240421 AOC Sunday Report

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion

Third Sunday after Easter Sunday Report

Today is the Third Sunday after Easter; the Easter season is five Sundays, the last of which, the Fifth Sunday after Easter, is commonly called Rogation Sunday. Like every day, today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, Christ the Lord IS Risen today!

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 –

The Fate of the Country

The America of my time line is a laboratory example of what can happen to democracies, what has eventually happened to all perfect democracies throughout all histories. A perfect democracy, a ‘warm body’ democracy in which every adult may vote and all votes count equally, has no internal feedback for self-correction. It depends solely on the wisdom and self-restraint of citizens… which is opposed by the folly and lack of self-restraint of other citizens. What is supposed to happen in a democracy is that each sovereign citizen will always vote in the public interest for the safety and welfare of all. But what does happen is that he votes his own self-interest as he sees it… which for the majority translates as ‘Bread and Circuses.’

‘Bread and Circuses’ is the cancer of democracy, the fatal disease for which there is no cure. Democracy often works beautifully at first. But once a state extends the franchise to every warm body, be he producer or parasite, that day marks the beginning of the end of the state. For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in its weakened condition the state succumbs to an invader—the barbarians enter Rome.

Robert A. Heinlein

Novelist and Naval Officer

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:5

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:44

Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.

Matthew 19:4

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13

Laws

When an anarchist [liberal] is poor he breaks laws; when he is rich he makes them. In neither case does he ever dream of obeying them.

GK Chesterton

19^th and 20^th century English writer and commentator

The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

20^th century American president and general officer

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary…

Isaiah 50:4

But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:6

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke 21:36

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:17

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13

History

History is what happened, not what someone says happened after changing the narrative to what they wish happened. Those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. Why do you think so much math is taught in school and so little history?

Bp LTC Hap Arnold

Why History is Important

Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

George Orwell

1984

The descent to hell is easy and those who begin by worshipping power, will soon worship evil.

CS Lewis

20^th Century English Christian Apologist and Author

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 173-174, with the Collect first:

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

LMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Epistle for today came from the Second Chapter of the First Epistle of Saint Peter beginning at the Eleventh Verse. Peter tells us to live a good life, to follow the directions Jesus left us, to make ourselves positive examples of citizen to others, to be leaders of our community, drawing people towards God. To live out the life Jesus commanded, to do nothing to draw ill repute on the Word of God. To be truly free and follow freedom to where God wants us to be, not to Donkey Island, where false freedom takes so many.

EARLY beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Today’s Gospel came from the Sixteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Sixteenth Verse.

Jesus warns his disciples of the events about to unfold. He is to be taken from them shortly by the painful death on the Cross for our redemption. He will not be with them here on earth. Yet, after three days time He will Rise from death, having overcome death for us. When He is gone from us we are sorrowful, just like the disciples. He came back from death for us. And yet He was to leave again, yet not be gone from us as the Father would send the Holy Ghost to make His abode in our hearts and bring Jesus to us.

ESUS said to his disciples, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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.

Sermon Notes

Third Sunday after Easter

Christ and His Church

Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

21 April 2024, Anno Domini

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

The Collect

Even at the moment of the Resurrection of Christ, the spirit of anti-Christ was afoot. Roman guards were bribed to conceal the truth of what happened at the Garden Tomb before sunrise on Easter morning. Institutions, even the Churches, that draw their power and influence from political man, are a part and portion of that spirit of anti-Christ. The focus of our Collect for this week centers on a plea against error and darkness.

There is a church in Pensacola called the Brownsville Assembly of God Church at which the Korean preacher, Cho Yonggi, spoke in the 1990s and predicted a great revival. Cho, not noted for his faithfulness to biblical truth, did correctly forecast an event that lasted a few years there and which was ‘called’ a revival by its adherents. There was a lot of spirit observed in their revival (at which it is estimated more than four million people attended) to the detriment of biblical truth. Men were being led about on all fours by a leash. Why? Because the Holy Spirit, they say, told them to act like a dog! On one occasion, a woman came to the microphone and said, “I know some of you will think I am crazy, but the Holy Spirit told me to do this.” She then began to howl like a wolf into the microphone – I am NOT kidding, I have it on VHS tape. Certain men were assigned as blanketeers. They would stand by with blankets to cover the modesty of women rolling about on the floor. It is clear that a spirit had moved these people to this state of delusional ecstasy, but it certainly was not the Holy Spirit of which I read in Holy Scripture. The so-called ‘Brownsville Revival’ has run its course and the men who initiated the false revival have moved on to the next nest of suckers who will believe their lies.

So is this phenomenon relegated to the past only? Not hardly. How many silly women and naïve men are being deceived today by books claiming that someone has gone to heaven or hell and returned to tell us about it? Paul gives profound warning of this delusional aspect of error: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim 3:1-7) The deception of those who read such light-headed drama is not innocent, but deliberate. They choose to believe a lie over and above the Word of God. This places their very souls in jeopardy. Did not Mother Eve do the same?

God does reveal to those who seek in earnest, His absolute Truth! He revealed it to Adam and Eve, and they disregarded that truth and brought death and sin upon – not only human race – but the world at large. ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth. It is amazing to me, and even shocking, that those who are in error and claim to be sound Bible believers will accept the word of a fictional writer over that of clear biblical proofs. The reason is simple: they prefer to believe the fantasy before they will believe the truth. Beware, again, the words of Paul: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ⁸And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: ⁹Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹²That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess 2:7-12)

For what purpose does God reveal the Light of Truth to those who are in error? “…..to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness.” If deceitful men and books have led a man or woman away from the path of truth, surely they will believe once the error is pointed out to them, won’t they? Often they do not because they prefer the lie to the truth. To those who love truth to the exclusion of popular fantasies, that truth will always bring again to understanding truth.

There are two points of purpose that should govern the thoughts and actions of a Christian:

Possessing such knowledge and understanding of truth so as to recognize and AVOID error.Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession.

