251214 Aoc Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church _sm

Worldwide Communion

Second Sunday in Advent

December 14, 2025 – Sunday Report

 

 

Sunday Next before Advent 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 in the Book of Common Prayer page 93-94.

 

 

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent

This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day..

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

 

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent

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 prepare 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.

 Epistle for the Third Sunday in Advent. I Corinthians iv. I.

LET a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall everyman have praise of God.

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday in Advent. St. Matthew xi. 2.

NOW when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

 

On Point:

MEMO

FROM: THE MOST REVEREND PONTIUS SCREWTAPE

TO: THE NEWLY REVEREND LANCE "REX" WORMWOOD

RE: THE DEMISE OF PROTESTANT ANGLICANISM

It has been reported to headquarters that the destruction of Protestant churchmanship in America remains incomplete. It seems there are pockets of resistance in far flung areas and we are lucky that they remain disorganized and refuse to make common cause together, as did the Anglo-Catholics.

Since you are new to the business and may not have experienced much of parish life before the New Religion was introduced by the bishops, you must be sure to eliminate any sign of the historic faith and practice of older Episcopalians, especially those who favoured the "old" Prayer Book. We had thought that the introduction of Higher Criticism in the seminaries would have been sufficient when accompanied by the new revision of the Prayer Book but we were mistaken. Not every congregation has yet given over to Anglo-Catholicism and liberalism so it will be up to you to complete the job.

Be sure that those elements of the Old Religion familiar to the people be removed. Morning Prayer must be done away with and replaced by the "Eucharist" or preferably "the Mass." Tell them the word 'Eucharist' simply means "good gift" and has no theological meaning or implication of Romanism. Never use the pan Protestant expression of "Lord's Supper" and be sure to make the sign of the cross whenever possible. Introduce ceramic altarware and put away the old chalice and paten - and use organic ciabatta for altar bread. Always wear Roman vestments when celebrating the "Eucharist" although the C.M. Almy inspired cassock alb is permissible in those parishes that fancy that they are still "low church" because they do not (yet) say the Rosary or Stations of the Cross. Stoles must either have native Central American insignia or rainbow colors - doves and lightning bolts are also acceptable. Be sure that you are addressed as "Father" although given names may be acceptable to promote familiarity. If anyone objects, simply remind them that Anglicanism is really nothing but non-papal Catholicism and that they are not heretical, stodgy "Puritans" or worse, Presbyterians.

At all costs, do not use the King James Bible for public worship or for Bible Study. Remind congregants that the KJV is hard to understand and was written in Old English that no one except Bible scholars who know Greek and Hebrew can understand. Tell them they no longer need to memorize any of the Scriptures because all the new "translations" are available at a fingers touch on their handhelds or electronic devices. Urge them to read study Bibles with notes - not the actual text - because the text is full of discrepancies and errors that need scholarly explanation. Tell them to get a good paraphrase and not a "literal" translation because modern scholarship has taught us so much more about the actual text in recent years.

Wherever possible change the music used for worship and introduce new instruments as well as new, unfamiliar tunes. Limit the use of the organ and replace it with electric guitars and drums. Tell the choir to take a break and substitute solos with a band backing. Give the old familiar hymn tunes a rest and introduce "contemporary" songs even if  popular with rap artists and hip hop bands. Tell them it's to reach "the young people" and part of parish "outreach." Encourage tongue speaking, 'healing' services, and anything else that might suggest the inadequacy of the historic Prayer Book.

Sunday school should be replaced by "youth outreach programs" and wherever possible be led by good looking young clergy fresh out of seminary who were taught more about racial dynamics and money management than the New Testament. They should of course be unmarried and play acoustic guitar. Encourage participation in "missionary trips" to places like Costa Rica, Cancun and Disney World.  Don't teach anything about church history or specifics of Anglican theology, the Prayer Book, and especially avoid anything to do with the Articles of Religion. Talk about sex and sexuality but avoid mentioning anything about morality, chastity, or Christian marriage. Remind them that St. Paul was a homosexual and hated women - it's in the Bible!

