250112 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
First Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday Report
The First Sunday after Epiphany – January 12, 2025
First Sunday after Epiphany Propers:
The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.
The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found on Page 109-110, with the Collect first:
The Collect for the First Sunday after Epiphany
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle for the First Sunday after Epiphany. Romans xxi. 1.
I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
The Gospel for the First Sunday after Epiphany. St. Luke ii. 41.
NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
On Point
Someone asked, where do the quotes come from? The answer is from the people who uttered them. But, how did you find them? Oh, that. Some from Bishop Jerry, others from Rev. Geordie and many from Rev Bryan Dabney and a few from other places.
Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson – England (right)
Points to Ponder:
Bless the
LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm
103:2
The LORD
is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs
15:29
Wisdom
strengtheneth the wise more that ten mighty men which are in the city. For
there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Ecclesiastes
7:19-20
Fear thou
not; I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness.
Isaiah
41:10
Sow to
yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it
is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12
Wisdom
will teach us how to conduct ourselves in reference to others. [It] teaches us
not to expect that those we deal with should be faultless; we ourselves are not
so, none are so. This wisdom arms [the wise] against provocation, so that they
are not put into any disorder by it.
The Rev.
Matthew Henry
I may be
allowed to say that none need warnings so much as the ministers of Christ’s
gospel. Our office and ordination are no security against errors and mistakes.
It is, alas, too true that the greatest heresies have crept into the Church of
Christ by means of ordained men. Neither episcopal ordination, nor Presbyterian
ordination, nor any other ordination confers any immunity from error and false
doctrine. Our very familiarity with the gospel often begets in us a hardened
state of mind. We are apt to read the Scriptures, and preach the Word, and
conduct public worship, and carry on the service of God, in a dry, hard,
formal, callous spirit. Our very familiarity with sacred things, except we
watch our hearts, is likely to lead us astray... Let us pray that we may be
kept from error, and never forget that the Twelve Apostles themselves were men
to whom the great Head of the Church addressed these words: “Take heed and
beware.”
The Most
Rev. J. C. Ryle (Knots Untied, pp. 343-344).
“None are so safe as those whom God keeps”
Psalms 121:7 - 121:8
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
"Jehovah will keep thy soul. Soul-keeping is the soul of keeping. If the soul be kept all is kept. God is the sole keeper of the soul.
Our soul is kept from the dominion of sin, the infection of error, the crush of despondency, the puffing up of pride. Our soul is kept from the world, the flesh and the devil. Our soul is kept for holier and greater things. Our soul is kept in the love of God and kept unto the eternal kingdom and glory.
What can harm a soul that is kept of the Lord?
When we go out in the morning to labour, and come home at eventide to rest, Jehovah shall keep us.
When we go out in youth to begin life, and come in at the end to die, we shall experience the same keeping. Our exits and our entrances are under one protection.
Three times have we the phrase, “Jehovah shall keep,” as if the sacred Trinity thus sealed the word to make it sure: ought not all our fears to be slain by such a threefold flight of arrows?
What anxiety can survive this triple promise? This keeping is eternal; continuing from this time forth, even forevermore.
The whole church is thus assured of everlasting security: the final perseverance of the saints is thus ensured, and the glorious immortality of believers is guaranteed. Under the aegis of such a promise we may go on pilgrimage without trembling, and venture into battle without dread.
None are so safe as those whom God keeps; none so much in danger as the self-secure.
To goings out and comings in belong peculiar dangers, since every change of position turns a fresh quarter to the foe, and it is for these weak points that an especial security is provided.
Jehovah will keep the door when it opens and closes, and this He will perseveringly continue to do so long as there is left a single man that trusteth in Him, as long as a danger survives, and, in fact, as long as time endures.
Glory be to the Keeper of Israel, who is endeared to us under that title, since our growing sense of weakness makes us feel more deeply than ever our need of being kept."
-Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 120-150, vol. 6 (London: Marshall Brothers, n.d.), 6: 16-17.
