I Christmas

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)
The Rt. Rev. Donald Harvey (Moderator and Chair)
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone


Prayer Petitions
Let us give thanks for the Anglican Network in Canada’s role in the formation of the Anglican Church in North America. Let us pray for ANiC clergy and congregations as they face tribulations in the coming weeks and months. May their witness inspire other orthodox Anglicans to stand for the faith once delivered. May God continue to bless and expand the ministry of ANiC.

WHS

From the Scriptures
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 4:1-7 (ESV)

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

“The First Sunday after Christmas Day,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“And so have we here now in one both twain His natures. ‘God sent His Son’—there His divine; ‘made of a woman,’—here His human nature….And here now at this word, ‘made of a woman,’ He beginneth to concern us somewhat. There groweth an alliance between us; for we also are made of a woman.”

Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626)
Sermons, Vol 1

Christmas Day

From the Scriptures
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)

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

“The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas Day,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Meditation
As we celebrate this most joyous of occasions, let us remember that the birth of our Lord in inseparable from his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming. As the Litany reads:

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.

As we sing the familiar carols of Christmas—so many which are known by heart—and we hear their familiar tunes on the streets and in the stores, let us recall some of those second and third verses that tie the Sacred Birth to our redemption:

“Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

“O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray!
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!”

“Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface:
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam, from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,
Glory to the Newborn King.”



A Heritage Reflection
“For it is thus that thou wilt both controvert them in a legitimate manner, and wilt be prepared to receive the proofs brought forward against them, casting away their doctrines as filth by means of the celestial faith; but following the only true and stedfast Teacher, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.”

St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Bishop and Martyr (d. ca. 202)
Against Heresies

Prayer Request - Anglican Network in Canada

Please pray for...

the 4 Niagara ANiC parishes appearance in court in Hamilton Tuesday, December 23rd at 10 a.m.

Please pray for their lawyer, Peter, that he may convince the judge of their position regarding court costs and the impact it would have on these churches; also that they may find favour in the eyes of Justice Millanetti.

IV Advent

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA)
The Rt. Rev. Charles Murphy (Senior Bishop)
Anglican Church of the Province of Rwanda


Prayer Petitions
Let us give thanks to God for blessing the AMiA with growth, and let us give thanks that the AMiA is a part of the Anglican Church in North America. Let us also pray that, as with Blessed John the Baptist, we will all be so careful, especially in These Days, to take the attention off of ourselves, and point everyone to our Lord, whose sandals we are unworthy to untie.

WHS

From the Scriptures
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:19-28 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O LORD, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and 'deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world with out end. Amen.

“The Fourth Sunday in Advent,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“For when we Christians speak of tradition, we mean the experience of the Christian community lying authentically within that which God through Christ has handed over for the revelation of himself and the salvation of men and women everywhere.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey (1904-1988)
The Anglican Spirit

Winter Ember Days

Please pray for...

God to "send laborers into His harvest" by raising up vocations to faithful ministry throughout North American Anglicanism.

Prayer
ALMIGHTY God, and heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the Author of everlasting life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Doctors, and Pastors; by whose labour and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all the parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy Name: For these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same Office and Ministry, appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks, we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, which either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy Name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these and all thy other benefits; and that we may daily increase and go forwards in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy Name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. Bishop's Prayer, The Ordering of Priests, Book of Common Prayer 1662

Hymn - Veni, Creator Spiritus
COME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of both, to be but One;
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayers leading up to Friday, Dec. 19th

Please pray for...

The expected ruling in the Virginia church property cases on Friday, Dec. 19th.

For Judge Bellows, for God's wisdom and justice to fill his mind and words.

For the churches of the Anglican District of Virginia and other involved congregations..

For the Diocese of Virginia (TEC).

For the leaders of The Episcopal Church.

Prayer (Collect for Social Justice, BCP 1979)
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Week of III Advent

Continue to pray thankfully for

The Anglican Communion Network (ACN)

We give thanks for the Diocese of Dallas (TEC), which is the latest of many Anglican entities and individuals to reject the false "depostion" of Bishop Duncan (ACN Moderator) by TEC's House of Bishops.

