240324 AOC Sunday Report

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion

The Sunday next before Easter commonly called Palm Sunday

The Sunday next before Easter commonly called Palm Sunday, the start of “Holy Week” and a time that most people just associate with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. There is a lot more, read the report.

From the Administrative Region of Western Europe

A brief, but Memorable Trip to Madrid

20 March 2024

On the 7^th of March 2024, Bishop Jack Arnold and I embarked from Atlanta, Georgia, on what would prove a happy and fruitful visit to Madrid, Spain, for the purpose of consecrating bishops for both France and Spain.

Arriving in Madrid during the mid-morning of 8 March, we were greeted by Bishop-Elect Renato de la Jara and his delightful wife, Violeta. We were taken to the Holiday Inn Express in Getafe – a suburban town of Madrid and left to freshen up. There we met up with Bishop Djurcik (Serbia) and Bishop-Elect Mera (France). The only regret for me of the trip was suffering a mild hairline fracture of my tibia and a more considerable bruise while entering the bathtub the same morning. God gave me the comfort to continue the purpose of our visit without further problems.

Spain, and particularly, Madrid, is absolutely beautiful. The people are respectful in both dress and conduct, and the streets are spotlessly clean. I have been privileged to visit many world cities but, I must say, Madrid is far more beautiful than any. I have always wanted to visit the land of the conquistadors, and now I have done so. The Church in Spain gave us a walking tour of the City of Madrid which was comprehensive. The buildings are historic and immaculate in appearance.

There is one experience I shall never forget, and that involves the absolute luxury of the most delicious (almost divine) bowl of chocolate I have ever tasted. I am now a hard-core fan of Spanish chocolate.

We also toured the Air Museum at Getafe where I witnessed a number of aircraft for the first time though my professional career involved the training of military aviators over a span of forty years – amazing.

I have met few ministers more dedicated to the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ than +Renato and +Yves. Both gave sermons that were simple to understand, strictly biblical, expositional and without a constant resort to notes. I was inspired to hear such sermons which are quite rare in our day.

The Church at Getafe was also an inspiration. There was an ambience of warmth and love that permeated the entire services and even the preparation and conclusion of same. Bishop Renato clearly loves each and every member, and that love was reciprocated. The Church bore the marks of true family all united under the Banner of the Love of Christ.

Bishop Yves and his loving wife, Laurence, exhibited the same love and friendship the congregation reflected. Of course, Bishops Arnold, Djurcik, and I felt more than welcome – we knew we were among brothers and sisters in Christ. Bishop Djurck conferred honorariums to Bishop Hap Arnold, Bishop Mera and to our National Secretary, Cinder Carroll.

All services were conducted with the dignity and love that is expected in the worship of our King, Lord, Savior and Redeemer.

Our entourage departed on Monday, 11 March, convinced that the Lord had established independent national churches of the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide, and that these national churches would be the means by which many souls would be drawn to Christ over the coming decades and, hopefully, until the day of our Lord’s Coming.

I am grateful to Bishop Renato and Violata for such kind and considerate care of us all. My gratitude goes out to Bishop Yves Méra and Lorenz, and to Bishop Djurcik, for the wonderful fellowship we shared. I now have met face-to-face many new-found brothers and siters in Christ – Grandmother Candeleria (92 years of age, but a constant attendee at services), Sylvia, Luhana, Robert Jr/Sr, Joseph, Christian and our arduous translator, Jonathan, to name just a few.

I am especially grateful to the Rev Walter – of the Presbyterian Church – who participated in the service in spite of fears of the Lord’s wrath for participating in an Anglican service. (he chided)

I thank Bishop Hap Arnold for making our travel arrangements.

May God shower His blessings on the new Churches of Spain and France, and may our fervor fail not in future years.

Jerry L. Ogles, Presiding Bishop

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

Bishops and Wives

Jerry – Violeta – Renato – Yves – Laurence – Jack – Igor

Holy Week

The Sunday next before Easter is commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. The period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is often referred to as Holy Week. Most churchgoing people go to church on Palm Sunday, then to church on Easter Sunday. It’s a fairly uplifting time with not a lot of thinking. On Palm Sunday Jesus makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Easter Sunday there’s the joyous resurrection. What’s not to like about that?

The thing is, there is a tremendous amount that goes on between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, not all of it joyous, in fact most of it is pretty scary or sad. The beginning of the week was wonderful; in the end the week was even more wonderful. In between was a series of ups and downs the ups a little high and the downs very very deep. It is important to remember as you go through Holy Week that Jesus was in control of all the events of the week. The week starts with the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ends with the death of the Savior on the Cross and the burial of his body in the tomb. It is a week of ups and downs without parallel, the ups a little high and the downs very very deep, deep as Hell you might say, and precedes the most joyous day of the year, the Day of the Resurrection or Easter Sunday.

Jesus has a triumphant entry into the city on the First Day of the Week (Sunday); on Thursday night he celebrates the Passover with his disciples in the Upper Room, he prays and agonizes over what he knows is coming in the garden of Gethsemane; Judas betrays him early Friday morning, his most trusted disciple denies him, not once but three times before the cock crew; the Jews condemn him to Pilate who in turn orders him to be beaten and humiliated; that does not satisfy the Jews and at their request, Pilate condemns a man he knows to be innocent to a horrible death to pacify the crowd of Jews assembled by the priests; Jesus is crucified, asks John to take care of his mother and gives up the ghost; his body is taken down and buried; the disciples are dispersed and discouraged; they have listened to their Lord, but not understood.

Think of this week from the disciples’ perspective, on the first day they enter with their leader into Jerusalem in triumph; mid-week they celebrate the joyous feast of the Passover, then their leader is betrayed, defends himself not and is killed. At the time they surely could not think of this as a Holy Week and certainly not a Good Friday. Yet on the first day of the week that follows, our Lord is Risen, Risen indeed and delivers the promise of salvation in person.

It is important to remember as you go through Holy Week that Jesus was in control of all the events of the week.

What a week!

Palm Sunday

The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm leaves, along with clothing and other honors strewn along Jesus’ path as He came in to Jerusalem the first day of the week before His crucifixion. Of interest, only Jesus knew of the upcoming crucifixion, every one else, including Jews, Romans and the Christians, thought he was making a triumphant entrance in to the city to take control of things and kick the Roman occupation force out. The moon was almost full, this was the year of the Messiah according to Daniel. Jesus chose the route into the city, through the King’s Gate. The people saw Him coming and met him at the Mount of Olives. They expected Him to come in and proclaim His rule. And that He did, but not in the way the people were looking for. Those who thought of Him as Lord looked for a Kingdom of this World to be established. Sunday was a day of triumph and fulfilled the anticipation of the Jews of a day for which they had waited four centuries. The Messiah had finally come, at the time predicted by scripture. They were certain that He would free them from the burdensome and cruel yoke of Roman rule. The Jews would finally be on top of the power pyramid. They would rule the world under Him! Yet, that was not to be. The day in the temple! Holy Cow! Here their savior was throwing people out of the temple, not throwing the Romans out of Jerusalem. They were sad to learn He came not to rule this world, for that time was not yet come; He came to give them the key to eternal salvation. He came to take them from this veil of tears to a state of perfect freedom. They wanted someone to throw the Romans out and all God sent them was the key to eternal life. What a disappointment!

Monday

On Monday, Jesus preached in the Temple and further distanced Himself from the people’s vision and demonstrated God’s vision. He went in to the temple and through out the vendors selling “sacrificial” birds and animals at exorbitant cost, as well as the moneychangers, changing Roman money for Temple money dishonestly. Far from announcing Himself head of the temple, He announced they had made His Father’s house a den of thieves. Rather than working within the Jewish establishment, He over turned it!

Tuesday

Jesus and the Pharisees dispute in the Temple. He left for the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. There he delivers the “Mount of Olives Discourse”. Judas agrees to betray him to the Jewish priests for 30 pieces of silver.

Wednesday

The Sanhedrin was gathered together and decided to kill Jesus, even before Pesach if possible. In the meantime, Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. Here he was anointed on his head by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, with very expensive ointment of spikenard. Some of the disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, keeper of the purse, were indignant about this; the oil could have been sold to support the poor. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” In this case, Judas recalls to mind many politicians. Jesus reminded them of the importance of first things first and the futility of giving, rather than helping, when He said in Matthew 26.11 “For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.” Judas went to the Sanhedrin and offered them his support in exchange for silver. From this moment on Judas was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Judas spied on Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane where he came on his plan.

Maundy Thursday

At the Passover Feast, Jesus and his disciples share the “Last Supper” and He washes their feet. Jesus blesses his bread and wine as his flesh and blood and shares it with his disciples, the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. As Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Corinthians, “…the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

At this same dinner, the disciples manage to quarrel over who should be the boss of who. Jesus tells them he came in the role of a servant, as He is their master, their role is likewise that of servants. In a move designed to reveal both His knowledge aforehand and our frailty, He tells Peter that Peter will deny Him thrice fore the cock croweth, or dawn breaks. Peter, a loyal follower, denies what will be shown as clear fact. Remember the further you let yourself get from the Lord, the weaker you are. Weakness grows with the cube of the distance. Stay close.

As the dinner goes on, Jesus tells them one of them will betray Him. Not able to grasp that any of them would literally betray Him, each asks, “Is it I?” Judas knows.

Jesus tells the disciples things are heating up, counsels them to arm themselves and goes out to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. Disciples come with Him, despite their best efforts, they fall asleep. Night has long fallen, the end of the day is near by our reckoning. The end is near for Jesus here on earth. Even nearer for Judas.

Good Friday

Good Friday was the day in which Jesus was tried by the Jews, tried by Pilate, condemned, crucified, died and was buried[1]. Except in hindsight, this was not a Good Friday at all.

In the early hours before sunup, Jesus is betrayed by the “Judas Kiss” and arrested. At sunrise, he is disowned by Peter thrice before the cock croweth. When brought before Caiaphas, the Jewish High Priest, and his Council, he is condemned. He says that he will rise from death after three days.

They hand him over to the Roman authority, Pontius Pilate, who sends him to Herod (Antipas, the son of Herod the Great). Then Pilate asks the crowd who he is to pardon: a murderer, or Jesus? The crowd chooses Barabas and Jesus is sentenced to death. Pilate’s actions made famous the line, “I wash my hands of this.” While he might have attempted to wash the guilt for the murder of the world’s one truly innocent man on to the Jews, he remains the one who condemned him to death. Pilate was nothing if not a politician and bureaucrat. The condemnation was to him the simplest solution to the problem of a Jewish hierarchy’s manufactured crowd’s anger. What was the death of one Jew to him? Yet he was worried enough to attempt to wash his hands of the guilt.

Jesus is brought to Calvary, where on the “third hour” (9 am) he is crucified. He is mocked as he hangs between the Bad Thief and the Good Thief, whom he blesses. On the “sixth hour” (noon), darkness covers the land. Jesus cries out “My God, My God, hast Thou forsaken Me?”

After drinking wine, he commits his spirit to his Father and dies. Matthew reports an earthquake that destroys the Temple. Many understand now that Jesus was the Son of God. His body is taken down and anointed. He is buried in a new tomb donated by Joseph of Arimethea. This is the first day of death.

Holy Saturday

The Jewish Council remembers his vow to return and has the tomb guarded and sealed with a heavy stone. His followers stay in the “Easter Vigil”. Second day of death.

Easter Sunday

On the third day of death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary find the tomb empty, but for an angel who tells them Jesus is already resurrected and is on His way to Galilee. On their way to tell the others, Jesus appears to them. Death is conquered, the Promise delivered. Our lives from this day forward are eternal!

Think about the Week that was!

The reason Jesus came to Jerusalem at the Passover was to take the place of the yearly sacrifice by one perfect sacrifice, one time, for all time and for all mankind. His was the blood marking our door that the destroyer might pass over. The week started on a triumphant note and ended up trying to do between there were windows into the future, glimpses of the past, moments of despair, moments of terror, moments of confusion; but in the end joy and the ultimate triumph.

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 –

On Hell

[The fictional George MacDonald is speaking.] “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell choose it. Without that self-choice, there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek, find. To those who knock, it is opened.”. . .

“Hell is a state of mind—ye never said a truer word. And every state of mind, left to itself, every shutting up of the creature within the dungeon of its own mind is, in the end, Hell. But Heaven is not a state of mind. Heaven is reality itself. All that is fully real is Heavenly.”. . .

“Hell is smaller than one pebble of your earthly world: but it is smaller than one atom of this world, the Real World. Look at yon butterfly. If it swallowed all Hell, Hell would not be big enough to do it any harm or to have any taste. . . .

“A damned soul is nearly nothing: it is shrunk, shut up in itself. Good beats upon the damned incessantly as sound waves beat on the ears of the deaf, but they cannot receive it. Their fists are clenched, their teeth are clenched, their eyes fast shut. First they will not, in the end they cannot, open their hands for gifts, or their mouths for food, or their eyes to see.”

“Then no one can ever reach them?”

“Only the Greatest of all can make Himself small enough to enter Hell. For the higher a thing is, the lower it can descend—a man can sympathise with a horse but a horse cannot sympathise with a rat. Only One has descended into Hell.”

Jack Lewis

The Great Divorce

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22

For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets. Speak, Thus saith the LORD, Even the carcases of men shall fall as dung upon the open field, and as the handful after the harvestman, and none shall gather them.

Jeremiah 9:21-22

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:42

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring: men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for t he powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:25-27

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work; as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 9:4-5

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

I Corinthians 3:13

When I go down the valley of the shadow of death, and my feet touch the cold waters, I want something better than vague, high-sounding words, or the painted playthings and gilded trifles of man-made ceremonials. Give me no stone altars and would-be confessors. Give me no surpliced priests or pretended sacrifice in my bedroom. Put no man or form between me and Christ. Give me a real staff for my hand such as David had, and real meat and drink for my soul such as aged Paul felt within him, and feeling, cried, ‘I am not ashamed’ (2 Tim. 1:12). I must know distinctly whom I believe, what I believe, and why I believe, and in what manner I believe. Nothing, nothing will answer these questions satisfactorily, but thorough, downright evangelical religion. Let us make sure that this religion is our own.

JC Ryle

19^th century Anglican bishop and author

Knots Untied, p. 20

Propers

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

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

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

The Propers for today are found on Page 134-137, with the Collect first:

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called

Palm Sunday.

The Collect.

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

The Epistle came from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, starting at the Fifth Verse of the Second Chapter.

Paul reminds us if Christ, the Son of God, was obedient to God, we should so be. Also, as a result of that obedience, God hath given Jesus the name to which all of earth should bow.

ET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This morning’s Gospel comes from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter and tells the story of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and death. The Gospel was read by in parts. We all read the Crowd part together.

The normally powerful Gospel seems even more powerful when read as a play, so to speak. The crowd’s part is very hard to read as it reminds us of our dark side. If you did not make it to church today, please find someone to read this with in parts. It is an uncomfortable experience that you nonetheless should not miss.

Please read this out loud!

Parts

Reader

Jesus

Judas

Pilate

Pilate’s Wife

Crowd

Gospel of Saint Matthew

starting at the First Verse of the Twenty-Seventh Chapter

Reader: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying,

Judas: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.

Reader: And they said,

Crowd: What is that to us? see thou to that.

Reader: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said,

Crowd: It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

Reader: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying,

Pilate: Art thou the King of the Jews?

Reader: And Jesus said unto him,

Jesus: Thou sayest.

Reader: And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him,

Pilate: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Reader: And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,

Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Reader: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,

Pilate’s Wife: Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Reader: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,

Pilate: Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?

Reader: They said,

Crowd: Barabbas.

Reader: Pilate saith unto them,

Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

Reader: They all say unto him,

Crowd: Let him be crucified.

Reader: And the governor said,

Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?

Reader: But they cried out the more, saying,

Crowd: Let him be crucified.

Reader: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,

Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Reader: Then answered all the people, and said,

Crowd: His blood be on us, and on our children.

Reader: Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,

Crowd: Hail, King of the Jews!

Reader: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying,

Crowd: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Reader: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

Crowd: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Reader: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Jesus: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

Reader: that is to say,

Jesus: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Reader: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,

Crowd: This man calleth for Elias.

Reader: And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said,

Crowd: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Reader: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Moment of Silence

Reader: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying,

Crowd: Truly this was the Son of God.

Having read this, do you see yourself in the crowd? The crowd were not a random group of bad Jews, the crowd is us. There is a little or more of the crowd in each of us. Uncomfortable? Yes. But, sadly very real. Yet, if we realize this, we can act to make ourselves less of the crowd and more of the Christ. For in us each is the crowd and the crown. We chose, each of us, which it will be, crowd or crown. One simple letter of difference, yet the gap between the two is bridged only by Christ.

Jerry Ogles

Presiding Bishop

Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

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

Palm Sunday

Our Substitute

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

24 March 2024, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called

Palm Sunday.

The Collect.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

OW at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. (Matt 27:15-21)

The account of Barabbas is a stark illustration of each of us ere we came to know our Lord Jesus Christ as redeemer and Lord. Barabbas had been arrested, caught in the act of murder and sedition. He was locked away in prison awaiting his certain fate of torture on the cross. This is an exact example of each of us. We were all lost sinners, sentenced to death and awaiting our final execution on the day of Judgment. It is likely that Barabbas never came to know why he was spared, but maybe he did -God only knows. It is even possible that he later came to know the Savior so well that he could be spared the second death. We are not told the final fate of Barabbas in Scripture.

The events of that Good Friday, two thousand years ago, were fully orchestrated by the fore-ordained workings of the Holy Spirit. He works in the same knowledge and purpose in every believer’s heart. It is interesting to note that He who was guiltless of any crime or sin was pronounced innocent by the Roman Proconsul, while the condemned murderer who was guilty as charged was set free.

Beyond any merit or goodness in Barabbas, his life was spared by One who was totally innocent of his sins. So were you and I set free from the bondage of sin and death by a substitute.

We often read of Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, or David as antitypes of Christ. Very seldom do we look solemnly enough in the Mirror of God’s Word and find there antitypes of ourselves even though they are found in proliferation in God’s Word. For example, the Woman at the Well is a picture type of those who earnestly seek truth and the Water of Life. The Woman taken in Adultery is a perfect type of all of us ere we came to the Throne of Grace in Christ. Peter, in his loss of courage outside the court of the High Priest typifies us all at some point in our walk when we deny Christ either by word or deed. And we have before us, in the account of Barabbas, the perfect antitype of each and everyone of us! How so?

WE have all hated others with a hate that emerges from envy and covetousness. That is the birth of murder in our hearts whether carried to fruition or simply dormant. We have all lied, stolen something that does not belong to us either overtly, or covertly through our failure to work a solid eight hour shift for which our employer paid us in currency of the realm. We have looked longingly at some person of the opposite sex. We have many times dishonored our mothers and fathers. We have taken the Name of the Lord in vain either in profane language, or in praying in the Lord’s Name for purposes of impressing others only. So we are just as despicable in our sins as was Barabbas. In fact, prior to our being drawn powerfully by the bonds of the Holy Spirit to Christ, we were dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2) Unless you are some special kind of mortal angel (and there are none), you were a condemned sinner in the old man. (see Romans 3:23).

Dead men can do nothing good to EARN their salvation. Their spirit and heart is as silent and still as the heart of Lazarus as he lay in the tomb at Bethany. The wages of sin is death, and we were dead in our old and unwashed souls. (see Romans 6:23)

We all stood condemned on Good Friday though we had not yet breathed the Breath of Life. We were just as much in bondage and condemned to death as was poor Barabbas.

Lying in a Roman prison in the company of his fellow conspirators, Barabbas had doubtless given up all hope of pardon or reprieve. He was guilty as charged, and he faced the horrible death of crucifixion. There was absolutely no escape in the terms of the law – no provision for forgiveness under the law for the law cannot forgive by virtue of its own nature. If there had been some weakness of the law as to provision of justice, pardon might have been possible; but there was not. God’s Law, too, demands absolute justice for sin (death). Since we have all sinned, that justice will be satisfied. Since God’s Law is perfect, there are no terms for pardon. The debt must be paid! Our sins were not pardoned on Good Friday – they were satisfied under the terms of the Law by our Redeemer. He atoned for our sins and made it possible for us to be accounted righteous by the imputed righteousness of our Lord who died that day in our stead.

The story of Barabbas is parallel in its physical outcome to our own.

Barabbas lay on the cold floor of that Roman dungeon awaiting the time of crucifixion. He would have been totally startled in hearing his name called by the Captain of the Guard. Barabbas, come forth! This sounds very much like that Voice that Lazarus heard while lying on a stone-cold slab in the tomb at Bethany. Barabbas likely considered this the call to come forth for the beatings and tortuous death that typified the hours of crucifixion. He must have recoiled at that call just as many Christian fearfully recoil when the Holy Spirit plants a hook in their jaws as He draws them where they may not have wanted to go. Resist as we may, the Hound of Heaven will not lose our trail. He pesters us until we answer.

Perhaps Barabbas had to be forcefully moved from the cell for the very purpose of setting him free. His tortured mind could not comprehend the enormity of what was happening. He was confounded and confused, if I judge the man aright, when he was released by the Roman governor. He may have staggered out wondering what the meaning of this wonderful liberty was all about. He saw our Lord pronounced innocent and then sentenced to death at the consensus of the crowd incited by the conspiratorial demands of the Jewish rulers. He may have wondered, “Why am I being set free while this just man is condemned?” Or he may have had his conscience so seared with the hot iron of lust and cruelty that he merely did not care why.

Some have speculated that Barabbas was so affected by this event that he became a follower of Christ. I do admit that this conclusion is possible, but not revealed in the Word of God. For all we know, he reverted to his old, reprobate self.

Now, when I pronounce the name, Barabbas, I mean everyone reading this message. We have all sinned and would have suffered the fires of Hell were it not that we had a substitute under the law who paid our penalty. We were set at liberty, as was Barabbas, without any effort or good deeds of our own. We had nothing to do with our preciously purchased freedom. The debt was too great for any of us to pay. But it was PAID by the only one who could have been eligible to purchase our freedom and die in our stead – our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we have been drawn by that great Magnet of the Cross under the power of the Holy Spirit to the Throne of Grace, our lives will be changed and we will become new creatures. Though we may stumble and stagger, the Holy Spirit is with us to lift us up as we seek forgiveness. There may always exist tares among the wheat. The evidence will be in the fruit. The Christian character is like a sterling silver spoon. Regardless of its age and use, it will always bear the character and properties of pure silver. But those who are silver-plated are the playroom Christians – they are not truly Christians at all. With time and use, the silver plate will wear off and the baser metal will be revealed.

Which kind are you, the old Barabbas, or the Paul of the Damascus Road?

Jack Arnold

Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA

Education and Training

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

Bp Jack brings 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/ioLPSMynTsA

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 of action as recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week by a cheering crowd, many of whom would condemn Him on Good Friday. Let us start by reading today’s Collect:

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called

Palm Sunday.

The Collect.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

Consider these words from the Collect:

… thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection…

In the Collect, we acknowledge God sent His Son to be our Savior. Think about that, the Creator, Lord and Master of the Universe sent His only Son to live amongst us and not just provide us with instruction and leadership, but to give His earthly life as a one time sacrifice for our sin that we might be accounted as perfect in our final accounting, the resurrection. How much did God value His Son? Consider what Paul tells us – Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reading this, let us consider how much God valued His Son and how much He values us that He sent His Son here to teach us to guide us, to love us, and finally to give His Life for us that we might be free from the bonds of sin and death. Jesus humbled himself to a commoner’s death, and not just that of any commoner, but that of a thief. This tells us how much Jesus and God love us, that God would send His Only Begotten Son to die a horrendous death and that Jesus would under go this painful death and then the descent into Hell to save our souls from eternal bondage. If He did that for us, it is only fair that we should do our best to follow His Example and perform good actions for Him.

This thought leads directly to the Epistle which calls us to follow the example Jesus set in His actions of His Death and Resurrection, and also calls us to embody His great humility and His great patience, that we might follow the upward narrow path towards heaven and be partakers of His Resurrection. The Epistle calls us to action and follow in the example of Jesus’s great humility, humbling himself, the being who created this planet, to die for us on the cross, laying down His Life for ours, is an example we must strive to emulate in our own lives, to the best of our abilities. He has set for us the ultimate benchmark for our performance here on Earth. We will never be able to match it perfectly, but if we never try our best to follow it, we will never even get close. So let us allow the Holy Ghost to enter into our hearts and guide us to follow Christ’s example.

If we follow His Example and do our best to emulate His humility and patience, we too can be a part of His Resurrection. We will be a part of our own resurrection of sorts. To accomplish this, we have to have our selfish selves die and be replaced with the unselfish self, which we can achieve through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we need to stop our sinful behavior and replace that behavior with more Godly behavior. This is easier said than done, but it can be accomplished with the help of the Holy Ghost. Without His Help it will be impossible to accomplish. So let us ask Him into our hearts that we might renew our spirit and become New Men. We will find our lives improve remarkably as a result of our transformation into the New Men. Not only will our lives improve, but it will be a big help to those around us as well. So let us cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, allow the Holy Ghost to guide us in our actions and become the New Men that Paul talks about.

Jesus set the ultimate standard for us to following God’s will. His entire ministry can be described as actions. He physically lived His Message. His Message can clearly be seen through His Actions. We need to do as He did and show by our actions that we serve Him. He did not just say nice words and do nothing, He backed up those words with actions. We are called to do likewise. Action, not just diction is what counts in the end and we must always remember that and strive to follow His Example.

Jesus knew ahead of time where, how and when He would die. He even told His followers this, but they could not understand as they did not have the Holy Ghost within them to help them comprehend what He said. He knew with a 100 percent certainty it was going to be a physically and spiritually painful death, Yet, He also knew this was God’s Will that we might live. If He did this for you, how can you not follow Him wherever His Will takes you? And remember His Example, of acting even if it means the death of your temporal body. His Example that He has left to us to follow is that of Action. And like Him, we may have to die for our faith but rest assured that death will have a reward of eternal life. That takes away the threat of physical pain and death to us, as our souls will live on in Eternity and will go to Heaven where Jesus has prepared a place for each and every one of us that has done their best to follow Him.

Recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on this day so many years ago. Only Jesus knew of the upcoming crucifixion; everyone else, including Jews, Romans and His followers, thought he was making a triumphant entrance in to the city to take control of things and kick the Roman occupation force out. It was almost a full moon, this was the year of the Messiah according to Daniel. The natural events were lining up as Scripture had predicted which preceded the arrival of the Messiah. Jesus chose the route into the city, through the King’s Gate. The people saw Him coming and met him at the Mount of Olives. When He came in through the King’s Gate, the people were expecting to see their future earthly king. They did not have the Holy Ghost within them to see His true nature. However, they were incorrect, who they were seeing was and is their heavenly king. Jesus had no intentions of establishing a Kingdom of this World. He was looking for followers for the Kingdom of the Next World, of Heaven.

This World is only temporary, but the Next World is of Eternity. What ever trinkets we might acquire on Earth will never measure up to the gift that Jesus bought for us by His Death on the Cross and subsequent Resurrection. We must always keep that in mind whenever we are tempted by earthly trinkets. It is a gift of great joy, the fact is we should be by all rights dead and headed for the pit, instead headed to a kingdom of joyfulness and laughter and all pleasant things, and a world that will be far better than our pitiful shadowland here. This is indeed the most valuable of all gifts we will ever receive in our lifetime.

As an aside the Chief Priests, who had so much invested in their 613 laws, likely searched far and wide for the crowd to convict Jesus of the crimes they imagined against their system. We need to remember that not all of the Jews wanted Jesus executed, just those in power and those that followed them. It is an easy mistake to make that many other Christians have made. They have not seen that it was not all Jews and not only that, they were representative of all of humanity, not just the Jewish people. The system that they followed was of this world, not God’s. Remember, there are none so blind as those who will not see. They were in the darkness, thus they could and would not see what was being shown to them because it would interfere with their comfortable way of living. A new way that asked of them, no demanded of them, accountability unto God for their actions. Know the crowd was not a self-forming group naturally set on condemning Jesus, but a handpicked gang. At the same time, many of those in the crowd who condemned Him the morning of Good Friday were in the crowd that welcomed Him to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What a difference five days can make.

Make no mistake, we are that crowd. And, like Pilate, no matter what we say, we cannot wash our hands of the responsibility. Thus, we must separate ourselves from the crowd. Separate, that is to make ourselves holy, set aside.

When the time comes, 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.

Palm Sunday

Sunday next before Easter

24 March 2024

Thy King cometh…having salvation….

Psalm 24 & 97 • Zechariah 9:9-12 • Mark 11:1-11

The Sunday next before Easter, commonly called

Palm Sunday.

The Collect.

¶ This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

The first day of Lent, commonly called
Ash Wednesday.

The Collect.

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Sunday next before Easter falls within the period of the church calendar known as Passiontide.

This period, not widely observed by many churches today, focuses on the intense period of the last days of Christ’s earthly ministry. This would include his last days of life before his brutal death, one that he willingly went to Jerusalem to face.

What is amazing about Passiontide is how Jesus calmly faced his impending brutal execution by the most cruel means devised by mankind up to this time. He knows he will be abandoned by his friends of three and a half years, he will be beaten, scourged, mocked, face a hateful crowd of his own people, and yet he would continue this path with utmost calm. It is during this period we will read where several more prophecies will be fulfilled concerning Christ’s true mission. He was/is the promised Messiah, the Savior of mankind, as God foretold, not Hebrew tradition wanted the Messiah to arrive.

The Old Testament reading from the prophet Zechariah is an excellent example. …behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon the colt the foal of an ass.

He is a king, the king of the people of Zion, of Jerusalem, and yet he comes to his own in the most lowly and humble way possible; riding on a donkey. And yet even though he comes in such humility look at what he will do. He destroys the capacity to do war and most importantly he proclaims peace. Not just peace to they who live in Jerusalem, but from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth.

Christianity, in its truest form, teaches peace. Yes, there is the ever present struggle with evil and with those who oppose Christ and his Church, and yet in spite of this turmoil, the individual believer can have peace.

Remember the words And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus?

What may have helped convert the unbeliever in the early church years was this peace that those who were being killed for following the WAY or Christianity projected as they were being led away to their deaths. Many understood that there had to be something more than just a profession of the faith, there was this inner peace that could be seen on the faces of the condemned. How many of us could do that today?

In our New Testament reading from Mark we can find a number of Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled. Along with the aforementioned passage from Zechariah, there are also references to this event in Isaiah 62:11, Ps 118:26, Malachi 3:1.

These are just a few of the dozens of passages found in the Old Testament that either foreshadow or outright predict the coming of the Messiah.

If we think back to the presentation of the Christ child at the temple, there were several senior citizens who knew, by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, who this child was, Simeon and Anna. Remember the prayer of John the baptizer’s father, Zacharias, …blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, the prayer continues from Luke 2: 68-79.

Now let us see what the prophet David wrote about this coming King and Savior.

In our psalm today, the opening is describing the kingdom of the Lord.

What does this description entail? The earth, the sea, the entirety of the earth, created by God, is His. It is his and he made it. His hands prepared the dry lands…the sea is his and he made it… Do you see a common thread here?

This is God’s creation, this all belongs to Him.

The next several verses of this psalm describe both Christ and his followers; those who can approach God. Those who can ascend the hill of the Lord. Christ the Lord can because it is his, we can because Christ died for our sins and gives us access to that holy hill. What is on that holy hill? Blessings from the Lord and most importantly, the salvation of God for his people.

The last four verses can describe what was happening on that day so many years ago, when Christ entered the city of Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, to the cries of Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Who is this King of glory? THE LORD, STRONG AND MIGHTY.

Who is this King of glory? THE LORD OF HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY!!!

Without a doubt David is pointing down through the ages to that time when the King of glory would enter the city in triumph and yet this triumph was not the kind we as humans originally desired or understood.

The real triumph was the next step in the overthrowing of Satan and his dominion. This is the fulfilment of the promise made to Eve in the Garden after the Fall.

Christ in His death, burial, and glorious resurrection was going to overthrow Satan, Death, and all that since Adam had separated us from the Father.

This is the Good News. Christ came to claim his own. Let us make sure we tell others that his sacrifice was for them. This most sacred season of the church should not entail bunnies, chocolate, or colored eggs. The true message of this time of the year is Christ came to save sinners. Let us go and proclaim the truth of Easter.

Let us pray:

GOD, who hast prepared for those who love Thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee, that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GOD, who hast made all those that are born again in Christ to be a royal and priestly race; Grant us both the will and the power to do what Thou commandest; that all Thy people may have the same faith in their hearts, and the same piety in their actions; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Comfort of the sad, the Strength of sufferers, let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come unto Thee; that all may rejoice to find that Thy mercy is present with them in their afflictions; through Christ our Lord. 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.

HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

✟

Yves M. Méra

Presiding Bishop – AOC France

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.

Jesus, Suffering Servant

Palm Sunday

24 March 2024

One week before Easter, on Palm Sunday, the Church commemorates the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to redeem us from our sins. It anticipates Good Friday, for those who would not be able to participate in the celebrations of Holy Week, but only on Sundays.

Today’s Epistle exhorts us to unity: … Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:2); it invites us to humility … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (v.3), to the love of one’s neighbor Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (v. 4), and to the imitation of Jesus Christ: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (v.5). Let us be reassured, Paul is not asking us to die on a cross: Jesus did it once for all, for all the elect of the Eternal Father. Paul only invites us not to boast in anything, since the only merit we could have boasted of was acquired by an Other, the All-Other, God Himself.

However, Jesus commands us to carry our cross (Luke 9:22-24): The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day… If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. What does this mean but denying oneself in order to serve God and our neighbor, to have as much compassion for the suffering of Christ on the cross as He had for the sick, the crippled, and the devil-possessed? If Jesus renounced everything by becoming a man like us, renouncing even His own life for the sheep His Father has entrusted to Him, then our life no longer belongs to us. We are servants of each other and of God, without ever compromising. I’d rather die martyr than betray Jesus. And martyrdom is not an occasion to glorify ourselves, but to bear witness to our faith and hope in God who raises the dead. Martyrdom is not for our own benefit but for the edification of others (for we know that we are already saved, if we firmly believe in Jesus Christ).

This is so true that if Jesus is glorified in heaven (v. 9): Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, we too will be glorified in the same heaven (John 14:2-3): In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also

And if Heaven will resound with the praise of the elect, hell will also rustle with the praise of the damned! (vv. 10-11): That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. But for the damned, it will be too late to repent. From the fire of hell, under the earth their praise will consist in this: God is righteous and holy, He does not tolerate our sins, and He is right not to allow Himself to be defiled by us who are unrepentant, unclean sinners. We have what our sins have earned us, and that is only justice. God is perfect in everything He does, and His righteousness is perfect.

Paul forbids us to question the Gospel; he commands us (v.2): Fulfil ye my joy Let’s not argue over details like many churches that do preach their peculiarities rather than God’s Word. They are misguided churches, as Paul himself tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified Preachers after the heart of God and Paul are recognized by the fact that they preach Jesus crucified, not their opinions. And this is what the Gospel for Palm Sunday tells us.

The Gospel

You’ve heard it read. It is quite long and clear in itself. Don’t worry, I’m not going to read it again. However, four points should be highlighted:

God is not the author of evil. Evil does not come from God but from man, influenced by devils. In this peculiar case, the evil came from the treachery of Judas, combined with the greed and jealousy of the priests of the Temple of Jerusalem. This is what we read in the previous chapter of Our Lord’s Passion (Matthew 26:14-16): Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him It was because of Judas that Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane and taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, to be misjudged and ill-treated; Seeing this, Peter disowned. He had not yet seen the superpower of the Resurrection, that central event of the Christian faith which we celebrate every Sunday, that event that gave him the strength and courage to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified for our sins and risen again to show that we are forgiven, whitewashed, justified and glorified in Heaven. But Judas repented (Matthew 27:3-5): Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself

Does this mean that Judas is forgiven? Not at all, for not only immediately after his repentance he indulged in a mortal sin by committing suicide, of which he had no time to repent, but his betrayal constitutes a sin against the Spirit, Who told him that Jesus Christ was the incarnate Son of God. Judas knew it. His betrayal is therefore an unforgivable sin, for he lied to the priests and made a liar of the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:30-32): He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The Spirit of God is in fact the One who teaches us the Truth of the Holy God by reminding us of all that God tells us in the Sacred Scripture, the Word of God, fully revealed, inspired, without error, the only source of faith and morals: the Bible. And concerning Judas, Christ is very clear (Matthew 26:24): The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born, even though Judas, by betrayal, fulfilled the prophecy. It is better to die than to betray. And what was this prophecy? We read it in Mark 10:33: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles Jesus is treated like a hot potato passed from hand to hand, because sinners are filled with wholesome fear of Him.

The ignorant pagans are neither worse nor better than we are. We all are sinners. Pilate is the archetype: He condemns Innocent Jesus with full knowledge of the facts (v.23): And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? I am not sure Pilate does care about his neighbor. Pilate thinks only of Pilate, of his advancement, of his career. He keeps out of trouble and opens the umbrella; as a state official, which he was, Pilate condemns innocent Christ to a horrible death but holds himself responsible but not guilty. (vv. 24, 26b): When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. You must admit Pilate does not shine by the consistency of his decisions! In the same way, human respect tends to make us fear men rather than God, and to defend our reputation rather than the truth that is in Christ Jesus.

Even the Israelites, who pride themselves on being Abraham’s descendants, mock Christ, as do the Gentiles (vv. 31,41-42,44): And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him… Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him … The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth There is no one who can redeem the other. Christ alone knows how, and can redeem sinners.

Let us be afraid of repenting of our sins too late. See how the pagan Roman soldiers were the first to repent of their work of death: (v. 48): And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink This is a work of compassion as Paul invites us to do. This soldier cares about others. He denies his own reputation with his colleagues by taking the side of a convict. He even risks a severe penalty if he goes too far. And his example is soon followed by the whole company (v. 54): Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, truly this was the Son of God In an irony from the Holy Ghost, the executioners of Jesus Christ are the first to realize the true identity of Our Savior. He is the Son of God Almighty. But it is too late to set Jesus free and save Him from dying. And they will always carry on their consciences the guilt of having executed an innocent man, and not just any innocent person, since He is the Almighty God. Thus, they will bear their cross until they die in their turn, just as we bear the guilt of our sins as a cross in the moral sense, until the risen Christ frees us from them by the grace of faith.

And the resurrection of the dead begins as soon as Christ dies, in verses 52-53: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many Is that you, granny? Is that you, Bob? Just as those first resurrected – before Christ – join Lazarus and the others whom the Lord Jesus Christ brought back to life, so we too will recover our bodies in perfect health in a glorified nature, we will be reunited with those who are dear to us, for God is not the God of the dead but of the living.

Finally, we must not wait for the final resurrection to put ourselves at the service of God and other believers, as Paul invites us to do. The holy women had been in the service of Jesus and the Apostles for several years (v. 55): And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him And they were not alone (v.57): When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple came to pay the last homage to our Lord by conferring on him funeral honors and a dignified burial, in his own vault (vv. 59-60): And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed The Gospel does not say where Joseph went to. One thing is certain: he was never buried in his own vault, where he had laid the body of Christ crucified, because after the resurrection of Our Lord, this vault has remained empty to this day. Legend has it that he died in Britain, a land Christianized by his own ministry. In Rome, the first Christians became funeral entrepreneurs: while serving others, they thus had an excuse to hide themselves in the catacombs and serve our Lord there by the worship they paid to Him in secret, in the time of persecution against the Church.

Brothers and sisters, you know what lies ahead: Christ will raise us up and take us with Him. Let us have confidence: Our Almighty Savior will have the last word in History. Let us only believe and act for the common good. This is all that God expects of us. 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.

Palm Sunday

In today’s gospel (Matthew 27:1-54) we were given the exchange between Judas Iscariot and the chief priests and elders. Their response to his admission that he had betrayed innocent blood was telling: What is that to us? Having paid Judas to hand our Lord over to them, they then refused even to provide a comforting rationalization for him. They cast him off like an old shoe for they were as eager to be rid of him as they were to get rid of Jesus of Nazareth.

Now it is often that on Palm Sunday you might hear a message about the great reception our Lord received upon entering the city of Jerusalem. The waving of the palms, the hosannas, the fulfilling of the prophetic message of his triumphal entry prior to the Last Supper, are the usual and customary messages that you are likely to hear from the pulpits on this day.

But our church lectionary also presents an account of our Lord’s betrayal and crucifixion. In the words of an old law school associate, ‘How quickly they turn’ holds true in this situation. For the praises of the people soon turned to Crucify him! and His blood be on us and on our children! as he was led away from the judgment seat of Pilate to a humiliating death on the cross at Calvary. Even his betrayer felt some remorse over what he had done; but such was not a saving confession. And such is not an uncommon response on the part of the unregenerate of today. True enough, they are human beings, and may be saddened over their evil deeds, but not so much as to bring them to true repentance. And so the end for them will be the same as our Lord’s betrayer in that they too will face an eternal separation from God’s grace after they die.

Now we understand that even regenerated people in Christ are hardly free from evil thoughts, acts and influences. And if we are truthful, we all have been induced to say any number of things in weak and trying moment because we fell under demonic influence. The flesh is truly weak indeed, but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ. Though we may sin, our new natures will also have us endeavor to be reconciled with God through humble confession and repentance in the name of our Saviour. For it is by the Holy Spirit of God that we are prompted to draw near and kneel before the cross of Christ— laying our sins and trespasses at his feet that he would release us from them through the shed blood of his sacrifice. But the unregenerate cannot now, nor ever will come to Christ apart from a confession to God the Father in his most holy name.

So when we take stock of what the Bible teaches us, we see that while our Lord was welcomed into Jerusalem with palms and shouts of hosannas, this was not a welcome in the ordinary or usual sense. When we welcome people into our homes, we meet them at the door and express our gladness at their arrival. We will usher them inside for a meal, or other function, but certainly not to kill them. In Satan’s eyes, our Lord was being welcomed to his death and this he knew only too well. The ignorance of those who cheered his entry does not excuse the malicious calls for his death a mere twenty-four hours later. My how the Devil can turn the hearts of men from love to hate, from peace to violence and in such a short space of time. And we should not be at all surprised that the evil one has such influence over base humanity. As EM Bounds once observed, “… the world is in the power of the Devil…” He thus controls the minds and hearts of its unregenerated inhabitants, directing them in such a manner that masks his very existence. Paul once noted the unregenerate were incontinent, that is, without self- control which accounts for the two distinctly different attitudes of the people from that Thursday of our Lord’s triumphful entry to his agony and persecution on Good Friday.

The Chief priests and scribes were satisfied with the outcome of events on Good Friday. They likely said to themselves, ‘Jesus is gone. He is out of our hair. He belongs to the lower world now.’ But O how things changed for them in less than two days’ time. With the resurrection, they were faced with the empty tomb and all that such entailed. The poor rabbi of Nazareth was now being proclaimed as the Risen Lord, the Christ, who had defeated death. But Satan’s hold on them remained strong for there is little evidence in the Scripture that many of them turned unto the Lord afterward. Their heartless comment to Judas Iscariot will be evidence against them on Judgment Day: with our Lord’s final words to them: What are you to me? Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never knew you. So, let us not live out lives in a manner which would place us before the bar of God’s justice only to hear such from him. Let it be that we might hear from him only, Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of thy Lord.