Possessing such truth and wisdom of God’s Word in our hearts so that we order our lives in the very way of that righteousness in truth described by God in His Word. “….and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same.” Of course, we are enabled to do these things “…through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

How is it possible that we sit under Godly preaching and worship, Sunday after Sunday, repeating the prayers of the Collects and, yet, have no intention of being faithful to those prayers we have uttered collectively?

Is this not taking the Name of the Lord in vain if we pray with false intention and motive? Do we really mean it when we pray the Lord’s Prayer?

Do we REALLY desireHIS will to be done, or do we tenaciously hold to a lie and follow our own wills in deception of truth?

Do weReally seek only our daily bread, or do we seek the bread of others to add to our own?

Are we truly repentant in seeking His forgiveness of our sins?

Have we turned from them? If so, have we followed the corollary of the prayer to forgive others in like manner in which God has forgiven us?

Do we truly glorify God with our minds, heart, body, and spirits?

If we recognize the Lord as the awesome and almighty Savior that He is, why do we follow silly fantasies that add to, or take away, from the Word of God?

I am becoming disillusioned, not so much by unbelievers of the world as, with professed believers who disregard the Word of God and live and act with flagrant disregard for that Word. But I recognize my obligation, and the obligation of every clergyman and laity to persist in teaching, in rebuking, and in edifying the Church.

AM come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. 2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. 5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. 6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is a bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song 5:1-6, 14-16)

The Sermon

The Song of Solomon is a beautiful story of Christ and His Church. It is written in metaphor and parable. It reveals the intimacy of expression and deep love which Christ has for His Church and which His Church should have for Him.

“I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse:” Sadly, we often doubt the presence of Christ with us. He loves His Bride so much, and us individually, that He cannot let us out of His sight. How can we allow His presence to go without acknowledgement. Is it possible, when we need Him most, He is right beside us as He was to Mary Magdalene at the Tomb, the two travelers on the Road to Emmaus, and the fearful disciples aboard the ship on the stormy Galilean Sea? So, He must announce He has come to us! In fact, He often stands at the door and knocks while we remain oblivious to His coming. In speaking to the churches of Revelations, He says, “I stand at the door and knock.” (Rev 3:20). Unfortunately, that places Him OUTSIDE – not INSIDE – the greater number of churches.

“I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” He has done all required for the dowry of His Bride. He has received the myrrh of the burial and the sweet spices of His resurrection. Because He has drunk His wine (Cup of Suffering) with His milk (Morning Joy), He insist the entitlement for us to do so as well, for all that is His is all of His Bride’s, too. We are ‘beloved’ to Him. What a special title we have from such an exalted Lord and King.

“I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, andmy locks with the drops of the night.” The Bride is not so watchful as the Groom. She sleeps while He has suffered the dews of the night. But she does, indeed, hear His Voice and knows the Voice. And the Bride is not only a Bride, but a Sister as well. “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” (Luke 8:21)

“I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?” What deplorable excuses the Church makes to cover its unwillingness to bear the cross. It is not convenient! It is not the proper time! I have been sleeping and need rest to regain my bearings? Today’s church is quick to act on matters involving power and pelf, yet slow to do those things necessary to nurture wisdom and knowledge of God in her members. It is a small thing to build a two million dollar Taj Mahal, but quite a burden to put one’s self out to bring the sheaf to the barn.

“My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.” He will use His charms and His Spirit to beckon and to lure us and, yet, we still are slow to respond. If we are too slow, He will not linger at the door always. The term ‘bowels’ here is used in the same manner the term ‘heart’ is used today. Our hearts are moved for Him because His heart was first moved for us. “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).

“I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.” Too slowly does the church arise to open its door to Christ, and too often is Christ OUTSIDE the Church and not INSIDE. (Rev 3:20). Her hands are full of the myrrh of repentance, but the lock of the door is the sin that has kept Him out.

“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” The Spaniards have a beautiful name and title for Christ: “Jesus es el Senor!” or ‘Jesus is a Gentleman’. And so He is. He does not intrude where He is not welcome. We may avoid Christ to the point that He will not answer without prevailing prayer. She awoke from sleep when He called, else He would have departed for ever. Now she must be chastened for her reluctance to watch and wait.

“His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.” The precious stones mentioned are those stones of the foundation for New Jerusalem. (Rev 21:19,20). The gold rings are symbols of authority. His is tall and majestic as the Cedars of Lebanon. “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” From His mouth we have heard only kindness and loveliness. He is my Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24). He is the only One for the Church for there can be no other. She LOVES Him, and so must we all.

Perhaps we should stop to consider well what a marvelously wonderful Savior we have. He is madly in love with His Bride, the True Church. Should that love go unrequited by those who are showered with love without merit?

Jack Arnold

Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA

Education and Training

Church of the Faithful Centurion

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/JBGgwt86B1U

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 we continue to celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come. This Day of the Resurrection is when the promise of eternal life is delivered.

Let’s start by reading the Collect for today:

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

Consider these words from the Collect:

… who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same…

God is a Triune God; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. One of the Holy Ghost’s jobs is to open our souls, hearts and minds to God’s Will. One of His main functions to help us see where we are in error and how to fix those errors. Thus, open our “ears” to His Voice so we can listen and make our improvements based on His Words. He is there to guide us when we have gone astray from the path. What the Collect asks is we let the Holy Ghost in so He can change us. Without the Holy Ghost, change is impossible. Consider this quote from Jack Lewis out of Mere Christianity:

“When He said, ‘Be perfect,’ He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder—in fact, it is impossible. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”

It is clear from the above quote from CS Lewis that we cannot do things in half measures to follow God. It seems clear to me that we must give it our all with the help of the Holy Spirit. It does not matter if it is hard for us to listen to the Holy Ghost and attempt to follow His instructions, we must do it. He is our perfect instructor and if we will listen to Him, God will always provide the light to show us where “We have erred, and strayed from His ways like lost sheep. Where we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. Where we have offended against His holy laws. Where we have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done[1]…” He will shine His Light onto the dark areas in our heart and souls so we can focus on removing those evil attributes and replacing them with more Godly attributes. We just have to focus on letting Him into our hearts, souls, minds and bodies that he might be able to help us change our course guidance. In order to do that, we can’t resist Him, we have to let Him in. He will not force his way in, He has to be invited in.