II Advent

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Communion Network (ACN)
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan (Moderator)



Prayer Petitions
Let us give thanks to God for the way he used the Anglican Communion Network to bring together separated brethren as an authentic witness to our one Lord. Let us pray that, as the work of the Network ends and the mission of the Anglican Church in North America commences, that the ministers and stewards of his mysteries may turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, and that they will continue to be satisfied to present the Christ of the scriptures and not be offended by the real Jesus.

WHS

From the Scriptures
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’”

Matthew 11:2-10 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O LORD Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so pre pare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

“The Third Sunday in Advent,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“He made us in order to use us, and use us in the most profitable way; for His purpose, not ours. To live a spiritual life means subordinating all other interests to that single fact.”

Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941)
The Spiritual Life

Week of Advent 2

Please pray and give thanks for...

New directions and endeavors in CCP ministry

The Reverend Canon Julian Dobbs
New Canon Missioner, Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)

HERNDON, Va. (December 8, 2008) ­

The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) has appointed the Rev'd Canon Julian Dobbs to the position of Canon Missioner. In this position, Mr. Dobbs will work to establish a CANA Clergy Deployment Office, help Anglicans in North America to understand and engage with the challenges posed by the rise of Islam, and develop a mission partnership with West Africa for the development of Anglican clergy and lay leaders.

"We are excited that Julian has accepted this position and we believe that his talents and dedication to preaching and teaching the Gospel will advance the Kingdom of Christ. The job description of Canon Missioner is largely shaped by the gifts and experiences that the individual brings to the position and what the needs of the church body are. Julian is well suited to assist CANA and the recently announced Anglican Church of North America," said CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns.

An ordained Anglican priest, Mr. Dobbs was most recently the U.S. executive director for the Barnabas Fund, at which he developed awareness for the persecuted church and this growing ministry across the U.S. He has traveled internationally and ministered with the Suffering Church across six continents including; Laos, Malaysia, Syria, Egypt, and North Korea. Following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Julian's work in Aceh, Indonesia was recognized by the New Zealand Government who awarded him with the New Zealand Special Services Medal. Julian presented a weekly 60 minute Christian television program for nine years in Nelson, New Zealand.

"I am glad to join CANA at this critical juncture in the history of the Anglican Communion. As Christians, we face many challenges towards spreading the Gospel, and I am dedicated to finding ways to meet these challenges. One way to do this is to find and develop clergy who will stand for Biblical truth. Anglican Christians have great opportunities to spread the Gospel and CANA is leading the way," said Mr. Dobbs.


For the completion of ministry by the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) and its entry into the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Delegates to the Anglican Communion Network’s fifth annual council meeting in Overland Park, Kansas, voted today to begin handing over ministries as well as financial and administrative support services to the forming Anglican Church in North America.

Network members spoke of how much the organization has meant to them since its founding in 2004. “This has been my lifeline. Without the Anglican Communion Network and you all, I don’t know what would have happened,” said Episcopal Church Bishop Jim Adams of Western Kansas.

During the approximately six months the hand over is expected to take, the Network office will continue to provide key organizational, administrative and other services for Network members and the Common Cause Partnership as it completes the creation of the Anglican Church in North America.

The hand over will not be complete until the summer of 2009. When it is complete, the Network as it is currently configured will cease operation.

“God did not use the Network to change the direction of The Episcopal Church as we had originally hoped. He has used it and us to create a Biblical, missionary and united Anglican province-in-waiting here in North America. We are deeply thankful to Him and to all who have supported its work,” said Bishop Duncan.

Many ministries of the Network are already positioned to successfully continue supporting Anglicans in North America. The Anglican Relief and Development Fund will continue as the relief agency for the Anglican Church in North America. Since its founding, it has funded more than 80 projects, distributing more than $3.5 million to support the work of Anglicans to meet the physical and spiritual needs of millions of people. The Anglican Global Mission Partners, also a Network initiative, will continue to draw together more than 30 Anglican organizations committed to mission. The Young Anglicans Project will continue work on a proposed Anglican Catechism in outline. The Titus Institute for Church Planting is established as an independent body and continues its work. The Common Cause Partnership, also a Network supported initiative, is the primary body responsible for creating The Anglican Church in North America.

Acknowledging the need for fellowship and support felt particularly by those in the Network who are remaining within The Episcopal Church, Bishop Duncan said, “We remain sisters and brothers in Christ, regardless of our way forward. We will certainly be looking at ways we can continue to support each other as the Network transitions over the next few months” said Bishop Duncan.

