Sunday, October 26, 2008
10/26/2008, #24, 4th Quarter 2008
"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15)
Jesus, brother sins against brother in the Episcopal Church and we proclaim it from the housetops rather than go to them privately. Have mercy on us and redirect our relationships in the Episcopal Church.
"But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'" (Matthew 18:16)
Jesus, please restore such quiet pursuit of reconciliation to the life of the Episcopal Church.
"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." (Matthew 18:17)
Holy Spirit, guide this diocese through the turbulence ahead of us in the Episcopal Church. Set us free from public rancor and posturing; help us live out these words of Jesus to us.
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18 )
Father, there are so many things that bind us in the Episcopal Church and in our daily lives: old hurts that have never been forgiven, wounds in families and parishes that have never been allowed to heal; help us in this diocese learn to loose these things on earth so that they are loosed in heaven.
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
Jesus, please show us, teach us how to find a unity in you in this diocese where we ask for things in agreement -- not only in agreement between each other, but also in agreement with your father's will.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)
Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts by gathering us together in Jesus' name. Thank you.
A word received: Wait on me. Turn to me day by day. I will be with you in all your circumstances. Look to me, turn to me, keep your eyes on me.
Sunday: 103; Ecclesiasticus 18:19-33 or Haggai 1:1-2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:15-24; Matthew 18:15-20
Monday: 44; Ecclesiasticus 19:4-17 or Zechariah 1:7-17; Revelation 11:1-14; Luke 11:14-26
Notes from the Front Line
***** Report from Shaw and Julie Mudge October 22, 2008
Greetings Family and Friends,
Since our last letter, much has been happening as we ready ourselves to go to Peru. Although we are actively moving forward, the pathway is lengthy. The process is divided into four phases and we are well into Phase 2.
Phase 1 is completed!
We have sold our house and downsized into a small condo. This keeps our expenses low and still gives us a place to land. We are now living in Wynantskill, NY, a village 10 miles northeast of Albany, New York. You can still reach us at the same cell phone number, (518 )-788-7873, or our new home number, (518 )-326-4058.
Phase 2: Fundraising
We are itinerating at every opportunity. During the last couple of months, we have spoken at 12 churches and several special events, including the Diocesan Convention. Currently, we are scheduled to visit 11 more churches with a number more still in the works. Please call if you would like us to visit your parish or group. We estimate that we have reached 45% of our annual pledge goal; however, we have attained 100% our cash goal. Praise the Lord! Thank you for your generosity.
Phase 2 will be complete when we reach our monthly/annual pledge goal, which is $4,290 per month / $51,484 per year. The cash reserve gets us to the field. The monthly and annual pledges keep us on the field. If you have not done so, please consider making a pledge.
While we do not know exactly how long it will take to raise the funds, we anticipate leaving for Peru sometime in the spring. When we reach both the cash reserve and the monthly/annual pledge goal, then SAMS will certify us for departure.
Phase 3: Training
We are scheduled to attend the Missionary Training Institute in Colorado at the beginning of February through the middle of March. While there we will be learning about adjusting to a new culture and specific language acquisition skills. This will be followed by intensive language school in Lima, Peru, which will last six months.
Phase 4 is teaching at the Sts. Augustine Seminary in Lima.
Please keep us in prayer throughout all these phases, and help spread the word.
In Christ, Shaw and Julie Mudge
USA Phone: (518 ) 788-7873
SAMS, P.O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003
shawmudge@sams-usa.org and juliemudge@sams-usa.org
www.SAMSUSA.org
Donation Link:
sams-usa.org/sjmudge.html
***** The next Welcome Home Initiative for Combat Veterans is at Christ the King Center October 27-29. Pray that God will lead those men and women to join us whose hearts He has already prepared for healing and transformation in this retreat. Pray for coordination of the on-site Ministry Team. Pray for good weather, for safety and health for retreatants and team, for travel coordination for the veterans, for protection and support for the office staff and ministry coordinators. Come to the closing on Wednesday, October 29 in CtK's Great Hall at 11:30 a.m.