How
much greater is the blessing of having one’s soul secure in Christ as opposed
to being reserved for the fires of Hell! Those events of sorrow and hurt we
experience in this life are transitory but they can even be less than that if
our faith is sufficient to keep our heart stayed on God. If you have faith to
trust and believe in the Word of God, you will fear no evil for even evil is
turned into gain for the believer: “And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The epic question here is: Do you believe
this truth of God’s Word? He preserves the bodies of his people,
oftentimes from diseases and disasters, and from death, till the appointed time
comes; and then he preserves their dust in the grave, and raises it up at the
last day; but more especially their souls, the redemption and salvation of
which he undertook, and has effected; and which are preserved by him safe to
his coming, kingdom, and glory.
Bishop Jerry Ogles – I will lift Up Mine Eyes unto the Hills – a hymn devotion – 2020
excerpt based on verses 7-8 of Psalm 121
Jerry
Ogles
Presiding Bishop
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.
Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:
Bishop Ogles has a You Tube Channel that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg
The Names of Jesus Series: The Only Begotten Son
Click
below to listen and watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6oOpp6vjOk
39 Articles of Prayer Series: Article 28
Click link: https://youtu.be/CQExUcEPw34
Sermon for
the First Sunday after Epiphany – Bishop Jerry Ogles
NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (Gospel of St. Luke 2:41)
The Collect
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle - Romans xii. 1.
I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
The Gospel - St. Luke ii. 41.
NOW his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
“ . . . after the custom of the feast.’ Jesus, as a child, went up to the feast as was the custom, or the duty of those who kept the faith. Across the Gospel, Epistle and Collect today we see, as a common point, the aspect of duty as a salient meaning across the three. In our reformed faith, the age of Christ (twelve years), is the age of accountability. Therefore, the Christian child is normally confirmed in the faith at that age. If we consider seriously the single reason for our undivided service to God, it could be summed up by duty based on faith.
One of my childhood role models (and still), was general Robert E. Lee. He described duty in this way: “Duty then is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more. You should never do less.” This also applies to our duty and service to God. We can never do more than is expected of a Christian believer, and we should strive to never to less even if we fail and falter from time to time.
In the Gospel of St Luke, we see the very picture of Godly duty at home. Due to the greater distance from Jerusalem, it was not mandatory that Joseph attend the Passover feast, and Mary, as a woman, was never required; however, they attended anyway which was above the normal expectation. One point, we can never perform above and beyond the call of duty. The mother of Jesus, and Joseph (his step-father), had seen to the proper raising of our Lord to this point in His age. A good home, loving family, Godly living – these all point to dutiful parents which Joseph and Mary were to Jesus. And His mother, and Joseph, were very proud to have Him introduced to the beauty of faith in Zion at the age of twelve.
But His mother, Mary, and Joseph (as was presumed to be His father), were not as aware as the boy Jesus was of his role and duty to it. When the couple departed Jerusalem for Nazareth, they presumed the boy Jesus to be in the company; but, after a day’s travel, He was nowhere to be found. They frantically searched everywhere but He was not along. After returning to Jerusalem and making diligent search, they finally discovered Jesus in the Temple conversing with the religious doctors of the time. Can you imagine the fear and dismay of losing such a fine son? Sometimes we feel that we have lost our wallet or purse and search every corner of the house. Finally, we discover them just where we placed them in a secure place. They were never lost, and neither was Jesus. He was precisely at the right place – the Temple – His Father’s House, for no other place could be more proper for the Son of God.
Jesus was not being discourteous, but frankly true to faith, when He responded to Mary’s question of complaint in His not following them when He correctly stated, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? This answer represents the first occasion in which Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God. The answer was confusing to Mary and Joseph. Joseph had treated Jesus as his own son, though he was not the real father. It is never the wrong path of service when we are about our Father’s business.
Nevertheless, we see Jesus, conscious of His duty also to His earthly parents, returning with them to Nazareth and was subject to them as a faithful son. But these things seemed a bit troubling to Mary, and she kept them in her heart. But in His dutiful regard for His parents, Jesus grew in stature, knowledge and grace.