Prayer for Missions
O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

II Advent

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Coalition in Canada (ACiC)
The Rt. Rev. Alexander Green (Bishop)

The Rev. Barclay Mayo (Network Leader)

Prayer Petitions
May God show favor upon the Anglican Coalition in Canada. May they reach out to like-minded Anglicans and bring new believers into the fold of Christ’s church. May God bless their witness to his grace.

WHS

From the Scriptures
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”

And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”

And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:4-13 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

“The Second Sunday in Advent,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“For as that sheep that will not follow its good shepherd is exposed to the wolves, to its destruction; so that which follows a bad shepherd is also exposed to unavoidable death, since his shepherd will devour him. Wherefore care must be had to avoid destructive shepherds.”

Apostolic Constitutions
(4th Century)

For this Week's North American Anglican Gathering

Please pray for the Common Cause Partners meeting in Wheaton, Illinois. This Wednesday, December 3rd, they will make public a draft Constitution for a North American Anglican Province, as well as make formal endorsement of the Jerusalem Declaration of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

From Holy Scripture
“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings! “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there. Acts 15:23-35

From Church Tradition
St. Nicholas (Feast Day Dec. 6th): The Council of Nicaea agreed with Nicholas' views... The work of the Council produced the Nicene Creed which to this day many Christians repeat weekly when they stand to say what they believe.

From the Articles of Religion
XIX. Of the Church.The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.
As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.

XX. Of the Authority of the Church.The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.

Prayer
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world; We beseech thee to be with the Council of thy Church here assembled in thy Name and Presence. Save us from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to direct, sanctify, and govern us in our work, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places, to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length the whole of thy dispersed sheep, being gathered into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting life; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. BCP 1928

I Advent

Let Us Pray For…

American Anglican Council (AAC)
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson (President and CEO)


Prayer Petitions
May God guide the American Anglican Council as, like a Watchman, it continues to keep the faithful informed about events of interest to the Anglican Communion, so that we may be able to walk properly as in the daytime.

WHS

From the Scriptures
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13:8-14 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

“The First Sunday in Advent,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“Awake, thou everlasting spirit, out of thy dream of worldly happiness. Did not God create thee for himself? Then thou canst not rest till thou restest in him. Return, thou wanderer. Fly back to thy ark. ‘This is not thy home.’ Think not of building tabernacles here. Thou art but ‘a stranger, a sojourner upon earth;’ a creature of a day, but just launching out into an unchangeable state. Make haste; eternity is at hand. Eternity depends on this moment: an eternity of happiness, or an eternity of misery!”

Rev. Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
“Awake, Thou that Sleepest”

A Church Warden's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Yes, it was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in October, 1863, to a nation still ravaged by Civil War.

But Lincoln staffers later intimated that Secretary of State Seward, an Anglican and a Church Warden, actually wrote the message. Notice the fullness of spirituality imprinted on Seward's soul: the call to begin with praise and thanksgiving, the rightful place of penitence, and a call to intercede for all sorts and conditions of neighbors.

In our own troubled times, let us give thanks for the patterns of prayer imprinted on our souls by the Book of Common Prayer, and remain constant in this heritage of prayer for our national life:

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

New Interim Prayer Calendar

Those of you that have been following the CCP Cycle of Prayer will have noticed that this is the last week. Our original plan was to release a new calendar starting I Advent that runs for the whole (church) year. However, given that the next couple months may produce some new realities for the Common Cause Partnership, we are publishing an Interim Cycle of Prayer that runs for 10 weeks and covers all of the Partners plus observers. This is essentially the same as the beginning of last year's calendar. We'll publish the remainder of the 2009 Cycle some time in January.

Thanks for your prayers! They appear to be working. :^)

Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King

Let Us Pray For…

Reformed Episcopal Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Headman (President)
The Rev. Dr. Jon W. Abboud (Provost)

Trinity School for Ministry
The Very Reverend Dr. Justyn Terry (Dean and President)


Prayer Petitions
May Reformed Episcopal Seminary and Trinity School for Ministry continue to train leaders in the Anglican Tradition who speak the word of God to us, who live lives and hold to a faith worthy of imitation. May they watch over our souls, and never forget that that the Lord is their helper, and they have nothing to fear from the world.

