Prayer Table Reports

      PRAYER TABLE REPORT
Saturday, April 25, 2009; at Christ Church in Schenectady. Torre Bissell and Don Foust, 9:20-10:30 a.m.
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

+Pablo — older Hispanic man with little English — we prayed for provision for him and his family.

+Leroy — man on bicycle — asked prayer for his daughter +Ashley that he would get visiting rights to see her and for his mom +Shirley.

+Robert — he asked prayer for his health.

+Kevis — young man — his mom just died and we prayed for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for him and his sister Yolanda just had brain surgery and we prayed for healing and recovery for her.

Linda — a regular — prayed for protection and provision for her and her family.

(Young man walking by) — When we asked him if he wanted prayer he said, “No, I’m a Wicken.” We prayed for deliverance from witchcraft and conversion for him.

+Richard — “Me.” We prayed for Jesus’ victory in his life.

+Whong — “Everything!” We prayed that Jesus would reveal himself to Whong.

(Man on other side of the street) “I’m going to pray for you.”

+Matt — young man — “For a job.” We prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide his search.

(Man on other side of the street) “Say a prayer for me.”

+Lori — She asked prayer for Louise, her mom, who recently “lost her loved one.”

+Donna — asked prayer for her +boyfriend.

+Issa — a repeat customer lately — She was on her way to visit her friend +Belinda. We pray for God’s blessing on the visit. She said her mom was doing OK.

+Hassan — a man and his little girl in a stroller, +Nakayia — We prayed for him to grow into the man and father God wanted him to be.

Jim — a regular — prayed for the comfort of the Holy Spirit because of the death of his son Robert.

+Ebony — young woman — We prayed for the anointing of the Holy Spirit on her witness as she was going to teach the children at the Macedonia Seventh Day Adventist Church around the corner on Swan St.

      PRAYER TABLE REPORT #2 (Christ Church Schenectady)

(Sat., April 25, 2009; 10:30 – 11:30 — Dianne Gambill and David Carlson)

[+ --indicates received one of the wooden crosses from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.]

+ Amin & ++++ Marcus – two men stopped for prayer – Amin is staying at the mission and asked prayer for a job and housing; Marcus asked prayer for provision and to be able to have a family; we invited them to visit us Sunday morning at the 10:20 service; Marcus said he plans to come to church tomorrow; he later went by the other direction and yelled out “10:20!”

Paul – man stopped for prayer, said “I don’t want to hold hands or anything but you can pray for me” — we ended up talking to him for at least 15 minutes – he has a lot of deep questions and has a problem with the idea that Jesus is the only way to Heaven; he said he is more concerned about the “now life” and asked prayer for peace; while we were talking a woman named Renee stopped and said “I want to pray too!” – she prayed a powerful prayer; we prayed that the Lord would reveal himself to Paul

+ Iris & + Pedro – couple walking by – stopped for prayer when we invited them to – Iris is using a walker and asked prayer for healing of her legs; she also just had a tooth extracted this morning; they thanked us for our prayers and kissed the crosses before putting them on

+ Pedro – didn’t speak English but clearly wanted prayer – he was very enthusiastic and eager for us to pray for him; he accepted a cross and thanked us

++ Sapeca, Angela, and their dad – part of the Anderson family that we have been praying for (most of the family was involved in a serious accident back in December) – Mr. Anderson said they are doing well

+ Aata – young man in his 30’s walking his dog – stopped for prayer at our invitation – wanted to thank God for family and for good health

+ Elliot – man stopped on his bike, knelt down before us while shaking our hands; there was a language barrier but he was very eager for prayer; he began to cry and said “I need God!” – we prayed that the Lord would reveal Himself to Elliot – we assured him that God loves him, no matter what has happened in the past, and invited him to come visit us for church in the morning; as he got on his bike he looked up and said “thank you God!”

