Psalm 105: 1-4:
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Father in Heaven, the psalmist has given us a wonderful reminder of the many ways that we can pray! We give thanks to You Lord for all the blessings that You have poured out upon Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge. We especially thank You for the ministry opportunities that are opening up in Tanzania and Belize in the areas of computer courses for seminary training. What an awesome way for the Mudges to make known your deeds among the peoples and to help those peoples in turn spread your mighty message and tell of your wondrous works!
We thank You for Julie’s music ministry and the chances that she has had in the past week to help others praise You through song, glorying in your holy name and inspiring hearts to seek You Lord and to rejoice. Lord, we and the Mudges strive to seek You always, to abide in You and to gather in the strength and inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, making us more effective ambassadors for your Son Jesus Christ!
Lord, in the week ahead we pray according to your will that the plans for this “virtual seminary” experience move forward. We pray for the presentations that Shaw and Julie will be giving and that they get the continuing spiritual and financial support that they need to continue their work for You. And we pray for Lydia as she finishes up her year at college. Help her Lord to get through her finals and help her to plan her summer activities. May she know your love, peace and joy.
Amen.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
April Newsletter
Plan B.
For family reasons, our missionary plans have taken a new and positive turn in the past few weeks. This turn of events is our Plan B: on-line education, otherwise known as eLearning.
This eLearning is a great way to do missionary work, cutting down some of the risks of danger, such as less exposure to malaria mosquitoes or minimizing the threats of civil unrest, and all the while being available to minister to important family needs in this country.
Under Plan B, we would teach theological courses from the U.S. to students on another continent. Until this morning, our focus for eLearning had been entirely on East Africa. But as of this morning, there is a possibility that we may be missionaries to Central America and East Africa at the same time.
Wow! That sure beats the long voyage to distant parts of the world by sailing ship, in the 18th century, to accomplish the same thing. And it only takes a fraction of the time.
We would still need to make annual short-term trips to the varying locations: as site visits and potentially to teach intensive courses. We continue as missionaries of SAMS and of the Diocese of Albany, so we continue to need your support in prayer and in finances to be able to do this.
Our upcoming plans for mission presentations and updates, during May, are:
May 6: Christ Church, Ballston Spa.
May 13: St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
May 20: Christ Church, Schenectady (Shaw),
and Grace Church, Waterford (Julie)
May 27: Trinity, Watervliet
Ways to support us.
Your prayers and financial support make a tremendous difference for us, as well as a tremendous difference in the lives of the people whom we would serve.
Please make checks out to: "SAMS", and put "Mudge" in the memo space. The mailing address is: SAMS, P. O. Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003-0399.
We would be delighted if you would visit our booth at Diocesan Convention, and attend our workshop about missionary "do's and don'ts".
God bless you,
Shaw+ and Julie+
Missionaries of the Diocese of Albany, serving
with SAMS.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear friends,
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanksgivings:
1) Julie was at St. Mark's in Hoosick Falls, today, covering for Mtr. Laurie in Israel. I preached and gave a mission presentation at Good Shepherd in Canajoharie. We had a very good time at both parishes. I like giving the presentations and getting to meet people in the congregations.
2) Julie, Hannah, and I had a great time together at the Diocese of Albany's Priests' Retreat at the Spiritual Life Center. Julie was part of the diocesan music team, and then, after it ended, she had an anointed time as a musician at St. Michael's in Colonie for their monthly prayer meeting.
3) Saturday was a very interesting day. A) Julie and I dropped into the Cursillo Ultreya at the Spiritual Life Center in the morning; it was an awesome Holy Eucharist, B) then, we attended our niece's senior recital at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs (she is a composer; I would sum up her work as "moments of genius and brilliance, and the rest was simply fantastic"), and C) we enjoyed the Prodigal's Return musical at the Spiritual Life Center.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester and summer plans.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This coming Sunday, Julie and I will be traveling to Tupper Lake, on the heels of her attending the Clergy Wives Retreat.
4) Prayer for continuing plans to teach theological college classes on-line from the US to students in Tanzania. I am in the midst of conversations with the local Bishop about possible upcoming plans.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanksgivings:
1) Julie was at St. Mark's in Hoosick Falls, today, covering for Mtr. Laurie in Israel. I preached and gave a mission presentation at Good Shepherd in Canajoharie. We had a very good time at both parishes. I like giving the presentations and getting to meet people in the congregations.
