Purim

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.”

Purim, the celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from Haman (recorded in the book of Esther), commences at sundown today. This past week, Israel seized a ship making its way from Syria via Turkey to Egypt. On board were discovered some 50 tons of weapons from Iran, destined to be unloaded and taken overland into Gaza to be used against Israel. It included six C-704 anti-ship missiles, two rocket launchers, 230 mortar rockets with a range of ten kilometers, 2,260 smaller mortar rockets and tens of thousands of rifle bullets. As Prime Minister Netanyahu declared, “All those who question why Israel must stop and inspect ships en route to Gaza can find the answer right here. They were en route to terror organizations in Gaza but their ultimate target was the Israeli civilian population.” From Iran (Persia), another “Haman” has arisen calling anew for the annihilation of the “Zionist entity.”

Father,
We plead the Blood of the Lamb over Israel on this holy day. Protect them from attacks of war. Guard them from covenant-hating spirits. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9:250 – 10:30 a.m. Torre Bissell on State St., and Mark Pasko and Carol MacNaughton on Albany St.
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

State St:
+Brian (young man) — “For everything I have always wanted.”

+Debra (regular) — “I had a wonderful trip to Virginia. I have been having back spasms.”

+Andrew (Jamaican) — Alcohol and steadiness

+Billie (young man, alcoholic) — His father’s funeral is in Coxsackie on Monday; he spent the night on the street.

+Nathan (teenage boy) — “Pray for my +teacher.” His teacher’s mother is fighting for her life. He came on a bicycle and went back the way he came from.

+Antonia — “For the apartment I need and for her mom, Tanya”

+Lelania — “For safety this summer in Schenectady and for the President.”

Steve (regular) — That he can start his own business.

+Aaron — “better living”

+Dale (young man) — “For my family, my daughter, my girlfriend.”

+Musa (young man) — “For a job.”

Alan — in a rush to a “visitation with my daughter“.

Bill (regular) — “For myself [epilepsy], and for my friend who just lost his grandmother.”

+Katie — “I have a bad cold.”

+Wayne (young man) — He gave his burdens and his sins to Jesus and accepted Jesus forgiveness.

Curtis — “For deliverance and a better job.”

Albany St:

+++Jamal — Earnest and for his Mom and Dad

“Black” (from last week) needs blessing

+Young girl.

Gary — recovering from alcoholism.

Japan’s nuclear reactors

a prayer by Georgia, one of our readers–

Dear Holy Father, Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Dear Holy Spirit,

Please have mercy upon the people of Japan.

Please intervene with Your holy all-powerful Peace, The Peace that surpasses all understanding. Speak Your Peace into the heart of the nuclear reactors – Let Your Peace quiet and control the roiling storm of electrons and fusion of atoms that is causing energy, heat and light to build uncontrollably in the reactors. You are the only place and source of Peace. You are the only rest. You are the only true stillness and stability. You alone are unchanging, unmoving, unto all ages.

You alone are Love, Holy, true, pure, cherishing, abiding, redeeming, healing, comforting Holy Love. Please send angels bearing Your Love into Japan. Let Your Love inspire and fill and motivate and rebuild and restore the hearts and minds of the people to know and love You. Help the people of Japan to love each other as You Love. Open their hearts to Your Holy Love.

Father, You are the creator, source and sustainer of Life, the Breath of Life that drives away, overcomes and banishes the spirit of death. Reveal Your real and Eternal Life to Japan.

Send Your Holy Light to reveal Jesus Your Son, The
Savior and Light of the world, The Divine God Made Flesh who was and helps us to become truly human, compassionate, joyful, free and whole.

Father, You alone can redeem and transform the tragedies and harm that befalls us to good.

Help Japan to see, seek and know that You are their truest need, their best and highest hope.

Help Japan to be rebuilt on the foundation of Your Love, Truth, Life, Freedom, Faith, Hope, Peace and Joy.

In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Springfield consecration

Fr. Dan Martins will be consecrated bishop of Springfield today.

I recently listened to a teaching by Arthur Burke. He pointed out that the first thing God consecrated was time–creation of the Sabbath. The second thing deemed holy was land–at the burning bush. The third thing consecrated was the liturgical furniture for the tabernacle, and the fourth was the priests.–JW

Father,
We lift up to You the consecration of Your servant Dan as Bishop of Springfield. We ask You to consecrate this day. May this moment in time be holy and set apart. We ask You to consecrate the land on which the ordination will take place and the liturgical items used in the service. Lastly, Lord, we ask You to consecrate Dan to Your service.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come. Amen.

John 4:10 and Sunday School Lesson

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God,” (John 4:10a)
      Father, please help us know your gift to us, your Holy Spirit. Thank you.

“and who it is who says to you,” (John 4:10b)
      Jesus, please help us know you better.

“‘Give me a drink,’” (John 4:10c)
      Jesus, help us give you whatever you ask of us.

“you would have asked him,” (John 4:10d)
      Jesus, please help us ask you for the new life you offered to the woman at the well and that you offer to us — help us turn to your father for our daily bread.

“and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10e)
      Jesus, let your Holy Spirit, your living water, flow over us and through us. Thank you.

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 24, March 20, 2011
            Lectionary A, Second Sunday of Lent
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: John 3:1-17; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:12-22
Memory Verse: For we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love/mercy* rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:21b-22)
Next Week: John 4:5-30, 39-42; Romans 5:1-11; Genesis 37:1-36; Psalm 105:17-22
      Gospel: John 3:1-17

A word received: I changed the subject. I AM always doing that. Let me change the subject for you. Let me direct your attention to what is really important.

      Epistle: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

(verse 17) A word received: I give new life in place of the old dead life that many live. I do that by planting the seed of faith in your heart. Turn to me and I will help it grow — I AM the One who gives the increase.

      Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-9

A word received: I want you to enter into the blessing that Abraham received. I want you to be willing to go forth into your communities and work places at my direction. I was faithful in directing Abraham, and I will be faithful in directing you as you go (underline “as you go”).

      Psalm: Psalm 33:12-22

Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:22 NKJV)

(verse 22) A word received: Mercy and trust go together. Increase your trust of me as Abraham and Nicodemus did and you will see more of my mercy.

*love/mercy (Herbrew hesed)

Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Deuteronomy 11:18-28; Hebrews 5:1-10; John 4:1-26
Sunday: 24, 29 * 8, 84; Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
HC: 33:12-22; Genesis 12:1-8; Romans 4:1-5(6-12)13-17; John 3:1-17

      Notes from the Front Line

***** March 28-30 Pray for the Welcome Home Initiative Retreat (WHI). A retreat program for combat veterans and their families. This is available to them at no charge, due to the generosity of the public. If a combat veteran is interested in attending , please contact Sandra, at the Healing Center to reserve their space. (518 ) 692-9550

Albany Intercessor