Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1: 1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us daily begin with the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make his paths straight.’” (Mark 1:2-3)
      Holy Father, send forth witnesses in our day who will prepare the way for Jesus to come into people’s hearts. Thank you for those witnesses that did that for me.

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4)
      Jesus, help us hear and respond to your call to repentance and new life in you.

Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:5)
      Jesus, bring forth your people in response to the gospel message. Let there be a mass movement of your people in the Diocese of Albany in response to the gospel message.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:6)
      Holy Spirit, let your witnesses be a sign to us of your power to transform lives. John came clothed in humility; yet people recognized the power of your work in him. Give us such recognition of those you send among us.

And he preached, saying, “There comes one after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.” (Mark 1:7)
      Father, help your witnesses point to Jesus as John did.

“I indeed baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8 )
      Jesus, baptize us with the fire of your Holy Spirit. Set our hearts on fire with the power of the gospel message. Burn away everything that hinders us from sharing the good news of your cross and resurrection. Thank you.

A word received: Pray for those who have never known a father’s love that they will come to know my father’s love for them.

Sunday: 148, 149, 150 * 114, 115; Amos 6:1-14: 1 Thess. 5:1-12: Luke 1:57-68
HC: 85 or 85:7-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a,18; Mark 1:1-8
Monday: 25 * 9, 15; Amos 7:1-9: Rev. 1:1-8: Matt. 22:23-33

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote…
      When stressed, depressed, oppressed, or repressed, say the name Jesus. Say His name over and over… and over. He will calm the storm, He is good at that!

Albany Intercessor

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, December 3, 2011, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Bob Baker, Scott Robe and Torre Bissell on State St. and Carol MacNaughton and Mark Pasko on Albany St.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
H–indicates received a hat
M–indicates received mittens
G–indicates received gloves [Note: Money for 14 pairs of gloves was donated by Bill and Sally Ireland from Belfast, Northern Ireland.]
S–indicates received a scarf

Albany St.

+Leonard — He asked prayer for a blessing on his life.

Laliha (woman in passing) — She asked us for prayer.

HG+ Alexis — safety, especially coming home late at night. She called us angels, “No one prays for each other in this neighborhood.”

++Jack — blessing to grow into the man God wants him to be.

GH+ Lisa — prayed for her and her child (pregnant — due in January)

H+ Sonny — Guyanese — just out of detention; danger of deportation; asked for strength.

State St.

+Nancy — protection

+LeRoy — He confessed his sins to Jesus and accepted his forgiveness. He was clear that he had given his life to Jesus and accepted him as his savior.

Moses (regular) — We prayed against depression.

Tiffany — “Peace of mind.”

William — He was burdened. We reminded him of Deuteronomy 33:27a: “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

+Jaime (man) — “For my daughter.”

G Mohammad (Christian man) — “A good job.”

Audrey — “That my bills will be paid.”

+Marion

Debra — Both of her parents, Elizabeth and Berry, are now in hospital in New York City.

Marva (woman) — She and others are starting a new mission church.

+Jason — His power was turned off and his kids are having to stay with the grandmother.

Jim — “I’m not a believer.”

+Leslie Ann — “Peace.’

Eric (Elder of the Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church on Swan St.) We prayed for an outpouring of Holy Spirit on his congregation and on Christ Church.

+Ron — “Prosperity and healing.”

Brian (young man) — He asked prayer for his girlfriend. I asked him if he was having sex with his girlfriend. He said, “Yes,” and that they had just had a baby boy. I urged him to talk with his girlfriend about getting married. I prayed that he would grow into the man God wanted him to be and that his son could have the father God wanted him to have. He said he was going right over then to talk with his girlfriend about getting married.

+++++++Ricos — He asked for 7 crosses to give out to others.

Shardis (mother) and Mahendra (son — he came for prayer last week) — Probably Guyanese Hindhus.

+Jimmy

G Bobby

+Taieen — Asked for a prosperous life.

Paula and John (regulars) — We prayed for them and their children. We prayed especially for John’s stability on his feet and for her healing. She took a cross for her child +Zorrie.

Desdemona — on her way to the Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church on Swan St. I prayed for enduring strength for her.