Most importantly, keep their minds away from the Gospel, or the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't speak of sin, repentance, or salvation.  People today benefit more from Ted Talks than boring old sermons about the Bible. They need to be better parents and grandparents, to be more "open and accepting" and non-judgmental. Stress the need to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, fight discrimination, and support the right candidate in the next election. Remind them that's what Jesus did and, after all, that's the purpose of the Church. Tell them to leave theology to the theologians, and that they are to obey their bishops in all things - even if their bishop is a heretic, an adulterer or a sex deviate. Keep them busy. Introduce as many PROGRAMS into the church, stressing that the more people fill the pews, the better, stronger, holier the church will be. And after all, the Church needs MONEY in order to accomplish anything so any means of getting more money must be in God's will, no matter how they get it.

Keep all these things in mind, dear Wormwood, and I can promise that in short order you will be sent to a larger parish and, if you increase the membership and expand the income, you will soon be made an archdeacon, even be elevated to the highest position of bishop - a prince of the Church, with impeccable, irrefutable apostolic succession, of course. Apostolic Succession is the one doctrine all churchmen - liberal AND conservative - insist upon as truly ANGLICAN. If you have it (because the Church is run by bishops) you can do anything you want. Never make mention of anything like Canon Law or ecclesiastical courts - legalism only gets in the way and you know Jesus had nothing good to say about lawyers. Avoid those loonies in the Continuing Churches - they only worship the Prayer Book, they hate women, and only worry about how many swings of an incense pot to give a visiting archbishop at solemn high pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on the Feast of the Assumption.

Hope to hear from you shortly. The way membership statistics are going, I have never been more optimistic about the future, since the Americans dropped the adjective 'Protestant' from the name of the outfit. Be woke!

     With ghostly regards,

      ???Pontius

+CEM

 

Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop – Metropolitan AOC 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 Blog:
 https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com  

Bishop Ogles You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg

 

Tuesday Meditation: Arirang Tale of Korea

 Bishop’s Blog Link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/12/arirang-tale-of-korea.html

 You Tube link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv8KZx_pIp0

 

  Friday Meditation: Voyage of the Star Seekers

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/12/voyage-of-star-seekers.html

 You tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4YU4Qvgd2o&t=1s

 

    Sermon Notes for the Second Sunday in Advent

The Collect. 

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 prepare 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.

This Collect, like those of the Reformation, is longer and fuller than the earlier ones; unity of idea is not so much studied in it; but this particular Collect cites the words of Holy Scripture, instead of making covert allusions to it. It reminds us of the biblical theme of this Advent at the preaching of John and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, appeal is made to fulfillment of prophecy being enacted at the very occasion. The Triune God is invoked as a seal to the Prayer of Collect.

The Prayer opens with reference to John the Baptist – the first to greet the Lord while both He, and the Lord, were in the mother’s womb. John is the long prophesied Preparer of the Way of the Lord. His mission and purpose make him equal to, or greater than, all other prophets. The purpose of the minister is to reveal the mysteries of the Holy Bile insofar as the hearers are able to bear them. He not only defends the Word, but propagates it as well. In that sense, our mission as ministers is quite similar to that of John the Baptist. The Word must be presented in its fundamental simplicity in order to make the Word palatable whose hearts are conditioned to belief by the Holy Spirit.

There is only one way we may “found acceptable” to the Lord at His Coming – through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ for we have none of our own.

His messengers of today are those who have been called and chosen in Christ.

In our Epistle from 1 Corinthians 4, Paul is proclaiming the duty and responsibility imparted to those in the ministerial offices. The responsibility is two-fold - first in relation to Christ who calls us; and secondly to our fellow Christians and the grave responsibility we observe in our dealings with others of the faith.

Our relationship to Christ as His ministers is not one of rulership, but rather as servants of the Most High God. Political concerns are not our purpose, but rather to preach and teach the undiluted truth of the Gospel in obedience to our Lord’s command. We are responsible to God alone for our calling and function. The minister is not merely a minister to the local congregation, but to Christ and His Gospel. The minister must courageously combat any compromise that may be advocated to satisfy ‘itching ears.’ The minister’s calling is not from the Church but from God. It is the responsibility of the Church to recognize the validity of that calling by way of examination of the candidate for ministry’s character and faith.