Now, in the Epistle to the Romans, Paul describes our duties to God in terms of full conformance with the Gospel text. What were these duties of our “reasonable service to God?” Frankly, it is with all our being. That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” There is no middle ground in that service – it is all to God or nothing else. We surrender our self-wills, that were in bondage to sin, by receiving the Mind of Christ. That is a soul-sacrifice. And we surrender our bodies as a living, holy, sacrifice to God which is only reasonable for one devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing less, and nothing more is possible It is our DUTY as believers!
Paul uses the term ‘transformed by the renewing of our minds.’ That requires the abandonment of our old sinful minds to be renewed by the transforming will of God. Paul concludes that we are all one body in Christ, and if one to God, we must be one to each other.
My young friends, I encourage you to confirm your faith in Christ at your earliest opportunity just as our Lord confirmed Himself as the Son of God before the Jewish religious workers in the Temple. If you know Him as your Lord, then you must admit, as well, that you, too, are a son or daughter of God the Father.
Now, the Prayer of Collect simply calls upon the blessings and grace of God to make known to us the terms of our duties to God and man, and for the grace and power to fulfill those duties through the workings of Christ in our members, bearing in mind that we can never go too far in that undertaking:
“ So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Gospel of St. Luke 17:10
Let us govern ourselves accordingly.
W
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
In Christ Alone during Epiphany,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop.
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
Yves
M. Méra
Presiding Bishop
AOC France Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.
SERMON for the First Sunday after Epiphany
JESUS AT 12 YEARS OLD
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Since the birth of Jesus, many things have happened: He was circumcised on the eighth day, according to the Law of Moses (Luke 2:21-24): “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons”; He received the homage of the Three Pagan Magi, who came from the East (Matthew 2:1-2): “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”; He fled to Egypt to escape the slaughter of the Holy Innocents (Matthew 2:13-18): “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”; He stayed there for 7 years; then returned from Egypt, King Herod being now dead (Matthew 2:19-22): “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee”; He lived in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23): “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”; and He remained in Nazareth with His parents, Mary and Joseph, practicing with them the religion of Israel: Shabbat from Friday night to Saturday night; attending the Synagogue on Saturday morning; fasting on Tuesdays and Thursdays; daily praying the Shema Yisrael and the Psalms, every mornings, noon and evenings; Easter pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year (Luke 2:41): “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.”; observance of the Ten Commandments and probably of the 613 rules added by the leaders of the Jews; Israelite catechism; apprenticeship in carpentry with Joseph; not to mention games with friends and visits to cousins: John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth; and John the Evangelist, son of Salome, Mary's sister.
And at the age of 12, he was back in Jerusalem (Luke 2:42): “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.”, to celebrate the feast of the Passover when a lamb is sacrificed in the Temple, in memory of those eaten by the Hebrew people on the eve of their liberation from Egypt, before crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 12:1-15): “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.” And it was during one of those Jewish Easters that Christ was sacrificed, like a spotless paschal lamb, in order to redeem us from the hell to which our sins were leading us. We celebrate these two Judeo-Christian Easters once a year, with the Passover of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and especially more often, with Holy Communion.
When the child Jesus returned from Jerusalem to Nazareth, neither Mary nor Joseph worried about not seeing him (Luke 2:43): “And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.” Note that the text specifies "the baby Jesus", meaning that he was under the responsibility of his parents and owed obedience to them. But who is the true Father of the baby Jesus? At the age of 12, Jesus was already practicing what Peter would declare to the leaders of the Jews (Acts 5:29): “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Above all, in obeying His Father in Heaven, Jesus affirms that he is the only begotten Son of the Father, supernaturally superior to Joseph. How many believing children have died under blows for having escaped from their parents and having secretly gone to Sunday service or catechism, against the will of their parents? Jesus died at the hands of pagan executioners, at the behest of the leaders of His own religion.
(Luke 2:46): “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” Notice that Jesus disappears during three days, like Jonah, and that He rose again on the third day; This is not a coincidence, but a biblical constant.
