AOC Two

  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video here ->  https://youtu.be/AM283jncTiE   Today’s Collect reflects our need for God’s help to live in and by His Rules as Jesus did, the first obvious example being His Circumcision.  In his Epistle to the people of Philippia Paul points out God had given a name exaulted above all others and that we should acknowledge that in our actions.  The Gospel is Luke’s accounting of the angels visiting the shepherds in the field and their subsequent trip to see Jesus in the manger.  Jesus came in a humble manner with the Force of God behind him.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  Circumcision of Christ   Today we celebrate the circumcision of Jesus in accordance with Jewish tradition, eight days (according to the Semitic and southern European calculation of intervals of days) after his birth, the occasion on which the child was formally given his name.  The circum

   L ITTLE   children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.  20  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.  21  I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.  23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.   ( 1 John 2:18-23)               I have chosen only the first six verses of today's lectionary text on 1 John 18 since far greater space would be needed to cover the entire text. Antic

    T HEN  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.  17  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,  18  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.   ( Matthew 2:16-18 )                           Herod’s guilt of the massacre of the infants of Bethlehem does not eclipse the national guilt of America in the murder of millions of innocent babies in the mother’s womb. But the mindset was the same – it satisfied his convenience of power just as abortion is a convenience to evade moral responsibility for one’s criminal acts.               Herod was a great deceiver and would find complete comfort as a member of the

   Merry Christmas! The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded  RIGHT HERE !   Today we have excellent sermons from Bishops Roy and Dennis, as well as from Revs Jack and Bryan.  Each is very different, but very good.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon can be viewed on video  RIGHT HERE  -> https://youtu.be/Ri00wNVhFL0. Today’s Collect reflects our need for God’s help to fulfill the role we have been given as His adopted children.  In the Epistle Paul relates the history behind’s Christ’s arrival here on earth. The Gospel ties Jesus to The Word of God and points out while His own received Him not, those who have have been given power to become the sons of God.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  Every week we ask you to pray for those on our list, today is actually different, today I plead with you to pray for our bishop in Pennsylvania, Jim Flanagan.  He is one of the finest men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  His devotion to co

   Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video  HERE  ->  https://youtu.be/Ri00wNVhFL0   Today’s Collect reflects our need for God’s help to fulfill the role we have been given as His adopted children.  In the Epistle Paul relates the history behind’s Christ’s arrival here on earth. The Gospel ties Jesus to The Word of God and points out while His own received Him not, those who have have been given power to become the sons of God.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  The propers for today are found on Page 96-98, with the Collect first:   The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birthday of Christ, commonly called Christmas Day. [December 25.] The Collect.     A LMIGHTY  God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;

    A ND   it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered .  (Luke 2:1-6)   Collect for Christmas Eve   O  GOD ,  who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Begotten Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we as joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him when He shall come to be our Judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen.   

     25 December 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)   Christmas Greetings from the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide   A ND   so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.   (Luke 2:6-7)                 Is it not amazing the spirit of Love waxes so strong and abundant during the Season of Christmas? Why is that spirit so strong among every level of society at Christmas? It is because “ God is Love ,” and love came down during that season we celebrate His birth.                   There are those among us who try to call into question the date of 25 th   of December as the date of His birth. Great effort is made to say that the Church should not celebrate Christmas because it cannot be proven to be the accurate date of His birth. The efforts they expend in such vain babblin

  A ND   suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men .  (Luke 2:13-14 -  Gloria in excelsis Deo! )               I love the Church Year Calendar, and the Seasons I love best are Advent and Christmastide. Were it not for Christmas, there would be no Easter. Advent is the season of eager anticipation of the Coming of the Christ-Child. It very smoothly fades into that most Holy Season of Christ incarnation at Bethlehem.               Christmas has always been a time of joyous song and caroling, in fact, some of the most beautiful hymns in the hymnal are Christmas hymns. So, it seems very appropriate that the very first Christmas hymn was sung by a host of angels to an audience of poor shepherds on a hill overlooking sleepy little Bethlehem. The simplicity of the coming of the Lord as a baby is stunning to the minds of the world whose hearts are set upon earthly grandeu