III Pentecost (for the ordinary CCP prayer cycle)

Let Us Pray For...
Mid West Regional Network, AMiA
The Rev. William Beasley

Mid-West Region, FiFNA

Mid-Continental Convocation, ACN
The Rev. D. O. Smart


Special Prayer Petitions
Please pray for all AMiA, FiFNA, and ACN pilgrims as they prepare for GAFCON in the holy city of Jersusalem.

Pray for St. Bartholomew's Church in Tonawanda, NY (Fr. Art Ward, Rector) as it ministers to families, as well as for All Saints' Church in Woodbridge, VA (the Rt. Rev. John A.M. Guernsey, Bishop and Rector) and its Marriage Mentoring and Homebuilders ministries. Pray for continued growth at Church of the Word in Gainsville, VA (Rev. Robin T. Adams, Rector) and the baptisms, confirmations, and receptions of individuals and families there on June 1st by Bishop David Bena.


From the Scriptures
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

I John 3:13-24 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O LORD, who never failest to help and govern those whom thou dost bring up in thy stedfast fear and love; Keep us, we beseech thee, under the protection of thy good providence, and make us to have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“The Second Sunday after Trinity,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“Offer to Him thy heart in a soft and tractable state, and preserve the form in which the Creator has fashioned thee, having moisture in thyself, lest, by becoming hardened, thou lose the impressions of His fingers.”

St. Irenaeus (d. c. 202)

Against Heresies

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 11

Opening Sentence
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. i. 2.

Prayer From a Psalm of Ascent
V/ We will go into his tabernacle, * and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
R/ Amen! Thank you, Father, that Jesus gives us access to your Throne in time of need.
V/ Arise, O LORD, into thy resting-place; * thou, and the ark of thy strength.
R/ Amen! Thank you, Father, that Jesus has ascended to you, bearing our resurrection body.
V/ Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; * and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.
R/ Amen! Thank you, Father, that Jesus is our Great High Priest, ever interceding for us.
from the One Hundred Thirty Second Psalm, Book of Common Prayer 1928 (USA)

From the Morning Psalm
For I will not trust in my bow, * it is not my sword that shall help me;
But it is thou that savest us from our enemies, * and puttest them to confusion that hate us.
We make our boast of God all day long, * and will praise thy Name for ever.
But now thou art far off, and puttest us to confusion, * and goest not forth with our armies.
Thou makest us to turn our backs upon our enemies, * so that they which hate us spoil our goods.
Thou lettest us be eaten up like sheep, * and hast scattered us among the heathen.
Thou sellest thy people for nought, * and takest no money for them.
Thou makest us to be rebuked of our neighbours, * to be laughed to scorn, and had in derision of them that are round about us.
Thou makest us to be a by-word among the nations, * and that the peoples shake their heads at us.
My confusion is daily before me, * and the shame of my face hath covered me;
For the voice of the slanderer and blasphemer, * for the enemy and avenger.
And though all this be come upon us, yet do we not forget thee, * nor behave ourselves frowardly in thy covenant.
Our heart is not turned back, * neither our steps gone out of thy way;
No, not when thou hast smitten us into the place of dragons, * and covered us with the shadow of death.
From the Forty Fourth Psalm, Book of Common Prayer 1928 (USA)

Confession
Father, we walk in confusion and shame. Our Anglican Communion is scattered and many shake their heads at us. We confess that we have relied too much on our own "sword and bow" - our human wisdom and church inventions - instead of your perfect power and covenant in Jesus Christ.

But Father, we walk as pilgrims seeking your presence. "Our heart is not turned back, neither our steps gone out of the way." Though you have punished and scattered, we come to you for mercy. We come to you with pilgrim songs of praise and we boast in you all along the way.

V/ Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,
R/ Have mercy upon us!

The Second Morning Lesson
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.
Luke 4:31-41, NIV

Prayer
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners!
We come to you from all over the world, seeking your healing hands for Anglican Christianity.
Rebuke our old, dead ways so that we can be amazed by your teaching and come under your authority. Silence our demons and send them away.
Let only news of you be heard.
Heal our infirmities.
Take away our limitations that we might serve others in your Name.
You are the Holy One of God. Amen.