The Holy Ghost does this this so that we can remain on the course which brings us to His World. For without that guiding light, we will be forever lost on the path to darkness. He is our infallible navigator/GPS. If we will always rely on Him, He shall never fail us. We more have to worry about failing Him than Him failing us.

One thing is clear and that is that we have to let His Light into our hearts before we can shine it to others that they may see the works of His Light. We cannot lead others to a Light we do not have within us. So, we must first make sure we have the Light of the Holy Ghost within us before we can think of leadings others to that Light.

We must start in our own little corner of the world and work our way outward. That is the best place to start. We cannot change the whole world at once, but it must be changed by us, individually, one little corner of the world at a time. We are always striving to work towards total transformation of our area to the light. However, we will always find opposition from evil. If evil is thwarting our efforts then we all must put in 110% to stop evil and combat it across the world wherever it is. We must never, never, never, ever give up on this fight.

We must fight evil wherever and whenever we run across it. Evil anywhere is Evil everywhere[2]. We must not let the little and big evils in this life get us down or defeat us. We must rely on the guiding power of the Holy Ghost and God’s unlimited grace to save the day. His Grace can help you out of any horrific situation; only if you ask for and accept His help, which is a universal theme in our sermons here, because it is a truth and one that Jesus preached, that is that we have to accept Him into our hearts, if we are to become truly Christians.

Peter tells us our actions need to be consistent with the principles of Scripture and of Jesus’ message. In short, we need to be good citizens, be good neighbors, take particular care of our Christian family. In short, do what Christ would do, as far as it is in us. We need to cling to the good and reject the evil thoughts and actions of our old sinful selves. Let us do our best to think, in hard and trying times, what would Jesus do in our situation, and then act in a manner most like Him. There may be some people that are more trying to deal with than others, but it is clear that we must try and treat all as Jesus would in our place to the best of our abilities. In order to make the world a better place, we first have to start with our selves then work outward, applying the principles of Christ to our lives. God does not ask us to be perfect; He does ask us individually to do our best to try to be perfect, to follow Jesus’ lead to the extent we have it in us. Each of us is different, some are in truth less bad than others. God holds us each to the same standard, that is to do our best.

We are not competing against each other. Christianity is not about competing against each other. It is about helping one another to reach the finish line to the best of our ability. All of us in the Church are on the same team. We are just called to do the best individually for our Team and to stay on that narrow uphill path towards heaven. We are also called to encourage and support each other on that trek on the uphill path towards heaven.

In the Gospel according to Saint John, Jesus tells of His impending bodily death and resurrection. He reminds us if we have eternal life, sorrow, even the sorrow of death is transient, for He has conquered death. It is a very minor thing in the long term view the sorrow of a temporary parting of a loved one. For that is all that is, if we put our trust and hope in God and do our very best to follow Him. We have to keep this in mind throughout our travel along the straight and narrow upward path. His One Sacrifice, made One Time, for All Mankind, for All Time is that joy that no man can take from us. But, if we want to share in that eternal life, we need to see the error of our ways in the Light of His Light and take actions to follow Him.

Often it seems much easier to take the path of least resistance, to quit our work at the first sign of effort, to goof off when “no one” is looking. But in the end, the right thing to do is always the easiest, the most profitable. The one that will result in happiness. It might seem hard, but it will not be as hard as doing the “easy” thing.

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

It is by our actions we are known.

As we go off on our business, please recall this quote from GK Chesterton:

Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.

Be of God – Live of God – Act of God

Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church

Diocese of the Midwest 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 Coordinator of Central and South America. He is also the Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of the United States of America.

Third Sunday after Easter

Peter certifies Jesus as both Lord and Christ

21 April 2024, AD

Psalm 124 • 1 Samuel 2:1b-10 • Acts 2:22-36

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

E men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ³⁴For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:22-36)

Today let us witness the work of the Holy Spirit. Only a few weeks earlier, Peter had denied Christ three times. Peter was the last of Christ’s disciples to abandon him before he was tried and convicted of trumped up charges. After Christ’s resurrection he will meet again with his disciples and he will restore Peter as a follower of Christ. Now we are a week after the Ascension of Christ into heaven, after 40 days of instruction and final fellowship this side of heaven with his disciples and followers; here is Peter speaking to a large crowd in Jerusalem.

The occasion is the Feast of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has descended on the disciples and they begin to speak in the various languages of the people who have come for the feast of Pentecost. Everyone there understood what the disciples were saying, because they were speaking the languages of the Jewish people who lived around the Mediterranean and other parts of the Roman Empire. These faithful Jews would try to come back to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover or Pentecost at least once a year, if they could. These Jews spoke the languages of the places they lived around the Empire.

One

The first level of certification would be in the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send a Comforter. When the Holy Spirit came, his manifestation at this time, was the ability of the disciples to speak in recognized foreign tongues.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Two

The next certification was the witness of Christ’s resurrection as prophesied by David. He writes of Christ not seeing corruption in the grave. In other words, he will rise again to newness of life. He will not be bound or held by the pains of death, he will overcome death.

Peter explains David could not possibly be writing about himself, since he was dead and his grave was there in Jerusalem for anyone to see. [vv. 25-29]

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

As Peter preaches this message you must understand he is giving both a history lesson and a lesson on heritage to those assembled Jews there that Pentecost Day. Peter is able to preach this message because he is now filled with the Holy Spirit. He gave Peter the words to say.

The whole message was the Gospel, it may have been the last chance these assembled Jews ever got to hear the True message of God. That being ‘….whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved…’. Peter then finishes this message with what many there had witnessed, that being the death, burial of Christ. He now bears witness to Christ Jesus resurrection.

Some of them may not have been aware of Christ’s resurrection. Peter explains this in the next couple of verses. He makes the bold statement many in the crowd were witness to Jesus being raised from the dead.

