take the utmost pleasure in passing them on:

The Miracle of Christmas

First Sunday after Christmas

December 31, 2023

The decorations are coming down. Stores have cleared away Christmas things. Children will soon be back in school, and those who were able to take time off during the Holy Days will soon be back at work. To most people, Christmas is over. So why am I still talking about Christmas?

Because, for me, Christmas is not over. To me, we are in the seventh of the twelve days of Christmas. We still have five days left, and then we come to Epiphany, which is sort of like Christmas part two. I know people who leave their decorations up through Epiphany, taking them down on the Saturday before Septuagesima, which is January 28. We will pray the Collect for Christmas Day in our prayers today.

Some people still celebrate Old Christmas, January 6, which was the official Christmas date until a pope changed it to December 25th in the 1500s. Many did not follow the new date, and some who do also celebrate Old Christmas. People thought of Old Christmas Eve as a night of miracles, when animals could talk. In a sense, they were right, not about animals talking, but about Christmas as a time of miracles. Today I want to talk about the miracles of Christmas, looking into today’s first lesson, on page 104 of the prayer book, or in Galatians 4:1-7 in your Bible.

The first miracle of Christmas is described in these words, in the fullness of the time. Those words mean, when God was ready, or, in God’s timing. This means God has a plan for His creation. It is an ancient plan, a plan older than creation. The Apostle Peter, writing about Christ, says we were not redeemed with corruptible or worthless things like silver and gold, but with something precious, of unimaginable value, which is the blood of Christ… who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20). The sacrifice of Christ was planned before God created the heavens and the earth. We know very little of what lies beyond our planet. We have space ships and telescopes, and we know the universe is enormous, but we don’t know if God has put life on other planets. We do know that, of all the countless specks of dust floating around in space, God Has a plan for this one, and He made an appointment with us. In the fullness of time, He kept it. That is a miracle.

God kept His appointment by sending forth His Son. We are talking about Jesus Christ. He visited earth. He left the perfect peace of Heaven to come to this planet of strife, pollution, war, hate, crime, immorality, and open rejection of and rebellion against Him. He left His perfect fellowship with the Father and the Spirit to come to earth and have fellowship with sinners. Perhaps you have had the opportunity to see the slums of places that once were great cities. You have heard about the poverty, crime, dirt, and despair of the people who live there. If so, you may have given thanks to God for your own home and prosperity and peace. You did not stay in the slum. That is similar to what happened when Jesus left Heaven and came to earth. He came to the slums, except, He came to dwell in our slum. That’s a miracle of Christmas.

Jesus didn’t just visit us, He became Man. He is the Word who was God. That means He existed with God, in God, and as God from all eternity. He is God as fully as the Father is God. It is impossible for our minds to comprehend One God in Three Persons. Some theologians try to help us, telling us the Word or logos of God means wisdom and reason, the mind of God. That, as I often say, is true, but it is not the whole truth. They also tell us the Spirit is the breath of God, similar to the soul in us. Again, that is true, but it is not the complete truth. For the Word and the Spirit are also Persons, and we can’t understand how that can be. We can never understand the complete truth about the Holy Trinity, and every time we try to express it we find ourselves running out of words and running out of thoughts. God is greater than our minds can grasp. That is why so much of the Bible is written in symbolic language. The symbols help us grasp Heavenly things by illustrating them through earthly word pictures.

In Christ, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He never stopped being God, but He added humanity to Himself, and lived like us. That is the Incarnation, which means the in-fleshing of God. This is a miracle of Christmas.

The in-fleshing of God was accomplished by being made of a woman. The Greek text actually says, out of a woman showing He was born the way the rest of us were born, rather than just appearing full grown as the Romans thought Venus was. He was conceived in a woman’s womb, as a tiny, single cell, which divided and grew into a full term baby. It is hard to imagine the Lord of all creation, the One who created all things, confined to this planet, but to think of Him confined in a human organ about the size of a lemon is staggering. It is a miracle of Christmas.

This miracle is compounded by another, Mary was a virgin. She was espoused to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child (Mt. 1:18). When Gabriel came to tell her about her baby, she said, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Many have tried to make the conception of Christ the result of natural biology, but it is impossible to do so without violating the meaning of the Bible. The meaning of the passage from beginning to end is that His is not natural conception, it is supernatural. The God who created Mary supernaturally created life in her womb. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall come upon thee: therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Mt. 1: 34, 35) The Holy One, the Holy Being conceived in you, shall be called the Son of God. God miraculously conceived the Holy One as He created the heavens and the earth. This, also, is a miracle of Christmas.