Canticle
O LET Israel bless the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
From "Benedicite, omnia opera Domini." Book of Common Prayer, 1928 (USA)

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 10

Opening Sentence
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:23

A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 129
Saepe expugnaverunt

Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, * may Israel now say;
2 Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up; * but they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back, * and made long furrows.
4 But the righteous LORD * hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.
5 Let them be confounded and turned backward, * as many as have evil will at Sion.
6 Let them be even as the grass upon the housetops, * which withereth afore it be grown up;

7 Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, * neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.

8 So that they who go by say not so much as, The LORD prosper you; * we wish you good luck in the Name of the LORD.

(USA, The Book of Common Prayer, 1928)

Collect
O Heavenly Father, thou understandest all thy children; through thy gift of faith we bring our perplexities to the light of thy wisdom, and receive the blessed encouragement of thy sympathy, and a clearer knowledge of thy will. Glory be to thee for all thy gracious gifts. Amen.

“For Trustfulness [2],” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
Then Balak said to Balaam, "Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there." And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

Balaam said, "Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me." Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him and he uttered his oracle:

"The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,
the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,

the oracle of one who hears the words of God,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

"How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob,
your dwelling places, O Israel!

"Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the LORD,
like cedars beside the waters.

Water will flow from their buckets;
their seed will have abundant water.
"Their king will be greater than Agag;
their kingdom will be exalted.

"God brought them out of Egypt;
they have the strength of a wild ox.
They devour hostile nations
and break their bones in pieces;
with their arrows they pierce them.

Like a lion they crouch and lie down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse them?
"May those who bless you be blessed
and those who curse you be cursed!"

Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded."

Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD--and I must say only what the LORD says'?... Then Balaam got up and returned home and Balak went his own way.

Numbers 23:27-24:13, 25 (NIV)

From the Great Litany
O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us….

… That it may please thee to succour, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, or by air, all women in child-birth, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.



Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.

Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.' "

"I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian."

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Luke 4:14-30 (NIV)

Third Lesson (from Evening Prayer, BCP 1928)
Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."

This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the LORD Almighty.

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."

This is what the LORD Almighty says: "You who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were there when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD Almighty, let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built. Before that time there were no wages for man or beast. No one could go about his business safely because of his enemy, for I had turned every man against his neighbor. But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past," declares the LORD Almighty.

"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

Zechariah 8:1-13 (NIV)

A Meditation
How willing am I to stand up for God’s truth? Will I join Balaam: Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD?

Even in my own country, where I might face being driven out of town and thrown over a cliff? Would it not be easier to accept their presents and their praise and give them the word they want to hear?

It was our Lord who declared: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. May he grant us grace to proclaim with Balaam: I must say only what the LORD says.
.


A Heritage Reflection
“But neither do we know, nor can we tell, what the essence of God is, or how it is in all, or how the Only-begotten Son and God, having emptied Himself, became Man of virgin blood, made by another law contrary to nature, or how He walked with dry feet upon the waters. It is not within our capacity, therefore, to say anything about God or even to think of Him, beyond the things which have been divinely revealed to us, whether by word or by manifestation, by the divine oracles at once of the Old Testament and of the New.”

St. John of Damascus (c. 676-749)

An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 9

A Morning Hymn

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till they inward light impart,
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine,
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.


Charles Wesley


From a Psalm of Ascent
EXCEPT the LORD build the house, * their labour is but lost that build it.
Except the LORD keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; * for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalm CXXVII. 1-3. Book of Common Prayer 1928 (USA)

From the First Morning Lesson

God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19, NIV

From the Second Morning Lesson
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Luke 4:9-12, NIV

A GAFCON Participant's Perspective
They will be highlighting the Lordship of Jesus Christ over his church and over the world. If the Lord is king why are people not following his leadership?
Archbishop Peter Akinola (Nigeria)


Prayer
Lord Jesus, you alone walked perfectly in the Father's will. We are unfaithful, but you are faithful. We are blown about by deceit, but you are the same yesterday, today and forever. We ask that your light will shine through any darkness that the devil spreads against the GAFCON pilgrims. Lord, the devil took you up to Jerusalem to tempt you - we know he will set snares for those coming up for GAFCON. Shine in your pilgrims, Lord Jesus, that their thoughts and deeds may bring glory to the Father, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 8

Opening Sentence
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:23

A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 127
Nisi Dominus

Except the LORD build the house, * their labour is but lost that build it.
2 Except the LORD keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; * for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

4 Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, * are an heritage and gift that cometh of the LORD.

