Letter to the Az Branch from Tom Pivonka, Provisional Coordinator
Our next GCG is
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 11th from 3-5 pm!
at the COTL community center.
PLEASE BE EARLY TO MEET JOE AND THE BISHOP AND WE CAN START RiGHT AT 3PM!
You can go online www.cityofthelord.org under the password-protected Member's Access tab - to view the Livestream. https://cityofthelord.org/memberaccess#video
If you need a password, reply to this Flocknote!!
(Formation district is not meeting separately- we are all meeting together the entire gathering. Childcare provided)
Due to the widespread availability of Covid vaccinations, the dramatic decrease in new cases statewide, and Governor Ducey rescinding the statewide mask mandate on 3/25, masks are optional at gatherings, at the discretion of the member. Please respect other members who wish to social distance and wear masks. If you feel compromised, are ill, or vulnerable to getting the virus, please attend via the live stream.
Special Guests Bishop Eduardo Nevares and Pastor Joe Tosini!
Bishop Nevares and Joe Tosini will be arriving about 2:30 for those that wish to meet them before the gathering starts at 3PM. (They have to leave at 4PM so we moved the Divine mercy Celebration to the second Hour)
Since we are Video recording this gathering for the Ecumenical Holy Spirit Novena, we have to follow a bit of a schedule to stay on track. Here is our proposed overview for Sunday's GCG:
2:30-3:00 Meet and Greet Bishop Nevares and Joe Tosini (Optional)
3:00 Opening Song
3:05- 3:10 Jeff Welcome and Orientation to the first section
3:10- 3:30 Praise and Worship
3:30-4:00 Bishop Nevares and Joe Tosini Speak (Bishop and Joe have to leave at 4PM)
4:00-4:10 Intercession for Christian Unity and Prayer for the Holy Spirit to Fall upon the World (possible sharing of a prophetic words]
4:10-4:20 Recite the Holy Spirit Novena Day 2 together
Divine Mercy Celebration:
4:20-4:30 Introduction Divine mercy Portion and Brief Sharings
4:30-4:40 Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Mark and Jenelle)
4:40-4:55 Adoration
4:55 Closing Song- End at 5PM
The Ecumenical Holy Spirit Section of the Gathering will be video recorded and used as Day 2 of a Nine Day Ecumenical Holy Spirit Novena that will be broadcast worldwide as preparation for Pentecost 2021.
A little about the Ecumenical Holy Spirit Novena:
It will be nine recorded prayer meetings will be live streamed on a 24-hour loop for the day of the novena. There are nine communities/groups/ministries from various streams of Renewal who are partnering together to lead us in prayer according to their faith traditions.
The themes and communities leading each of the nine days are:
Day 1 Our Need for the Holy Spirit Leader: Little Portion Community, reflection by John Michael Talbot.
Day 2 Restoration of Christian life in Civil and Domestic Society Leader: City of the Lord Community, NANCCC Communities, Tempe, AZ reflection jointly by Catholic Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Aux Bishop of Phoenix, and Pentecostal Pastor Joseph Tosini, John 17 movement.
Day 3 Restoration of Full Communion of the Church Leader: Alleluia Community, Augusta, GA reflection by Bob Garrett, Senior Coordinator, New Charismatic, Vineyard leader.
Day 4 The Mystery of the Blessed Trinity Leader: People of Praise Community, Trinidad, West Indies, Reflection by Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, DD.
Day 5 The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation Leader: Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria, Reflection by Rev. Fr. Dr. Innocent Joshua Igbokwe.
Day 6 The Holy Spirit and the Church Leader: YU4C Delhi, India, Reflection by Ajin Joseph, Youth Minister.
Day 7 The Holy Spirit and the Souls of the Just Leader: The Ark and Dove, Gibsonia, PA USA Reflection by Sr. Maria.
Day 8 On Devotion to the Holy Spirit Leader: Charismatic Leaders Fellowship, Reflection by Methodist Theologian Dr. Scott Kelso.
Day 9 Surrender to the Holy Spirit Leader: Companions of the Cross, Canada, Reflection by Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC, Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Pentecost Vigil Celebration on Saturday May 22nd will be organized by CHARIS in Rome and will conclude the Novena broadcast on www.pentecost.cmax.tv
A downloadable and printable booklet of the Ecumenical Novena, which was edited and proofed by Dr. Mary Healy, Dr. David Cole and others and been professionally designed for e-readers and home printers. You can already download it at www.pentecost.cmax.tv
Upcoming Gathering Schedule
April 25 GCG. 3-5 PM (Formation District 4-5)
May 2nd & (25th Formation District 4-5)
All are welcome!
CONDOLENCES
Our sincere condolences to Nancy Mill's and her family at the loss of her dear father and our faithful friend, William Eberhardt. Well done, good and faithful servant! "LOVE YOU MADLY!"
CAMP POWELL
WE NEED YOUR INPUT!
(The following is from Mike Shaughnessy!)
I'd like to thank the City of the Lord for all their prayers for me and ask you to continue. It has been quite an ordeal. I have been through nothing quite like it (and it continues, I have not been pain-free since this all started on January 2nd with Covid 19, then worsened on Jan 15th with a broken ankle due to Guillain Barre.) I only discovered in early March how many things had gone seriously south! It wasn't just that I was paralyzed from the neck down, was on a ventilator for two weeks and receiving oxygen. I didn't actually know I was knocking on death's door -- I was hallucinating most of three weeks. (I remember my hallucinations and little else between January 20th and February 25th.)
I believe God answered the prayers of the saints. I especially see this in three ways: 1) My rapid recovery -- I was still paralyzed on February 25th and got out of the hospital using a walker on March15th. (Guillain Barre typically takes six to nine months to recover to 85%.) 2) More significantly, I was far more joyful than usual throughout my time in hospital and 3) Your prayers got me through the darkest times. I lost my ability to remember any memorized prayers: I could not make it through the Lord's Prayer nor night prayers, I either forgot the words or simply forgot what I was doing. I had no way of validating that I had any relationship with the Lord. That was frightening!
I am still wrestling with Guillain Barre. I am in pain most of the day from my calves down. Sleeping is difficult. My thinking is still confused at times. Typing is very slow but I can do it, and my sense of balance is bad, but I am still "improving more rapidly" than most according to my doctors and therapists.
God bless you and the community!
Mike
CONTACTS
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RESOURCES TAB
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Pray for our Branch Senior Leadership Team
Coordinators:
Jeff Looker, Senior Coordinator
John Hoyt, Coordinator
Geoff Shell, Coordinator
Tom Pivonka, Provisional Coordinator
Steve Beguhl, Provisional Coordinator
Deacon Dave Knebelsberger, Provisional Coordinator
Senior Women Leaders: