“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” (Luke 21:14-15)
Lord, give us hearts that are settled in you, hearts that are not anxious about what we cannot control or imagine beforehand.
STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 10, November 14, 2010
Lectionary C, Proper 28
Theme Verse: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Readings: Luke 21:5-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Malachi 3:13-4:6; Psalm 98
Memory Verse: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Next Week: Luke 19:28-40; Colossians 1:3-20; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
A word received: Look to me in all circumstances. I AM. I AM the one who holds the doorway to life. Look to me. I will carry you through it all.
A word received: I AM waiting for you to turn your attention to me. Come to me day by day and I will show you and counsel you on the way through.
Epistle: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
A word received: Look to me. There is much disorder in the church and among my people. Pray for discernment.
Old Testament: Malachi 3:13-4:6
A word received: I AM the one who decides who is righteous and who is not. Do not be led astray by what men call righteousness. Look to me and I will show you what is right.
Psalm: Psalm 98
A word received: Look at the Psalm. I AM and I will be victorious. I AM the vindication of the righteous for I AM righteous. Look to me in the storm.
Sunday: 66, 67; * 19, 46; Habakkuk 1:1-4(5-11)12-2:1; Philippians 3:13-4:1; Matthew 23:13-24
HC: 98 or 98:5-10; Malachi 3:13-4:2a,5-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
Monday: 89:1-18; * 89:19-52; Habakkuk 2:1-4,9-20; James 2:14-26; Luke 16:19-31
Notes from the Front Line
Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, November 13, 2010, 9:30 -10:30 A.M. Torre Bissell from Christ Church Schenectady and Donald Walton and James Petteys from Saratoga. Not many people were out on the street and few wanted prayer.
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
Dave — having a meeting with Pastor Carlow.
+Willie — strength to endure and control of his diabetes.
+Paula and her oldest son +Tremel (age 22) — we prayed a blessing on his new car.
+Eric — “Keep my family and friends safe.”
Sharda and her son (about 10) — “I’m a Hindhu.”
Connie — “I want to pray for all the veterans and those serving.”
Torre
***** Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:08:34 -0500
From: Noel Dawes
Subject: Welcome Home Initiative, 9th Retreat, Third (and last) Day
This is the last report concerning the 9th WHI Retreat. The next Retreat is 28-30 March 2011 at the Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY 12804 – book now! Retreats are in increasing demand!
We will send prayer updates out again shortly before the next Retreat.
9th Welcome Home Retreat — Third Day
Where does the time go? I meant to type this summary on Wednesday but by the time I got home all I wanted to do was draw breath and relax. Thursday was focused on being with my granddaughter, and then a visit to a WHI alumnus who pastors a church south west of Albany. I was due to go with Sandra, who administers the WHI, but she wasn’t feeling too good (she is better now). WHI had a table display at the church and Pastor Jim asked me to speak about WHI. About 40 people were at this special Veterans Day ‘Thank You’ dinner, of which some 20 were Veterans. They appreciated a salute of thanks from a British Army Vet and fellow ally and seemed to find my words acceptable telling how Jesus has healed several specific Veterans. The stories told were with the relevant Veteran’s permission. Friday was spent catching up on some of my other ministry responsibilities, followed by working out in the afternoon (it is important to keep the physical part of our lives in balance, remembering that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit). We hosted a friend for dinner on Friday evening and then today, Saturday, has been spent ministering at our church’s monthly healing service, raking some leaves, and now — at long last — writing up about the third day!
So, back to the last day of the Retreat – Wednesday. How apt that it was the third day and that so much healing was in evidence. Fr. Nigel said that he thought this WHI Retreat was probably the most effective yet and certainly the one which he had enjoyed the most! Praise God!
But the day started very differently. As you know from previous reports, we felt we had received a full measure of ill health amongst host team members and guests. And now we had a medical emergency before breakfast! To protect confidentiality names will not be mentioned but a really valuable and highly respected host fainted and an ambulance was called. The person, who, glory to God, made an amazing recovery and was back at the Spiritual Life Center on Thursday afternoon, was taken to Saratoga Hospital. None of the many tests that were done there showed up any problems, so we simply rejoice it was not more serious and that our friend is now home and well, even though it meant missing the Third Day. On health, two others who had been ill during the Retreat seemed to have relapses and took little or no part in the Retreat (although they were, of course, prayed for frequently). Thankfully both managed to make their way home even if feeling energy-less and really under the weather. As to Hal, who was rushed to hospital with esophageal hemorrhaging last week, we heard from his wife that he went home today, Wednesday, too! Praise God for these recoveries and for giving those who were ill the strength they needed. We praise God too that there was no anxiety within the host team about the illnesses even though we had huge concern for those who were ill. This Retreat was characterized by the overshadowing peace of the Lord — it really does pass all understanding — and the certain realization that the Retreat doesn’t depend on anyone, let alone those we might think have key roles to play. The Holy Spirit guided those who stepped up to the plate and He healed people anyway! Thank you, Jesus!