5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant, * even so are the young children.
6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; * they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

(USA, The Book of Common Prayer, 1928)

Collect
O Most loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“For Trustfulness,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
So it was, the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.

Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.”

And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar. Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go; perhaps the LORD will come to meet me, and whatever He shows me I will tell you.” So he went to a desolate height. And God met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered on each altar a bull and a ram.”

Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” So he returned to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab.

And he took up his oracle and said:

“Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram,
From the mountains of the east.

‘Come, curse Jacob for me,
And come, denounce Israel!’

“How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?

For from the top of the rocks I see him,
And from the hills I behold him;
There! A people dwelling alone,
Not reckoning itself among the nations.

“Who can count the dust of Jacob,
Or number one-fourth of Israel?
Let me die the death of the righteous,
And let my end be like his!”

Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully!”

So he answered and said, “Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?”

Numbers 22:41-23:12 (NKJV)

From the Great Litany
O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us….

… That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”

He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”

Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:1-22 (NKJV)

Third Lesson (from Evening Prayer, BCP 1928)
Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent. So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Ezra 6:13-18 (NKJV)

A Meditation
“Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth….”

Who speaks for God? God speaks for himself. Balaam’s simple defense should be the same as our own: “How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?.... “Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?”

Save us, O God, from ‘prophetic’ preaching and teaching that is presumptuous: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Remind us that true prophetic speech comes from God, is about the things of God, and, in the end, glorifies God.

Except the LORD build the house, their labour is but lost that build it.


A Heritage Reflection
“As there is a Spirit of truth, holding out the word of God to lead us in the way of truth, so there is a spirit of error, and a spirit of lies, holding out some trifling vanity or other to mislead us as fast quite another way, and as fast as he leads, the world is ready too to follow him.”

Bishop John Cosin (1594-1672)

Sermons, Vol. I

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 7

Opening Sentence
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. St. John iv. 23.

A Psalm of Ascent
UNTO thee lift I up mine eyes, * O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Behold, even as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, * even so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he have mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us; * for we are utterly despised.
Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy, * and with the despitefulness of the proud.
One Hundred Twenty Third Psalm, Book of Common Prayer 1928 (USA)

From the First Lesson at Morning Prayer
But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God."
Numbers 22:18, NIV

From the Second Lesson at Morning Prayer
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:49, NKJV

A GAFCON Goal
Prepare for an Anglican future in which the Gospel is uncompromised and Christ-centered mission a top priority.

A GAFCON Participant's Perspective
"What is it that the Lord demands of our church? What is the need of the world? Let’s go for it."
Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (Uganda)

Prayer
Father, we see so much of the Anglican Communion divided between those who value earthly treasure and those who seek treasure in heaven. We pray that GAFCON will be a time for your despised children to lift up their eyes and see your mercy; a time when the New Covenant in Christ will gain glory over all earthly treasures; a time those who come up to Jerusalem will not only seek but will know your priorities. We pray this in the Name of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 6

Opening Sentence
Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 57:15

A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 120
Ad Dominum

When I was in trouble, I called upon the LORD, * and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, * and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue? * even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.

4 Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Meshech, * and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar!

5 My soul hath long dwelt among them * that are enemies unto peace.
6 I labour for peace; but when I speak unto them thereof, * they make them ready to battle.

(USA, The Book of Common Prayer, 1928)

Collect
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength; By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“For Quiet Confidence,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."

So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, in his native land. Balak said:

"A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

"Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will bring you back the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite princes stayed with him.

God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.' "

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's princes, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

So the Moabite princes returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

Numbers 22:2-14 (NIV)

From the Great Litany
O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us….

…We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the heart of thy servant, The President of the United States [or of this nation], that he may above all things seek thy honour and glory;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and preserve all Christian Rulers and Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to send forth labourers into thy harvest;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord;

We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.



Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:21-40 (NIV)

Third Lesson (from Evening Prayer, BCP 1928)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 9:1-19 (NIV)

A Meditation
“Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”

Are there Moabites out to ruin me, O Lord? Have their Balaam refuse to go with them. Is there a Saul bent on persecuting me in your own name? Convert him, O Lord, into a brother. And during these trials and times of uncertainty, continue to send me godly Simeons and Annas to point me to your beloved Son.

And God, grant me the grace to ask, in times like these, ‘Am I a Simeon or am I a Saul?’ If a Simeon, confirm me, if a Saul, convert me.


A Heritage Reflection
“Vice mimics virtue, and the tares strive to be thought wheat, growing like the wheat in appearance, but being detected by good judges from the taste.”

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-387)

Catechetical Lectures

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 5

The First Sunday After Trinity
Holy Communion

The Collect
O GOD, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Epistle
I St. John iv, beginning in the 7th verse
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Prayer
Father in Heaven, hear the prayers of those preparing for GAFCON. Let the precious blood of Christ bring our stony hearts to life. Pour your love into our hearts by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Give us true bonds of affection, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Gospel
St. Luke xvi. beginning in the 19th verse
THERE was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table...

Prayer
Father, in Jerusalem you placed a House of Prayer for all nations. Jesus, at Jerusalem you made the one, full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for our sins. Holy Spirit, from Jerusalem you sent the church out to preach salvation to the ends of the earth. Holy Trinity, One God, we pray that you will meet every need of the GAFCON pilgrims, and send them out to meet every need of those they lead and serve in your Name. May those who are blessed materially be blessed with generosity and with spiritual treasure in heaven. May those who suffer any need receive your provision and succour. May Anglicans around the world have strength to serve one anothers' weaknesses and weakness to receive the perfect power of Jesus Christ. In His Name we ask. Amen.

A Heritage Reflection
They are to set about this spiritual work not only with energy, but with courtesy: not "snatching as it were a greedy greyhound" at spiritual satisfactions, but gently and joyously pressing toward Him Whom Julian of Norwich called "our most courteous Lord." A glad spirit of dalliance is more becoming to them than the grim determination of the fanatic. "Shall I, a gnat which dances in Thy ray, Dare to be reverent."
Evelyn Underhill, Introduction to "The Cloud of Unknowing", Third Edition (1934)

II Pentecost (for the ordinary CCP prayer cycle)

Let Us Pray For...

Heart of North America Network, AMiA
The Rev. Doc Loomis

Diocese of Mid-America, REC
The Rt. Rev. Royal V. Grote, Jr. (Bishop Ordinary)
The Rt. Rev. Daniel R. Morse (Bishop Co-Adjutor)
The Rt. Rev. Ray R. Sutton (Bishop Suffragan)
The Rt. Rev. George B. Fincke (Assistant Bishop)



Special Prayer Petitions
The Heart of North America Network (AMiA) has about 8-10 network clerics who are preparing for ordination or reception. They have asked Bishop Sandy Greene to visit them the week of July 21st in Toledo, OH for a celebration of these new ministries and for a HONA/Lighthouse Network strategy meeting (Lighthouse is the new Michigan/Ontario network family name).



From the Scriptures
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

I John 4:7-21 (NKJV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The First Sunday after Trinity," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“Thus of true charity Christ taught, that every man is bound to love God above all things, and to love every man, friend and foe. And thus likewise he did use himself, exhorting his adversaries, rebuking the faults of his adversaries, and, when he could not amend them, yet he prayed for them. First he loved God his Father above all things, so much that he sought not his own glory and will, but the glory and will of his Father….He loved also not only his friends, but also his enemies; which in their hearts bare exceeding great hatred against him, and in their tongues spake all evil of him, and in their acts and deeds pursued him with all their might and power even unto death. Yet, all this notwithstanding, he withdrew not his favour from them; but still loved them, preached unto them, of love rebuked their false doctrine, their wicked living, and did good unto them, patiently taking whatsoever they spake or did against him. When they gave him evil words, he gave none evil again; when they did strike him, he did not smite again, and when he suffered death, he did not slay them, nor threaten them, but prayed for them, and did put all things to his Father’s will.”

