O Lord Jesus Christ, who still today dost tread the busy thoroughfares of life in readiness to heal and save: Open our eyes that we may recognize thy presence; open our hearts that we may trust thy love for us; open our lips that we may joyfully confess thee before men; we ask it for thy dear name’s sake.
Sunrise on the Langdales #LakeDistrict @lakedistrictnpa @CumbriaWeather pic.twitter.com/WHLR7sfa9F
— ALAN LEIGHTLEY (@ilovefridaysme) November 17, 2021
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
When they came to Caper′na-um, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
–Matthew 17:22-27
Good morning!🧡🍂 pic.twitter.com/cNgUN2uLr1
— Aleksandar Mitrovic (@Aleksan52094351) November 17, 2021
We give thanks for the life of the Rt. Rev. Alex Dockery Dickson, Jr. who died on Sunday, November 14, 2021. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at St. Michael's Church, Charleston. (Masks optional). https://t.co/fkPkMZosHm pic.twitter.com/1YPZtZ4hUW
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) November 16, 2021
Please note it will be livestreamed for those interested.
Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, and Olivia Graham, the Bishop of Reading, have spoken at the conclusion of COP.
In a statement they said: “At COP we called for keeping global warming to below 1.5 degrees, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and securing finance for the world’s most vulnerable people who are already effected by climate breakdown.
“Progress was made in all these areas, plus cutting methane emissions and halting deforestation. We were particularly inspired to hear powerful testimonies from young people and representatives of indigenous peoples.
“We pay tribute to the work of Alok Sharma MP, the COP26 President, and his team.
“Negotiations always have some compromises and disappointments. These impact the world’s economically poorest the most. We must now keep up the moral pressure so that pledges are urgently turned into measurable action….
"We must now keep up the moral pressure so that pledges are urgently turned into measurable action." 🌍 🙏🏼
– @bishopnorwich and @LiviJGraham react to @COP26.
Read the full statement at https://t.co/ypAslMxRDK.#COP26
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) November 16, 2021
Listen to it all and there is more there.
Join us this Sunday, November 14, 2021, as we, in The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, pray for the work and ministry of Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island & Daniel Island and their clergy. View the full prayer calendar here: https://t.co/ivAZ8qcpfR #CycleOfPrayer #ADOSC pic.twitter.com/1fJhTgL3lC
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) November 12, 2021
As temperatures drop and coronavirus infections spike across Europe, some countries are introducing increasingly targeted restrictions against the unvaccinated who are driving another wave of contagion and putting economic recoveries, public health and an eventual return to prepandemic freedoms at risk.
On Monday, Austria set a new bar for such measures in the West. Facing a 134 percent increase in cases in the last two weeks, the Austrian government cracked down on its unvaccinated population over the age of 12, restricting their movement to traveling for work, school, buying groceries and medical care.
“Our task as the federal government is to protect the people of Austria,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news conference on Sunday. “We are fulfilling this responsibility.”
European countries are introducing increasingly targeted rules and measures to make life harder for the unvaccinated, with the goal of motivating them to get a shot. https://t.co/nFftS9iFP7
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 15, 2021
It’s a hidden crisis that has existed for years inside one of the most well-funded institutions on the planet and has only worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. As many as 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families.
That estimate by Feeding America, which coordinates the work of more than 200 food banks around the country, underscores how long-term food insecurity has extended into every aspect of American life, including the military.
The exact scope of the problem is a topic of debate, due to a lack of formal study. But activists say it has existed for years and primarily affects junior-level enlisted service members — ranks E1 to E4 in military parlance — with children.
“It’s a shocking truth that’s known to many food banks across the United States,” said Vince Hall, Feeding America’s government relations officer. “This should be the cause of deep embarrassment.”
“This should be the cause of deep embarrassment.” As many as 160,000 active-duty U.S. military members are having trouble feeding their families, according to Feeding America, which coordinates the work of more than 200 food banks around the country. https://t.co/Eu1QGONK73
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 14, 2021
O God, who didst call thy servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance thy heavenly kingdom, and didst give her zeal for thy church and love for thy people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of thy saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Margaret of Scotland pic.twitter.com/9pzfjkxChk
— Tewkesbury Abbey (@TewkesAbbey) November 16, 2021
O Lord of life, who didst raise from the sleep of death the daughter of Jairus the ruler: Extend to us, we pray thee, thy quickening power, that we may know the life more abundant which thou didst come to bring; for the glory of thy holy name.
