"Click" Snapshots of God's Servants "Democratic Republic of the Congo bishop warns violence could spiral into genocide." This was the lead story in the ChurchTimes.co.uk. The Rt. Rev. Mugenyi William Bahemuka is the bishop. Pray for him. He is coming to Florida soon and then on to India with Canon Christopher. "Where I am, so my servant is also..." -Click- Video "They left the Congo because of the killing... " So began Fr. Gabriel's homily for 8 year old Jephte Babakissa last Friday who was run down by a distracted driver in Conway. His mother, next to the bongos is singing. Earlier she was wailing at the open grave. -Click- People, reaching out, caring for one another, praying for one another. Sharing God's love is why we gather. We are His body. We are His servants. He is with us then. Jesus' first public sermon (John 3) was to the Jews about new life. His last public sermon (John 12) is to the Greeks about life from death. Hellenism espoused the effort to realize the ideal human life consisting in enjoyment and escaping sacrifice, the fullness of personal life. It's all about me . On the other hand, Jesus' teaching, "The person who is in love with one's own self ruins it, but the person who hates one's this-worldly self preserves one's true self thereby into deep, lasting Life." "He who loves his life loses it..." -Click- The Rt. Rev. Peter Johs, bishop of the diocese of Malek in South Sudan; 42,000 Anglicans; provincial secretary. He lives in a village with no running water or electricity and visits his people via bicycle because to have a car would distance him too much from his poor and starving people. Meet him here at New Covenant Good Friday. "but if it dies it bears much fruit..." -Click- Sometimes, from time to time, whether far away, as with the men above, or here at home in our local community, we get to linger with and rub elbows with God's servants, even on Sundays!

Dear Friends,

TEMPLE CLEANING This past Wednesday morning as I was getting things together for the Lenten noonday service, I noticed that our decanter of Holy Water was almost empty. So, after filling it, I said the prayers below over the water making the sign of the cross where indicated. Sunday morning during communion and prayer ministry, I gave someone a small bottle of Holy Water and said, "This should solve the problem." Over the years I have seen Holy Water cleanse rooms, attics, garages, entryways etc. (Ask Canon Christopher). It beats 409. The prayers below come from an old MANUAL FOR PRIESTS. They are, indeed, a recipe for Holy Water. We use them, along with prayers for the exorcism and blessing of salt, when we do a house blessing. It's not the only thing used for cleaning a temple, and physical space temples are not the only temples in need of cleaning, but it is a good place to begin. Let us pray. (Exorcism of the water) I adjure thee, O creature of water, in the Name of God the Father + Almighty, in the Name of Jesus + Christ, his Son, our Lord, and by the power of the Holy + Ghost, that thou become water exorcised for putting to flight all the power of the enemy, and do thou avail to cast out and send hence that same enemy, with all his apostate angels: through the power of the Same our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen. Let us pray. (Blessing of the water) O God, Who for the salvation of mankind hast ordained that the substance of water should be used in one of thy chiefest Sacraments: favourably regard us who call upon thee, and pour the power of thy bene+diction upon this element, made ready by careful cleansing; that this thy creature, meet for thy mysteries, may receive the effect of divine grace, and so cast out devils, and put sickness to flight, that whosoever in the dwellings of thy faithful people shall be sprinkled with this water, may be made free from all uncleanness and delivered from all manner of hurt; there let no spirit of pestilence abide, nor any corrupting air: thence let all the wiles of the hidden enemy depart; and if there be aught that layeth snares against the peace or safety of them that dwell in the house, let it fly before the sprinkling of this water, so that the health which they seek through calling upon thy holy Name may be protected against all things that threaten it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Blessings to You All,

I said Alleluia on Sunday. It was accidental, but loud.

SENSELESS

The Mission Continues The gospel of Jesus has been reaching across countries, cultures and conversations since his first announcement that God's kingdom was here. In his words and deeds; in his person and mission.

Dear Friends,

Contagious

ALONG THE ROAD

Building His Kingdom