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