(Luke 2:47): “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” Jesus is Wisdom personified, incarnate, and reveals Himself as God by explaining His Word to the Doctors of the Law. At 12 years old, you can imagine! He hasn't done His Bar Mitzvah yet! And Jesus justifies Himself by declaring Himself the Son of the Eternal Father: (Luke 2:49): “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?”... (v. 50): “And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.” Neither Joseph nor Mary understood what baby Jesus was telling them. Mary was overwhelmed, same as she was at the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:19): “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Mary gave birth to a gifted man, an HIP, who is her teacher (Luke 1:39): "And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word! ". Mary is the handmaid of the Word of God made flesh in her own Son... Let us not attribute to her a role that she does not have in the Holy Scriptures, and which is the opposite of the one she plays in the Bible. She is silent, like any Jewish woman, because women do not have access to education, and are not allowed to preach in the Church: (1 Corinthians 14:34): “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
(Luke 2:51-52): “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Jesus has two fathers. In Jerusalem, he is the Son of God (Matthew 26:63-64): “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said [so]”; and He is the king of the Jews (Matthew 27:11): “And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.” But in Nazareth, Jesus is obedient to Joseph, his adoptive father (Mark 6:1-5): “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.”
God's dwelling place is in Jerusalem. Not in Nazareth where Jesus led a humble, discreet, hidden life. But He revealed Himself to be Jesus God the Savior when He went up the road to Jerusalem, to His heavenly Father’s Temple: (Joel 3:20-21): “But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.” He does not confuse his two fathers. Christ does have two different natures - divine and human - and he is constantly moving from one to the other. This surprises his listeners, and so are we surprised in our turn; but in this same way we are both saints and sinners, children of God and children of Adam and Eve.
Christ: “He came unto his own, and his own received
him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). Let us pray
for our children, that they may understand this, as we are doing at this very
moment, and discover that they are not only sons and daughters of Adam, but
also children of God, adopted by the Father like us, with the Holy Spirit in
us, and us in Jesus Christ, our only Lord and Savior, for eternity. Amen.
Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop of France.
Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi - Sunday Sermon
We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, espouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.
First Sunday after Epiphany
While the Bible communicates the plan and purposes of God; it tells us only those things which he, in his infinite wisdom, would have us know. And on that account, we are not supposed to engage in frivolous speculation concerning those matters not covered by Scripture. It should be understood that God does not keep us from knowledge of his failings because he cannot fail. And God does not keepus from the knowledge of his Son’s sins because Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. For this cause came the only begotten Son of God into the world, that he might bear our reproach and carry our sins upon the cross. Ergo, without a perfect and sinless life in toto, our Lord’s sacrifice would be worth nothing (see Hebrews 4:14-16).
Another aspect of our lesson today which the critics and skeptics love to harp on has to do with our Lord’s treatment of his parents and their apparent quizzical response to his reply to them (vv.48-50). Consider the facts from our lesson. Our Lord had gone with his parents to Jerusalem to observe the passover feast, something they had done every year (v.41). His parents then made preparations to leave after the feast had been observed, and thinking he was among their relatives and friends, they departed for Nazareth. Now, when they found him not among their fellows, they returned to the city and found him in the Temple among the learned scholars of the day both hearing them and asking them questions (vv.44-46). His mother chided him because he had caused both her and Joseph to worry over his whereabouts. His response is telling: How is it that ye sought me? wist [know] ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:.49). Notice also that his mother and Joseph did not understand what he had said (v.50) which has led the critic and the skeptic to pounce upon the divinity of our Lord. They claim he was only a man and that he did not possess a sinless nature because he had not kept the commandment of Honor thy father and thy mother (Exodus 20:12).
The Bible plainly tell us that though his mother and Joseph did not understand what he had said to them, they nevertheless knew who he was. One would have to omit the opening chapters of the gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke to justify such a farce. The very next verse (v.51) of our gospel lesson states forthrightly that And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. They (like many others) would hear Christ’s words and not directly grasp their meaning, much as Christians down through the ages have at one time or another held an insufficient understanding concerning God’s word written.