Love autumn at Little Britian Lake #autumn #autumnal #nature #landscapephotography @ThePhotoHour @OPOTY pic.twitter.com/SBjdwNGCOM
— Phil Everett (@phil_everett) November 16, 2021
The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries round about. His lightnings lighten the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
–Psalm 97:1-6
Good morning my friends 😍🦌🌻 pic.twitter.com/Hx6dTfvpxO
— Anes1 (@Anes101441292) November 16, 2021
From there:
Bishop Dickson was consecrated as the First Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee on April 9, 1983. Prior to his consecration as Bishop, he served 10 years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Mississippi; four years at Rolling Fork and Hollandale; six years in Jackson; and then he served as Rector and Headmaster of All Saints School in Vicksburg for 15 years.
In 1995, after he retired as Bishop of West Tennessee, he began Mission Work in Southeast Asia and Africa. At the time of his death, he was serving as Bishop in Residence at St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, SC. He was also Chairman of a mission to a leprosy colony in Liberia. His greatest passion was to bring people to a deep faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He loved to work with people in small groups, teaching them to pray the Scriptures. He was working in this ministry until the day of his death.
During World War II, he served on a destroyer in the Pacific during the Battle of Okinawa.
He was born on September 9, 1926, on New Africa Plantation near Alligator, Mississippi. He married Charnelle Perkins of Glen Allan, MS on October 7, 1948. They have three sons: Alex III (now in heaven), Charles in Sylva, NC, and John in Memphis, TN; six grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. God is good! Charnelle died on October 16, 1995. He married Jane Graham Carver of Charleston, SC on January 2, 1999. Jane has three children and six grandchildren. God is good!
“I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Memorials may be given to G3 Ministry (led by his stepson), The Rev. Graham Schuyler, 76 Westfield Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
A good man and faithful bishop from Alligator, Mississippi. RIP. https://t.co/jnhPp0Obnx
— Drew — Country Vicar turned City Rector–Collins (@drewcollins) November 15, 2021
Western intelligence suggests a “high probability of destabilisation” of Ukraine by Russia as soon as this winter after Moscow massed more than 90,000 troops at its border, according to Kyiv’s deputy defence minister.
Hanna Maliar told the Financial Times at the weekend that while interpretations of western intelligence “need further discussion”, they underlined “the high probability of escalation of the situation”.
When asked if the risk of Russian military aggression was higher than during the past years, she said: “Information of our [military intelligence services] coincides with the information of partner countries about the high probability of destabilisation of the situation in Ukraine this winter.”
Maliar added that allies’ conclusions were “based not only on information about the number of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border”, suggesting Washington had additional intelligence about Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s intentions.
Maliar added that allies’ conclusions were “based not only on information about the number of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border”, suggesting Washington had additional intelligence about Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s intentions.
https://t.co/zKLkjN40rU— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) November 15, 2021
When Marvin Olasky gets angry emails from readers — more often than not about an exposé of wrongdoing at an evangelical church, or about a story that reflects poorly on Donald Trump — he has a stock reply.
“We think this is useful to the Church,” he tells disgruntled readers, “because we are also sinners.”
As the longtime editor of World, a Christian news organization that has a website, a biweekly magazine and a set of podcasts, Mr. Olasky has delivered a mix of hard news and watchdog articles about the evangelical realm under a journalistic philosophy he calls “biblical objectivity.”
It involves taking strong stands where the Bible is clear, which has led World to oppose abortion rights and support refugees, he says, and to follow reportable facts where the Bible doesn’t provide clear guidance.
His Reasons for Opposing Trump Were Biblical. Now a Top Christian Editor Is Out. https://t.co/KDKVYWHpoo
— Ben Smith (@benyt) November 15, 2021
I will take comments on this submitted by email only to KSHarmon[at]mindspring[dot]com.