“A Sermon Of Christian Love and Charity,” The First Book of Homilies (1547)

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 4

Opening Sentence
Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isaiah 57:15

A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 123
Ad te levavi oculos meos

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, * O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

2 Behold, even as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, * even so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he have mercy upon us.

3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us; * for we are utterly despised.

4 Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy, * and with the despitefulness of the proud.

(USA, The Book of Common Prayer, 1928)

Collect
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly; Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of Wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“For Guidance,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!"

Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.

The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

Numbers 21:4-9 (NIV)

From the Great Litany
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us….

…By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,
Good Lord, deliver us.

In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us.


Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

Third Lesson (from Evening Prayer, BCP 1928)
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Acts 8:26-40 (NIV)

A Meditation
“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes”—in the midst of the poisonous snakes that pierce me with their fangs and pump me full of their deadly poison—I need only look to Him who is lifted up, and I live.

“O thou that dwellest in the heavens”—even more so, who came down from the heavens, to dwell among us in the flesh; who still comes among us, to illumine his sacred scriptures through faithful ministers.

“…even so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he have mercy upon us.”

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.


A Heritage Reflection
“… true piety admits no other rule than that whatsoever things have been faithfully received from our fathers the same are to be faithfully consigned to our children; and that it is our duty, not to lead religion whither we would, but rather to follow religion whither it leads; and that it is the part of Christian modesty and gravity not to hand down our own beliefs or observances to those who come after us, but to preserve and keep what we have received from those who went before us.”

St. Vincent of Lerins (d. circa 434) A Commonitory

(His commemoration is traditionally observed on May 24)

More for GAFCON - Day 3 and Lectionary Link

Website for Book of Common Prayer, 1928 (USA) Daily Offices & Lectionary.

The Other Morning Lesson
Numbers 20, NRSV
Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on the border of the land of Edom, Let Aaron be gathered to his people. For he shall not enter the land that I have given to the Israelites, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and bring them up Mount Hor; strip Aaron of his vestments, and put them on his son Eleazar. But Aaron shall be gathered to his people, and shall die there.’ Moses did as the Lord had commanded; they went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. Moses stripped Aaron of his vestments, and put them on his son Eleazar; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron for thirty days.

Reflection
God enacts judgement among his chosen people to purify them and lead them on to blessing.

Aaron the High Priest and Moses the Prophet were denied the promised land because they took matters into their own hands, compromising their God-ordained leadership with a forceful display of their own human will. "Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me, to show my holiness before the eyes of the Israelites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’"

Yet God did not take Aaron's priestly vestments, throw them away and start over. God took what was holy and passed it to Aaron's son.

Let us pray that our GAFCON pilgrims, and all of us hoping for a purified, blessed Anglicanism, will carry out God's death sentence on our own wilful, worldly ways (Colossians 3:5); be clothed with nothing less than Christ (Galatians 3:27); and serve as a God-ordained priesthood (I Peter 2:5).

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 3

Opening Sentence
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm xix. 14.

A Psalm of Ascent
OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; * Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; * in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; * I say, before the morning watch.
O Israel, trust in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.
The One Hundred Thirtieth Psalm, Book of Common Prayer, 1928 (USA)

Reflection
As we heard in yesterday's lessons and prayers, God uses flawed men and women to do His work. We must call out of the depths to the One who is merciful. We pray that the GAFCON pilgrims, and all who intercede for them and await their message, will come before the LORD in humility, aware of our sins, "that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same..." All prsise to Jesus Christ, who on His cross outside Jerusalem redeemed us from all our sins.

V/ We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
R/ Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Morning Lesson & Canticle (Book of Common Prayer 1928, USA)
St. Luke 1, NKJV
67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Prayer
Father God, we praise your faithfulness. We stand in awe and give thanks as your promises are kept and prophecies fulfilled across all times and places. May your GAFCON pilgrims be strong in the Holy Spirit and grow toward the full stature of Christ. May this infant body of Anglican leaders thrive in the desert of this fallen church and world. May they manifest the ministry of John the Baptist and point to Christ, the Lamb of God. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 2

Opening Sentence
The LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20


A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 121
Levavi oculos

I Will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; * from whence cometh my help?
2 My help cometh even from the LORD, * who hath made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD himself is thy keeper; * the LORD is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * neither the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

(USA, The Book of Common Prayer, 1928)

Collect
O Gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.


Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.

Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. The LORD said to Moses, "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.

So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."

These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he showed himself holy among them.

Numbers 20:1-13 (NIV)


From the Great Litany
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world;
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful;
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God;
Have mercy upon us.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us....


Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."

They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

Luke 1:57-66 (NIV)

Third Lesson (from Evening Prayer, BCP 1928)
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Haggai 2:1-9 (NIV)

A Meditation
What if, after all I have done, all I have worked for in God's kingdom, all I have learned from godly scholars, all the lives I have touched, I, like the great Moses, strike the rock instead of just speak to it, as our Lord directed? Could I close my ear to God, assuming from my own wisdom that this second rock is to be treated like the first? Or, will my own indignation deafen my ear, so that I not only strike the rock (that should have only received a word), but strike it twice? Or, could I begin to hear God, only to have my arrogance finish his sentence for him?

What if, like Zechariah, in the midst of offering my prayers and incense in God's own presence, I hear God's call, but find it insurmountable--even for God--and lose faith in his power, so that I am speechless when there is so much that needs to be said?

And then I remember: "be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not."


A Heritage Reflection
"Whatsoever is spoken of God or things appertaining to God otherwise than as the truth is, though it seem an honour, it is an injury."

Richard Hooker (1554?-1600) The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, Book II

Prayer and Fasting for GAFCON - Day 1

Opening Sentence
O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling. Psalm xliii. 3.

A Psalm of Ascent
Psalm 122
I WAS glad when they said unto me : We will go into the house of the Lord.
2. Our feet shall stand in thy gates : O Jerusalem.
3. Jerusalem is built as a city : that is at unity in itself.
4. For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord : to testify unto Israel, to
give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5. For there is the seat of judgement : even the seat of the house of David.
6. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love thee.
7. Peace be within thy walls : and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions' sakes : I will wish thee prosperity.
9. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God : I will seek to do thee good.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
AS it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, 1662

Prayer
Thank you, Holy Spirit, for guiding GAFCON’s leaders to honor and converse with Anglican, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic churches and Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews in Jerusalem. Thank you for all who work for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the continuing presence of the Church in the Holy Land. Amen.

Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928)
So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron's staff was among them. Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.
The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD's presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each man took his own staff.
The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die." Moses did just as the LORD commanded him.
Numbers 17:6-11, NIV

Prayer
Jesus, our Great High Priest, we ask you to prepare signs of your blessing for the GAFCON pilgrims. Show your favor to obedient and fruitful Anglican leaders when they gather in Jerusalem. We ask this in your Name. Amen.

Second Lesson (from Morning Prayer, BCP 1928, and the Canticle at Evening Prayer)
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
St. Luke 1:39-56, KJV

Prayer
Father in Heaven, Mary said “Yes” to the role you chose for her, and on a journey to the hills of Judah she sang your praise. Accept the oblation of the GAFCON pilgrims, who will go up to Jerusalem. Let their souls magnify you and their spirits rejoice in Christ the Savior. Fill them with your Holy Spirit to carry out the work you have for each, that generations to come may be blessed with them. We ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Call to 40 Days of Prayer for GAFCON

Hey all, I just posted the following to the Common Cause website:

The lead bishops of the Common Cause Partnership have called for 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for the Global Anglican Future Conference to begin on Wednesday, May 21. The effort will run through the end of the Conference, which is taking place in Jerusalem, June 22-29. More than 1,000 Anglican leaders, including 280 bishops, will take part in this historic gathering.

“We are partnering with Jesus the Intercessor, preparing the way for our leaders to enter Jerusalem. Many are physically making the journey/pilgrimage, many, many others will make the journey on their knees, crying out to the Lord for His perfect will to be done in each pilgrim here and there,” said Rose-Marie Edwards, chief intercessor for the Anglican Communion Network.