2) Julie, Hannah, and I had a great time together at the Diocese of Albany's Priests' Retreat at the Spiritual Life Center. Julie was part of the diocesan music team, and then, after it ended, she had an anointed time as a musician at St. Michael's in Colonie for their monthly prayer meeting.
3) Saturday was a very interesting day. A) Julie and I dropped into the Cursillo Ultreya at the Spiritual Life Center in the morning; it was an awesome Holy Eucharist, B) then, we attended our niece's senior recital at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs (she is a composer; I would sum up her work as "moments of genius and brilliance, and the rest was simply fantastic"), and C) we enjoyed the Prodigal's Return musical at the Spiritual Life Center.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester and summer plans.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This coming Sunday, Julie and I will be traveling to Tupper Lake, on the heels of her attending the Clergy Wives Retreat.
4) Prayer for continuing plans to teach theological college classes on-line from the US to students in Tanzania. I am in the midst of conversations with the local Bishop about possible upcoming plans.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+
Friday, April 20, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We give You thanks, Jesus, Our Lord and Our Savior, for all that You did for us at the cross, giving up your life so that we may have eternal life and the joy of knowing You. We are so priviliged to be branches on your vine and that You abide in us as we abide in You.
Thank You for making known to us and to Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge the path of life; thank You that we all find that fullness of joy in your presence and the eternal pleasures at your right hand. We ask for a refill of Your Holy Spirit so that we may experience You more fully.
Lord, we entreat You, continue to send guidance to the Mudges as they discern the day to day instructions that You are giving them concerning their ministry. And be with Lydia as she finishes up her freshman year. Help her to concentrate as she studies for final exams and writes those last papers.
We are forever grateful Lord for every good gift that You send to us and to the Mudges. Amen.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We give You thanks, Jesus, Our Lord and Our Savior, for all that You did for us at the cross, giving up your life so that we may have eternal life and the joy of knowing You. We are so priviliged to be branches on your vine and that You abide in us as we abide in You.
Thank You for making known to us and to Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge the path of life; thank You that we all find that fullness of joy in your presence and the eternal pleasures at your right hand. We ask for a refill of Your Holy Spirit so that we may experience You more fully.
Lord, we entreat You, continue to send guidance to the Mudges as they discern the day to day instructions that You are giving them concerning their ministry. And be with Lydia as she finishes up her freshman year. Help her to concentrate as she studies for final exams and writes those last papers.
We are forever grateful Lord for every good gift that You send to us and to the Mudges. Amen.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear friends in Christ,
Happy Easter season! Alleluia! Alleluia!
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) We had a very good presentation visit at St. Michael's in Colonie on Sunday.
2) We had a good pre-meeting meeting on the potential Tanzanian project about a week ago. The next step is to contact the Tanzanian Bishop and Theological School Principal.
3) Lydia is making good strides on her mid-term and on the rest of her studies.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead and summer plans.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This coming Sunday, I will be at Good Shepherd in Canajoharie, and Julie will be in Hoosick Falls.
4) With the priests' retreat, it will be a very full week. Pray that we get through the week the way that Jesus would like us to.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia! Alleluia!
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) We had a very good presentation visit at St. Michael's in Colonie on Sunday.
2) We had a good pre-meeting meeting on the potential Tanzanian project about a week ago. The next step is to contact the Tanzanian Bishop and Theological School Principal.
3) Lydia is making good strides on her mid-term and on the rest of her studies.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead and summer plans.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This coming Sunday, I will be at Good Shepherd in Canajoharie, and Julie will be in Hoosick Falls.
4) With the priests' retreat, it will be a very full week. Pray that we get through the week the way that Jesus would like us to.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 118:14
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Lord Jesus, during this Resurrection season, we are especially aware that You are our strength, You bring us joy, and our hearts open up in songs of praise. This is the day that You have made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We continue to pray for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge, that they find the doors that You are opening for them. We especially pray about the possibility of on-line teaching of students in Tanzania. Be with the Mudges as they further explore this opportunity and be with them as they continue to speak about their mission work in churches around the Albany Diocese.
Be with their daughters, Ruth, Hannah and Lydia. We thank You for the work that Hannah and Christina are doing through the Oaks of Righteousness, reaching out to under privileged children in Troy. And may Lydia especially feel your presence as she finishes up her Freshman year at Gordon College.