Holy God, who didst so inspire Francis Asbury and George Whitefield with evangelical zeal that their faithful proclamation of the Gospel caused a great awakening among those who heard them: Inspire us, we pray, by thy Holy Spirit, that, like them, we may be eager to share thy Good News and lead many to Jesus Christ, in whom is eternal life and peace; and who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Episcopal Church today commemorates Francis Asbury & George Whitefield, Evangelists, 1816, 1770
Asbury was one of the 1st 2 bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the US. Whitefield helped spread the Great Awakening in the British North American colonies. pic.twitter.com/kKdpSUffNM
— The Anglican Church in St Petersburg (@anglicanspb) November 15, 2021
Holy God, we bless thy Name for Herman, joyful north star of Christ’s Church, who came from Russia to bring the Good News of Christ’s love to thy native people in Alaska, to defend them from oppressors and to proclaim the Gospel of peace; and we pray that we may follow his example in proclaiming the Gospel; through the same Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, throughout all ages. Amen.
St. Innocent of Alaska portrait. pic.twitter.com/Lo7Z2ECNiE
— St. Herman of Alaska (@hermanofalaska) November 10, 2021
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, thou Spirit of Truth who art everywhere present and fillest all things, the Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life: Cleanse us from every stain, and come, take up thine abode within us, O thou strength of our souls and our salvation for ever.
—Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)
Yosemite National Park #nature pic.twitter.com/LQ2QwEzZa3
— Best Photos (@bestphotos__) November 15, 2021
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eli′jah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli′jah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli′jah must come?” He replied, “Eli′jah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Eli′jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
–Matthew 17:1-13
Get away to St. Christopher’s Advent Retreat Dec 3-5 & encounter the presence of God, as you pause to see and listen anew to His Word. Registration info is available at https://t.co/iapvuumpgg Space is limited, so we encourage you to register NOW! #Advent #StChristopher #ADOSC pic.twitter.com/F78ACjeI2u
— Anglican Diocese of SC (@anglican_sc) November 15, 2021
Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
Ardvasar Bay sunrise – Isle of Skye #Scotland @VisitScotland @ThePhotoHour @StormHour @angie_weather pic.twitter.com/yR64AGyWi5
— James MacInnes (@Macinnesplant) November 13, 2021
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him and said to him, ”˜What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ And the steward said to himself, ”˜What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ”˜How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ”˜A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ”˜Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ”˜And how much do you owe?’ He said, ”˜A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ”˜Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.
–Luke 16:1-9
Sunrise through the arch of Durdle door pic.twitter.com/6cyKhEOonr
— (@Matt_Pinner) November 14, 2021
Where is everybody?
Why are so many from our church not attending like they did before COVID-19?
Why are we having to contact them multiple times, offer food, plan special events just to get them to come in person?
We shouldn’t have to do this!
Thoughts similar to these have likely been going through your head in recent months. Few churches are back to pre-COVID attendance. In fact, the average Protestant church has in-person attendance of 73% of their pre-COVID attendance. While that’s an improvement over early in 2021 when an average of 60% of pre-COVID attendees were coming to church in person, it can still be frustrating for pastors and church leaders.
How should we process this news that so many churchgoers are missing on a typical week? What should we make of this reality?
The average Protestant church's in-person attendance is 73% of their pre-pandemic attendance. https://t.co/fSGtKAbDPX
— Lifeway Research (@LifewayResearch) November 13, 2021
Almighty God, whose blessed Son taught in all honesty the way of life that thou requirest: Grant that we may so live as dutiful and loyal citizens of our earthly country, that we may show ourselves to be members of that heavenly country whereof thou art sovereign Lord and King; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Why do I get up so early? Overlooking the vines and pond of @AftonMountain #Afton #RockfishValley #Sunrise #Namaste pic.twitter.com/aOEnjtBEgr
— Ann Etchison (@ann1622) November 13, 2021
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.”
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”
–Matthew 16:21-28
Good Morning pic.twitter.com/Q6v5fwkI5y
— philip jackson (@pajacksonartist) November 13, 2021
[Charles] Simeon himself is our example here. The feature of his preaching which most constantly impressed his hearers was the fact that he was, as they said, “in earnest”; and that reflected his own overwhelming sense of sin, and of the wonder of the grace that had saved him; and that in turn bore witness to the closeness of his daily fellowship and walk with his God. As he gave time to sermon preparation, so he gave time to seeking God’s face.
“The quality of his preaching,” writes the Bishop of Bradford, “was but a reflection of the quality of the man himself. And there can be little doubt that the man himself was largely made in the early morning hours which he devoted to private prayer and the devotional study of the Scriptures. It was his custom to rise at 4 a.m., light his own fire, and then devote the first four hours of the day to communion with God. Such costly self-discipline made the preacher. That was primary. The making of the sermon was secondary and derivative.”