The bishops have specified that the Daily Office, the Great Litany, and the Psalms of Ascent (120-134) be used during this season. The Psalms of Ascent were chosen because of the impact they had on the Global South meeting in Nairobi out of which GAFCON was birthed. Contributors to the Common Cause Partnership prayer blog will be posting these resources along with reflections, scriptures, collects and other aids to prayer as the 40 days unfold. Participants are invited to report specific needs, praises, and other feedback on the prayer blog.

“Lifting our thanksgivings, requests and concerns to God every day, in season and out of season, is at the heart of our life as Christians. I hope many join with us in praying especially for the pilgrims to Jerusalem in the weeks ahead,” said Bishop Robert Duncan, moderator of the Common Cause Partnership.

Please join us in praying for GAFCON!

Trinity Sunday

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of the Rio Grande, ACN

Rocky Mountain Network, AMiA
The Rev. Phil Eberhart


Special Prayer Petitions
The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande is in the early stages of a search for their 9th Bishop. They ask for our prayers in this process.

Please also pray for the members of Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Rio Grande:

The Rev. Canon Dr. Colin P. Kelly, III (President)
The Rev. Brian Winter
Canon Paul Shoemaker
The Rev. David Luckenbach
Ms. Elizabeth (Betsy) Yost (Secretary)
Ms. Diane Butler

Please pray also for the Rt. Rev. William C. Frey, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado, who has agreed to serve as their Assisting Bishop.

Please pray for the AMiA Churches in the Rocky Mountain Network:

Anglican Church of the Spirit - Littleton, Colorado
Resurrection Anglican Fellowship - Centennial, Colorado
Epiphany Anglican Fellowship - Northern Front Range
Wellspring Church - Englewood, Colorado
Holy Spirit Anglican Church - Broomfield, Colorado
The Light of Christ Anglican Church - Denver, Colorado
Church of the Apostles - Evergreen, Colorado
Christ the King Anglican Church - Monument, Colorado
St. Phillip the Evangelist Anglican Church - Cortez, Colorado
Community of ACTS - Pueblo West, Colorado
Christ Our Hope Anglican Church - Fort Collins, Colorado
Anglican Church of the Resurrection - Casper, Wyoming
St. John's Anglican Church - Park City, UT


From the Scriptures
In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one called out to another and said,
"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory."

And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

Then I said,
"Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.

He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NASB)

A Guiding Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldst keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Trinity Sunday," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
"Prophecy tells, the Gospel confirms, the Apostle explains, the Church confesses, that He Who was seen is true God...."

St. Hilary of Poitiers (315?-367) On the Trinity

* * * *
And this also by St. Hilary from the same work--

"For my own part, it was not only the claim which my vocation has upon me, the duty of diligently preaching the Gospel which, as a bishop, I owe to the Church, that has led me on. My eagerness to write has increased with the increasing numbers endangered and enthralled by this heretical theory [i.e., Arianism]. There was a rich prospect of joy in the thought of multitudes who might be saved, if they could know the mysteries of the right faith in God, and abandon the blasphemous principles of human folly, desert the heretics and surrender themselves to God...."

Tuesday in Whitsun Week

Today's first lesson at Morning Prayer (1928 Book of Common Prayer) is Ezekiel 36:22-29

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land.

Lord Jesus, North American Anglicans have profaned your name. Your name is slandered by the false teaching of The Episcopal Church. People can't even hear your name over the fussy squabbling and factionalism that divides your church. Please bless Common Cause and all who labor for an Anglican witness that is true to your message and united in your name. We are not worthy of your attention, but we pray that you will act for the glory of your name, and make us a sign of your glory.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

Jesus, we received the gift of new life in the water of Holy Baptism. But we cling to so many dead and dying things instead of your promises. Make us holy again.

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.

Jesus, your Apostles prayed over us in Confirmation, calling on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us for your service. But we've invested our efforts in other priorities, not submitting to your Summary of the Law, your Great Commission, or your New Commandment. Bring us back to life in the Holy Spirit. Help us to do what you want, when you want, in the way you want.

Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.

Jesus, reunite us with the whole Communion of Saints, in heaven and on earth. When we share the bread and cup at your Supper, save us from play-acting and help us proclaim only your life, given for us.