WHS

From the Scriptures
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:1-21 (ESV)

from the readings for Evening Prayer for this day

A Guiding Prayer
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“The Sunday next before Advent,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“Throughout its fruitful history, the Reformed Episcopal Seminary has distinguished itself as

“Evangelical, proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and seeking to build up its students in faith and devotion;

“Catholic, affirming the faith of the apostles and of the early creeds, while also rejoicing with those everywhere who confess Christ Jesus as Lord;

“Protestant, holding to the Reformation doctrines of the primacy and sufficiency of Scripture and justification by grace through faith;

“Ecumenical, welcoming students from a variety of church groups and backgrounds into a community of ministerial training;

“Episcopal, holding to the worship, doctrine, and order of the English Reformation.”

from “Heritage and Purpose”
Reformed Episcopal Seminary

Trinity has always rested upon a commitment to the scriptural vision of holiness and ministry as it has been expressed in the Anglican tradition. In terms of our particular ethos, then, this means:

First, we affirm the authority, trustworthiness, and sufficiency of Scripture as “God’s Word written.” We believe that God gave us Scripture that we might be saved through faith in His Son and transformed by the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that these truths have been faithfully transmitted in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, reliably interpreted in the 39 Articles of the Anglican Reformation, and given liturgical expression in the Book of Common Prayer.

Second, we seek to be shaped by the example of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus came into the world to minister and to give of Himself. This determines both how we live with each other and what sort of graduates we seek to form. We are committed to training both lay and ordained ministers, believing that the whole people of God are called to witness to Him and serve God's creation.

Third, we are committed to holiness, to being increasingly conformed to His image as individuals and as a community. We seek to be devoted to the Lord and to live in accordance with His character and purpose, and to this end we search the Scriptures and freely make use of the devotional and spiritual classics of Christian history. Only students who have a personal commitment to Christ are accepted for the degree and diploma programs.

Fourth, we welcome students from the “three streams” (evangelical, Anglo-Catholic, and charismatic), as well as from other Christian traditions. We are committed to our Anglican and Episcopal identity and confident in our Scriptural and evangelical roots. We rejoice in our Church’s liturgical life, concern for the balance of Word and Sacrament, respect for tradition, openness to all of God’s truth, power, and episcopal order.

Finally, our life together is dedicated to mission and evangelism. We believe mission originates in the heart of God. We pray for a passion not just to know the Lord ourselves but to bring others within the reach of His saving embrace. We are committed to help lead and encourage the Church in evangelism and mission. We are a Great Commission fellowship.

“Trinity’s Ethos”
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

Week of XXVII Pentecost

Let us pray for...

The December 3rd Meeting of the CCP
For preparation of the draft North American Anglican Constitution

XXVII Pentecost

Let Us Pray For…

Cranmer House
The Rt. Rev. Royal U. Grote, Jr. (President)
The Very Rev. Dr. Curtis Crenshaw (Dean)

Nashotah House
The Very Rev. Dr. Robert S. Munday (Dean and President)


Prayer Petitions
May Cranmer House and Nashotah House continue to produce godly people to serve Christ in his Church. May these leaders save us from false christs and false prophets. May they teach us and guide us so that we are not swayed by the signs, wonders, and guidance of false gospels, and that we may at last be gathered from the four winds on that Great Day.

WHS

From the Scriptures
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Matthew 24:23-31 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

“The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“We are distinguished by our strong commitment to the Holy Scriptures as God’s infallible Word, our adherence to the theology of the English Reformation as expressed in the historic Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, and our commitment to the worship and polity of the greater Anglican tradition.

“We strive to produce Biblically grounded, orthodox, and successful priests who are excellent pastors and exceptional preachers. This emphasis is reflected in the heavy concentration in Scripture, pastoral theology, and homiletic instruction. We are also committed to the equipping of lay leaders for Kingdom work.”

from the Mission statement of Cranmer House

“Nashotah has given the Church in American some of the finest scholars and teachers in the Episcopal Church, and at the present time is sending out priests who know the deep things of Christian orthodoxy and at the same time are sensitive to the contemporary world and its needs.”