Three

Why does Peter need to certify Jesus as Lord and Christ? Throughout the Old Testament we find the title of Lord used. The determination is Lord God, Lord of the Universe, Lord of Creation. So when Peter certifies Jesus as Lord and Christ, he is explaining to those Jews from far off lands, that the Messiah has come. And His name is Jesus.

The witness of Jesus, Lord and Christ, was accompanied by signs and wonders, miracles, by the wondrous Resurrection of Christ from the dead. The evidence of this resurrection was witness by up to 500 people those forty days before Christ the Lord ascended into heaven.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

Peter will conclude the sermon with this admonition found in verse 36.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Notice what happens now. Those who listened to Peter’s sermon were convicted of their sins. They asked Peter what they needed to do. He told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and he promised them the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is the beginning of what will be the model for evangelizing the whole world.

You must repent of your sins.
Be baptized as a new believer in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Begin to multiply. In other words you need to tell others the Good News of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Not all of you are preachers, teachers, or evangelists, and yet there is a place for every believer. Each one of us can reach those around us by living as close a life in Christ as possible. By sharing our faith with others, determining every day to make a difference in each life we touch throughout each day.

Let us pray:

GOD, our heavenly Father, who didst manifest Thy love by sending Thine only begotten Son into the world that all may live through Him: Pour Thy Spirit upon Thy Church that it may fulfil His command to preach the Gospel to every creature; send forth, we beseech Thee, laborers into Thy harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations and hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and all Israel shall be saved; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Beloved go in peace this day and in the week to come. 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.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

✟

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 and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.

Third Sunday after Easter

Sadness and Joy

1 Peter 2:11-17 • John 16:16-22

21 April 2024, Anno Domini

Our Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t do anything without giving a warning. His delicacy towards His chosen ones is irreproachable. The Gospel of John tells us one of Christ’s warnings to His disciples: your sorrow shall be turned into joy (John 16:20d). And this sadness will not be small; it will be a great despair: Ye shall weep and lament says Jesus in the same verse. Luke reports this total sadness of the disciples of Emmaus in Chapter 24 of his Gospel, in Verse 17: And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?. They both are completely depressed.

Speeches don’t save anyone, and don’t even console them. Listing events and rehearsing them provides no overview, as long as we do not have the key to interpret their meaning. And this very needed key is the Holy Scripture. This divine, supernatural key is all that is missing in television news reports! This is why viewers who rely on television are sad and anguished like the disciples of Emmaus.

See instead what they mutter among themselves (Luke 24:18-21): And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Our two pilgrims saw their dearest hopes disappointed. But these hopes were wrong, because they were short-sighted. They believed in God, they had seen the miracles and heard the teachings of Christ. But they could not conceive or believe in another world. They expected material and immediate salvation. The death of Jesus on the cross ruined their hopes, but these hopes were in vain. In John 18:36, during His public trial, Jesus said to Pilate: My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

A hundred times Christ spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven from which He had descended to incarnate Himself in the womb of a young virgin woman. But His disciples did not understand Him. For the Jews, the Kingdom of God ought to be here on earth: it is the State of Israel, promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:7: And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. The disciples at Emmaus expected God to fulfill this promise by freeing Israel from Roman occupation (Luke 24:21): But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. They did not expect Christ to free them from the demonic infestation of sin. Now sin makes us slaves to sin and demons. Willfully sinning is the obvious sign of this. The unrepentant sinner WANTS to do what the devil tells him to do.

On the day of His temptation in the desert, after 40 days spent in prayer and fasting, Jesus resisted the devil by quoting the Bible. Praying and meditating on the Word of God are the weapons that God gives us not only to fight temptation, but also to DEFEAT the devil! (Matthew 26:41): Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He who does not pray, or even worse: who stops praying, deprives himself of the spiritual weapons that God had entrusted to him, he becomes weak, he falls and submits to Satan; he is struck down, he is defeated. This may seem too simple to you, or even magical, but it works that way because God wanted it that way. And this is what Christ teaches us in Mark 9:28-29: And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Don’t listen to those who say demons don’t exist! They lie about it, because they themselves are secret agents of the devil, the Great Liar. They try to reassure themselves by lying to themselves. And they end up persuading themselves. It is neither more nor less than the Coué method applied to infernal propaganda.

And what does Jesus do in such a case? He does a minister’s job. He explains Holy Scripture to His disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27): Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. He draws from Holy Scripture the key to His mystery: Christ is indeed the promised Messiah, announced and awaited by the Jewish nation. It is He alone who must be preached, listened to, loved, prayed and adored. If we do this, then our sadness will turn into lasting joy, just as the pain of the woman in labor turns into joy when she finally sees the child she carried for 9 months in hen womb, and who was invisible to her until birth. Here we have an image of faith in God: we do not see God, but those who pray to Him notice its effects like a pregnant woman feels her baby moving in her womb. And one day, we will see God, in another world, as the young mother sees her child, who has come into our world (John 16:21): A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And there is no greater joy on earth than giving life to your child. Think of the joy of Our Heavenly Father when we are born again by faith and become His children! (John 3:3): Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Let us not be ashamed to share the joy of Our Father!

Yes, then we will know joy, true joy, great joy, and this joy will be eternal (John 16:22): And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. Being born again by faith, our spiritual eyes begin to see what is invisible to the eyes of the flesh (Luke 24:31): And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Having recognized the resurrected Christ, alive after His victory over death, the disciples of Emmaus rushed to Jerusalem to bear witness to their encounter with Christ (Luke 24:33): And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them

What marks unbelieving men is their lack of patience. They despaired of seeing their Lord Jesus Christ again, when He reappeared two days later. Two days… what is that compared to a lifetime, and eternity? Their impatience still pushes them to immediately inform the Church of their encounter with Christ. More speeches! (Luke 24:36-40): And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

Christ does not just give speeches. He is the Word who acts, as in the time of Creation. (1 Peter 1:23): Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Christ comes among His disciples; He returns among them when they pray (Matthew 18:20): For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And Christ will return again at the end of the age, as He promised, and as we have this hope (Revelation 22:20): He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Then our joy will be full (John 15:11): These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

My friends, we are all witnesses of Emmaus. And meditating on the Bible warms our hearts (Luke 24:32): And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? This is in fact the goal of preaching the Word: to explain the Scriptures, without seeking to indulge nor please. This doing does not attract crowds, for the truth repels unrepentant sinners, and there are many of them out there in the world. But this is what Our Lord asks us to do and say: (1 Peter 2:11,15-16): Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul … For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Wickedness here means sin.

