XX Pentecost

Let Us Pray For...
Rhode Island Chapter, AAC
Ms. Leah Turner

Massachusetts Chapter, AAC
Mr. Ken Burrill



From the Scriptures
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:17-32 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

A Heritage Reflection
“If the Spirit of God lead us, He will always keep us in action; as we go we will have ever somewhat to do well, and be still kept to work under Him the works of God.”

Bishop John Cosin (1594-1672)
Sermons, Volume One

Week of XIX Pentecost

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

New England Region, FiFNA

Northeast Network, AMiA
The Rev. Mark Booker

New England Convocation, ACN
The Rt. Rev. William Murdoch

These New England Anglicans have a number of events and initiatives underway. See Sunday's post and give thanks to God for their vitality as you pray for their abundant good fruit.

XIX Pentecost

Let Us Pray For...
New England Region, FiFNA

Northeast Network, AMiA
The Rev. Mark Booker

New England Convocation, ACN
The Rt. Rev. William Murdoch



Special Prayer Petitions
from the Northeast Network, AMIA
“I do continually long for God to revive his church, to help us to walk in the unity that is given us by the Spirit, and for us to have a zeal for the work of mission that is sustained by hearts that worship God in spirit and in truth.

Barbara, I trust the Nov 13-15 event will be a blessing. We are having our fall network meeting Nov 17-19 in Attleboro, MA.

I am thankful for this effort to be united in prayer.”


from the New England Convocation, ACN
“Please pray for our Anglican Awakening and ordinations at All Saints Anglican Church and Ministry Center, Amesbury, MA, Nov. 13-15, that people would come and be blessed, that the saints would be equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Here's the summary of the event, and a link to register:

http://christawakeningworldwide.com/events.html

Amesbury, MA All Saints' Anglican Church and Ministry Center and the Rt. Rev. William Murdoch will host an international Anglican Awakening event at their Amesbury, MA, campus November 13-15, 2008.

This event will feature speakers and leaders from across the Common Cause, including Kenyan Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and Bishop Bob Duncan.

It is the first such event on the East coast that continues a series of cross-jurisdictional Christ Awakening for Mission events that is sweeping North America.

The Awakening will feature empowering worship as well as three dynamic teaching tracks presented by leaders from across our Communion, including: Church Planting, Lay Catechist & Evangelist Training, and Prayer. These learning tracks are designed to move our region and the nations into a mighty gospel mission. You have an important part in the exciting shared future of evangelistic mission in the Anglican Communion, and we want you to be here to join us!

Registration for the Awakening opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, at All Saints Church and Ministry Center (67 Friend St., Amesbury, MA 01913). The event will conclude on Saturday afternoon with an Ordination and Commisioning Service conducted by Archbishop Nzimbi.

The event is open to all, but registration is limited. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 31, and the cost of registration is $95/person. A limited number of scholarships are available for volunteers (seminarians are especially encouraged to serve in this way).

In addition to Archbishop Nzimbi (Kenya) and Bishop Duncan (ACN), your hosts and guest list includes: The Rt. Rev. William Murdoch (Kenya), The Rt. Rev. Bill Atwood (Kenya), The Rt. Rev. Thad Barnum (AMiA), the Rt. Rev. David Bena (CANA), The Rev. William Beasley (Christ Awakening for Mission Worldwide); The Rev. Tom Herrick (ACN); Canon Doc Loomis (AMiA) ... all working and teaching together with Common Cause and Christian leaders from North America and Africa.

For more information about attending the Christ Awakening in New England, contact Col. Rev. Don Roberts ( droberts@allsaintsamesbury.org ), Assistant to the Bishop or The Rev. Barbara Cannistraro Brown, Executive Assistant to the Bishop ( barbarac@acn-nec.org ), 978-388-0009.”


From the Scriptures
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:1-12 (ESV)
NOTE: This is one of the New Testament Lessons appointed for today, Evening Prayer, BCP 1928 (USA)

A Guiding Prayer
Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

A Heritage Reflection
“There is nothing that the Holy Ghost doth so much labour in all the Scriptures to beat into men’s heads, as repentance, amendment of life, and speedy returning unto the Lord God of hosts.”

“Of Repentance and True Reconciliation to God”
The Book of Homilies (1571)

Continued Prayer for the Week of XVIII Pentecost

“The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”


Heavenly Father,

There is much for which to be thankful.

As we focus in prayer this week for the Dioceses of Albany and Pittsburgh, we especially thank you for the bravery and witness of Bishop Love and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Albany to the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, as well as to the watching world of the Anglican Communion.

We thank you also for the ministry and witness of Bishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone and for the faithful in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. We also give you thanks for the welcoming arms of Archbishop Gregory Venables and the Province of the Southern Cone.

Empower us all, good Lord, to love and serve you, reminding us that there is still much work to do.


Lo! I come with joy to do
The Master's blessed will;
Him in outward works pursue,
And serve his pleasure still;
Faithful to my Lord's commands,
I still would choose the better part,
Serve with careful Martha’s hands,
And loving Mary’s heart.

Careful without care I am,
Nor feel my happy toil,
Kept in peace by Jesu’s name,
Supported by his smile;
Joyful thus my faith to show,
I find his service my reward;
Every work I do below,
I do it to the Lord.

Thou, O Lord, in tender love
Dost all my burdens bear,
Lift my heart to things above,
And fix it ever there!
Calm on tumult’s wheel I sit,
Midst busy multitudes alone,
Sweetly waiting at thy feet,
Till all thy will be done.

Thou, O Lord, my portion art,
Before I hence remove!
Now my treasure and my heart
Are all laid up above;
Far above all earthly things,
While yet my hands are here employed,
Sees my soul the King of kings,
And freely talks with God.

O that all the art might know
Of living thus to thee!
Find their heaven begun below,
And here thy glory see!
Walk in all the works prepared
By thee, to exercise their grace,
Till they gain their full reward,
And see thy glorious face!

Rev. Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Week of XVIII Pentecost

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Diocese of Pittsburgh, ACN
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan

Diocese of Albany, ACN
The Rt. Rev. William H. Love

Special Prayer Petitions from the Diocese of Pittsburgh
“The big thing is the threatened deposition of Bishop Duncan on Thursday. We don't know if this is likely to happen or not, but it may happen. Also pray for the diocese as we prepare for our vote on Oct. 4.”

Prayers for House of Bishops Meeting
Also, continue to pray for Bp. Love and all CCP Bishops present at the House of Bishops meeting in Salt Lake City. Pray for their strength, courage and faithful witness.

XVIII Pentecost

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of Pittsburgh, ACN
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan

Diocese of Albany, ACN
The Rt. Rev. William H. Love


Special Prayer Petitions
from the Diocese of Pittsburgh
“The big thing is the threatened deposition of Bishop Duncan on Thursday. We don't know if this is likely to happen or not, but it may happen. Also pray for the diocese as we prepare for our vote on Oct. 4.”


From the Scriptures
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV)

A Guiding Prayer
Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent* and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

*NOTE: The word “prevent” here means “to go before.”



A Heritage Reflection
“Of all things in the world there is nothing more generally profitable than light. By it we converse with the world and have all things set before us; by it we truly and easily discern things in their right magnitude, shape and colour; by it we guide our steps safely in prosecution of what is good and shunning what is noxious; by it our spirits are comfortably warmed and cheered, our life consequently, our health, our vigour and activity are preserved. The like benefits doth religion, which is the light of our soul, yield to it. Pious men are children of the light; pious works are works of light shining before men. God’s Word (or true religion) is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path, enabling us to perceive things and judge rightly of them; teaching us to walk straightly and surely, without erring or stumbling; qualifying us to embrace what is useful and to avoid hurtful things; preserving our spiritual life and disposing us to act well with a vigorous alacrity. Without it a man is stark blind and utterly benighted, gropeth in doubt, wandereth in mistake, trippeth upon all occasions, and often falleth into mischief. The path of the just, saith the Wise Man, is as the shining light. The way of the wicked is as darkness, they know not at what they stumble. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”

Rev. Isaac Barrow (1630-1677)
Sermons

Week of XVII Pentecost

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Southern Virginia Chapter, AAC
Mr. Eddie Swain

Virginia Chapter, AAC
Mrs. Jan Welch

Washington, DC Chapter, AAC
Mr. Brad Hutt

Maryland Chapter, AAC
Mr. Dan Muth

Please pray for these Chapters of the American Anglican Council (District 2—Mid-Atlantic District) that God will not only use them to minister to disaffected Episcopalians, but also to other Christians who might find a home in orthodox Anglicanism, as well as seekers who do not yet know Christ as Savior and Lord.

XVII Pentecost

Let Us Pray For...
Southern Virginia Chapter, AAC
Mr. Eddie Swain

Virginia Chapter, AAC
Mrs. Jan Welch

Washington, DC Chapter, AAC
Mr. Brad Hutt

Maryland Chapter, AAC
Mr. Dan Muth


Please pray for these Chapters of the American Anglican Council (District 2—Mid-Atlantic District) that God will not only use them to minister to disaffected Episcopalians, but also to other Christians who might find a home in orthodox Anglicanism, as well as seekers who do not yet know Christ as Savior and Lord.



From the Scriptures
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:13-21 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

A Heritage Reflection
Give me the enlarged desire,
And open, Lord, my soul,
Thy own fullness to require,
And comprehend the whole;
Stretch my faith’s capacity
Wider and yet wider still;
Then, with all that is in thee,
My soul forever fill!

Rev. Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures

Week of XVI Pentecost

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Mid-Atlantic Region, FiFNA

Mid Atlantic Network, AMiA
The Rev. Dr. Steven Breedlove

Mid-Atlantic Convocation, ACN
The Rt. Rev. John A. M. Guernsey

Scripture
What anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

Prayer
Bless, O Lord, your faithful Anglican witnesses in the Mid-Atlantic states. Supply their every need, strengthen them in all adversity, and by the Holy Spirit enflame their continued zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose Name we pray. Amen.