David Carlson

Albany Intercessor

Easter Quotes: Anglican Curmudgeon on Easter and the Shroud of Turin

I’m not sure any of the other Anglican blogs picked up on Anglican Curmudgeon’s fascinating Easter post “Playing Back the Resurrection” where he offers detailed discussion (and tons of links) re: the latest news about the Shroud of Turin. Here’s an excerpt:

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth,” said Sherlock Holmes. As the evidence mounts for the genuineness of the Shroud, Christians may draw on increased support for their faith, even if faith ultimately rests on much more than mere evidence. To be able to reduce other logical possibilities to insignificance after all this lapse of time is indeed a gift to us from the first century, and represents the proper use of such an intimate artifact, as the evidence allows. It is not so much that the Shroud needs to be venerated. Rather, the point is that its ability to emerge enhanced, and further strengthened, from all the disputes over its authenticity merits all the attention thus far bestowed upon it. God’s Easter miracle is alive and well in the ongoing revelation which the Shroud represents for us today.

Go read it all.

Psalm 149

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, and his praise in the assembly of saints. (Psalm 149:1)
      LORD, please move through every congregation in this diocese and help us praise and worship you today. Help us sing the songs of Zion.

Let Israel rejoice in their maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. (Psalm 149:2)
      Jesus, help us all, adults and children, rejoice in you.

Let them praise his name with the dance; let them sing praises to him with the timbrel and harp. (Psalm 149:3)
      Bless those who lead us in singing and praise.

For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he will beautify the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4)
      Father, please help us bring you pleasure; help us put on the garment of salvation.

       [I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)]

Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. (Psalm 149:5)
      Holy Spirit, help us sing the songs of Zion at all times and in all places; fill our mouths and our hearts with the praise of Jesus.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, (Psalm 149:6)
      Lord Jesus, please equip us for the battle ahead to reclaim the Episcopal Church for the gospel. Place in our hands the sword of your Spirit which is your word.

To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; (Psalm 149:7)
      LORD, vengeance is yours alone. Help us do only what you want us to do.

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; (Psalm 149:8 )
      Father, please help the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church come to recognize the bondage they are in and turn to Jesus for the freedom he offers.

To execute on them the written judgment — this honor have all his saints. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 149:9)
      Father, the day of judgment is coming when the sentence written against those who oppose your people will be carried out; have mercy on us and rescue as many of the oppressors as you can. You turned the heart of St. Paul into your ways, do this with the oppressors of you people now. Thank you.

      A word received: Cry out to me for my people. Pray my people will wait on me. Pray they will put their hope and trust in me. Pray for my people that they will find new life in me. Wait on me. Turn to me. Hope in me. Let me be at the center of your life.

Sunday: 148, 149, 150; Daniel 4:1-18; 1 Peter 4:7-11; John 21:15-25
Monday: 25; Daniel 4:19-27; 1 John 3:19-4:6; Luke 4:14-30

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for the ministry of healing and the healing service at the Diocesan Convention.

***** Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009
From: Diocese of Albany
Subject: Diocesan Update
April 25, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
      The Anglican Communion Institute just recently released a document entitled Bishops’ Statement on the Polity of The Episcopal Church signed by 15 bishops in The Episcopal Church to include myself. I believe the document is very well written, researched, reasoned and accurately states the true polity or structure and organization of The Episcopal Church as outlined and reflected in its constitution.
      There have been recent actions taken by the Presiding Bishop and her chancellor, which if left unchallenged, could very easily turn The Episcopal Church into something it is not, and never has been. This document is not intended, nor should it be interpreted as, an attack on the Presiding Bishop, but rather an attempt to provide clarity at a time in which there seems to be great confusion as to the true governance and organizational nature and relationship between each of the dioceses that make up The Episcopal Church and each diocese’s relationship with the wider Anglican Communion. This is especially important as the world wide Anglican Communion is presented with an Anglican Covenant for its consideration.
      I highly commend the Bishops’ Statement on the Polity of The Episcopal Church for your review at http://www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/?p=391.

Faithfully in Christ, +William H. Love, Albany

Albany Intercessor

Collects & Prayers for the Third Sunday of Easter

Collect One

Almighty God,
who hast given thine only Son
to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin,
and also an ensample of godly life;
Give us grace that we may always
most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit,
and also daily endeavour ourselves
to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect Two

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened
and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Post Communion Prayer

Living God,
your Son made himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of bread.
Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

From the Church of Ireland