However, the same Peter invites us to submit to the authorities of this world. And in his day, they were pagan. Why and how should we who are Christians obey pagans? Because Christ asks us to do so (1 Peter 2:13-15): Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The goal of Our Lord is not that we grovel blindly before Authority, but that we bear witness before it to the purity of our lives and the good that we do, and above all to the love that we have for one another, in the Church (1 Peter 2:12): Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Our Lord does not urge us to sin, nor to approve of sin, but to bear witness to the Good, while God observes and judges the world. Christian martyrs preferred to let themselves be killed rather than obey orders contrary to the Word of God. And the Eternal Father gave them the strength to resist evil until their last breath. But as long as the orders of the representatives of the authority – bestowed upon them by God – command us things consistent with the Bible, then we must submit to them as if these orders came from Our Heavenly Father Himself, as Paul invites us to do in Romans 13:1-9: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

God chooses those who govern us. To holy people, he gives Saints, like king St. Louis of France. To wicked people He give tyrants. Voting well is not enough. We must still behave holy, imitating Christ, God made perfect man. (Isaiah 65:18): But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. God blesses those who obey Him. Amen.

Yves Méra, AOC Bishop for France.

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.

Third Sunday after Easter

In today’s epistle lesson for today, the apostle Peter called on the faithful to be respectful of others and especially toward God when he said, Honour all men. Love the brethren. Fear God. Honour the king (I Peter 2:17). Our focus however will be on fearing God. For without such a reverence for him, we will likely— under the influence of the Devil— reverence other things and persons to our detriment. The apostle Paul noted that, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Romans 8:15). In another epistle, the apostle admonished, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). In the apostle John’s first epistle (4:18), we find the following: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

In Psalm 111:10, we are told: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Consider also the words of the apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans (3:19-20), Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for the law is the knowledge of sin. Under the old covenant, God provided a means for temporarily covering sin so that the saints might commune with God and be blessed. Witness also the words of Moses in the book of Leviticus (16:30-34): For on that day [the Day of Atonement] shall the priest make an atonement of you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD… And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year… Needless to say that time and again, the children of Israel violated God’s law and lived in outright disobedience to his expressed will. In such a state, they had lost that godly fear which was necessary for their fellowship with him. And so, without such a godly fear, they did not seek to be cleansed of their iniquities which in turn opened them up to God’s wrath.

Now the faithless of our day are little different from the faithless of the children of Israel. The current crop of infidels have attached their own meanings to passages which they have cherry-picked from the Bible in an effort to attack its divine authenticity as well as the Christian religion per se. They believe biblical Christianity is nothing more than an ancient fable founded upon hypocrisy and inconsistency. And on that account, they will not recognize their errant behaviors for what they are and confess them to God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

Our apostolic fathers warned us long ago concerning those who would mock and scoff as well as twist God’s word to suit themselves. Since the beginning of the Christian Church, these heretics have sought to ruin the faith of the elect. Consider the admonition of the apostle Peter in his second epistle (3:3- 4): Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? Further on in that same chapter he wrote a stirring defense of Paul, whose writings the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction (vv. 15-16) . Twisting God’s word is not something he takes lightly. Witness the words of the apostle John in Revelation: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life… (22:18-19).

We have been called to a perfect love of the Godhead which casts out fear. For it is through Christ’s atoning work that we have been justified and sanctified. In our acceptance of his free gift we have moved from fear of a justifiable retribution to faith in his promised redemption. We trust in the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost who guides us into all truth and who leads us to confess our sins and trespasses to the Father in the name of his only begotten Son. On that account, we are made right with God, and are, by extension, made heirs with Christ in his kingdom.

Consider the words of Moses as found in the book of Deuteronomy (6:4-5)

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shall love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. As Christians, we understand that our love of Jesus Christ brings us the love of God the Father. Our Lord encourages us to consider him a friend as well as our Saviour. Witness also the words of our Lord as recorded in John’s gospel (15:14-15), Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Hence forth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

The Devil’s pawns will persist in their refusal to follow God’s rules for life. And in their persistence they do indeed have much to fear. The earthly and profane rulers of this world have sought to force all who are subject to their control to be fearful of them via their use of physical force— for that is how human government works— which is entirely demonic. The Devil seeks to imprison as many as he can with a spirit of fear because it is both crippling and debilitating, and that is especially true with regard for the elect of God. No doubt, if he can succeed with the godly such will impair the communication of the gospel of truth to those who languish in his prison house of sin and degradation. Nevertheless, we must not fear. We must do our duty. God has given us his word written to serve as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson is reputed to have said, ‘The duty is ours the consequences are God’s.’ Live, therefore, in obedience to Christ and live without fear knowing that all is in God’s hands.

Let us pray,

OLY Father, give us hearts to love thee so that we might live without fear; that in so doing, we might better serve thee in this life; for this we ask in the name of our Saviour and Friend, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Bryan+

Rev Stephen Cooper

Church of the Redeemer

Fairbanks, Alaska

From time to time we are fortunate to receive a sermon from Rev Cooper in Fairbanks Alaska. The head of our northernmost church, Stephen is a brilliant and inspiring speaker. I wish we had video of him rather than just audio; but I am confident you will enjoy this. This sermon is for last week, Second Sunday after Easter. Please take the time to listen to it.

https://youtu.be/fY04SFPpSqQ

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

No known travel this week.

