Ike Update and the latest e-mail from Fr. Jerry Kramer in Louisiana

While the damage from Hurricane Ike is still being surveyed as I write this (Sat. 7 p.m. Eastern), and it’s possible that there could be news of fatalities or particularly severe destruction that has not yet become public knowledge, I am deeply thankful that the number of fatalities and serious injuries so far reported has been very low, and that damage, while widespread, does not appear to be catastrophic.  The storm’s 20-30 mile “wobble” to the right shortly before landfall, which caused the center of the eye to hit the east side of Galveston island, as opposed to 20 – 30 miles south of the island has meant that Galveston and the Houston ship channel were spared much of the devastating storm surge that had been predicted.  Thanks be to God!

While there is therefore much to rejoice in tonight, I was quite sobered to read Fr. Jerry Kraner’s latest e-mail from New Orleans.  It reminds us of the huge emotional toll these storms have taken over the past few years and how much we need to keep the Gulf Coast residents in our prayers on a continual basis even long after the storms have passed.  Pray for the Lord’s grace, mercy and encouragement tonight to all who have been so beaten down by the frequent and very damaging storms over the past few years.

Here is Fr. Jerry Kramer’s update:

Like many of you we’re trying to get word on what’s happening in Southeast Texas. My folks and eldest son along with Stacy’s family are in Galveston and Harris Counties. We still have our home in League City and many, many friends in the area from our old parish. Our prayers are with you all there.

Here in Louisiana we’re seeing damage worse than Gustav and in some cases comparable with Rita. There’s flooding on the North Shore, levees breaching down south; the poor River Parishes were just sorting themselves out after Gustav and then took another huge pounding. We have friends in Baton Rouge still without power. There will be good and timely updates on our diocesan website: http://www.edola.org. Bishop Jenkins is working overtime to keep us updated and together.

New Orleans made it through, just some heavy wind gusts and rain. We had the day off from school and work on Friday. I’ve talked to quite a few people, however, who are thinking seriously about leaving the area; they’re worn out. Folks here seem to be taking stock of their lives and situations. “Reflective” is not a mood we often encounter here. I’m still shaken by a former staff member’s suicide and was too depressed on Friday to start working on the house and putting my office back together. This morning I went to bring Communion to a parishioner in hospital; this helped me get my bearings. She told me on the way out, “It was so nice to spend time with you and my Jesus.” Reminded me why I felt called to parish ministry in the first place. I’m looking forward to seeing the whole crew at Sunday Services.

For friends in Texas and Western Louisiana, do know of our prayers and let us know what you need when you need it. We’ll be there for you. And remember no matter how bad it looks, God is faithful and holds you in His hands. Blessings,

–The Reverend Jerry and Stacy Kramer, Church of the Annunciation, New Orleans,

Bless your enemies

The lawyer-bishops in the House of Bishops have recommended that the HoB depose Bishop Robert Duncan. The members of the task force are Bishops Jon Bruno, Mark Hollingsworth, William Persell, Stacy Sauls, and Dean Wolfe. Bishops Marc Andrus, Philip Duncan, and James Mathes participated in the discussions of the Task force. Bishop Sauls is the chair.

Our Father in heaven,
We bring to you in prayer David Booth Beers and his law firm, Presiding Bishop Schori and her staff, and Bishops Bruno, Hollingsworth, Persell, Sauls, D. Wolfe, Andrus, P. Duncan, and Mathes. In simple trust we commit them into your hands. We thank you that you love them more than we do and understand their every need. Do for them, O Lord, what we cannot do, and what you see is most for their good; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

UPDATE: These are members of the Title IV Review Committee. Bless them too.
Causey Jr., Mr. J. P. Virginia, III
Henderson Jr., The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. (Chair) Upper South Carolina, IV
Jones, The Rt. Rev. David C. Virginia, III
Kirby, The Very Rev. H. Scott Eau Claire, V
Kuhr, The Rev. Carolyn S. Montana, VI
Ohl Jr., The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Northwest Texas, VII
Rivera, The Rt. Rev. Bavi E. Olympia, VIII
Stokes, Ms. Deborah J. Southern Ohio, V
Waggoner Jr., The Rt. Rev. James Edward

Novena for the House of Bishops – Day 1

Pray for members of the House of Bishops who suffer for the truth of Christ.

“You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

Acts 7:51-53 NLT

Lord Jesus, your servant Stephen preached  to the Covenant people, those entrusted with your Good News but failing to recognize you in their midst.

We pray today for those members of the House of Bishops who are ignored, overlooked, rejected or attacked for preaching your truth.  We pray that all of their pain may be sanctified as a carrying of your cross. 

For Robert Duncan, tried behind closed doors and staying away from this meeting.

For orthodox members of the House of Bishops who have aligned with other networks of faithful Anglicans to bear witness to your Gospel.

For orthodox members of the House of Bishops who seek to work within TEC as it is.

For all members of this House of Bishops who are suffering for your truth, Lord Jesus, that as they suffer with you they may be glorified with you (Romans 8:17).  We ask this in your Name.  Amen.

House of Bishops

This coming Wenesday, the Episcopal House of Bishops will convene in Salt Lake City.