***** PRAYER TABLE REPORT
(Sat., Oct. 25, 2008, 9:30-10:45 a.m. in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Torre Bissell and Deacon Alan Hart.)
a--anointed with Holy Oil.
t--Received one of Torre's wooden crosses.
c--Accepted one of our church invitation cards.
Note: This was a rainy, damp morning, and at times the rainfall was quite heavy. But it did not deter neighbors from coming to His place of hope and help one tiny bit.
t--JOSHUA -- This man stopped for prayers for his grandmother, who is soon to undergo serious surgery. It was raining hard right at the start; Joshua had an umbrella and he held it over all three of us.
t,a -- ED -- He was resistant at first with his hands kind of "pushing us away" as he said he had already been to the Table before, but Torre encouraged him to come for a "booster shot" of prayer. Ed asked us to pray again for his two sons, Terrence and Edward, that that will be protected and safe. One son is 23, the younger just got out of high school. Ed also came back later in the morning for prayer for a limp in his left leg. He said he had been "jumped" recently by some teen-age thugs.
a,t-- CHADWICK and a,t-- NAIESON -- This couple came by, also during the heaviest part of the rain, for prayer -- mostly for Chadwick to "... not have to go to jail." Chadwick did not reveal what his alleged crime was and we did not ask, but he asked for Christ's forgiveness and Torre assured him that whatever he had done, Christ has now given him a clean slate with which to work. Naeison did not want prayer for anything else, but we prayed for her to be safe, provided for and protected. We prayed that both of them will come to know the Lord.
PAT -- This is Frank Upshur's daughter and a regular visitor to God's Table. We prayed for the whole family; that nephew Keith will take the medicine he needs to take, that Nick will be healthy and safe. Pat told us Nick recently caught pneumonia but has gotten better; we prayed that the pneumonia will not return. We prayed for Frank to come back to Christ Church services again soon, as he did recently.
t--BARBARA -- Very well-dressed, well-spoken and polite woman. Barbara stopped for God's help that she will soon be able to open a restaurant on Albany Street -- oince she gets the sufficient monetary boost she needs. She said she is currently "flipping burgers" and building up the money to get started on her own business.
JIM -- Another repeat visitor, and he too held the umbrella over all of us even though by now it was not raining that hard. Jim this summer lost his son, RICHARD, in an untimely death from a heart attack and therefore of course is still grieving the loss of his son. We prayed for Jim to deal with the sorrow and for the safe repose of his son's soul.
t-,a,c-- HOWARD -- This man was waiting for a bus with his wife and daughter, t--TAYNA. Howard asked for prayer for his grandmother, who is 98 years old. God Bless her! While Torre was praying for Howard, Alan prayed for young Tayna, that she would be protected and watched over by our Lord 24 hours a day for the rest of her life and that she would come to know Him.
t--DOREA -- This was the most troubling of all the cases who came to His Table today for prayer. Dorea is a young man of about 25 or 30 who crossed the street nodding his head at Torre's invitation, saying "Yes, believe me, I sure need prayers!" But when he got to the Table, he just said he needed "protection." We know there was some real fear or guilt or both in Dorea's face and voice, but he did not want to share any of it with us -- just the Lord, in private to himself. That's OK. He came, and the Lord knows the whole situation. Pray for Dorea.
t,-- JONATHAN -- He thought we were "crazy" for sitting out in the rain and praying for people "out here on the street" (yes, by now we were pretty soaked through!), but also thanked us for it. We prayed for Jonathan and his family to be safe and secure, provided for and protected. He conceded that "times are tough" and we prayed that Jonathan and his family will get provision and peace.
t,c ---KATHY -- She asked for prayer for her father-in-law ROBERT, who is going through chemotherapy for cancer that has returned. KATHY is a former parishioner who lives in our neighborhood. We gave her a church card and invited her to return to us and join our loving family at Christ Church.
t--LES -- This older man obviously had been drinking quite a bit and was unsteady, but he nonetheless stopped at our invitation for prayer and sought prayer for himself for safety and provision.