We pray in your name, Lord Jesus. We thank our heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit, by whom we call you "Lord" and receive your word and your peace. Amen

From Northern Plains Anglicans, American Anglican Council/South Dakota Chapter

The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of San Joaquin, ACN
The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Los Angeles Chapter, AAC

San Diego Chapter, AAC
Mr. Clinton Smith


Special Prayer Petitions
Please pray for Bishop Schofield's health. Also that the Diocese will walk hand in hand with the Lord Jesus Christ, standing firm on His truth and direction.


From the Scriptures
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

"Come now; let us leave."

John 14:15-31 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
Let us thine influence prove,
Source of the old prophetic fire,
Fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee
The prophets wrote and spoke);
Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
Unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial dove,
Brood o'er our nature's night;
On our disordered spirits move,
And let there now be light.

God through himself we then shall know,
If thou within us shine;
And sound, with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns and Sacred Poems

Week of VII Easter

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Idaho Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Rick Carlin

And Let Us Intercede For...

St George’s (Lowville)
St Hilda’s (Oakville)
Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines)
Ontario - Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

A judge has ordered these parishes to share their facilities with Church of Canada members until final adjudication of ownership.

From the ANiC Press Release:
[“We are saddened and deeply disappointed that the judge ruled in favour of a sharing arrangement,” said the Ven Charlie Masters, rector of St George's Lowville. “We attempted this arrangement on February 24th and found it to be terribly difficult. Our parishioners were deeply distressed by the damaging effect the arrangement had on the life and ministry of our congregations. The congregations have experienced much hostility from members of the diocese, particularly since our votes, and they go to church on Sundays for healing and restoration, not to be confronted by conflict and hostility. We are also deeply concerned about the disruption to the community ministries and mission work and those who have benefited from these ministries. We will be consulting with our leadership and congregations to determine the best way forward in light of this decision.” In all three instances, the Diocese maintains highly suitable alternative sites within the immediate vicinity of the contested parish buildings.]

Please pray for God's comfort, protection and guidance for these faithful Anglicans.

Holy Scripture

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

VII Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day

Let Us Pray For...

Idaho Chapter, AAC
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, AAC
Mr. Rick Carlin


Special Prayer Petitions
Pray for the members of the Idaho and Oregon Chapters of the AAC. Please pray for continued growth in the newly formed Idaho Chapter. Pray for Grace Anglican Church in Boise, ID (Fr. David Baker) and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Portland, OR (The Rev. David L. Humphrey, Rector).



From the Scriptures
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

I Peter 4:7-11 (NLT)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Spirit to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

"The Sunday after Ascension Day," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
"Alas, beloved people, listen! We should be careful not to love too much what we will have to forsake, lest indeed we forsake too much what we should possess eternally."

Blickling Homily X (c. Late 9th Cent.)
"The End of the World"

Ascension Day

Let Us Give Thanks For...

Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Vocations to Ordained Ministry

On Ascension Day, May 1, at St Luke's in Akron OH, Bishop Roger Ames willordain into the prebyterate the following 5 candidates:
Sean Templeton of Holy Trinity, Milan OH.
Kevin Maney of St Matthew's, Westerville OH.
Greg Heath of St Anne-in-the-Fields, Madison OH.
David Smith of Good Samaritan, Cleveland Heights OH.
Jeremy Lile of St Luke's, Akron OH

On the Feast of the Eve of Trinity Sunday, May 17, at The Falls Church inVirginia, Bishop David Bena will ordain the following 3 candidates into the diaconate:
Jeffrey Harrison Altman of Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester NY.
Vanessa A. Bickle of Apostles, Fairfax VA.
John Elgin Kurcina of Christ the King, Alexandria VA

The following 5 candidates will be made priests on May 17:
James Walter Brown of Messiah, Chesapeake VA.
Robert Hillis Fickley of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
James Levi Guthrie, Jr. of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
Charles Larry Shrum of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
William Edwin Wilson of Our Saviour, Leesburg VA

The CANA Vocations Committee currently is serving about 80 other aspirants,seminarians, postulants, and ordinands.