Birthdays

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

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

Anniversary

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

Departed

Ditte left for home to join those who have gone before her on 25 March 2024. Please give thanks for her time here on earth and pray for her family and friends who of necessity remain behind. In particular please pray for her husband Bob and son David as they adjust to life here without her.

Immediate Prayer Please

Jennifer Hendrickson and her father, Bobby Enfinger, were both diagnosed with cancer. Please pray for peace of mind and soul for them both, and for the medical team treating them 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.

Jim Kniffen’s bacterial sinus infections have cleared up however, he is experiencing difficult side effects form the serious antibiotics he took. Furthermore, He is now experiencing extreme fatigue, which is doctor suspects is long-Covid problems from two years ago. Fatigue has been ongoing but increased recently. He continues to rely upon the Lord for his Strength.

Rachael Richards and her daughter, Lydia, were in a very bad car accident on 28 March 2024. They are the wife and daughter of Rev Joshua Richards. Rachael is in intensive care in one hospital and Lydia was treated and released at another hospital. Please pray for peace of mind and soul for the Richards, and for the medical team treating them 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.

1700 20 April 2024 Update

Good day again for Rachael, she ate much better today. She still had pain but not as intense as yesterday. The big news today was she got to see Hannah! Initially Hannah just wanted me to hold her but this gave Rachael a chance to recollect, after the accident, some of the songs she sang to the kids. After awhile she remembered, and Hannah started to warm up to her again. Interestingly, the first song that Rachael sang to her without someone else initiating it was Amazing Grace. Some photos forthcoming but I will share what I have so far. Thank you for praying!

1800 19 April 2024 Update

Rachael did great again today! She was extra tired and sore however she wowed the speech therapist with how well she did from the previous day. I also got to push her in her wheelchair for the first time to an open air of the hospital where she defeated me in a game of “connect four”. The big news today was Rachael finally got to see Isaiah for the first time in 22 days! It was obvious he was glad to see both of us. Lydia and Hannah are still recovering but doing well.

1130 18 April 2024 Update

Rachael had trouble sleeping due to head pain, but her first day of intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy went very well! She stood up briefly and also got to try out her new wheelchair. The infectious disease team says because of the results of her central nervous system (CNS infection) the plan is to keep her here at OSU Dodd for 4 weeks with a tentative release date of 2 May 2024. Hannah was released from Children’s. She does have covid officially as does her grandpa, Jeff, but the symptoms are more akin to colic. They are both doing well. She will be staying with him in the meantime. Thank you for praying!

1630 17 April 2024 Update

Rachael was discharged from Miami Valley at 12:37 today and we are now comfortably settled into our room at OSU Dodd Hall in Columbus. If you visit, text or PM me in advance so I can give you parking and room directions. She ate better today and is resting and settling in well. Visiting hours are 6am-8pm but **please** let me know in advance when you plan to visit. The hospital does not require it, and children are welcome, however due to Rachael’s sensory condition and vigorous rehab program, I am asking all visitors to arrange a time to visit with me in advance with so that she is not overloaded. There is a Panera and Wendy’s within walking distance, and a playground adjacent for anyone bringing children. I’m being told most patients stay here 3 weeks or less.
Last night Hannah (our youngest) had major breathing problems. Sarah took her to ER and rode in an ambulance with her to Nationwide Children’s. She has Covid. Her grandpa Jeff visited her and as a precautionary has to stay with her in a locked room for 5 days.
Isaiah and Lydia are both doing well, although even Lydia had a scare with tornado warnings in her area.
Both the Carpenter and Ballentine families, who have helped watch our kids and helped in other areas are dealing with various forms of illness and fatigue.
I still have laryngitis, although not quite as bad. Lots to pray for, and lots to praise God for. As always, thank you all for everything!

0830 17 April 2024 Update

Attention prayer warriors; start your engines! It’s about to get real!!

Rachael is getting discharged from hospital today. She is having lots of pain and this morning she was very sick (likely a response to medication). Pray for her transition to rehab at OSU Dodd Hall
Hannah, our youngest, was taken to the ER in Bellefontaine early this morning with breathing troubles. It sounds like she has Covid.
I have laryngitis, which is making it difficult to talk to all the doctors, different hospitals.
Paul Carpenter, who helped watch the kids over the weekend, is also having breathing troubles (likely related to past pneumonia). ER trip for him is pending.
My parents are watching Isaiah in Columbus, Sarah is watching Lydia in Belle Center (one of her kids recently had surgery and there is possible sickness there as well) and Rachael’s dad Jeff took off work to care for Hannah in Columbus (if she is transferred). Pray they do not get sick!

Needless to say, the battle is real but nothing will shake us!!

1520 16 April 2024 Update

After all the prayers, it has been confirmed that Rachael will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow! She will be transferred to OSU Dodd Hall in Columbus, OH for rehab. So if there are any visitors near the Dayton, OH area that would like to see Rachael here one last time, today is your last chance! She has been a little weaker today, not eating as much. I think she just needs more rest. As expected, she has had a lot of pain in her head, but also some dizziness, and some vision trouble in one of her eyes. Pray that a little rest would take care of that.

1930 15 April 2024 Update

Another good day for Rachael. She was a little weaker in the morning, but by the afternoon and evening she not only sat up on her own several times, but she ask me if I could read the Bible to her! She was also able to read some things on her phone. She surprised speech therapy in how well she did with her memory. And, of course, chocolate lover she is, she ate her entire brownie . I did find it interesting that one of the first things she wanted to do on her phone, was to check up on her friend and see how her new baby was doing. Discharge is still a possibility in the near future! Keep praying!

1800 14 April 2024 Update

Rachael had a great day. Rested well, followed more commands, and communicated a lot better. I could tell people were praying! I also got to see the kids again on a dinner invitation from the Carpenters. So thankful for the Ballentines, Lewis’s, family, and others helping to care for the children, and drive them from point A to point B. I am hearing rumblings about an imminent discharge which would be amazing had you seen the condition Rachael was in prior to today. Please pray for this transition to go well whenever it happens! So thankful, as always, for all the support of every kind during this challenging time. We could not get through it without God working in and through you!