Subject: PT report and hospital
To: torre.bissell@verizon.net
Cc: dcarlson24@verizon.net
PRAYER TABLE REPORT
(Weds., Oct. 22, 2008; 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.; in front of Christ Church; Alan Hart and Scott Underhill.)
Note: Very raw, damp, drizzling day so we cut it shorter than usual because neither of us had enough warm clothing or gloves to wear!)
t-- indicates received one of Torre's crosses.
c--indicates took one of our green/yellow cards.
(Did not anoint anyone today.)
t,t-SASHA -- This young mother of two is expecting twins VERY soon, so we prayed for the safe delivery of her new children and that her whole family will be safe and be provided for.
t,t-- SAMANTHA -- Samantha came with her son, MEDAEH, and an infant in a carriage. She is looking for a good job, so we prayed for her to find employment and to be protected and watchedc over by our Lord waking and sleeping.
t,-- RICH and t--SUSAN -- This couple came along looking very depressed and serious. Rich asked for prayer that he will find a job. He is out of work and having a hard time. Susan, very polite, did not seek prayer but we prayed for her to be fulfilled, feel God's work in her life today.
Note: More people than usual seemed in a hurry, refused prayer either politely or without answering. Not sure what to make of that.
ELLIS HOSPITAL REPORT
(Weds., Oct. 22, 2008 -- before Protestant service on B-5 Long-Term Care floor.)
BERNICE -- My father's old childhood friend from Carman who is in her mid-80s. She continues to be very pained by arthritis, and now add on to that she has a heavy cold in her chest and nose/throat. Poor thing! Please pray for her to recover. Needless to say, she did not go to church today.
ALICE -- Alice is not a resident but a nurse on the floor who is currently out of work because she recently fell down some stairs and hurt her back. She was just in visiting the staff and residents after visiting her doctor. We prayed for her in the hall to be returned to health.
Albany Intercessor
Jesus, brother sins against brother in the Episcopal Church and we proclaim it from the housetops rather than go to them privately. Have mercy on us and redirect our relationships in the Episcopal Church.
"But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'" (Matthew 18:16)
Jesus, please restore such quiet pursuit of reconciliation to the life of the Episcopal Church.
"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." (Matthew 18:17)
Holy Spirit, guide this diocese through the turbulence ahead of us in the Episcopal Church. Set us free from public rancor and posturing; help us live out these words of Jesus to us.
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18 )
Father, there are so many things that bind us in the Episcopal Church and in our daily lives: old hurts that have never been forgiven, wounds in families and parishes that have never been allowed to heal; help us in this diocese learn to loose these things on earth so that they are loosed in heaven.
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
Jesus, please show us, teach us how to find a unity in you in this diocese where we ask for things in agreement -- not only in agreement between each other, but also in agreement with your father's will.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20)
Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts by gathering us together in Jesus' name. Thank you.
A word received: Wait on me. Turn to me day by day. I will be with you in all your circumstances. Look to me, turn to me, keep your eyes on me.
Sunday: 103; Ecclesiasticus 18:19-33 or Haggai 1:1-2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:15-24; Matthew 18:15-20
Monday: 44; Ecclesiasticus 19:4-17 or Zechariah 1:7-17; Revelation 11:1-14; Luke 11:14-26
Notes from the Front Line
***** Report from Shaw and Julie Mudge October 22, 2008
Greetings Family and Friends,
Since our last letter, much has been happening as we ready ourselves to go to Peru. Although we are actively moving forward, the pathway is lengthy. The process is divided into four phases and we are well into Phase 2.
Phase 1 is completed!
We have sold our house and downsized into a small condo. This keeps our expenses low and still gives us a place to land. We are now living in Wynantskill, NY, a village 10 miles northeast of Albany, New York. You can still reach us at the same cell phone number, (518 )-788-7873, or our new home number, (518 )-326-4058.