And such is certainly the case for the critics and skeptics of today. They are so lost in Lucifer’s understanding of the word that they cannot see the truth of God’s word written. For if the Devil’s veil of deception is ever lifted, such would inevitably lead them to accept Jesus Christ’s bona fides as the only begotten Son of God and the Saviour of their souls. But the forces of darkness have worked diligently to make the very words of Scripture of no effect. Over the millennia, the Devil has sought to twist God’s word so that those who would hear it will fail to understand and heed it (St. Matthew 13:18-23). It should be clear enough to the faithful Christian that critics and skeptics will come and go, but God’s word will stand forever (I St. Peter 1:25). We may not always grasp the meaning of every passage; nevertheless, our faith in God’s word ought not be diminished on account of our ignorance. St. Paul advised us to, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II St. Timothy 2:15).
We have not been called to worship one such as ourselves, but the very personage of God made flesh, full of grace and truth (St. John 1:14). We have not been called to faith in a myth, saga, or legend, but to that one and only name under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12). We have not been called to a weekly remembrance of a dead man, but that of the living Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God the Father (St. Mark 16:19). We have not been called to study a book of magic, or of conjuring, but to inwardly digest the very words of God which he spoke unto the patriarchs, prophets and apostles who are now members of that great cloud of witnesses which are about us and are cheering us on to victory in Jesus Christ (II St. Peter 1:15-21; Hebrews 12:1).
There remain as yet many things in God’s word that are veiled in mystery. Still, God is faithful to perform the promises he has made to the whole body of the saints in times past. As we are living in these last days, we must continue to watch and pray for the approach of our Lord who suffered so that we might obtain the gracious favor of God through faith in his blood. We need to prepared for that day when we are summoned before his judgment seat, that we might hear these words: well done thou good and faithful servant and be received into his eternal kingdom as saints of light. Therefore, let us heed the answer our Lord gave to his earthly parents, wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? for that is what all true Christians are expected to do in his service as well as to watch and pray for his return.
Let us pray,
O God, who sent thine only begotten Son into the world, that all who would believe on him might be saved; grant us grace to follow his good example, serving in his harvest and occupying until he comes again; for this we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Bryan+
Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican
Church
Diocese of the Midwest
Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Sermon for the First Sunday after Epiphany
Psalms 92,93 First lesson. Proverbs 8:22-35 Second lesson. Colossians 1:9-29
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Questions to ponder in this New Year
Do you sometimes feel as if the Lord has abandoned you ?
Do you sometimes think that living a Christ-like life doesn’t seem to work ?
What is going on when these thoughts invade your mind?
If you think about it, the Prince of the power of the air, Satan, has the ability to cloud or redirect our minds from the heavenly direction we should strive for. What does this mean and why does it happen? Do understand that if you are a follower of Christ Jesus, you will be a target of these doubts and fears. It comes with the territory. You have decided to follow Jesus, now that you are, Satan will do anything to try and get you to forget that you are a child of the King.
21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1:21). If we focus on St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we read of encouragement, prayers of strength, thanksgiving for salvation, all the tenet of the Christian faith.
This seems to be following a pattern, Paul is showing that believers do have problems with their faith and yet should not give up, they should seek the Lord; ‘being filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding’. The Lord has not abandoned you, He communicates through His word, the Bible, everything that will give you comfort and security in your faith. The key to this process: you must daily read the Word of God, meditate upon the word, see how it applies a balm to your spirit, giving you the peace that passes all human understanding, to sooth and comfort the doubting believer.
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:22-23)
It wasn’t that Paul was writing in circles, he was pointing to the variable in everyday Christian life.
One day you seem to be following the Lord, the next day you question or doubt the very foundations of your faith. This is not really that hard to understand. Here is a fact: if you were Satan’s, if you were without faith, if you had no hope in the Resurrection, then you would not doubt, you would not wonder if you were saved. Does that make sense ?
…A house divided against itself cannot stand. (Matthew 12:25) If you are in Satan’s camp, why in the world would he get you to doubt your salvation? He’d leave well enough alone, he doesn’t want you wondering about the afterlife. He wants you to think all is well, there is no need for salvation, after all you aren’t that bad...right ? Or the even more damnable lie, EVERYONE is going to heaven. God is a God of love, He wouldn’t condemn anyone to HELL. All the verses in the Bible that tell us otherwise would then become null and void. You can’t pick and choose. Then that would make Christ a liar. He said …no man cometh to the Father but by me. (John 14:6) Over and over again we read the exclusive salvation mode, not any universalism. It is by His shed blood, by His death on the Cross, by His glorious Resurrection from the dead, that we receive our salvation, not by what we do, least we boast.
He does this to keep the lost blinded to the fact that dying without Christ is eternal damnation.
Notice what Paul writes, ‘...sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works....yet now hath he reconciled’. We can be turned about by our own thoughts, we can be led away from Christ by wicked enemies in your mind, or wicked works in your mind, but in the work of Christ death, he reconciles us, he presents us holy, unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.
Now look at these next couple of verses from the letter to the church at Colossi.
27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1:27-29)
So instead of wasting time worrying about things that don’t really exist, let us look at the job we are to do. We are to show the world, by our example, by the hope of glory, by the very fiber of our being, that there is a reason for the hope that we have.
As St. Peter wrote in 1Peter 3:15, “...But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear...”
No matter who we are in Christ, we are constantly showing the Gospel in our lives. We don’t have to be ordained ministers, church leaders or workers per se, we just have to live our lives in such a manner that they become the Gospel.
Let us go and do likewise.
Let us pray:
HEAVENLY Father, we beseech Thee to help us in the personal influence, both conscious and. unconscious, which we exert from day to day, May we be a hindrance to no one either by word or example, but by the purity, gentleness and unselfishness of our lives. may' we lead many to serve their fellow-men and glorify Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who has said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work"; Grant us, we beseech Thee, such zeal in Thy service, that we may never be weary in well doing, but may labor steadfastly unto the end; through Thy mercy, O our God, who art blessed, and livest and reignest for ever and ever. AMEN.
O ALMIGHTY God, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to them that truly repent: Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; that, we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
Rev
Stephen Cooper Church of the Redeemer
Fairbanks, Alaska
From time to time we are fortunate to receive a sermon from Rev Cooper in Fairbanks Alaska. The head of our northernmost church, Stephen is a brilliant and inspiring speaker. I wish we had video of him rather than just audio; but I am confident you will enjoy this. This sermon is for last week. Please take the time to listen to it.
Sermon for the First Sunday after Epiphany
By Rev. Stephen Cooper of Fairbanks, Alaska
Click link : https://youtu.be/hV-hfl5NN6I
Rev. David
McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian on Third Sunday in Advent
First Sunday after Epiphany
Isa 42:1-9; Ps 89:1-29 or 89:20-29; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-22;
Epiphany Living
The first thing I do in preparing the message for the Sunday is to look at the season, and the lessons. The hymn we will sing at the end of the service is a seasonal hymn in that it talks about this in one of the stanzas left out in the hymnal:
"Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hung’ring ones with manna sweet."
That is the point of Epiphany. The Gospel is for all, not just for us here. Another vs left out:
" Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing pow’r
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour."
Epiphany is manifesting and showing God's power and love to others, so that they too would be fed with God's manna. This is the example of the Wise men in Matthew, chapter two, that we read last week..."1there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem....2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
1. Isaiah 42:3: "A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth." (fulfilled in Christ ----see Matthew 12:18-20! the whole passage from Isaiah is in Mt 12:15-21 about Jesus being the Servant and the Pharisees criticize him...see the context....)
What does this verse mean ? It is talking about our actions in treating others with gentleness. Are we bruised in some way? "The Hebrew verb "ratsats" primarily conveys the action of crushing or breaking something into pieces. It can also imply oppression or the act of pressing down upon someone or something with force. This term is often used metaphorically to describe the oppression of people or the breaking of physical objects." (biblehub.com)
Christ was bruised for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)
We are to be gentle in our attitudes and actions knowing that Jesus was as well. He brought justice and love to all who trust in Him.
2. It is talking about the Servant, our Lord Himself, bringing light to the Gentiles, all kinds of people everywhere. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." (Isaiah 42:1)
Acts chapter ten, reinforces the view that at the center is the Lord Jesus Christ who did all these things for us, that we could not do for ourselves. "34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
In other words God has declared Jesus to be the one that anyone who believes in can live in everlasting life. It does not matter where we are from, or who we know. It matters who we put our love and trust in.
3. At His baptism we read in Luke 3:22, "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased" In Epiphany He is shown to be our hope in this world and the next.
Some churches talk about baptism this Sunday ....
"Three pastors got together for coffee one morning. Much to their surprise they discovered that all their churches had problems with bats infesting their belfries. The bats were making a terrible mess. "I got so mad," said one pastor, "I took a shotgun and fired at them. It made holes in the ceiling, but did nothing to the bats."
"I tried trapping them alive," said the second. "Then I drove 50 miles before releasing them, but they beat me back to the church."
"I haven't had any more problems," said the third.
"What did you do?" asked the others, amazed.
"I simply baptized and confirmed them," he replied. "I haven't seen them since."
If that story doesn't make you laugh, it will make you cry. It is such a common occurrence. People come to the church desiring Christian baptism and church membership. We welcome them into our fellowship, and then for six weeks or so after we welcome them into our fellowship, we don't hear anything of them. What does it mean? Or parents stand at the altar to present a child to God. They make promises to bring up that child in the household of faith and then they disappear. We rarely see them again. What did those promises mean?
On this second Sunday of the New Year our lesson from the Gospels focuses our attention on the place of baptism in our lives.
Jesus came to be baptized by John. It was an interesting act of contrition. John the Baptist admitted that he wasn't worthy to lace up Jesus' sneakers, and yet Jesus joins the crowd that is being baptized by John. It was a dramatic moment for John and even for Jesus. For there came a voice from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."
Baptism has always been at the heart of the Christian faith. It is sign and symbol that a person belongs to Christ. It is a requirement for membership in the church. It is a sacrament ” a means of grace. Why, then, do so many Christians take baptism so lightly? Perhaps we need to consider what baptism says to us:
1. First of all, baptism says that it is God who saves us.
2. Second, it is God who calls us.
3. Finally, it is God who goes with us." (from sermons@sermons.com)
As John the Baptist said we must decrease, and He must increase.
Often in our conversations and actions we betray Him and the reed is bruised, and the smouldering wick is put out. It needs oxygen, the oxygen of the Spirit and the love of God to survive as we do His will despite how others may treat us or act toward us.
"Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing pow’r
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.
Oh, fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share."
Frances Havergal in the hymn "Lord speak to me that I may speak"
Conclusion: A quote from a comment on The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes in the 16th century --the book of these messages was published in 1630. "God’s children are bruised reeds before their conversion and oftentimes after. The bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and by misery he is brought to see sin as the cause of it…so that together these, a bruised reed and a smoking flax, make up together the state of a poor, distressed man" (https://bible.org/article/bruised-reed by Ron Maness)
Rev. David Mc Millan
AOC Worldwide Prayer List –
I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu, Mauri Turner, Mike, Jim, Dotty, Jan Jessup, Steve, Josh Morley, Jennifer,
AOC USA, AOC Missions, Zach, Jess, Luke, Jacquie, Harper, Bishop Zephaniah,
Jim Sevier, Linda, Donald Roesch, Jim Kniffen, Colin, Lowery, Robert,
Prayer Needed:
Eddie Bowman – car accident – collapsed lung, broken hip, back injuries - hospitalization
Tate Maag – infant with recently
implanted feeding tube
Alicia – Struggling caring for parents at home
Bishop Zephaniah – Kidney stones
Donna – beginning her chemo for
Brain Cancer – recovered from surgery
Praise Report
Christy Sepsas Wood had a complete recovery from her mild stroke.
Extended Issues need continued prayer;
Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Katie Pope – Just beginning treatment for Stage 4 Pulmonary Carcinoma “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
Hurricane Helen Recovery-Please keep praying for all the people and towns affected
All Those in Recovery from Hurricane MILTON
For All Those affected by the Fires in California
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