The forgiveness of sin, the Gospel which they preach, the sacraments they are called to administer are effective only by the commission of Christ and His authority. Whatever good works that are performed by the minister, or any Christian layperson, is not his own, but the works of Christ working in and through him. The faults of the minister do not belong to God but to the minister or professor alone.

The overriding responsibility of the clergy is to prepare the hearts and minds of the people for the Advent of Christ, and to be ever ready to defend the Gospel truth against false doctrine.

Faithfulness to the Gospel is the foundation pillar of the minister as well as of the lay Christian. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” All these qualities are not limited to the called ministry, but to every practicing Christian alike.

Though a sound conscience is a valuable tool for the believer, conscience alone is not the main concern, but faithful to Christ and His Holy Word overrules every other consideration. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Though the conscience of some may be deceived to believe a lie, God’s Word is always true and the final arbiter thereof. When we opt to believe any doctrine contrary to Scripture, the Lord may send a great delusion such as we see in the wealth, health, and arrogance of many modern churches today.

Our Gospel text from Matthew 11 declares whom we must look upon as our Master - the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great comfort and satisfaction to know that our Master is Christ and not any man. The Person of Christ as Lord and Master was proven by His own deeds of miraculous healing and righteous living. If we are His kin in the Spirit, our actions and behaviors must reflect that same quality of character - the child will resemble in the parent in both appearance and conduct.

If we quit ourselves as true servants and disciples of Christ, the Lord will praise us for our faithful service. Our failures He will gently correct. Our self-denial will be a source of praise from our Lord. He not only denied Himself of rest, of possessions, of unjustified slanders, but even, at the last, His own life-blood for our redemption.

         Question the basis of our faith is a natural human trait. It is good that we, at times, question what we believe so that we resort to Holy Scripture to reconfirm truth and doctrinal faith. John the Baptist himself began, as he was imprisoned, to question if Christ was the promised Messiah; and was reassured by the Word and testimony of Christ. In difficult straits, we may reflect on the cause of our misfortune, but we should always be given assurance by faith in God’s Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

         The “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” but it is not the end thereof. We at first fear the Lord for His justice and our infirmities; but, then, when we have come to the Throne of Grace and Mercy, that fear becomes less than a mortal fear but rather a fear of disappointing the One who died for us. Consider the misery of poor Peter outside the courtyard of the High Priest at the phony trial of Christ. He denied the Lord Jesus Christ three times ere the cock crew. Remember this passage from Luke 22: “⁵⁶But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. ⁵⁷And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. ⁵⁸And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. ⁵⁹And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. ⁶⁰And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. ⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

         May the Lord spare us that misery that Peter felt in denying the One who loved him above all others. Peter wept bitterly for he feared he had sinned greatly in his denial. He went out and wept bitterly for three days until the Angel at the open tomb sent the women to tell the disciples, and Peter (by name!) that Jesus had risen. Peter was the only disciple the Angel mentioned by name for the Lord knew and understood the miserable guilt Peter was feeling for his denial.

         Lord bless us with the courage and faith to never deny you by thought, action, or tongue.

  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen

        † Jerry Ogles

  

 

 

Charles Morley - Bishop of Alabama
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

We are always happy to get the instruction and devotions that Bp Morley is giving to us. We hope you enjoy the following:

Calling All Christians

     We still measure time from His Birth - sort of. I'm so glad Americans resisted going on the metric system. That 'kilometer' and 'gram' business just never caught on. When I lived in Germany it was difficult to make the adjustment when grocery shopping, especially when buying items not pre-packaged. Buying meat at the butcher shop was particularly challenging and I often wound up with a lot more bratwurst than I needed: kilos and pounds are not quite the same!

     I'm calling on all Christians of good will to join me in some social resistance, to participate actively in a movement to change an increasingly toxic practice in American society. I'm speaking of the absence of any cultural regard for the season of ADVENT even by practicing churchmen and by the even more egregious practice of restricting the celebration of the NATIVITY of OUR LORD to a single day, December 25th.