Phase 2: Fundraising
We are itinerating at every opportunity. During the last couple of months, we have spoken at 12 churches and several special events, including the Diocesan Convention. Currently, we are scheduled to visit 11 more churches with a number more still in the works. Please call if you would like us to visit your parish or group. We estimate that we have reached 45% of our annual pledge goal; however, we have attained 100% our cash goal. Praise the Lord! Thank you for your generosity.
Phase 2 will be complete when we reach our monthly/annual pledge goal, which is $4,290 per month / $51,484 per year. The cash reserve gets us to the field. The monthly and annual pledges keep us on the field. If you have not done so, please consider making a pledge.
While we do not know exactly how long it will take to raise the funds, we anticipate leaving for Peru sometime in the spring. When we reach both the cash reserve and the monthly/annual pledge goal, then SAMS will certify us for departure.
Phase 3: Training
We are scheduled to attend the Missionary Training Institute in Colorado at the beginning of February through the middle of March. While there we will be learning about adjusting to a new culture and specific language acquisition skills. This will be followed by intensive language school in Lima, Peru, which will last six months.
Phase 4 is teaching at the Sts. Augustine Seminary in Lima.
Please keep us in prayer throughout all these phases, and help spread the word.
In Christ, Shaw and Julie Mudge
USA Phone: (518 ) 788-7873
SAMS, P.O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003
shawmudge@sams-usa.org and juliemudge@sams-usa.org
www.SAMSUSA.org
Donation Link:
sams-usa.org/sjmudge.html
***** The next Welcome Home Initiative for Combat Veterans is at Christ the King Center October 27-29. Pray that God will lead those men and women to join us whose hearts He has already prepared for healing and transformation in this retreat. Pray for coordination of the on-site Ministry Team. Pray for good weather, for safety and health for retreatants and team, for travel coordination for the veterans, for protection and support for the office staff and ministry coordinators. Come to the closing on Wednesday, October 29 in CtK's Great Hall at 11:30 a.m.
***** PRAYER TABLE REPORT
(Sat., Oct. 25, 2008, 9:30-10:45 a.m. in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Torre Bissell and Deacon Alan Hart.)
a--anointed with Holy Oil.
t--Received one of Torre's wooden crosses.
c--Accepted one of our church invitation cards.
Note: This was a rainy, damp morning, and at times the rainfall was quite heavy. But it did not deter neighbors from coming to His place of hope and help one tiny bit.
t--JOSHUA -- This man stopped for prayers for his grandmother, who is soon to undergo serious surgery. It was raining hard right at the start; Joshua had an umbrella and he held it over all three of us.
t,a -- ED -- He was resistant at first with his hands kind of "pushing us away" as he said he had already been to the Table before, but Torre encouraged him to come for a "booster shot" of prayer. Ed asked us to pray again for his two sons, Terrence and Edward, that that will be protected and safe. One son is 23, the younger just got out of high school. Ed also came back later in the morning for prayer for a limp in his left leg. He said he had been "jumped" recently by some teen-age thugs.
a,t-- CHADWICK and a,t-- NAIESON -- This couple came by, also during the heaviest part of the rain, for prayer -- mostly for Chadwick to "... not have to go to jail." Chadwick did not reveal what his alleged crime was and we did not ask, but he asked for Christ's forgiveness and Torre assured him that whatever he had done, Christ has now given him a clean slate with which to work. Naeison did not want prayer for anything else, but we prayed for her to be safe, provided for and protected. We prayed that both of them will come to know the Lord.
PAT -- This is Frank Upshur's daughter and a regular visitor to God's Table. We prayed for the whole family; that nephew Keith will take the medicine he needs to take, that Nick will be healthy and safe. Pat told us Nick recently caught pneumonia but has gotten better; we prayed that the pneumonia will not return. We prayed for Frank to come back to Christ Church services again soon, as he did recently.
t--BARBARA -- Very well-dressed, well-spoken and polite woman. Barbara stopped for God's help that she will soon be able to open a restaurant on Albany Street -- oince she gets the sufficient monetary boost she needs. She said she is currently "flipping burgers" and building up the money to get started on her own business.