0600 13 April 2024 Update

She slept a lot more today and ate better. She talked quite a bit while she was awake and I couldn’t help but think about what she repeated more than anything Can we go home to see the children in Belle Center? Had I been in her shoes, the first thing out of my mouth would have likely been about my pain and discomfort. The last thing she did before her accident was save Lydia’s life. One of the first things she did after her own life was saved was ask about the children. That tells you all you need to know about Rachael. Now all that’s needed is time. And patience for God to work His healing power in His time. Thank you for your prayers and support!

0600 12 April 2024 Update

After a good visit with the children, I got back to see Rachael and was told I had 20 minutes to pack our stuff as we were going to be evicted from the ICU! We got settled in the trauma unit last night. Praise the Lord! For visitors, there are no changes except for the elevator to take and the room. PM me If you are planning to visit and I will give you updated room info. As of now she has no feeding tubes, and she is eating on a specific diet. Although prior to her being on a fixed diet, I was able to sneak in a piece of beef jerky and one of my mom’s homemade chocolate chip cookies which she ate (don’t judge!) For prayer, pray Rachael would regain more memory and respond more to commands. She is talking a lot, but lots of repetitive, incoherent sentences. Although a praise is one of the words she continues to repeat is Jesus! Overnight I heard her saying the Lord needs to save all these people. Also prayer for my family as a whole in general, for the children, and the families who are watching the children now and in the near future.

0600 11 April 2024 Update

Yesterday was definitely one of the hardest days for Rachael and I, but by God’s grace we got through it. Rachael has been taking lots of baby steps; conversing more, eating food, and sitting in a chair with her helmet. Also, she got the feeding tube out of her nose today, hopefully for good! And Lord willing could be moved to trauma unit as soon as one opens up. Thanks to the Lewis family, I was able to see all my kids for an extended visit at Chick-fil-A in Dayton. Man, it was so good to see them again. Progress, but a long road ahead. Many needs remain and many unknowns exist. But I believe in a faithful God who sovereignty carries out His will and will get me through.

0600 10 April 2024 Update

She is doing so much better! Yesterday PT helped her stand up on her own and she put a sock on her foot by herself! She has been conversing a lot more and today besides talking about wanting the children and parents she said The Lord needs us to be here. Yesterday I also was blessed to meet Jesse, the man who life flighted her to the hospital, and was treated by a visit of 14 Mennonites from my old church Bethesda Fellowship. Today speech therapy had her try a swallow test which she passed with flying colors. Now she is attempting to eat solid foods for first time since accident! Pray for Isaiah who has a stomach bug, and that it won’t spread; Lord willing I will get to visit the kids tomorrow! Pray for a good visit. And thank you all for your gifts, support, and prayers!

0600 9 April 2024 Update

She had a great day yesterday. Speech therapy had her taste ice cubes so see if she could swallow, which she did successfully. Physical therapy had her sit up in bed, which she did almost by herself. They let me give her a hug too. She has been conversing more, and overall has been in a good mood all things considering. Today, Lord willing she will get to put on her new helmet to protect her head. Thank you for praying!

0600 8 April 2024 Update

She had a great day yesterday in terms of rest and talking more coherently. Her MRI didn’t work out due to movement, so will have to have another soon. But she says things like Can you help me and Honey come here. She also called me darling, and this morning said sit with me. She also asked how are the children. I showed her some photos and videos. She still can’t say any of our names, but she seems to know who we are.

0600 7 April 2024 Update

She woke up a few times last night saying things like honey come here and when she saw me, I saw her give me an air kiss. Her eyes have not been centered when she opens them but fever appears to be gone. She is currently having another MRI on her brain and neck. She has been, ironically enough resting well on the Lord’s Day. Another nursing student from Cedarville has been helping. It seems like when we have a shift of a nurse who is positive and upbeat, Rachael seems to improve. So pray that continues. And as always I appreciate all your prayers and support. Joshua+

0600 6 April 2024

Her fever has been up and down but at the moment is gone. The swelling around her eye appears to be gone as well. Beyond that, after speaking to the doctor it sounds like there are a lot of unknowns, and a LOT of different doctors and tests/scans today. Pray for more answers, and energy and rest for Rachael. The kids last I heard are doing well also. Pray for one of the children of the families watching our kids for recovery from surgery. This has been an additional burden on a lot of people now and will likely be as time goes on. If you are still interested in helping our family and wondering how, PM or text me the way in which you are willing and I can let you know what is needed. Many needs have been met, but there may be areas I have not considered either for our family or for the families who are helping us indefinitely. Thank you for your help and prayers.

0600 5 April 2024

She slept well last night. This morning the doctor had to stitch up a hole on her scalp from surgery. As a precautionary, she is having an MRI to ensure there is no infection. She is still talking with deep breaths, but primarily repeating words like okay and please can you help me. Having pain in stomach area. Also has had a fever of 102. The swelling in her eye has gone down some. The MRI should be around 1030 this morning and take an hour so I will update more later or tomorrow. Thank you for praying!

0600 2 April 2024 Update

Rachael had a great day yesterday and a great night. She is nodding, pointing, and looking multiple directions more, and resting well. Still on ventilator. They tried her breathing on her own yesterday which she did briefly but they decided she needed a little more time. The prayer request would be for her to get strong enough that she can follow commands quicker without thinking. The kids have been in excellent hands, and are eating and sleeping well, and having fun. It is truly mind-blowing how the body of Christ has come together to not only care for our families physical needs, but Spiritual also. I have had almost 40 visitors, some driving 6-10 hours round trip. Some dropping their plans, and leaving large families to stay for hours just to make sure I am okay. And even with what appears to be more stormy Ohio weather headed our way, I can truly say in more ways than one I’ll praise You in this storm. There is Light at the end of the tunnel. Joshua+

0600 31 March 2024 Update

I was told that depending on how she responds/doesn’t respond to commands, that she could very likely have some type of aphasia. Please pray God would deliver her from that possibility; especially after the encouraging news this morning about her brain. And thank you all again for…everything Rachael is still fighting. The urgent specific prayer for her would be responding to commands from doctors and nurses and cooperating. That way she can get off oxygen and try to talk. The doctor still thinks there is a good chance she will recover acceptably. That is all for now.