     Here in the sunny South, it is the custom of many to put up Christmas trees in homes the day of or the day immediately after Thanksgiving. Houses and businesses are fully decorated, and all the secular nonsense associated with Christmas is in full swing. Not a hint of the markedly Christian season of preparation for Christ's Birth (Advent) is to be found anywhere here in what's laughingly referred to as "the Bible Belt." Oh, here and there in the internet marketplace there is a mention of an "Advent Calendar" but that involves sampling a different brand of beer for each of the days of preparation, not the ancient spiritual exercise of marking the days of anticipation of the Incarnation. In most churches, sparsely appearing Advent Wreaths and candles are overshadowed by fake trees, sparkling electric lights, and wassail.

     Not that I expect an Advent keeping on a par with "the old days," when throughout Europe the season was marked by special customs and Holy Days, by street markets and special foods that set the season apart - not just as additional shopping days before Christmas (like the miserable innovation of 'Black Friday') but adding to the depth of the social aspect of the coming Holy Nativity. There was a sense of acknowledging the Lordship of Christ over all time, that God had intervened in human time and changed the world every day - not just once a year. There was a balance to the celebrations - not having to cram all the festivities into one day. Keeping Advent has been blotted out (dare I say 'canceled') advertising, parties, and retailing to such a degree that even churches are affected by it.

     Of course, there are those denominations that regard any Christian calendar as an abomination - a subtle denunciation of the concept that God created time itself and made mankind subject to it. Or those who regard the keeping of Advent and Christmas as "extra-biblical" or popish - as though the spirit of Oliver Cromwell still lived in their precinct . This is usually the same lot that remind us each year with painful regularity that Jesus was NOT born on December 25th, that Christmas trees are pagan, and that Easter is nothing other than the festival of 'Oestra;' the Babylonian goddess of fertility.

    I'm calling on Christians to actively resist the canceling of the Advent season and to work to restore it to its place of honor in American society. Sing the Advent hymns - don't sneak in Christmas music until Christmas actually comes. Open your Advent calendars with your family - a great way to spark the interest of kids in Bible events surrounding the season. Mark the customs of our European ancestors in keeping the special days within Advent like St. Nicholas Day and St. Lucy's Day and yes, even Krampusnacht, a not so gentle reminder to kids that Santa Claus is not the only one who knows who's been naughty or nice - and there are CONSEQUENCES!

     In my younger days Christmas was a very real celebration of TWELVE DAYS. Caroling, feasting, parties, visiting friends went on for days. Boxing Day, the Feast of St. Stephen, was almost as festive as Christmas Day itself, a special day for children when the much treasured "sweets" not readily available the rest of the year were gifted in abundance. New Year's Day was a holy day, not merely a day of endless football and hangovers. And there was the final day of the season, the Feast of the Epiphany, known in many communities as "Little Christmas/Tres Reyes"- nearly unheard of in "Christian" America but celebrated in most Latin communities with great gusto.

    This year, let's reclaim our Christian heritage by marking the season of Advent in a special way. Let's renew the TWELVE DAYS of CHRISTMAS by not plunging headlong into the world's celebrations of greed and excess, of meaningless sentiment and empty hopes. Wish friends and acquaintances "Merry Christmas" days after the 25th and watch their reaction. Remind them that "the Twelve Days of Christmas" are not the return policy limits at WalMart but days we take out of our worldly calendar to celebrate our King's Birthday. What a wonderful way to share Christ with others who may not give a thought on the other 364 days of the year!

Pax et Gratia
+cem

 

Jack Arnold
Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA
Education and Training Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
Church of the Faithful Centurion

Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message as we enter into a period of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior. Let us start by reading today’s collect:

The Third Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

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 prepare 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 First Sunday in Advent

The Collect.

A

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

 ¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.

Today’s Collect reflects the importance of each of us as managers and stewards for Christ, that we might prepare the world for His second coming, and by the way, for the end of our time here on earth. That is a lot of responsibility for us! But God and the Holy Spirit will help us to handle that responsibility if we will be let them into our hearts.  In the Epistle Paul points out man’s judgment of us is nothing compared to that of God. We need to remember this next time a fellow man is trying our patience. God knows our heart, soul and mind much better than we do. In the Gospel, Jesus tells Paul tells John’s disciples that He is the One. Just as is almost always the case, the propers point of the need for action, not just diction. 