Let us pray,

ATHER, put within our hearts a desire for fellowship with thee which is not marred by a reluctant and recalcitrant heart; that through our humble confession in the name of thy dear Son, we might receive a full and complete pardon; and that afterwards, we might have the courage and zeal to go forward in faith, leading others to do the same; for this we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Bryan+

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

Why? Prayer is an extremely important activity.

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

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

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

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

What is the commitment from the prayer team?

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

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

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

What should I ask for?

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

Updating the Team

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

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

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

Corona Virus

Alan Ridenour’s father was hospitalized on a ventilator with Covid. After almost two months in the hospital, he has recovered to the point he has been released to home. Please join the family in a prayer of thanksgiving and for a full recovery.

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

Bishops Jerry, Jack, Igor are on travel to Madrid to consecrate Yves and Claudio and to bring Yves, joining them from France with his wife, and Claudio, of Madrid, fully into the AOC Worldwide Communion this Thursday, returning on Monday. Please pray for safe travel and for God to guide all decisions to be made there. We will have a full report on their return.

Birthdays

Paul Martin celebrated his 73^rd birthday on 24 February 2024.

Greg Harper celebrated his 68^th birthday on 24 February 2024.

Dru Arnold celebrated her 69^th birthday on 2 February 2024, she did not see her shadow, so there will be six more weeks of winter. That is not so bad in Descanso, California.

Anniversary

Dru and Hap Arnold celebrated their 37^th anniversary on 21 February 2024.

Departed

Marko Peršić. stepfather of Bishop Igor Djurcik, passed away on 11 February 2024, at the age of 66. He was an example of a true father, who accepted Igor as his own child. Marko was baptized as a child and Bishop Jerry confirmed him in 2014. He was a strong pillar of the congregation in Stara Pazova. Pray Igor, his family, friends and church members believe in their hearts even while they mourn now, they will meet again when time and pain will be as nothing.

Immediate Prayer Please

Candelaria (Candy) has problems with her legs. Her daughter Silvia and her granddaughter Luhana would appreciate you joining them in prayer for the problems to be resolved.

Howard ‘BlueBodenhamer underwent tumor removal surgery on his nose which involved major facial cutting to make things right. It seems the surgery went well and he is recovering, he has a couple more surgeries to get things correct. Please give thanks for the apparent good result and pray things continue will. Give Blue and his lovely wife SueEllen peace of mind and patience during the recovery.

John, has multiple medical issues, diabetes, stomach problems, needs his gall bladder removed and now after two deep biopsies have found he has prostate cancer. They will be treating him with a new procedure not requiring radiation or chemotherapy. Pray that the doctor will be able to schedule this soon, to enable the Gall bladder removal.

Sonnie, 87, John’s mother with whom he lives, has been on oxygen for some time due to severe COPD and is experiencing breathing difficulties despite the oxygen 24/7.

Jim is experiencing two bacterial sinus infections so severe that it landed him in the ER and with an ENT doctor, who has prescribed a serious antibiotic regimen with severe side effects. He must take these antibiotics for two months. It is affecting his stomach, energy levels, concentration and vision. Please pray the Lord may use this time of healing medicine for Jim’s healing and the Lord’s glory. Pray Jim may stay the course with a complete recovery.

Christine Savarese had a seizure just after Christmas 2023. Testing found a brain tumor which upon removal was found to be malignant. She and her husband Gennaro are truly terrified of the near future. Please pray for peace of mind and soul for them and their two daughters, and for the medical team treating her that they might pay attention, do their very best and be open to God’s guidance. Pray also for what we desire as a good result.

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.

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

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 as they deal with her recovery and the loss of her husband Marko.

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 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 removed 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.

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. has gotten some relief from the headache from a Botox injection series, may that continue. Please 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 38 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.

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

Lee, late 60’s, has attended church all of his life, but has fallen afar from Jesus. He is in a nursing home with late stages ALS. Bishop Dennis is meeting with him weekly to help him back. Lee has run out of the ability to bear pain and would like to leave. Please pray Dennis will be able to help him home, not somewhere else.

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.

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 the Holy Ghost might enter more fully into their hearts so 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

Zetta’s second surgery biopsy was benign and the other worrisome suspected lesion responded to “freezing” and fell off a few days ago (she call it a miracle) She will begin 6-month follow-up visits to keep watch.Thanks for all the prayers

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

25 March 2023 – Monday in Holy Week– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

26 March 2023 – Tuesday in Holy Week– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

27 March 2023 – Wednesday in Holy Week– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

28 March 2023 – Maunday Thursday– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

29 March 2023 – Good Friday– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

30 March 2023 – Holy Saturday– Evening Prayer – Service start time 1800 (6:00 pm); welcome or gathering songs before the service at 1745 (17:45 am); Time 1800 (6:00 pm); Location – 10603 Burrell Way, Descanso, CA

31 March 2023 – Easter Sunday – 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] The tomb was a new one which had been hewn for Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph, a native of Arimathea, was apparently a man of wealth, and probably a member of the Sanhedrin an “honourable counsellor, who waited (or “was searching”) for the kingdom of God”, according to John, he was secretly a disciple of Jesus. As soon as he heard the news of Jesus’ death, he “went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.” Pilate, reassured by a centurion that the death had really taken place, allowed Joseph’s request. Joseph immediately purchased fine linen and went to Golgotha to take the body down from the cross. There, assisted by Nicodemus, he took the body and wrapped it in the fine linen, sprinkling it with the myrrh and aloes that Nicodemus had brought. The body was then conveyed to the new tomb in rock in his garden nearby. There they laid it, in the presence of Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other women, and rolled a great stone to the entrance, and departed. This was done speedily, “for the Sabbath was drawing on”. Joseph of Arimathea appears in some early New Testament apocrypha.

Although there are no written records until the fifth century, tradition holds Joseph of Arimethea, who provided the tomb for the burial of Jesus Christ, brought Christianity and the Holy Grail to England in 37 AD and built a church in Glastonbury in Somerset.

[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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