Archbishop Michael Ramsey (1904-1988)
100th Archbishop of Canterbury
1967

For the Diocese of Fort Worth, Realigned with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Good Christian People, I bid your prayers for Christ’s holy Catholic Church, the blessed company of all faithful people; that it may please God to confirm and strengthen it in purity of faith, in holiness of life, and in perfectness of love, and to restore to it the witness of visible unity; and more especially for that branch of the same planted by God in this land, whereof we are members; that in all things it may work according to God’s will, serve him faithfully, and worship him acceptably.

Ye shall pray for the President of these United States, and for the Governor of this State, and for all that are in authority; that all, and every one of them, may serve truly in their several callings to the glory of God, and the edifying and well-governing of the people, remembering the account they shall be called upon to give at the last great day.

Ye shall also pray for the ministers of God’s Holy Word and Sacraments; for Bishops (and herein more especially for the Bishop of this Diocese), that they may minister faithfully and wisely the discipline of Christ; likewise for all Priests and Deacons (and herein more especially for the Clergy here residing), that they may shine as lights in the world, and in all things may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.

And ye shall pray for a due supply of persons fitted to serve God in the Ministry and in the State; and to that end, as well as for the good education of all the youth of this land, ye shall pray for all schools, colleges, and seminaries of sound and godly learning, and for all whose hands are open for their maintenance; that whatsoever tends to the advancement of true religion and useful learning may for ever flourish and abound.

Ye shall pray for all the people of these United States, that they may live in the true faith and fear of God, and in brotherly charity one towards another.

Ye shall pray also for all who travel by land or sea; for all prisoners and captives; for all who are in sickness or in sorrow; for all who have fallen into grievous sin; for all who, through temptation, ignorance, helplessness, grief, trouble, dread, or the near approach of death, especially need our prayers.

Ye shall also praise God for rain and sunshine; for the fruits of the earth; for the products of all honest industry; and for all his good gifts, temporal and spiritual, to us and to all men.

Finally, ye shall yield unto God most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all his saints, who have been the choice vessels of his grace and the lights of the world in their several generations; and pray unto God, that we may have grace to direct our lives after their good examples; that, this life ended, we may be made partakers with them of the glorious resurrection, and the life everlasting.

And now, brethren, summing up all our petitions, and all our thanksgivings, in the words which Christ hath taught us, we make bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

“A Bidding Prayer,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

Veterans' Day

Please pray for all CCP church members serving in the armed forces, and for their families.

Please pray for all CCP clergy serving as military and Veterans' Administration chaplains.

XXVI Pentecost

Let Us Pray For…

Church Army USA
Captain Steve Brightwell (National Director)

Anglican Initiative for Mission
The Rev. Nancy Scammacca (Acting Director)

Titus Institute for Church Planting
The Rev. Tom Herrick (Director)


From the Scriptures
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and household continually in thy true religion; that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“The Church’s witness and service minister to people’s deepest spiritual, physical and social needs. But in carrying out this mission the Church’s stance should be one of continual vigilance, as it lives ‘in the world’, but is ‘not of the world’ (John 17.11-16) and as it seeks to be faithful to Christ the true witness and servant.”

Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue: The Dublin Agreed Statement (1984)

For the Diocese of Quincy, Realigned with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

And accept, O Lord, our intercessions for all mankind. Let the light of thy Gospel shine upon all nations; and may as many as have received it, live as becomes it. Be gracious unto thy Church; and grant that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may serve thee faithfully. Bless all in authority over us; and so rule their hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may punish wickedness and vice, and maintain thy true religion and virtue. Send down thy blessings, temporal and spiritual, upon all our relations, friends, and neighbours. Reward all who have done us good, and pardon all those who have done or wish us evil, and give them repentance and better minds. Be merciful to all who are in any trouble; and do thou, the God of pity, administer to them according to their several necessities; for his sake who went about doing good, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

“The Intercession,” from Family Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer (1928, USA)

Please pray for the United States - for those elected to office and for the public witness of CCP members in the USA

Scripture
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. I Timothy 2:1-4

Prayer
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Our Country (BCP 1928, USA)

XXV Pentecost: All Saints' Sunday

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Relief and Development Fund
Canon Nancy Norton (Director)

Board of Foreign Missions, REC
The Rt. Rev. Royal V. Grote, Jr. (President)

Christian Formation Ministries
The Rev. Canon William E. Blewett
Canon Carolyn C. Fouse

Special Prayer Petitions
from Nancy Norton of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund

Please pray for our upcoming Trustees meeting November 10-12 in Vero Beach, Florida, for the Holy Spirit's presence to guide us in our decisions for the future of ARDF.