The candy store experience continues. Here’s a Bible of #CharlesSimeon. https://t.co/aHEYKkhBHZ pic.twitter.com/t3IGlocv6v
— Peter J. Williams (@DrPJWilliams) November 27, 2019
John Stott on Charles Simeon at Taylor University from Randall Gruendyke on Vimeo.
Morning Prayer 11.12.21, Charles Simeon, Priest, 1836 | The Daily Office https://t.co/nfa6N504ve pic.twitter.com/cBiITcpbMe
— Jeoffroi (@Jeoffroi) November 12, 2021
Preaching is what we are ordained to do. It is one of the most remarkable privileges that any person can be given. We are presuming to speak for God. It is not, as many seem to think today, simply telling people off or condemning them for their failures. Nor is it just a ‘pep talk’ – a friendly word of reassurance and encouragement. It is something quite different. It is engaging in a supernatural transaction. It is presenting the Word of God to the people of God. My friend and mentor Terry Fullam was a great preacher, and I learned a great deal from him. In a memorable one-liner, he said that sermons are a, “ … Word about the Word from the Word.” In other words, sermons are always to have a Gospel focus, with Jesus Christ at the heart, and grounded in the Holy Scriptures.
Terry Fullam spent hours preparing his sermons – he told me that a useful guideline was an hour of preparation for a minute in delivery. By the time he actually preached his sermon – he never used any notes – it all seemed effortless. He also found nothing wrong with recycling his sermons. “They get better with age,” he once told me with a grin! Early in his time at St. Paul’s in Darien, I realized that he had three brilliant Christmas sermons that he brought back in a regular pattern each year.
Our eldest daughter, Sarah, who is gifted with a remarkable memory, also noticed this and entertained her high school friends by whispering his next lines or the “punch lines” to his stories before he finished them. This resulted in barely suppressed giggles from the entire youth group while he preached. Once, I observed what was happening, I apologized to Terry for the disruption. He smiled and said, “Don’t apologize. Sarah has managed to memorize my sermons. What higher compliment could a preacher ever receive?”
We so appreciated our recent visit with the Interim Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, his wife Angela, and daughter Rachel. Watch for Friday's post of his sermon for tomorrow's Eucharist as well. pic.twitter.com/W8jsl72Qpg
— Trinity School for Ministry (@TS4Ministry) March 30, 2021
He stood for many years alone, he was long opposed, ridiculed, shunned, his doctrines were misrepresented, his little peculiarities of voice and manner were satirized, disturbances were frequently raised in his church or he was a person not taken into account, nor considered in the light of a regular clergyman in the church.
-–as quoted in William Carus, Memoirs of the Life of the Rev. Charles Simeon (New York: Robert Carter, 1848), p.39
Charles Simeon decía que en sus primeros siete años como predicador sus sermones no tenían ni píes ni cabeza #LaPredicaciónDeStott #Predicadores #Anglicanos #Evangélicos #Teólogos #Inglaterra https://t.co/o6kG5H8yWb pic.twitter.com/ZGVKgAOngF
— Entrelíneas (@entrelineas_org) November 9, 2021
The Queen has approved the nomination of the Reverend Malayil Lukose Varghese Muthalaly (known as Saju), Vicar of St Mark’s Gillingham, in the Diocese of Rochester, to the Suffragan See of Loughborough, in the Diocese of Leicester.
He succeeds the first-ever Bishop of Loughborough, the Right Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani after she became Bishop of Chelmsford earlier this year.
The announcement naming the next Bishop of Loughborough was made by Downing Street at 10.02am this morning (12 November 2021). The identity of any Bishop-elect has to be kept a closely guarded secret until Number 10 publishes the news.
Last night Bishop-elect Saju and his family attended Curve Theatre in Leicester to see The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and are being introduced to the diocese at various events in Leicestershire today.
They are starting near Melton Mowbray at the rural campus of Brooksby Melton Agricultural College with prayers at the small rural church there. They will receive gifts representing various elements of the life of the diocese from various people including school children from Church of England schools Thrussington Primary and Rawlins Academy.
We are delighted that Downing Street has announced that Revd Saju Muthalaly will be the next @ChurchofEngland Bishop of Loughborough: https://t.co/hGApfvC9RO pic.twitter.com/YKonqNqCkV
— Diocese of Leicester (@leicestercofe) November 12, 2021