King David’s gatekeepers to the tabernacle

From 1 Chronicles 26:

Meshelemiah–meaning “friendship of Jehovah”
Zechariah–meaning “God has remembered”
Jediael–meaning “the one whom God knows”
Zebadiah–meaning “gift from God”
Jathniel–meaning “gift of God” and “the science or knowledge of God”
Elam–meaning “highlands”
Jehohanan–meaning “God is gracious”
Eliehoenai–meaning “my eyes look to God”

Obed-Edom–meaning “servant of Edom”
Shemaiah–meaning “heard of Jehovah” or “hears or obeys the Lord”
Jehozabad–meaning “Yahweh has bestowed” or “whom the Lord gave”
Joah–meaning “dove” and “peace”
Sakar–meaning “reward, recompense”
Nethanel–meaning “given of God”
Ammiel–meaning “people of God”
Issachar–meaning “reward, recompense”
Peullethai–meaning “Yahweh’s seed”

Othni–meaning “a lion of Jehovah”
Rephael–meaning “God has healed”
Obed–meaning “servant, worshipper”
Elzabad–meaning “God made a gift”
Elihu–meaning “my God is Yahweh”
Semakiah–meaning “sustained by God”

Hosah–meaning “refuge”
Shimri–meaning “my guard, my watcher, my protection”
Hilkiah–meaning “God is my portion”
Tabaliah–meaning “purged”
Zechariah–meaning “God has remembered”

Dear Father in heaven,
What wonderful names King David’s gatekeepers had! We thank You for their spiritual heritage. Raise up in our nation gatekeepers who embody these names for the establishment of continuous praise, thanksgiving, and worship in the land–new vocations for the convents, monasteries, praise teams, and prayer movements and a new understanding of bringing Your presence to the broken. Amen.

Matthew 23 and Jude

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)
      Lord Jesus Christ, when we invite someone to church or they come in on their own, help us desire above all that they will come to know you and follow you. Lord, we want Christians rather than Episcopalians.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.” (Matthew 23:16-22)
      Holy Spirit, help us recognize the basis by which we make commitments. Help us bind ourselves to what is truly holy.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” (Matthew 23:23)
      Father, move in the hearts of your people. Help them make their offerings of their tithes and go beyond that to justice, mercy and faith.

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (Jude 16-19)
      Holy Spirit, help us recognize and shun the traps that Satan places around us.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (Jude 20)
      Jesus, please help us pray according to the mind of your Spirit. Build us up in faith.

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 21)
      Father, confirm and keep us in your love. Help us look for your mercy in your son Jesus Christ and come to eternal life.

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (Jude 22)
      Bless the prayer table ministry. Help us pray with people with compassion and pull back those heading for destruction. Help us hate the sin which disables people. Thank you.

      Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Amos 5:18-27: Jude 17-25: Matt. 22:15-22
Sunday: 148, 149, 150 * 114, 115; Amos 6:1-14: 1 Thess. 5:1-12: Luke 1:57-68
HC: 85 or 85:7-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-15a,18; Mark 1:1-8

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for vocations for
      The Sisters of St. Mary
      The Daughters of the King
      The Franciscans of the Holy Cross
      The Brotherhood of St. Andrew

***** Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2011
From: Susan Plaske
Subject: Cathedral of All Saints Prayer Table Reports
11/30/11 Cathedral of All Saints Prayer Table Report, (Cold and Windy, Thanksgiving for no rain) Beth Collum, Deacon Sue Plaske
Susan – for effectiveness of treatment on Friday and discernment and provision for another trial and God’s healing touch upon her.
Dave for Advent – Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Barb – healing – suspicious scan prayer that no cancer is present.
Jim – for his health , protection and provision , Comfort in the knowledge and Love of God.
Bob – for Peace and less anxiety
We also lift up today, all those who had or will have surgery this week for a speedy recovery and restoration of health.

11/23/11 Cathedral of All Saints Prayer Table Report
(Rain for 1/2 hour then Clearing) Beth Collum, Deacon Sue, Hilda Hardy
Natasha – Stopped to give thanks for the prayer she received the last time she was at the table and for the Blessing she received from God. Prayed for health and happiness for her family. Says she never takes off the cross we gave her last time.
Man walking by – I need one (prayer) but, Ive got to get going. Prayed for peace and provision for him and a happy Thanksgiving.
Paula – For David
Chris – to get back with his family

***** Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2011
From: Jake Dell
Subject: Episcopalian Julia La Roche invites you to visit an Episcopal Church this Advent…
      We taped this today at Grace on Broadway and 10th. Pray that more young people will have the courage to come forward and invite people to church. http://vimeo.com/33048087

*****
Check out the Dock Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland: http://www.thedockchurch.org/

***** Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
      I used to teach Royal Marine commando recruits to always run up the stairs! I used to always run up the stairs. Now I pray with thanksgiving that I can even climb the stairs! I take a pause for breath and a prayer of gratitude, about three quarters the way up! Funny thing that!

Albany Intercessor

Vocation

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Acts 20:24 (CEB)
But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission. This is nothing other than the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus: to testify about the good news of God’s grace.

O, Lord, that I may perceive, receive, and complete the good works You have prepared for me to walk in. Amen.