Another WHI related event on Wednesday was the blessing and dedication of a new US Old Glory flag and its raising on a new flag pole at the SLC. Those not engaged helping the medical emergency went to the flag site by the bungalows near the Library and stood in the raw, cold wind praying as Fr. Nigel blessed the flag. Then we saluted as two Retreatants raised and secured it at the top of the pole. The flag was presented by an alumnus, a Marine and Wednesday was the USMC’s 235th birthday and this was celebrated periodically throughout the day, including a lovely cake at lunchtime.
After a quick breakfast for the Veterans and an ‘eat/update/pray’ meeting of the hosts, we all gathered in the Oratory Chapel for a photo and prayers. We filled the room! Fr. Nigel prayed personally with every one of the Veterans, anointing their trigger fingers (or other finger as desired) pronouncing an absolution over each person, setting them free to be new and healed. It was a joy to anoint and pray for the sole female Veteran present. Many tears were shed and there was much relief and joy on, literally, every face as each person met Jesus, the Healer in those few minutes before the Closing Ceremony. Meanwhile, Fr. Mike, a host and a former Army Chaplain, again heard private confessions for at least one Veteran. He was set free from whatever had bound him since he left Vietnam over 40 years ago. At the start of the prayer time, Fr. Nigel, standing in the center of the Chapel, prayed for God to be present with us. A Veteran reported, “At that very moment the sun broke through the clouds and a sunbeam shone into the Chapel from rear to front. It went across the floor, illuminating Fr. Nigel and then climbed up and through the ‘Breakthrough Cross’ hanging above the altar.” Coupled with the way the clouds suddenly cleared as we walked up the hill from the Oratory to the Christ the King Chapel for the Closing Ceremony, he felt this was a real affirmation of Fr. Nigel’s prayer.
The Closing Ceremony was a great time of praise and thanks. The guests were awestruck by the large congregation welcoming them with loud applause when they came into the Chapel. The whole service was one of celebration coupled with reverential and meaningful testimony and thanks for what the Holy Spirit had done in our lives over the previous 3 days. After an encouraging message from an envoy sent by one of our local Congressmen, several Veterans gave testimony. One read a very evocative and tearful poem he had written. Another Veteran, under treatment at the Brooklyn VA Hospital, told of how he wanted a deeper relationship with the Lord (he also said that his grandfather had earned the Victoria Cross — the UK equivalent of the Medal of Honor — in the Boer War). A Veteran from Australia spoke about how spiritual healing is so often lacking in combat stress healing plans, and it is this that the WHI focuses on. He said to the school children and Boy Scouts present, “Your presence here speaks to our souls, to our spirits. When we are here and see spiritual healing, we feel we are home.” Another Brooklyn Veteran told of how much he wanted to come to the Retreat but everything to “make me not come happened.” He continued, “I’ve slept like a baby both nights I’ve been here, the first time in 20 years. To have prayer and share my story is like a lifetime experience for me. It’s been marvelous!” An active duty Veteran who came back from Afghanistan 6 months ago also said that a lot had happened to stop them coming to the Retreat. He said, “This Retreat has been healing for me. I want to bring it home to my unit.” Two Boy Scouts honored and thanked the Veterans by reading a recitation and praying a very beautiful prayer. A senior US Army Reserve officer apologized to those present for anything that the officer corps had done to fail the enlisted corps in any way — lording it over them, lack of effective leadership, for example — and Fr. Nigel, donning his Royal Marine beret and with pace stick under his left arm, asked for forgiveness on behalf of overbearing drill sergeants who had traumatized anyone present. Bishop William Love, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, WHI’s sponsor, referring to John 25:9-13, spoke eloquently about loving others and how we as a human race “haven’t quite got it yet.” He said that simply putting on a military uniform expresses “your willingness to sacrifice yourself unto death, to lay down your life for another.” He continued, “Thank you for your sacrifice, your faithfulness, to your wives and families. I pray WHI has been the beginning of your healing, surrounded by God’s love, mercy and grace. I pray the Lord’s perfect peace and joy for each of you. Be set free from the things that haunt you and prevent you from receiving that perfect peace and joy; and I bless you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” After a closing hymn and a joy-filled time of hand shaking, hugging, “thank yous” and “welcome home” between the congregation and the Veterans, most of us moved to the Trinity Dining Room for lunch followed by departure for home locations.
Thank you God! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Holy Spirit! A tough, challenging but brilliant Welcome Home Initiative Retreat! Amen!
Albany Intercessor