From the Scriptures
Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel….

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee; through the same thy Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“All Saints’ Day,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“As there is a perfect union betwixt the glorious Saints in heaven, and an union, though imperfect, betwixt the Saints on earth, so there is an union, partly perfect and partly imperfect, between the Saints in heaven and the Saints below upon earth, perfect in respect of those glorified Saints above, imperfect in respect of the weak returns we are able to make to them again.”

Bishop Joseph Hall (1574-1656)
A Treatise of Christ Mystical; or the Blessed Union of Christ and His Members

Bishop James Hannington and his Companions (Martyrs, 29 October 1885)

Let us pray for...

All CCP congregations, clergy and people under the oversight of the Anglican Province of Uganda

Collect of the Day
Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your saints, whose faithful witness, by your providence, has its great reward: We give you thanks for your martyrs James Hannington and his companions, who purchased with their blood a road into Uganda for the proclamation of the Gospel; and we pray that with them we also may obtain the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all who love the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, Primate of Uganda
In the Church of Uganda, Anglicanism has been built on three pillars: martyrs, revival, and the historic episcopate. Yet each of these refers back to the Word of God, the ground on which all is built: The faith of the martyrs was maintained by the Word of God, the East African revival brought to the people the Word of God, and the historic ordering of ministry was designed to advance the Word of God...

...Tertullian’s oft-quoted statement “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church” is the story of the faith in Uganda. On his first visit to Uganda in 1885, the Englishman and missionary bishop James Hannington was martyred as he tried to cross the river Nile into central Uganda. Bishop Hannington was coming to Uganda from Kenya and decided to approach the Buganda kingdom from the east. Unfortunately, unknown to him, there was a Baganda belief that its enemies would approach the kingdom from the eastern route. So the king, the Kabaka, sent warriors to meet this encroaching enemy. Before they killed Hannington, on October 29, 1885, he is reported to have said, “Tell the Kabaka that I die for Uganda.”

Less than a year later, on June 3, 1886, the king of Buganda ordered the killing of twenty-six of his court pages because they refused his homosexual advances and would not recant their belief in King Jesus. They cut and carried the reeds that were then wrapped around them and set on fire in an execution pit. As the flames engulfed them, these young martyrs sang songs of praise. Far from eliminating Christianity, the martyrdoms had the opposite effect: If the faith of these martyrs was worth dying for, then it must also be something worth living for. Christianity began to spread like wildfire.

Martyrdom, however, is not a thing of the past. As recently as 1977, the archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Janani Luwum, was martyred at the hands of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Archbishop Luwum spoke out boldly against the injustices and atrocities of Amin. This, however, ushered in a swift and merciless reaction from Amin. The archbishop’s home was plundered during a 1:30 a.m. raid on February 5, 1977. This brought a piercing censure of Amin from the Ugandan House of Bishops. Church leaders were summoned to Kampala and then ordered to leave, one by one. Luwum turned to Bishop Festo Kivengere and said: “They are going to kill me. I am not afraid.”

On February 16, 1977, Amin had Archbishop Luwum arrested on trumped-up charges of treason. Thrown into a cell with several other political prisoners, the archbishop said, “Let us pray.” Then they were taken to Amin himself, brutally beaten, and shot to death. “While the opportunity is there, I preach the Gospel with all my might, and my conscience is clear before God that I have not sided with the present government which is utterly self-seeking,” Janani Luwum wrote. “I have been threatened many times. Whenever I have the opportunity I have told the president the things the churches disapprove of. God is my witness.”

The influence of these martyrs on the faith of Anglican Christians in Uganda cannot be underestimated. The Church of Uganda has been built not only on the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone, but also on its martyrs. The faith and moral vision for which our martyrs died can never be denied by the Church of Uganda. Their courage and complete confidence in the God of the Bible and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has left an indelible mark on Christianity in Uganda.

The experience of martyrdom is not, however, unique to Uganda. The faith of the Ugandan martyrs is the same faith that took Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley to the stake. Latimer’s dying words to Ridley were, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.” Yet, as the light of the gospel continues to dim in the Western world, are we not betraying our founding fathers and the Reformation Faith for which they died?