JIM -- Another repeat visitor, and he too held the umbrella over all of us even though by now it was not raining that hard. Jim this summer lost his son, RICHARD, in an untimely death from a heart attack and therefore of course is still grieving the loss of his son. We prayed for Jim to deal with the sorrow and for the safe repose of his son's soul.
t-,a,c-- HOWARD -- This man was waiting for a bus with his wife and daughter, t--TAYNA. Howard asked for prayer for his grandmother, who is 98 years old. God Bless her! While Torre was praying for Howard, Alan prayed for young Tayna, that she would be protected and watched over by our Lord 24 hours a day for the rest of her life and that she would come to know Him.
t--DOREA -- This was the most troubling of all the cases who came to His Table today for prayer. Dorea is a young man of about 25 or 30 who crossed the street nodding his head at Torre's invitation, saying "Yes, believe me, I sure need prayers!" But when he got to the Table, he just said he needed "protection." We know there was some real fear or guilt or both in Dorea's face and voice, but he did not want to share any of it with us -- just the Lord, in private to himself. That's OK. He came, and the Lord knows the whole situation. Pray for Dorea.
t,-- JONATHAN -- He thought we were "crazy" for sitting out in the rain and praying for people "out here on the street" (yes, by now we were pretty soaked through!), but also thanked us for it. We prayed for Jonathan and his family to be safe and secure, provided for and protected. He conceded that "times are tough" and we prayed that Jonathan and his family will get provision and peace.
t,c ---KATHY -- She asked for prayer for her father-in-law ROBERT, who is going through chemotherapy for cancer that has returned. KATHY is a former parishioner who lives in our neighborhood. We gave her a church card and invited her to return to us and join our loving family at Christ Church.
t--LES -- This older man obviously had been drinking quite a bit and was unsteady, but he nonetheless stopped at our invitation for prayer and sought prayer for himself for safety and provision.
Subject: PT report and hospital
To: torre.bissell@verizon.net
Cc: dcarlson24@verizon.net
PRAYER TABLE REPORT
(Weds., Oct. 22, 2008; 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.; in front of Christ Church; Alan Hart and Scott Underhill.)
Note: Very raw, damp, drizzling day so we cut it shorter than usual because neither of us had enough warm clothing or gloves to wear!)
t-- indicates received one of Torre's crosses.
c--indicates took one of our green/yellow cards.
(Did not anoint anyone today.)
t,t-SASHA -- This young mother of two is expecting twins VERY soon, so we prayed for the safe delivery of her new children and that her whole family will be safe and be provided for.
t,t-- SAMANTHA -- Samantha came with her son, MEDAEH, and an infant in a carriage. She is looking for a good job, so we prayed for her to find employment and to be protected and watchedc over by our Lord waking and sleeping.
t,-- RICH and t--SUSAN -- This couple came along looking very depressed and serious. Rich asked for prayer that he will find a job. He is out of work and having a hard time. Susan, very polite, did not seek prayer but we prayed for her to be fulfilled, feel God's work in her life today.
Note: More people than usual seemed in a hurry, refused prayer either politely or without answering. Not sure what to make of that.
ELLIS HOSPITAL REPORT
(Weds., Oct. 22, 2008 -- before Protestant service on B-5 Long-Term Care floor.)
BERNICE -- My father's old childhood friend from Carman who is in her mid-80s. She continues to be very pained by arthritis, and now add on to that she has a heavy cold in her chest and nose/throat. Poor thing! Please pray for her to recover. Needless to say, she did not go to church today.
ALICE -- Alice is not a resident but a nurse on the floor who is currently out of work because she recently fell down some stairs and hurt her back. She was just in visiting the staff and residents after visiting her doctor. We prayed for her in the hall to be returned to health.
Albany Intercessor