We read that Christ was made under the law. When Jesus added flesh to Himself, He became obligated to keep the commandments of God. He was under the law just like the rest of us. In Heaven, He always kept the law of God, for He was always completely righteous from all eternity. But something changed when He became flesh. He became human, not just in body, but in nature. He never stopped being God. I need to state that again. He never lost His divinity, or His divine nature, but He did take on a human nature. That is too deep to go into at this time. Suffice it to say He had to keep the law in his human nature, also, and He had to keep it perfectly. And He did. He never sinned. He never strayed from the path of complete righteousness. He never did an evil thing, never even had an evil thought, though He was in all points tempted even as we. By living without sin, He fulfilled the law for us. That is how He was able to give His righteousness to us, and how He was able to take our sin upon Himself. This also is a miracle of Christmas.

He did all of these miracles to redeem them that were under the law. You and I were under the law. We were obligated to keep it in its entirety, without fail, every second of our lives from conception to death. But we haven’t. We may look at other people and say with the Pharisee, Lord , I thank Thee that I am not a sinner like other people. And compared to many, we may look pretty good. But how do we look compared to Jesus? I know many people whose righteousness far surpasses mine. I would hate to be compared to them on Judgment Day. But, even their righteousness is as filthy rags compared to the absolute perfection of Christ.

Christ came to redeem them that were under the law. I am sure you know the word redeem means to purchase the freedom of a slave. Galatians 4:3 tells us we were slaves, under bondage to the elements of the world, meaning the moral and ceremonial law of God. We were condemned by our sins, and under bondage to offer sacrifices and rituals, which, by themselves, apart from faith, were unable to free us from their penalty. This is a major point in the book of Hebrews, that’s why I encourage you to read and learn it. Christ came to redeem us from bondage to the sacrifices by being The Sacrifice, the only Sacrifice that is able to pay the price of our redemption, and free us from the necessity of further offerings of sheep and goats.

He also came to free us from the bondage of the penalty of our sins. He redeemed us by paying that penalty for us on the cross. There is much more to this, such as our freedom from slavery to sin, but let us move to the next point by saying, our redemption is a miracle.

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are given a change of status. Looking at verse 3 we see we were under bondage. We were in chains. We were captives in forced slavery. We had no way of paying the price of our redemption. But in verse 5 we have received the adoption as sons. A Roman slave might be in a place to earn his way out of bondage. He might save his master’s life, or those of his master’s family. He might do some heroic deed that protects his masters fortune. In such rare cases, he might be set free. In even more rare cases, he might be adopted into the family. But there is nothing you or I can do for God that will earn our freedom or adoption into His family as sons. Why does the Bible talk about sons instead of sons and daughters, or children? Because sons have a share in the family inheritance. Daughters receive their inheritance through their husbands. That’s why verse 7 says we are no more servants, we are sons, and since we are sons we are heirs of God through Christ. The passage, therefore, refers to our spiritual position in the household of God, not our physical gender. We are all heirs of all His blessings, heirs of His grace, heirs of His Kingdom. God says to us what the father, in Luke 15:31 said to the elder son, all that I have is thine. Our Lord Jesus said, when He comes to divide the sheep from the goats, the righteous from the wicked, He will say to the righteous, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, (Mt. 25:34). In Christ we are heirs of the Kingdom. This, too, is a miracle.

God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. If you are in Christ through Biblical faith, you do not have to worry about whether you are baptized into the Holy Spirit. You are. That is part of what happens to you when you are born again. You are born of the Spirit. That is why Ephesians 1:14 calls the Holy Spirit the earnest, or, down payment, or, first installment of your inheritance. God has put the Holy Spirit in you, baptized you in the Spirit, and caused you to be born of the Spirit. That is as much a part of becoming and being a Christian as breathing is to your physical life on earth. It is by the Spirit that you are enabled to believe the Gospel and profess Christ. It is by the Holy Spirit that you are enabled to begin and continue in the life of faith in Christ, which is also called life in the Spirit. It is by the Spirit that you are enabled to say to God, Abba, Father. Abba, does not mean Daddy, by the way. It is much more formal, respectful, and reverent. There is a holy awe about God which is expressed in the word, Abba. The Holy Spirit in you is a miracle. It is beyond any human ability to accomplish. It is a gift of God, from God, through God.

All of the things we read of in Galatians 4:1-7 are miraculous gifts of God. They are part of the miracle of Christmas. There is one more that I want to address briefly, because it is the miracle that makes the others possible. It is the reason Christ left Heaven, became Man, and lived in this world of hate, abuse, immorality and lies. It is the reason He was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. It is why He endured the unimaginable torture of the crucifixion, why He bore the wrath of God for our sins, why He was smitten of God and afflicted for our transgressions, why He died, was sealed in a tomb, and descended into hell. That miracle is the miracle of God’s love. It is the miracle that God cares enough about us to do these things for us. It is the miracle of John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is the true miracle of Christmas.

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!

Corona Virus

Laurie, daughter of Jim and Mary Lou Flanagan has post-Covid lung damage, dizziness, falling, blacking out and loss of time relation. Please pray that they find a cure for these problems for Laurie.

Bill Hall is still having difficulty breathing and with his ability to move about.

Travel

No known travel this week.

Birthdays

Roy Morales-Kuhn celebrated his 70^th birthday on 23 December 2023.

Debbie Ogles celebrated her 81^st birthday on 15 November 2023.

Departed

Betsy Bretz, wife of Bobby, passed away 11 December 2023. Please give thanks for her time here on earth and for God to give comfort to Bobby and their family at the temporary separation.

Immediate Prayer Please

Rev. Dr. Robert Weldy is a retired priest, long time friend of AOC Minister Jim Cavanaugh, has several health issues. On 19 December 2023, he was admitted to the hospital for a very serious infection in his lower left leg and foot. He is diabetic and is greatly concerned about this infection. He is afraid if the antibiotic treatments do not overcome the infection, he may be facing the loss of part of his leg. Please pray our Heavenly Father will give knowledge, wisdom, and skill to the doctors and medical staff that attend him. May they be instruments of healing. May the LORD our God restore Robert to health and recovery from all sickness.

Harper Cavanah, granddaughter of Rev. James and Dawn Cavanah, is 9 years old, autistic, non-verbal, and has a long history of digestive issues and problems. Harper is back in the hospital with another apparent intestinal blockage. Please pray for Harper, her parents Dustin & Vicki and the medical team. Please pray for peace and comfort to the family and wisdom, knowledge, and skill to the doctors and medical team.

22 December 2023 – Great news! Thanks be to God who answers the prayers of His people in accordance with His sovereign and perfect will. In this case, He heard your pleas for Harper and her family and has done more than we could ask or imagine. She made it beautifully through the surgical procedure on the intestinal blockage and is doing so well that she was discharged last evening. She is recovering at home and doing very well. We are all very thankful to you our prayer warriors for your prayers and your encouraging words. In addition, the medical team has issued some new protocols for home care in the hope that these will keep Harper from having further issues. Again, thank you for your prayers and for your continued prayers! Most of all, THANKS BE TO GOD!

Jim+ & Dawn

Dustin, Vicki, Harper, and Kaylee

Ditte remains in the ICU with pneumonia and AFIB, she has been suffering from cancer; she decided to forego surgery and attempt to slow the spread by chemotherapy; on top of all that, her eldest son died. Please pray for this family.

Sunghyun Mun, accidentally broke bones in his hand while operating a piece of equipment at his father’s business. He will undergo surgery 18 December 2023.

Debi Romano Gunther had a mammary biopsy on 27 November 2023. The results were mixed, there was a mass, it has to come out, but it was not cancerous. She is understandably concerned. Please pray for peace of mind for her as she waits the procedure and results, for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her to pay attention and do their very best and for a good result.

Suzie Nogales has been treating for breast cancer, she recently underwent surgery, she is a strong and active Christian, she really has no fear, but does have concern for her children and husband. Please keep Suzie, her family and treating medical team in your prayer.

Myanmar (Burma) We solicit your prayers for the Church and people of Myanmar (Burma). The Rev. Titus has sent this note:

We face a big flood in Bago where I am living now. It has been 2 days and many people in my area moved to another area where the water cannot reach. We are safe by grace` but some houses of my members are going to sink very soon if the rain is not stopped. In the pictures` the houses are in the midst of water damage and there is a house of my member in this place. They cannot go to anywhere to purchase their foods. So dear Bishop and friends` you all are kindly requested to pray for me and my Church members in Myanmar. Thank you all

Billie Broome a stroke survivor who has had femur, knee and hip surgery, spent a month in the hospital, now she has blood clots and severe swelling in her foot which became infected. She is improving slightly and asks that you give thanks for the improvement and pray for complete recovery. Please pray for peace of mind for Billie, her husband Richard and family. They are all strong Christians, but somewhat prone to worry.

Myeongsu Kim, father of Minki, one of Bishop Jerry’s congregation members, has been diagnosed with Colorectal cancer. He is i beginning radiation/chemo treatment prior to surgery. Please pray for peace of mind for him and his family and for guidance for the medical team treating him.

Viera Djurcik, mother of Bishop Igor Djurcik from Serbia, had her left leg amputated above the knee as the result of gangrene. The surgery was successful, but she has a long road ahead for recovery. Please give thank for successful surgery and pray for complete and rapid recovery for Viera and for peace of mind for her and her family.

Tricia Marie underwent abdominal surgery on 28 June 2023; she gives thanks it was apparently successful and asks you to pray with here for a full and rapid recovery, for peace of mind for her and her family. She gives thanks for an apparently successful coil surgery to seal off an aneurysm at the base of her skull on 12 January 2023. She has seemingly recovered from the stroke of December 2021. She still headaches which had been bothering her for months since she got the Moderna vaccine. She has had almost no real sleep or rest for months. She fell on stairs and while apparently broke nothing, is very sore and scared herself. She has gotten some relief from the headache from a Botox injection series, may that continue. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for relief from the headache, nausea and pain and rest for her, for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her and a full and rapid recovery, for peace of mind for her and her family.

Bryan Dabney, AOC Minister, had quadruple bypass surgery on 6 July 2023. He is home and seems to be doing well. He is continuing to strengthen, he completed Phase 2 cardiac rehab last and begins Phase 3 now. Phase 3 will be more a maintenance program he will do for the next few months. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for a full and complete recovery. Continue to comfort Brian, his wife Lisa, and son Thomas as they deal with his recovery.

Natalie Oslin Lohrenz is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, she is about 1/3 of the way through the regimen. She is tolerating the poison pretty well, but asks your prayers for it to work and the toleration to continue.

Josh Morley, son of Bishop Charles Morley, has had another grand mal seizure and is back in the hospital. Joshua and Bishop Morley are distraught, as they cannot determine the cause for his seizure. They are hoping to change doctors and find a cause and cure for Joshua. Bishop Morley says Joshua is healthy in every way but for having these seizures.

David McMillan recently suffered a stroke. Please pray for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him and for peace of mind for David and his family.

Alicia, her husband, Andrew, and their two young daughters. Alicia has Susac’s Disease and narcolepsy. She has not been able to work and is having a difficult time even functioning. Please pray for her, her family, and those that attend her. May heavenly wisdom fill the doctors that they may treat Alicia and serve as God’s instruments to restore her to health.

Harry Brooks, Major USMC – GA ANG Retired – just finished a round of chemotherapy, which he barely survived and had his cancerous bladder in March 2023. Please pray for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him and for peace of mind for Harry and his family and for a good result.

Major Tom Connell, a good friend of Hap Arnold, had surgery on 25 February 2022, for abdominal cancer to remove a tumor. Spots have now appeared on his liver and he is restarting chemotherapy in January 2023. Tom asks you join him in praying for him to tolerate the treatment. Tom is a good guy and a faithful Christian; he is grateful for weathering this storm to date and the comfort God provided to him and his family.

Bob Apple just found out he has cancer and is beginning treatment. Please pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him that they might pay attention, do their very best and be open to God’s guidance; pray also for peace of mind for Bob.

Deanna Sampson started to treat for cataracts and found she had an irregular heartbeat, then breast cancer with precluded the operation. She had apparently successful surgery for the cancer and has undergone radiation treatment, she is waiting to see what comes next. A strong Christian with an incredible attitude, she could nonetheless use your prayers.

Henry Johnson (age 3) suffers from a rare form of epilepsy. Please join his parents in praying a treatment regimen can be found to treat his condition.

Tricia Marie gives thanks for an apparently successful coil surgery to seal off an aneurysm at the base of her skull on 12 January 2023. She has seemingly recovered from the stroke of December 2021. She still headaches which had been bothering her for months since she got the Moderna vaccine. She has had almost no real sleep or rest for months. She fell on stairs and while apparently broke nothing, is very sore and scared herself. She has gotten some relief from the headache from a Botox injection series, may that continue. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and pray for relief from the headache, nausea and pain and rest for her, for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her and a full and rapid recovery, for peace of mind for her and her family.

Shamu is totally exhausted, but in relatively good spirits. Shamu has a terrible headache, is in a lot of pain; feels like she has been stabbed, totally exhausted and weak, but her faith is incredibly strong. They have found a mass in her upper abdomen which must be investigated. She asks you pray for guidance for the medical people helping her. After 36 surgeries, she is quite very weak, but strong in her trust in our Lord as she goes through this difficult time. She needs your prayer. Please.

Tommy Cook is beset by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Congestive Heart failure. It seems there is little that can be done except fight a delaying action against the aggressive pair. At present it seems like the only avenue open is a heart lung transplant and little chance of that. He asks you pray for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him and the miracle of a full and rapid recovery, for peace of mind for him and his family. He is a very strong Christian and has no concern for himself, but for his wife, children and mother.

Johnie Ratcliff is having breathing issues.

Brady on the way to enter the armed forces in Virginia Beach, got in a horrible tragic car accident that required surgery to restructure his foot, and back surgery to relieve pressure on his spine and repair the breaks. Please pray for his parents, and that he, unsure of what his future will hold, will understand the Lord Jesus Christ holds his future and He will not fail nor forsake him.

David Connis has Stage Four colon cancer, he can no longer do chemotherapy and has switched to immunotherapy in the hope of surviving to participate in an experimental program in December. Please pray for strength and guidance for him and his nine year old daughter, as well as what we consider a good outcome.

John Crawford, of Tennessee, is in ICU for treatment of pancreatitis. Please pray for guidance for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him and for peace of mind for John and his family and for a good result.

George Johnson, MD, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma[2]. From Dr. George Hardin Johnson, I need all my friends and prayer warriors to pray for me, that the new chemo pill (meds) that the doctor ordered will be use mightily by the Lord Jesus to heal my body. Pray that there will be no side effects and my body can handle the meds. Thanks and God bless you all for your prayers in the mighty name of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. We know God is in full control and we are trusting in Him to give George a complete healing!

Margie Johnson (wife of Dr. George Johnson) is very ill and need of healing. Please pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her that they might pay attention, do their very best and be open to God’s guidance. Pray also for comfort and strength for her and her husband George.

Greg was in an explosive work accident leading to burns over 65% of his body. He is in the hospital and will be for months. Also pray for his mother, who recently lost her husband and now is overseeing her son’s care; she is disabled and in a wheel chair.

Lauralee Meade has tested positive for Covid 19; she is only moderately concerned as she has no symptoms. She asks you pray she stay that way and test negative so she can visit her mother. Please pray also for a complete remission of her cancer. Pray also Lauralee will maintain her great attitude and trust in God.

Inga, the wife of Tore, requests prayer for her husband in Norway. He is awaiting surgery for a heart valve and kidney transplants. He is nearing surgery. Please pray for trust in the Lord for her, her husband and family and friends who are so very worried about him. Pray also for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating him that they might be open to God’s guidance for treatment, pay attention and do their very best to help him. Pray for a good outcome.

Gary Anderson of Enterprise has been hospitalized with unknown illness. He requests prayer for diagnosis and healing.

Corrie Marsh, daughter of Ida Benson, is facing serious medical procedures in coming days. Please pray for trust in God for Corrie and her family and for the doctors, nurses and technicians to pay attention and do their very best, as well as to be open to God’s guidance.

Cyrus has blood cancer and is very very ill. Please pray the doctors treating him will pay attention and do their very best. Pray also for comfort and peace for Cyrus and his family; pray that if it not be that he will recover that he past restfully to home.

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 God’s Plan

Sandy has been diagnosed with malignant lung cancer. She has COPD and therefore not a candidate for surgery. Her only medical option is for Chemo and Radiation according to her Drs.: Sandy is a Christian who believes in the healing power of prayer. Sandy has been a friend of Mary Lou Flanagan since high school as well as going to college together.

John Thomas, of Malaysia, a long time friend of Bishop Jerry, a persevering servant of the Lord for many years. His health has begun to fade in his present age of 79. Please pray the Lord will extend a merciful hand to John, and his devoted wife Gina, in working out His perfect will for both.

Joey Angelica is a recovering addict with liver cancer and diabetes, he lost his job during the plandemic, then found out he has liver cancer. He is a very strong Christian, he and his friend Vicki ask that you pray for his recovery and continued trust in God.

Janine Alvarado’s daughter has what appears to be terminal cancer, she is in much pain, in and out of the hospital. She asks that you pray for a miraculous recovery for her daughter and if that not be God’s will, a safe passing home. She asks you pray also for peace of mind and strength for both of them.

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.

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.

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 li 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 re 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.

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

Jim and Pam Lanno – After Jim was recovering from a heart attack, he noticed something was off. Soon came the diagnosis of ALS along with dementia. He is in his early 60s. Pam is learning the role of care taker and overwhelmed and fearful at times. Both are good Christians and love the Lord with all their hearts. Pray for God’s Comfort and Guidance for both and all caretakers who assist.

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.

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

Surgery

Bobby Bretz is having a kidney removed on 18 December 2023.

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.

Testing and Treatment

Melissa Morgan, a young woman in her thirties just found out she has ovarian cancer. Pray with Melissa, her family and friends 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 Melissa, her family and friends in this worrisome time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 be 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.

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

Sandra Zimmerman was diagnosed with triple positive Stage 2 breast cancer. She had a mammogram done last year at 40 years old and it was clear. This July they found two suspicious lumps, there was follow up with another mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, bloodwork, MRI, more bloodwork, and PET scan. Sandra’s most pressing concern is how she will take care of her baby Sophie as she goes through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation along with a cocktail of pills. It’s going to be a year long journey, she asks your prayer to stay strong and fight this battle!

Ronnie Bretz is recovering from brain surgery.

Madisun Hanks (21) 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.

Hilda Hanks has developed diabetes, which resulted in the need for eye surgery and has difficulty with the added stress in her life. Pray for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her 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 Hilda and Madisun.

Linda recently had a basal cell carcinoma removed and she is doing well, 15 years with Multiple Myeloma is doing great. She is continuing bimonthly chemo and this keeps her going strong, she is grateful for all prayers.

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 be 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.

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 Marathon 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.

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 has lost her site completely, broke her tibia and has returned home for family care following hospitalization and rehab. Please pray that the family learn how to care for her at home as with blindness she is too frightened being in a Long term care facility. Evelyn is 96 years old.

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.

Healing and Patience

Angie Colgrove has various problems and challenges, physical, mental, and spiritual. She asks you pray for guidance for her and those treating her, as well as for her family.

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.

Thanksgiving and Continued Healing

Dave Carroll, husband of Cinder, the AOC Office Manager, had what seems to be a very successful second knee replacement the morning of Tuesday, 21 November 2023. Please give thanks for the good result and pray for a full and rapid recovery.

Don Fultz fell in response to a house on fire across the street and broke his hip. He is had surgery and spent time in the Cardiac Care Unit in response to a heart arrythmia apparently due to the anesthesia. That was resolved and Don returned home to complete his recovery and is doing well. He and his family thank you for your prayers. Please continue praying for a complete recovery.

Barbara (Paulette Ratcliff’s) sister, has battled stomach cancer through removal of tumor and chemotherapy but the tumor returned at 7 centimeters. She had apparently successful surgery on Friday 24 June 2022. Please give thanks for the successful surgery and for a full and rapid recovery and for full remission of the cancer. Pray also for peace of mind for Barbara, her children, her sisters and brothers.

Deborah Drucilla, sister of Bishop Jerry, was hospitalized with a number of issues including blood clot in her liver. She is now home. Please give thanks for a good result so far and a full and rapid recovery, for peace of mind for her 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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Guidance

Zachary is seems to be on his way away from the darkside; please pray he will continue towards our Lord and good citizenship.

Linda is slowly converting her children through her great loving attitude and Love of the Lord.

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 heart 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. He has returned to his family living in a cottage on his parents’ property in Hawaii so that they can keep him on his meds. He is doing much better, but he still needs prayer to follow his medication schedule. His parents are so thankful for all of the prayers as they have felt the Holy Spirit’s power in handling Eli during his dark periods.

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.

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.

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.

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 life. Pray 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 to keep up with the needs of her 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

Solomon Islands

Please pray for Bishop Zephaniah, the AOC and all the peoples of the Solomon Islands who are experiencing civil unrest as a result of the government switching their alliance from Taiwan to Communist China.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/solomon-islands-leader-blames-foreign-powers-unrest-australian-forces-arrive-n1284619

Diocese of Central and South America

Rev Miguel Madera was received into the Anglican Orthodox Church on 13 August 2018, with the AOC mission of San Augustin de Canterbury, La Plata, Argentina.

Indonesia

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

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

We are generally doing good, except that all boundary checkpoint out were tightened again due to the DELTA VARIANT entered the city. On the other side, our members in Tulodan are now experiencing famine due to the effect of the recent continues heavy rains during the month of July to early August which completely destroyed their vegetable plantation.

Bishop Anthony Pangsiw

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.

Columbiq

I am writing to request your prayers for Colombia, my country. At this moment frightful things are happening, a great diabolical shadow is cast over this nation.

The Constitutional Court in a tyrannical way has decriminalized the crime of abortion in Colombia, even up to six months. This is an illegitimate process, the court is legislating, something that is not within the competence of the judges, on the other hand the issue of abortion was a cause judged in 2006, which is why it should not be judged again in 2022. But socialist groups, international elites, social engineers and feminist groups have not given up on the issue. They want to traffic in death.

The candidate of the extreme left Gustavo Petro is close to become the president of Colombia, this is a man who in his youth was a guerrilla criminal, a vile and despicable man who has always served the interests of drug trafficking, he was an advisor to Chavez who implanted Communism in Venezuela, his second home is Communist Cuba.

The same court approved the movement of Gustavo Petro called: la Colombia Humana, it gave him the status of a political party, with this, he has the possibility of getting to introduce at least 15 congressmen, basically he is close to kidnapping all the powers, he already has the judicial power in his pocket, he only lacks the executive and the legislative. We are close to the precipice, we trust in a miracle of God.

We hope you support us with your prayers, I will ask the brothers to pray unceasingly so that in his mercy we will be saved from these perverse men. God bless you and keep you in all things.

Your servant in Christ,

Bishop José Antonio Rios

Armed Forces & Contractors

Dustin (USAF – Stateside), SGT 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 – Headquarters, Virginia), Ethan (US Army Airborne – Southwest Asia), Lourie DeBoer (NTPS Patuxent River, Maryland) Nyah Thomas (USAF-Keesler AFB, Louisiana)

For Our Country

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

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

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

Persecuted

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

Thanksgiving

Kai Mandella gives thanks for his recovery from Covid.

Hap gives thanks for his recovery from Covid.

Tricia gives thanks for her recovery from Covid.

Shamu gives thanks for recovery from Covid.

Rev Yves Mera and his wife give thanks for recovery from Covid.

Rev Eddie Pressey from St. George’s Anglican Church of Ventura gives thanks for recovery from Covid.

Bishop David Pressey from St. George’s Anglican Church of Ventura gives thanks for recovery from Covid.

Lynn and Katie Hall give thanks for recovery from Covid.

Amy Jamieson gives thanks for recovery from Covid.

Hope and Ralph DeLong give thanks for recovery from Covid.

Coming Up – The near future, as well as Next Sunday

1 January 2024 – Circumcision of Christ– 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

6 January 2024 – The Epiphany– Morning Prayer – Service start time 1000 (10:00 am); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 0945 (9:45 am); Time 1000 (10:00 am); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

7 January 2024 – First Sunday after the Epiphany– 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] This is the Trilemma of Jack Lewis in Mere Christianity – I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

[2] Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, the cancer can be managed successfully in many patients for years; the average life expectancy is 4 years. However, some people beat the odds and live 10 to 20 years or more. The most common cause of death related to multiple myeloma is infection, with pneumonia being the most common fatal infection. Other common causes of death are bleeding (from low platelet counts), complications of bone fractures, kidney failure, and blood clots in the lungs.

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