Do we not need a revival of the martyrs’ confidence in the Word of God? A revival in the conviction that this Faith that was worth dying for is the same Faith worth living for today? The heroes of Anglicanism throughout the world are our martyrs...

First Things, August/September 2007

XXIV Pentecost

Let Us Pray For…

Anglican Evangelism
Mrs. Jenny Noyes (Director)

Anglicans for Life
Mrs. Georgette Forney (President)

Anglican Global Mission Partners
Mr. Stewart Wicker (Chairman)

Special Prayer Petitions
from Georgette Forney of Anglicans for Life

Most important prayer request is that we will fulfill our mission: advocate the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death in the Church and society and successfully end abortion and euthanasia, protect embryos from research abuse, and promote abstinence and adoption.

I am also working on next year’s goals and budget which I will present at our Nov. 10th Board of Directors meeting and include in our Church Grant request going to over 500 Church Pastors. Please pray I will have a clear sense of what God is calling this ministry to accomplish and what He will fund, also pray for Churches to support AFL.

Another issue we pray for relates to the fact that we rent office space from St. Stephen’s Church in Sewickley, which is in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Diocese and majority of Churches have left the Episcopal Church including St. Stephen’s. There is concern that the Episcopal Church will at some point in the future try and take over our church property. Our computer support system and accounting/database management is all hosted and housed by St. Stephen’s. We have decided to convert to our own system. While this is a good thing it will also open pandora’s box on potential computer glitches. Please be praying for this conversion process which will begin in late November. Specifically ask the Lord to provide a smooth transition for the data and for all the computers to get connected properly.

Finally, I hope the door will open so I can present AFL’s ministry to the Common Cause Bishop’s Council, with the hope that they would endorse us and make the Sanctity of Life a plank in the foundation of the new province so all churches would be involved in doing life-ministry as part of fulfilling the great commission.



From the Scriptures
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 3:17-22 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“God speaks not as man, but as GOD. His thoughts are very deep; and thence his words are of inexhaustible virtue. And the language of his messengers, also, is exact in the highest degree: for the words which were given them accurately answered the impression made upon their minds: and hence, as Luther says, ‘Divinity is nothing but the grammar of the language of the Holy Ghost.’ To understand this thoroughly, we should observe the emphasis which lies on every word; the holy affections expressed thereby, and the tempers shown in every writer. But how little are these, the latter especially regarded! though they are wonderfully diffused through the whole New Testament, and are in truth a continued commendation of him who acts, speaks, or writes.”

Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791)
“Preface,” Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament

Week of XXIII Pentecost - Stewardship

Pray for good stewardship
May all CCP members be blessed with the means, thankfulness and cheerfulness to be good stewards.

May all CCP ministries be blessed with all they need to do the work God assigns.

Scripture
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. II Corinthians 9:6-8

Week of XXIII Pentecost

Please pray for clergy who are being attacked by religious authorities:

Brandon, Manitoba - Clergy of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

California - Clergy of the Diocese of San Joaquin (Province of the Southern Cone)

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

XXIII Pentecost

Let Us Pray For...
AMiA Youth Ministry
The Rev. Chris Zoephel (Director)

Young Anglicans Project
The Rev. Dr. Jack Gabig (Director)

Anglican Academy



Special Prayer Petitions
from Rev. Chris Zoephel:

1) For our team to help advance the Kingdom by helping churches reach students with the gospel of Jesus Christ
2) For unity of our team
3) For encouragement and strength
4) For protection
5) For Soul in the City Summer Camp coming next summer in Denver and Jacksonville (and all that goes into the planning and running of such events)
6) For our workshops at Winter Conference etc...
7) For our teaching and training in East Africa. We are going with Youth Specialties to train youth in six countries (Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Tanzania and the Suday) in mid August.



From the Scriptures
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:3-11 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity,” The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
“For the way of all those who see is single and upward, illumined by the heavenly light, but the ways of those who do not see are many, dark and divergent; the one leads to the kingdom of heaven, uniting man to God, while the others lead down to death, separating man from God. Thus it is necessary for you and for all who are concerned about their salvation to make your way by faith, without deviation, surely and resolutely, lest, in slacking, you remain in gross desires, or, erring, wander from the right path.”*

St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Bishop and Martyr (d. ca. 202)
The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching

__________________________
*Translated by John Behr, Copyright 1997, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press