AOC Two

  G O  forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.  10  They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.  11  And  I will make all my mountains a way , and my highways shall be exalted .  (Isaiah 49:9-11)               Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on earth (as physical mountains go) at 29,035 ft above sea level. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tanzing Norgay were the first to mount the summit of Everest on 29 May 1953. Since that time, hundreds – not thousands – have followed in the steps of those two men in conquering that worldly summit. But the mountains of men’s vain labors are less than mole hills compared to the Himalaya’s of God. His mountains are described as moral and spiritual landmarks for His people. There are spiritual mountains to which the Christian can point in

God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle-line, Beneath whose awful Hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine— Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget! Recessional by Rudyard Kipling, 1897               This hymn was written in 1866 to augment the observance of Decoration Day observed by the widows of Confederate soldiers by the laying of wreaths. The only identity we have for the author of the lyrics is G.R.W. The musical score is the work of Mrs. L. Nellie Sweet.   AE Blackman of New Orleans published the song in 1867. It is one of many poetic works in the South following the War Between the States. Another beautiful song of the period, not printed here, is Somebody’s Darling – a song my mother used to sing often. In 1868, the President of the United States declared May 30 th  a National Memorial Day for all who died in defense of our Nation – North and South, and all other wars.   Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping   Kneel where our loves

    T HAT   this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?   (Joshua 4:6)               In remembrance of all the courageous men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, we observe this day of Memorial, and well we should. The Perfect Law of Liberty comes down to us by the grace of God. All who bear, or have borne, arms in the defense of Liberty as ministers of God to execute wrath against those who would trample those liberties under foot.               Just as the Lord God dried up the waters of the Red Sea and Jordan River for thew passage of His people into His chosen refuge for them, so did He stand on the banks of the Delaware and wrought the fog to cover the waters that blinded the Hessian forces, fighting under the British flag, to Washington’s crossing in force. God has been our refuge in many battles from that time until now. How shall we remember the Hand of God as well a

   Happy Pentecost Sunday, commonly called Whitsunday in the Anglican tradition. The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded  RIGHT HERE ! You have some really great sermon today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack, and Bryan.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video  HERE  ->    https://youtu.be/knwN_g4TNxA In the Collect we acknowledge God sending us the Holy Ghost that we might have a direct connection to him.  The text serving as this morning’s Epistle came from the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles beginning at the First Verse, which consisted primarily of a listing of all the countries and regions surrounding Jerusalem, or at least the hardest to pronounce ones, and a description of the actions of the Apostles when the Holy Ghost came upon them.  But, you will also notice that the coming of the Holy Ghost demonstrated the universality of The Word, for when they spoke in tongues, The Word spoke

  Happy Pentecost Sunday, commonly called Whitsunday in the Anglican tradition. The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE! You have some really great sermon today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack, and Bryan.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video  HERE  ->    https://youtu.be/knwN_g4TNxA In the Collect we acknowledge God sending us the Holy Ghost that we might have a direct connection to him.  The text serving as this morning’s Epistle came from the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles beginning at the First Verse, which consisted primarily of a listing of all the countries and regions surrounding Jerusalem, or at least the hardest to pronounce ones, and a description of the actions of the Apostles when the Holy Ghost came upon them.  But, you will also notice that the coming of the Holy Ghost demonstrated the universality of The Word, for when they spoke in tongues, The Word spoke to

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE  ->   https://youtu.be/knwN_g4TNxA   In the Collect we acknowledge God sending us the Holy Ghost that we might have a direct connection to him.  The text serving as this morning ’ s Epistle came from the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles beginning at the First Verse, which consisted primarily of a listing of all the countries and regions surrounding Jerusalem, or at least the hardest to pronounce ones, and a description of the actions of the Apostles when the Holy Ghost came upon them.  But, you will also notice that the coming of the Holy Ghost demonstrated the universality of The Word, for when they spoke in tongues, The Word spoke to each in their own language.  The Word was not some stranger ’ s language, but their very own!   In the Gospel, Jesus tells us if we truly believe on Him, we have no choice, but to actualize those beliefs in our actions.  It all come

Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday. The Collect.   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.   ¶  This Collect is to be said daily throughout Whitsun Week.   T HE  woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.  20  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.  21  Jesus saith unto her,  Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.  22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.  23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall

  A S  it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.  14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.  15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion .  (Romans 9:13-15)               There are mysteries associated with the character of Esau but as with most biblical mysteries, they can be understood with a deeper study of the Will and Mind of God in His Scriptures. As with righteous Abel, with Isaac, and with Jacob, these were the second born of their fathers. Esau was the first-born, so was Ishmael, and so was Cain. They would have legally been the sons of preeminence with the fathers, but not so in either of the cases mentioned. Cain was an incorrigible sinner – murderer, liar, and uncaring for his brother. Ishmael was born outside the promise to Abraham that Sarah would bear a child (illegitimate); therefore, Isaac was considered to be the ONLY son of Abraham. 

  A  CERTAIN v nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.   (Luke 19:12-14)               This parable is a summary of the whole Gospel. It represents the earthly ministry of our Lord, His returning to the throne of His Father, and returning to judge the world.               Let us examine the term ‘occupy’ before proceeding to a more detailed study of the parable. Regardless the offensive capability of an army, it cannot achieve full victory if it is unable to occupy and hold the conquered territory. This is one of the responsibilities of the infantry branch in the modern field army. The Church, too, is composed of such foot soldiers whose mission is to recover the mal-appropriated lands the enemy has held and then hold it securely until