Tuesday in Whitsun Week

Today's first lesson at Morning Prayer (1928 Book of Common Prayer) is Ezekiel 36:22-29

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I display my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land.

Lord Jesus, North American Anglicans have profaned your name. Your name is slandered by the false teaching of The Episcopal Church. People can't even hear your name over the fussy squabbling and factionalism that divides your church. Please bless Common Cause and all who labor for an Anglican witness that is true to your message and united in your name. We are not worthy of your attention, but we pray that you will act for the glory of your name, and make us a sign of your glory.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

Jesus, we received the gift of new life in the water of Holy Baptism. But we cling to so many dead and dying things instead of your promises. Make us holy again.

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances.

Jesus, your Apostles prayed over us in Confirmation, calling on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us for your service. But we've invested our efforts in other priorities, not submitting to your Summary of the Law, your Great Commission, or your New Commandment. Bring us back to life in the Holy Spirit. Help us to do what you want, when you want, in the way you want.

Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.

Jesus, reunite us with the whole Communion of Saints, in heaven and on earth. When we share the bread and cup at your Supper, save us from play-acting and help us proclaim only your life, given for us.

We pray in your name, Lord Jesus. We thank our heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit, by whom we call you "Lord" and receive your word and your peace. Amen

From Northern Plains Anglicans, American Anglican Council/South Dakota Chapter

The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of San Joaquin, ACN
The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Los Angeles Chapter, AAC

San Diego Chapter, AAC
Mr. Clinton Smith


Special Pray Petitions
Please pray for Bishop Schofield's health. Also that the Diocese will walk hand in hand with the Lord Jesus Christ, standing firm on His truth and direction.


From the Scriptures
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

"Come now; let us leave."

John 14:15-31 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
Let us thine influence prove,
Source of the old prophetic fire,
Fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee
The prophets wrote and spoke);
Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
Unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial dove,
Brood o'er our nature's night;
On our disordered spirits move,
And let there now be light.

God through himself we then shall know,
If thou within us shine;
And sound, with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns and Sacred Poems

Week of VII Easter

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Idaho Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Rick Carlin

And Let Us Intercede For...

St George’s (Lowville)
St Hilda’s (Oakville)
Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines)
Ontario - Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

A judge has ordered these parishes to share their facilities with Church of Canada members until final adjudication of ownership.

From the ANiC Press Release:
[“We are saddened and deeply disappointed that the judge ruled in favour of a sharing arrangement,” said the Ven Charlie Masters, rector of St George's Lowville. “We attempted this arrangement on February 24th and found it to be terribly difficult. Our parishioners were deeply distressed by the damaging effect the arrangement had on the life and ministry of our congregations. The congregations have experienced much hostility from members of the diocese, particularly since our votes, and they go to church on Sundays for healing and restoration, not to be confronted by conflict and hostility. We are also deeply concerned about the disruption to the community ministries and mission work and those who have benefited from these ministries. We will be consulting with our leadership and congregations to determine the best way forward in light of this decision.” In all three instances, the Diocese maintains highly suitable alternative sites within the immediate vicinity of the contested parish buildings.]

Please pray for God's comfort, protection and guidance for these faithful Anglicans.

Holy Scripture

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

VII Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day

Let Us Pray For...

Idaho Chapter, AAC
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, AAC
Mr. Rick Carlin


Special Prayer Petitions
Pray for the members of the Idaho and Oregon Chapters of the AAC. Please pray for continued growth in the newly formed Idaho Chapter. Pray for Grace Anglican Church in Boise, ID (Fr. David Baker) and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Portland, OR (The Rev. David L. Humphrey, Rector).



From the Scriptures
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

I Peter 4:7-11 (NLT)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Spirit to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

"The Sunday after Ascension Day," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
"Alas, beloved people, listen! We should be careful not to love too much what we will have to forsake, lest indeed we forsake too much what we should possess eternally."

Blickling Homily X (c. Late 9th Cent.)
"The End of the World"

Ascension Day

Let Us Give Thanks For...

Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Vocations to Ordained Ministry

On Ascension Day, May 1, at St Luke's in Akron OH, Bishop Roger Ames willordain into the prebyterate the following 5 candidates:
Sean Templeton of Holy Trinity, Milan OH.
Kevin Maney of St Matthew's, Westerville OH.
Greg Heath of St Anne-in-the-Fields, Madison OH.
David Smith of Good Samaritan, Cleveland Heights OH.
Jeremy Lile of St Luke's, Akron OH

On the Feast of the Eve of Trinity Sunday, May 17, at The Falls Church inVirginia, Bishop David Bena will ordain the following 3 candidates into the diaconate:
Jeffrey Harrison Altman of Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester NY.
Vanessa A. Bickle of Apostles, Fairfax VA.
John Elgin Kurcina of Christ the King, Alexandria VA

The following 5 candidates will be made priests on May 17:
James Walter Brown of Messiah, Chesapeake VA.
Robert Hillis Fickley of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
James Levi Guthrie, Jr. of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
Charles Larry Shrum of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
William Edwin Wilson of Our Saviour, Leesburg VA

The CANA Vocations Committee currently is serving about 80 other aspirants,seminarians, postulants, and ordinands.