AOC Two

A ND  Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  2   And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.  3   And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,  Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?   5   And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said,  I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.   6   And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him,  Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.   (Acts 9:1-6)    “These Christians are an exasperating lot,” thought Saul (later the Apostle Paul) as he journeyed to Damascus to murder and maim any Christians he found

Click here to listen and watch:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkpwtl8AYsQ   T HEREFORE  whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will like him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (Matthew 7:24-25)               This hymn is much older than the impression it gives in its casual, but profound, meanings. Composed in 1822 by Edward Mote (1797-1874), It is a hymn which points to the anchor of Hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. The tune is  SOLID ROCK  by Edward Bradbury in 1863.   My hope is built on nothing less   My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.   When darkness veils his lovely fac

Happy Second Sunday in Lent.   The AOC Sunday report can be downloaded  RIGHT HERE .   We have excellent sermons today from Bishops Jerry, Roy, Igor and Jack. In addition, as normal we have a sermon from Rev Bryan, it is particularly good today;  I’d like to point that out and ask you to give it your special consideration.   Bishop Jack brings the propers together.  His sermon can be viewed on video   HERE  -> https://youtu.be/-TVbL9-aRj0   Bishop Jack ’s  sermon looks at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we enter into the time of Lent, which is a season of preparation .  In the Collect, we acknowledge to God that we cannot direct our own lives; if we listen to our own selves we are without guidance. Paul tells us to keep our bodies under control of our minds and our minds to be guided by God only, He helps move us on course.  Matthew gives us a fine example of faith that demonstrates how we must be guide

Bishop Jack brings the propers together.  His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video   HERE  ->   https://youtu.be/-TVbL9-aRj0   Bishop Jack ’s sermon looks at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we enter into the time of Lent, which is a season of preparation .  In the Collect, we acknowledge to God that we cannot direct our own lives; if we listen to our own selves we are without guidance. Paul tells us to keep our bodies under control of our minds and our minds to be guided by God only, He helps move us on course.  Matthew gives us a fine example of faith that demonstrates how we must be guided by faith in our Lord.  The woman who cries unto Jesus is a Gentile, just like us.  Just like us she longs for His Mercy and will not give up.  Action, not diction is what counts. It all comes together. The Propers for today are found on Page 127-128, with the Collect first:   The Second Sunday in L

  The Second Sunday in Lent. The Collect.     A LMIGHTY  God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen .               This COLLECT is taken from the Gregorian Sacramentary composed at a time when 6 th  century Rome was under constant peril from without and within. The Collects of the time reflect that earnest spirit of devotion that was revisited at the time of the Reformation.  The translation of these COLLECTs into English during the Reformation aroused the ire of those from whose country they originated. Rome was furious with the Reformers and, when given the opportunity of power, burned them at the stake or committed some other unmentionable atrocities against them.               There are at least four salient points rec

  Bishop Ogles ’  Sermon Presiding Bishop Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide We are oft fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry ’ s sermon notes.  Today is one of those Sundays.  Today ’ s sermon starts off with the collect, and like always, it will give you a lot to consider in your heart.  Bishop Jerry also provided this lovely video presentation, Drag Net of the Kingdom -  https://youtu.be/nXYulgpRYqc   The Second Sunday in Lent. The Collect.     A LMIGHTY  God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen .   One great acknowledgment that stands out in today’s Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent is this: Since our father Adam partook of the ill-natured tree in the midst of the Garden, Man must still find himself constantl