O Lord, Your Holy Scripture tells us that the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. The Episcopal Church is a parched and thirsty land. You promise Your blessings to those who keep Your testimonies, who seek You with their whole hearts.
We ask You to bless all the members of the Epsicopal House of Bishops. We ask You to stir in their hearts a hunger to read Your Holy Word as they make preparations for the meeting. You know the needs of each and every bishop. Speak to each one through Holy Scripture and meet every individual at his point of need.
The Episcopal House of Bishops is a divided house, and many members have divided hearts. O Lord, have mercy.
Send Your Holy Spirit down upon them. Open their eyes to recognize those false assumptions that lead them away from You. Convict them of these false understandings. Heal their image of You. Help them to walk in Your laws and testimonies and to seek You with undivided hearts.
Bring forth springs of living water in this dry and thirsty church. We cry out for a spiritual Elim, with 12 wells and 70 palm trees. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Christ Jesus the Healer. Amen.
Isaiah 35:7, Psalm 119:2, Exodus 15:27

Rio Grande

Today continues the New Life Healing and Reconciliation Retreat in the diocese of Rio Grande.

Dear Jesus,
It is too much for our minds to grasp, that You, though You were in the form of God, would take the form of a servant and be obedient even to death. May we in the Episcopal Church be obedient to You. May our obedience to You be complete for You are exalted by God the Father. Your name is above every name. At Your name, Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Teach Your children at the New Life Healing and Reconcilation Retreat Your obedience that they may destroy strongholds, that they may destroy arguments and lofty opinions against the knowledge of God, that they may take every thought captive to obey You. Teach them to walk in You, to root themselves in You that they may not be taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world. You, dear Jesus, through the powerful working of God, have triumphed over these.
In You, dear Jesus, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. You are the treasure hidden in a field. You are the pearl of great price. May they yield all to You.
Matthew 13:44-46, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Phillipians 2:1-11, Colossians 2:3-15

Psalm 138:7-8, Psalm 139:1-6, John 7:14

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me; you will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand will save me. (Psalm 138:7)
      Jesus, please comfort your faithful witnesses in the Episcopal Church who are weary and discouraged. Revive us — stretch out your hand against those who trouble your people with a false gospel.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8 )
      Lord Jesus, bring your servants to maturity and complete your good work in us. Your mercy endures forever; you have made us, do not forsake the work of your hands.

O LORD, you have searched me and known me. (Psalm 139:1)
      Holy Spirit, nothing that I have done or said or thought is hidden from you.

You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. (Psalm 139:2)
      Father, you comprehend all that I do and think.

You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. (Psalm 139:3)
      Jesus, nothing about me is hidden from you — you know me better than I know myself.

For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. (Psalm 139:4)
      LORD, where could I hide from you? Even the dark is as daylight to you. Thank you for knowing me and still loving me.

You have hedged me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)
      Father, thank you for the boundaries you have set around us by your commandments and your word.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:6)
      Jesus, help me understand the depth of your love for me and all your people.

“I have finished the work which you have given me to do” (John 17:4).
      Jesus, you finished the work your father gave you to do; help us finish the work you have given us to do.

A word received: Pray for peace — peace that passes all understanding. Pray for my people to return to me so that they may know my peace.

Saturday: 138,139:1-17(18-23); Job 38:1-17; Acts 15:22-35; John 11:45-54
Sunday: 8, 84; Job 38:1, 18-41; Rev. 18:1-8; Matthew 5:21-26

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008
From: Jim and Ginny French
Subject: Prayer Request
Dear Friends in Christ,
      We at St. Luke’s Chatham, NY are having our first healing service on Sunday September 21, at 6:30 PM. We ask that you join us in praying for the service and the community ­ that the Holy Spirit would be powerfully present and the healing power of Jesus Christ be manifest. If you can possibly join us for the service (we would be very grateful for intercessors) or cover the service in prayer that would be wonderful!
      We believe that God is doing something very wonderful in Chatham!
Thank you and God bless you! Deacon Jim French

***** Please pray for the prayer table ministry this morning in front of Christ Church Schenectady.

Albany Intercessor

An answer to prayer re: Ike

Here’s an answer to prayer as reported on a weather discussion board I’m following, re: the disabled freighter I blogged about earlier:

KHOU reporting contact with the 589 foot freighter with 22 souls aboard. All are well, rode through the cane OK, waiting for a tow.

Praise God. I hope this is just the beginning of additional reports of answered prayer.

Levee failures in Louisiana, expected surge in Texas

According to Dr. Jeff Masters’ well-known weather blog, here is the latest about actual and expected storm surge:

Ike’s storm surge
According to the NOAA tide gauges, storm tides are running 6-8 feet above normal along the central Louisiana coast this afternoon. The nola.com web site is reporting that a 9 foot storm surge affected the Industial Canal in New Orleans. Extensive flooding of low lying towns outside the New Orleans levee system is occurring. Surge overtopped a St. Mary Parish levee near the town of Gordy, and a six-foot-wide breach was reported in a non-federal parish levee near the towns of Caernarvon, Scarsdale, White Ditch and Braithwaite.

The fact that Ike’s storm surge has reached such high levels 200-300 miles north of the storm is a very bad omen for the upper Texas and western Louisiana coasts. The latest forecast surge values from NOAA:

Shoreline of Galveston Bay… 15 to 22 feet
Bolivar Peninsula… 17 to 20 feet
Galveston Island… … 14 to 17 feet
Gulf-facing coastline from Sargent to San Luis Pass… 8 to 14 feet

God of heaven and earth, God who carries our lives and the lives of [all in and around Houston] in your hands, be with all those in peril this day/night. Help them to release their anxieties and fears into your caring hands, knowing in faith that your will for us is life and everlasting good. Send your holy angels to watch over them and guard them. May your angels spread their holy wings to give all in danger shelter against the storm. For you alone, O God, are all good, all life, all love, and that love is for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.