Jude 1-8

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: (Jude 1)
      Holy Spirit, help us answer your call to be servants who are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ.

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 2)
      Father, we pray for this diocese and all its parishes and for the Diocesan Convention in June that your mercy, peace, and love will be manifested among us.

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
      Jesus, help us hearken to this exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Help us to be very diligent in sharing the message of salvation.

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 4)
      Holy Father, all of the political correctness in the world will not cover over the lies of ungodly people who promote an “inclusive” sexual agenda and deny you and our Lord Jesus Christ.

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. (Jude 5)
      Jesus, lead your people out of bondage to sin and preserve us from unbelief.

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; (Jude 6)
      Jesus, protect us from the designs of every fallen angel — from Satan on down.

as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
      Holy Father, help us recognize the destruction that is coming for those who give themselves over to sexual immorality. Help minister the gospel to all who have lost their way.

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. (Jude 8 )
      Jesus, the Centurion saw your power manifested because he knew what it meant to be under authority and he recognized your authority to heal and set things right. Help each of us in this diocese come to the place where we can say, “I also am a person under authority….” (See Matthew 8:9) Jesus, please help me daily be under your authority. Thank you.

A word received: Look to me in the storm.

Friday: 16, 17 * 22; Amos 5:1-17: Jude 1-16: Matt. 22:1-14
Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Amos 5:18-27: Jude 17-25: Matt. 22:15-22

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:59:04 -0500
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
      When standing in line, at the post office, at the bank, at an airport, waiting at the doctors or dentists office, pray. Pray for the people around you. Watch God at work. Isn’t He is just “brilliant!” Enjoy the pause, enjoy the prayer time. Enjoy waiting in line!

Albany Intercessor

Psalm 18:25-30

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; (Psalm 18:25a)
      Lord Jesus, help us obtain your mercy. (See Matthew 5:7)

With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; (Psalm 18:25b)
      Holy Spirit, help us hunger and thirst after your righteousness so that we may be filled with your living water.

With the pure You will show Yourself pure; (Psalm 18:26a)
      Father, bring us to purity of heart so that we may see you. (See Matthew 5:8 )

And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. (Psalm 18:26b)
      Jesus, you knew what it was like to be reviled and persecuted; we ask you to protect your faithful people. Help us to “count it all joy” when we face various trials in life. (See James 1:2)

For You will save the humble people, (Psalm 18:27a)
      Holy Spirit, help us enter into the blessing of those who are poor in spirit and those who are meek. (See Matthew 5:3 & 5)

But will bring down haughty looks. (Psalm 18:27b)
      Lord Jesus Christ, calm the storms that afflict our church and our nation and bring us to that glad haven where we may escape the proud and the haughty. (See Psalm 107:29-30)

For You will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28 )
      Holy Spirit, please help us walk by your light in this time of darkness in the church and in the nation.

For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. (Psalm 18:29)
      Holy Father, help us leap over the walls that divide us: denominationalism, class and culture, nationalism, anger and bitterness. Help us leap over all of these walls. Thank you.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)
      Father, please put on all of us the shoes of the preparation to share the gospel of peace; gird our loins with your truth; put on us the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation. Place on our arm the shield of faith with which to quench every fiery dart of the evil one; and place in our hand the sword of your Spirit which is your word; that having stood all, we might yet stand. Finally, help us to be strong in Jesus and in the power of his might, and cast off from us the chains of apathy that keep us from speaking boldly as we ought to speak. Thank you. (See Ephesians 6:10-20)

A word received: Pray that I will set the captives free.

Thursday: 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Amos 4:6-13: 2 Pet. 3:11-18: Matt. 21:33-46
Friday: 16, 17 * 22; Amos 5:1-17: Jude 1-16: Matt. 22:1-14

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
      Acknowledge your achievements however slight. I remember trying to put a sock on for the first time in three months. It took a very long time! When It was on, I wept. It was a huge landmark in the process of healing. I can do it… I can do it. Through Christ all things are possible. Thanks be to God.

***** Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011
From: Bishop Mike and Linda Chapman
Subject: Tychicus X in Word 97-2003 and Adob
Dear Family, Friends, and Intercessors,
      It has been a long time since the sending of Tychicus IX back in April of this year. Since then there have been several Prayer Requests sent from Mrs. Ginny Grupinski who we have asked to send out our Intercession requests, and other requests that have gone out from time to time. If you have not received any requests from Ginny and would like to be part of that list also, please just write us and we would be glad to get your address to her.
      Meanwhile, we have had a great deal of ministry in the Region, and a great deal of ministry in the Diocese as well. We have traveled monthly into the provinces of Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and occasionally into Huancayo. The visits to Ayacucho have been monthly pastoral visits with ECLOF (Ecumenical Church Loan Fund) and the visits to Huancayo have been visitations through the Diocesan ‘Ordinariato’.
      From about May through September we have also enjoyed our busiest ‘Mission Season’. During that time we ministered with missionaries Bill and Carol Daniel from the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, Matt and Betti Small, and Patricia Sulzbach, from Church of the Messiah, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, Larry Burgess from Amigos del Peru and Christ Church, Plano, Texas, and Joe Smith, Doug Creed, Noah Kitt, and Dorcas Day from All Saints Anglican Church in Matthews, North Carolina.
      At the end of that season, on September 14th Linda and I left for the states for deputation and Church Visitation. We want to thank all that allowed us time to speak about Peru and our mission here; we want to thank:
            St Gregorys Episcopal Church, Boca Raton, Fla.
            Trinity Episcopal Parish, St. Augustine, Fla.
            Trinity Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) Toccoa, Ga.
            St Matthias Episcopal Church, Toccoa, Ga.
            Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Fredericksburg, Va.
            SAMS-USA, Ambridge, Pa.
            St Mark’s Episcopal Church Hoosick Falls, NY.
            St Michael’s Episcopal Church, Colonie, NY
            St. John’s Episcopal Church, Troy, NY
            Daughters of the King, St John’s Troy, NY
            Daughters of the King, Calvary Church, Burnt Hills, NY
            Trinity Friends Church, Lewisville, NC
            Atonement Lutheran Church, Wilkesboro, NC
            Grace Anglican Church, Gastonia, NC
            Unified City Church, N. Wilkesboro, NC
            All Saints Anglican Church, Matthews, NC
            Bridge For Peace, Wading River, NY
            The Home of Ginnie and Paul Grupinski, Patchogue, NY
            Our Daughters, Sarah, Rachel, their husbands David and Jacob and their adorable children (our grandbabies) Urielle, Joella, and Luke–and all the other wonderful members of our family, Sally, Charlie, Kaylee, Alice, Peter, Josh, Emily, Jacob, Eddie, Cris, CJ Buddy, Danny, Hunter, Mom, John, Aunt Margaret, Aunt Raye and Uncle Jim.
      It was also good to visit with old friends and new especially Jason Higginson, Lynne and Dennis Crimi, Fred and Terri Baumbach, Jackson Denney, Anita and Eric Elliott, Miguel and Angelica Silva, Bill and Carol Daniel, John and Dana Zacharias Nazar and Rospita Tampubolon, Pat and Sharon O’keefe, Patty Williams and Deacon Paul and Marilyn Carney.
      May the Lord continue to bless all of you for your Graciousness towards us.
There is a great deal more to write about and I will begin working out that as time allows. Tychicus XI will be coming within the month.
Bishop Mike and Linda Chapman
Central South Region
Anglican Diocese of Peru

Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011
From: Ginnie Grupinski
Subject: News from Linda
Good morning everyone! You are going to love this post from Linda…
      I had gotten sick with a really bad cold right before flying back to Peru. I felt pretty bad and told the Lord that I needed Him to help me because I didn’t know how I was going to make it. When I got to the airport I was told that you can no longer have two bags for international and that it was going to cost $180 for my bags (I had three). I told the man that I was a missionary and couldn’t le…ave a bag behind as he had suggested. He said wait a minute, I am going to check into something. He then told me that he would upgrade me to 1st class and that would cost $90 but that my 3 bags would be free because on 1st class you can have up to 3 free bags. So I saved $90 on that and had a nice seat for my flight to Miami and a big breakfast which was great! I arrived in Miami at 9am and had to wait all day for my 6:30 pm flight. Long day. Anyway, when I finally got to Lima and was taking my bags from the turnstyle, a man (who had a name tag on) came up and asked me if the bag was mine and started helping me with putting the bags on the cart. I was a little concerned because I couldn’t figure out why this man had singled me out to help and why? I hesitated a little and he switched from Spanish to English and said, “Your husband is waiting on the other side for you.” I thought, oh Michael knows this guy and he was having the man help me. So he started to push my cart toward the line to go thru customs. I was trying to take the cart and he looked at me and said, “I will help you.” So as we approached the line a man behind there saw the man with me and opened another line. So I bypassed the people who were waiting. The man with me said “Just hand the man the paper and push the button.” Well I have done this before and after I push the button I always get a red light, and then I have to lug my luggage onto the conveyor belts and have it scanned. Well I pushed the button and it was green! So I thanked the man and went out to the other side where hundreds of people were waiting. I found Michael towards the back standing there with a dozen beautiful red roses! I asked him who the man was who had helped me and he said, “What man?” So I believe the Lord was really helping me! God is so good, and I am so greatful!

Albany Intercessor