 In the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent, we are referred to as the ministers and stewards (caretakers) of the mysteries of God: the Scriptures and His Word. We find that we are going to need a lot of help if we are to properly fulfil this tremendous responsibility! Fortunately that help is available in the form of the Holy Spirit. He will transform our hearts of being disobedient to the wisdom of the just, if we will but allow Him into our hearts, souls and minds. Then one we allow Him in, we need to listen, and not just listen but act upon what He tells us to do. We need to get ourselves in order, with His Help.

After all, if we don’t get ourselves in order first and following God, how can we expect to lead others towards God? We must take the mote out of our own eye before we can help pull the mote out of our brother’s eye. The collect says that if we have done our job, at the second coming we may be found an acceptable people in His Sight. This may seem like a tall order, but it seems even taller if we don’t give it our best effort. We need to have the Holy Ghost in our hearts if we are to become ministers and caretakers of the mysteries of God. We are to be like John in preparing the world for Jesus’s second coming. We need to be shining the light towards Him and letting people know about Him, so that there will not be a stone unturned on this Earth that has not heard the Good News.

In the Epistle, Paul tells us not fear what others think of us, but rather be concerned about what God thinks of what we are doing and what direction in which He wants us to go. People and their opinions are very fickle and can vary like the wind and their presence in our lives ebbs and flows like the tide. Given our fallen nature, it is very understandable that we find ourselves caring what our fellow man thinks. However, we need to realize that in the end it only matters what God thinks of us and not our fellow sinful men. With that in mind, we need to focus our sight son what God thinks of what we are doing and the way in which He wants us to go, and to adjust our course guidance accordingly. In short, don’t worry what man thinks, just focus on what God thinks of us and what he would want us to do in our given situations.

Not worrying is a very hard concept for many people to act on, including myself. There are so many things in this world that can cause tremendous concern and worry. However, we should note none of these things are greater than God.  If we think about this thought, it should ease our burdened minds tremendously. God will bear our worries and concerns, but only if we allow Him into our hearts, souls and minds to do so. And besides we don’t have to consider what man thinks of us, only what God thinks of us. We need to lift the worries off our minds and give them to God to carry, so that we can do our jobs properly for Him.

We will never get anywhere if we follow the ways of this world. As in John 1:11-13 He came unto His own and His Own received him not.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

If we are born of God, then it is Him to whom we must return and not man. As the verse from John points out, even Jesus came to us and we refused him; how can we expect any better treatment from man, than that given God Himself, who came down for us?  We should not be surprised when our fellow men treat us like dirt. We know ourselves how depraved we can be without the guiding light of the Holy Spirit in us.

But the next part of the verse tells us what we will get if we join with him. He gave us the power to become the Sons of God, as we are His adopted children. He is giving us our eternal inheritance, if we will but follow Him. We are going to get an absolutely wonderful reward, if we do our very best to follow Him.  There is a distinct difference between saying you are doing your best and actually doing your best.

The treatment we receive in this world will pale in comparison to the treatment God will give us in the next world if we but do our very best to follow Him. We need to keep this in mind anytime we are undergoing any sort of trial and tribulation and realize that if we but stay the course, that we will in time receive a very excellent reward for sticking on that narrow uphill path.

In the Gospel, Christ asks the crowd of what they expected to see?  Some great big flashy sign He was going to overthrow the Romans and unite the Jews to conquer the world?  That was what they expected, but not what He came for! He says more than a prophet and that is true. Jesus is more than a prophet, He is the Son of God who came to die for our sins that we might not perish but have everlasting life.  He did not come to rule the world, for it would be only a temporal state.  He came for far more than that; to prepare our hearts for eternity and begin to change us from unjust to just creatures, worthy of God’s creation and His Hands. As John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ’s preaching, Christ came to prepare our way to join our Father in Heaven. Without this preparation, we would not have the wonderful gift of eternal life.

His sacrifice was the physical and spiritual action which paved the road for our ascent to heaven. He came to mold and to shape us from being roughly made to something very valuable. He came to transform us from death to being truly alive.