Thank You, Jesus, for all that You have done for us, especially for dying on the cross to redeem us from our sins and then being raised to life again so that all who believe in You may have eternal life! This is the day that You have made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen!
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Lord Jesus, during this Resurrection season, we are especially aware that You are our strength, You bring us joy, and our hearts open up in songs of praise. This is the day that You have made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!
We continue to pray for Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge, that they find the doors that You are opening for them. We especially pray about the possibility of on-line teaching of students in Tanzania. Be with the Mudges as they further explore this opportunity and be with them as they continue to speak about their mission work in churches around the Albany Diocese.
Be with their daughters, Ruth, Hannah and Lydia. We thank You for the work that Hannah and Christina are doing through the Oaks of Righteousness, reaching out to under privileged children in Troy. And may Lydia especially feel your presence as she finishes up her Freshman year at Gordon College.
Thank You, Jesus, for all that You have done for us, especially for dying on the cross to redeem us from our sins and then being raised to life again so that all who believe in You may have eternal life! This is the day that You have made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Prayer Mail
Dear friends in Christ,
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) We had a good visit with Lydia and a friend of hers, visiting with us from college over Easter. We enjoyed Hannah and Christina's visit on Sunday evening for dinner; they are doing great things at Oaks of Righteousness.
2) We enjoyed the Good Friday service at Christ Church, Duanesburg, and Easter Day services at St. Michael's in Colonie and then, at Christ Church in Schenectady.
3) Julie's parents, sister, and brother-in-law all arrived safely in Colorado.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester. One of her professors needs to get her a mid-term exam, and has not done it yet. We are also praying that she will pull through the final months of this school year in good shape.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead and summer plans.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This Sunday, we will be at St. Michael's in Colonie.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+.
Happy Easter season! Alleluia!
This is our public prayer mail for this week.
Thanksgivings:
1) We had a good visit with Lydia and a friend of hers, visiting with us from college over Easter. We enjoyed Hannah and Christina's visit on Sunday evening for dinner; they are doing great things at Oaks of Righteousness.
2) We enjoyed the Good Friday service at Christ Church, Duanesburg, and Easter Day services at St. Michael's in Colonie and then, at Christ Church in Schenectady.
3) Julie's parents, sister, and brother-in-law all arrived safely in Colorado.
Prayer requests:
1) The rest of Lydia's semester. One of her professors needs to get her a mid-term exam, and has not done it yet. We are also praying that she will pull through the final months of this school year in good shape.
2) Prayer for discernment in the steps ahead and summer plans.
3) Prayer for the upcoming parish visits. This Sunday, we will be at St. Michael's in Colonie.
We sense your prayers, and I pray for you every day.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
God bless you,
In Christ,
Shaw+, and on behalf of Julie+.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Scripture Prayer
Psalm 87:7
As they make music they will sing, all my fountains are in you.
As we enter the Easter season, Jesus, we want to thank You for the ultimate gift that you have given us. Thank You for dying on that cross for our sins. But that act would have been fultile if You had not been raised from the dead and left us with the hope of eternal life in You. On this Good Friday, we are reminded that we live in a Good Friday world, but we are Easter people most of all.
Thank You, Lord, for the hope that You give us. And thank You for the opportunities that Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge will be exploring next week. We pray that the right door will be wide open for them to continue their mission work while still living in the Albany Diocese. We thank You for this possibility Lord. Thank You that the Mudges are fully immersed in your Holy Spirit and that all their fountains are in You! Continue to refresh them, Lord, and all their family. Amen.
As they make music they will sing, all my fountains are in you.
As we enter the Easter season, Jesus, we want to thank You for the ultimate gift that you have given us. Thank You for dying on that cross for our sins. But that act would have been fultile if You had not been raised from the dead and left us with the hope of eternal life in You. On this Good Friday, we are reminded that we live in a Good Friday world, but we are Easter people most of all.
Thank You, Lord, for the hope that You give us. And thank You for the opportunities that Father Shaw and Mother Julie Mudge will be exploring next week. We pray that the right door will be wide open for them to continue their mission work while still living in the Albany Diocese. We thank You for this possibility Lord. Thank You that the Mudges are fully immersed in your Holy Spirit and that all their fountains are in You! Continue to refresh them, Lord, and all their family. Amen.
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