0118 30 March 2024 Update

Update on Rachael. And it is a praise item! The nurse woke me at 2am to update me that Rachael has more bodily movement and can respond with her head in a nod, can turn her head side to side, and she has been moving her left arm! Up until today she had only been able to move her right arm and right leg. Praise God!

Here are specific requests for Rachael as of now:

Pray that Rachael could respond to commands (wiggle your toes, give me thumbs up etc)
Pray that if she responds to the above, that she could come off oxygen. Her lungs are okay!
She is able to see and hear. To what extent I am unsure so pray that she can hear, see, talk, etc as much as before
Pray she can move her left leg. Her left foot does have a small hairline fracture.
Pray when the nurses do her regular tests that Rachael would cooperate. She always was a little stubborn

Requests for our kids:

Pray for family and friends watching and caring for them over the days, weeks, and months ahead. Isaiah is 5, Lydia is 3, and Hannah is 1. Because of their ages, they of course have specific needs. Pray specifically not only for their physical needs being met, but especially for their spiritual needs.
Praise God for good health, especially for Lydia as she had been in two car accidents over the last few months and has shown no signs of injury either time. Because she has autistic tendencies, there is no way for her to talk and communicate what she needs, how she feels, and now her mother is in the same condition.

Requests for me:

Pray I would get my wife and closest friend back the way she was. And if not, that God would prepare me emotionally, Spiritually, and physically for what changes to expect.
Pray I could see my kids soon. I miss them dearly, but I cannot leave Rachael.
Pray that I would have the joy of Jesus during moments of condemnation.
Pray that God would give me confidence in Him during Spiritual attacks; particularly as it relates to how I treated Rachael prior to accident. That God would give me discernment with triggers that cause attacks, because I need to be strong for Rachael!
Pray for my personal walk with God; prayer life, time in the Word etc.
Pray for wisdom related to finances, bills etc.
Pray for patience and peace with God’s will and timing.
Praise God for all the visitors and pray God would send more! Visiting hours are 8am-8pm at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH. PM or text me for room info.

Most importantly,

Pray that God would reveal how He wishes to be glorified by this ordeal,
He would be preparing me for opportunities to share the Gospel and empathize with nurses, other patients, visitors etc now and perhaps friends or family in the future.

Of course, praise God for all the prayer warriors all over the WORLD and for all the answered prayers and (from my viewpoint) unanswered prayers. For so many churches and church leaders praying, for so many hugs, calls, cards, words of wisdom, encouragement etc. I love you all!!!

0430 29 March 2024 Update – Good Friday

Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed, offered to help, and visited me at the hospital. Some people drove many, many hours just to be here and pray. I have no words for my gratitude. I just want to say I am humbled and overwhelmed with joy for the support shown during this difficult chapter in our family thus far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you. As far as updates, the situation is fluid, but Lydia was released from the hospital. She is fine. Our other children are being watched by my parents, bless their hearts, and are also doing well.

For those of you who were unaware of exactly what happened, you have my permission to share this: Rachael walked across the street to get the mail at our house, and Lydia was with her. Apparently she ran a little too far ahead of Rachael and somehow a truck struck Rachael causing her to fall and hit her head. By God’s grace, Lydia’s life was saved I suspect Rachael protected her from the truck. Rachael, however was not so lucky. She has a major laceration to the back of her head and had to be life-flighted to ICU. She is in stable condition (as of this post). She had to have part of her skull removed and plastic surgery was performed successfully. The team at the hospital has done an outstanding job of caring for her.

Needless to say, life is about to change significantly for us. I have no idea if the woman who said I do over 7 years ago will ever be the same again. I do not know how our three children will be able to handle mommy not being around indefinitely. There are many more questions. One thing is for sure, God is in control and all things work together for good to those who love God.

If anyone wants any additional info or has any questions, please send me a PM or text me if you have my number.

Love in Christ,

+Joshua

Cindy Pank is hospitalized in serious condition, she really does not like to be in hospitals. Please pray for patience and a good attitude for Cindy and for the doctors, nurses and technicians treating her to pay attention and do their best, as well as what we think to be a good outcome.

Cindy Awiti, mother of Kevin Awiti, was operated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret in Uashin Gishu County, Kenya ,on Wednesday last week after blood transfusion for a growth on her reproductive organs which was partly removed and discharged on Monday this week. It is intended she return on 1 May 2024, for followup surgery to remove the remainder of the mass. Cindy is an active member of Anglican Orthodox Church of East Africa, Nandi Hills’s church, Nandi County. Before she was discharged she was visited by five church members.

Pearson Ochieng Olweny

Anglican Orthodox Church of East Africa

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 ‘Blue’ Bodenhamer 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.

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: Please we pray for relief from the extreme heats and in particular for the children Issac and Mercy that are having difficulties related to the heat.

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.

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 2/3 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. Her 39^th surgery is coming up on 18 April 2024. 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[3]. 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.

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

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.

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

Luke is having difficulties at age 19 finding his way forward in alignment with the Christian values of his family and of civilization in general. He cannot see the utility of a life in conformance with those values and is looking to find a non-existent short cut to an ‘easy life’ that does not exist. Please pray he will find his way back to God and see his family wants to help him.

Jess is having difficulties in her personal life and is looking for permanent solutions; she is having problems seeing precisely what she direction she should take and how. Please pray she will open her heart to God’s guidance in the form of the Holy Ghost.

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.

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

Sunghyun Mun has recovered from the broken bones in his hand and give thanks for all who prayed for him.

Gary Anderson of Enterprise has recovered from his illness and give thanks for all who prayed for him.

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

28 April 2024 – Fourth Sunday after Easter– 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

5 May 2024 – Rogation Sunday – Fifth Sunday after Easter– 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] General Confession – BCP Page 6

[2] Lord of the Rings

[3] 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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