Life is a continual process of learning in every aspect of our lives, not least of these aspects is our spiritual growth and development.  The Japanese have a word for this, introduced into their industry by the American engineer W. Edwards Deming, Kaizen (改善), that is to say continuous improvement.  Never perfect, but always endeavoring to improve.  Day by day.  Just like in flying, every flight we need to learn something. It is the same in life, every day we need to learn something to keep growing as a Christian. Our goal is to make the next day better than the last. This is how we must continually develop as Christians.

To care for the mysteries of God properly, we must continue to learn in our spiritual lives; if we do this, we will keep growing more and more every day.  We are to be practicing this continuous improvement the rest of our earthly lives. We will slip up occasionally but as long as we return to God and His Word to reset and return back to the path, then all will be well with our souls.

As Jesus came to change us for the better, Paul and the Collect remind us to do the same for others.   We have to keep trying to do our best to help our friends and family to be better, all the while doing our best to be the best Christians and humans we can be. All the while shining the light of Christ into the darkness of this world as His ambassadors. We know not what seeds we plant when we perform such actions and in a future time they may bear fruit. We must not try and rush the work of the Holy Spirit, who works on God’s time and not that of our own time. All good things will happen in due course. If we do our part by planting the seed, the Holy Ghost will nurture and develop this seed to bear fruit. We must put our hearts and minds together and think about what God wants us to do in the end, rather than what we want to do. Put God first and all will be well, is what can be taken from today’s collects and lessons, ultimately.  We must be willing do to this; then we can be properly caring for the mysteries of God.

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

  Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi   

 

 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.

 

 Third Sunday in Advent

 

In our epistle lesson for today (I Thessalonians 5:12-24), the apostle Paul called on the faithful to be familiar with the work of those who serve within their churches. In verses 12 and 13 the apostle called on the Thessalonians to esteem or regard well their clergy. Often it is easy for many to attend church and not give any consideration for just what ministers do in service to their congregations. There is often little thought given to the fact that the devil is ever ready to weigh them down with all manner of cares and concerns. So it follows that if congregants will assist their ministers in bearing their loads, it can be rewarding for all. Even if it’s a kind word of encouragement, every little bit helps. Being helpful includes serving on vestries or church boards, teaching Sunday school, and the like. Remember, every Christian’s primary function is to work in the harvest of our Lord utilizing the spiritual gifts which they have received as set forth in Scripture. It is also fitting that Christians be at peace among yourselves. And in that light, we ought to possess a patient and settled nature. So it follows that the faithful Christian will avoid being overbearing, rude or impatient with their fellows. Godly harmony is the product of a love of one another in Christ. We should desire and work for peaceful relations within the body of Christ and avoid divisive matters which engender strife. But a caveat is in order here as we are not to compromise with those who would divide the church on matters clearly outside the boundaries of Scripture.

In verses 14 and 15 the apostle instructed the brethren to, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. The whole reason for the coming of the Holy Ghost was to enlighten and enrich the faith of all who would come to Christ. Ergo, if we are born again of God’s Spirit then he will assist in that cause. And as part of our regeneration, we are to admonish our brethren (as well as keep in mind ourselves) that our Christian walk requires us to avoid earthly lusts and sinful habits which will impair our fellowship with the Godhead. God’s Son came to free us from such things, not enable us to continue in them.

Verses 16 through 22 are pretty much self-explanatory. We are to rejoice evermore (v.16). God has given us a gift of inestimable value and such is reason enough for possessing a cheerful nature. We are also to pray without ceasing (v.17). Our heavenly Father wants to hear from us and prayer is the way we communicate with him. Fellowship with God is but a bowed head and a reverent setting forth of our words and thoughts to him. Time and place does not matter. You don’t have to make a show of your faith in order to talk with the LORD of hosts. He is ever-present and ever-ready to hear us when we truly call upon him in humble prayer. With that in mind then shouldn’t we be more attentive to him and seek his will for us upon every occasion? We are often quick to call on him to help us in the day of trouble; but what about the times where we are at peace with others, or enjoying our friends and family? God is present, so invite him in.

Further, we are to in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (v.18). Offering up to our heavenly Father prayers of thanksgiving is a sure sign that we love him and are grateful for his gifts and blessings which he sends our way. When people do things for us, we are expected as an act of courtesy to reply with a word of thanks. Those who are possess a spirit of gratitude are happier people for it, and are more likely to receive further blessings on that account. God has given us the greatest of all gifts through the work of his only begotten Son and for that we ought to be eternally grateful.

The next several verses are more or less “do nots.” The first is quench not the Spirit (v.19). The fire of God in the Spirit animates and enlivens us. The Holy Ghost guides us into all truth and teaches us those things which the Father would have us to know in our goings forth each day. To quench his Spirit is to diminish our Christian character. If we are without it, then we are in darkness and subject to the workings of the evil one. Remember the children’s song, This Little Light of Mine? Well then, let it shine and don’t let Satan put it out.

We are to despise not prophesyings (v.20). To paraphrase the Rev. Matthew Henry concerning this passage “ by prophesying [we mean] the preaching of the word as well as its interpretation and application in light of scriptural truth.”Also, “We must not despise preaching. It is useful and many times needful to have our minds stirred up, our affections and resolutions excited to those things that we knew before to be our interest and our duty.” This no way means that we are to buy into any so-called prophecy without first weighing it against the scriptures (see Acts 17:11). St. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 14:31-33, For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted (v.31). And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets (v.32). For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (v.33). Verse 32 makes it clear that prophecy is subject to the truth of the prophets of old and to the revelation of scripture by the apostles who wrote the messages they had received from on high. And thus we ought to reject any “new revelation” that has been made apart from what has been set forth by those worthy men. We are, therefore, not to trust the word any man which does not agree with what God has set forth in  his word. And with that in mind, we are to thus, prove all things; hold fast that which is good (v.21). We can only do this by being discerning in our faith.

Finally, we are to abstain from all appearances of evil (v.22) meaning if anything is not in conformity with the Holy Bible we are to refrain from it. The scriptures have prohibitions enumerated in them so there is no excuse for seeking “gray areas” governing our behavior and practices where God has provided none (see I Corinthians 6:9-10; Philippians 3:18-19; II St. Timothy 3:1-5). And the apostle supplied us with comfort from above when he concluded his remarks by stating, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.23). Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (v.24). So trust then in God’s holy Word and embrace his blessed Spirit who will guide you into all truth. Judge a reported truth with the truth, and in prayer and supplication give God space to answer you.

Let us pray,

Gracious heavenly Father, please hear our prayers and answer them as you see fit; and also fill us with thy Spirit, that we might be made meet partakers with thy Son, our Saviour, in his coming kingdom; for we ask them in his blessed name. 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  

                                                         Morning Prayer

Psalm 85; First Lesson: Malachi 3:1-5 & Ch 4; Second Lesson: Luke 1:1-25      

This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day..

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

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 prepare 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.

As we reflect on these passages of the Word of God that we have heard selected for this the third Sunday in Advent we should think fulfilment. The Word was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus those long years ago, time and again we have been pointed to this event in history through the many prophecies in the Old Testament; now it is done.  

One of the interesting things that happened during this first coming, the birth of Christ; some people were aware of the event, others went about their day to day lives without any clue to the happenings. The Holy Spirit illumined at least six people that year or so before that the birth of John the baptizer was announce, and he cousin Jesus Christ birth was announced. Let’s check the record.   After John was born, “⁶⁷And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,  ⁶⁸Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,  ⁶⁹And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;  ⁷⁰As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:  ⁷¹That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;  ⁷²To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;  ⁷³The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,  ⁷⁴That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. ⁷⁶And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;  ⁷⁷To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, ⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, ⁷⁹To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:67-79)

After Mary has been told that she was going to be a mother of the Messiah, she would burst into a song of praise. The famous Magnificat: …⁴⁶MY soul doth magnify the Lord,  ⁴⁷and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:  For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath hath done to me great things; and holy is his Name. ⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. ⁵¹He hath showed strength with his arm;  he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. ⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted them of low degree. ⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. ⁵⁴He hath holpen his servant Israel, in rememberance of his mercy; ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed, for ever.

 Then later, when Jesus was taken to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to the priest as was the custom for a first born male. A very elderly man approach Mary and Joseph as they were taking baby Jesus to the temple. Let’s go to the record and see what happened:

 ²⁵And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, ²⁹Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. ³⁰For mine eyes have seen  thy salvation, ³¹Which thou hast prepared  before the face of all people; ³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And then there was Anna, an elderly widow who has dedicated her life to prayer and service at the temple since the time of her husband’s death. ³⁶And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

In each one of these events we find the work of the Holy Spirit in showing the fulfillment of prophesies from the Old Testament.  Look at the last couple of verses of Ps. 85, vs 8 - 13 :    

⁸I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. ⁹Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. ¹⁰Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. ¹¹Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. ¹²Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. ¹³Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Notice the key phrases; peace and salvation; Love and Righteousness and Faithfulness and righteousness, And then an interesting promise; ¹²Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. ¹³ Righteousness shall go before him and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Psalm 85:12-13)

In this verse as well as in Malachi both refer to John the baptizer, the cousin of Jesus.  Elsewhere we can read passages that speak of preparing the way of the Lord.

 Ironically, a group of pagans well East of Bethlehem will pour over all types of sacred script to see what might be revealed in an astronomical happening.  I speak of the Magi. They had been watching the heavens as they generally did when they noticed a new light, a new star, so they try to figure out what it means and are able to surmise that it was announcing the birth of a king. Interestingly enough, God didn’t always use His word, there were signs and wonders, “...the Heavens declared the Glory of God...” as the 19th psalm begins. But the people of the book, the Hebrews should not have been ignorant, unless someone wasn’t teaching them!

  We can see that there were people in Jesus early life who did understand who he was, they did understand why he was here. But you also notice that the Spirit of God was upon them, they didn’t do this on their own. They did need the illumination of the Holy Spirit to allow them to see what was before them.

 So how do we reveal Christ to others?  In today’s world there are many silent and non-invasive ways to let others know that Jesus Christ is in control of your life. You can live a life to the best of your ability or you can ask God to use you to the best of the talents that He gave you; the latter would be by far the better way. This being that Christ living through us is far more powerful than anything we can do, in thought, word, or deed. We can share God’s love with others without having to beat anyone over the head with a Bible. We can show others that God is in us by example, by trying to be the person that God would have us to be, and most especially asking God to forgive us and renew us DAILY in the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 It isn’t easy. There are plenty of things, events, people, and others issues that can make us angry, discouraged, depressed, or just down right unchristlike. It is so much easier to give in to our self and not try to behave or be Christ like. We must pray daily for a renewed spirit of faithfulness and a renewed sense of our total inability to do it ourselves, we need His help to do the job.

 Let us pray: 

Father God please help us to relate and understand your Word and to translate it in this season of hyper busyness, let us try to pause and reflect on the great Gift that You sent us, the perfect, once and for all sacrifice for our sins, the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer.  We ask that you be with all those who are lonely, afraid, cold, hungry, and without salvation, bringing them the Light of the World, most especially at this time of the year. Help us to be the bearers of Good News, to be a small light in the great darkness that surrounds us, to make us salt and light to the world. These things we ask in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

+Roy Morales-Kuhn

 

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.

Prayer Needed:

Jeff – biopsy revealed stage 4 liver cancer, immuno-therapy begins on the 17^th.

Patricia – Hospitalization for Sepsis

Kamil – pray for successful – Chemotherapy

Joyce Barnes – Skin Cancer – all went well, pray for continued recovery

Marilee – Mastectomy Update – radiation Treatament

Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission

Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery

Michelle – metastasized lung cancer

Jim – Dec. 11^th The Ablations was successful – pray for continued strength through recovery

 

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

Betsey – Lane – Betsy onset of Dementia- Marianne her daughter

South Korea – pray to defeat the communists trying to take over; protection for the South Korean people.

Church of the Redeemer – changes in leadership, mourning loss of a wonderful Minister and Friend

 

Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions, Harper-IBS ,
Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, Marianne, Betsey - Dementia, Donna-chemotherapy, Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall – cancer, Toni – cancer, 
Donna  - cancer, Malou – cancer, Archie, Eloise, Janice, Dakota, Katie, Finley, Mike & Gayle, Sandy, Bobby, Ophelia, Effie, Kamil, Paul,