Let Us Pray + Outreach Gratitude

July 29, 2020
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Dear Hearts,
      As the saying goes, "Here's one to needlepoint and put in the sampler above the fireplace,"  in a time when so much seems out of joint.  In the face of the ever-present threat of death from the rulers and would-be powers of his day, and from creation -- with famine then devastating the eastern Mediterranean, Paul wrote this soaring expression of confidence in the abiding presence of God's love revealed in Jesus.  May his hope sustain us in a time such as ours. 
     Acting on that hope, our Outreach Team agreed that we should offer the whole parish, a Mission Challenge to provide a Wednesday lunch for the Community Soup Kitchen in New Haven.  You may remember this was one of the Youth Mission Challenges in June  (all of which they met in a sterling fashion!).   And so, yesterday, parishioners picked up makings for 300 sandwiches and 200 brownies; those will be returned today (by 10:30a.m. please!) for packing in sack lunches for those on the margins in New Haven as the month ends.  When the call went out, the Sign-up Genius was filled within 24 hours!  What a wonderful testimony to God's love working  through us for folks who truly need a tangible sign of God's love for them. 
 
Our prayers are asked for ----
All who are ill including,
Elena P, Ann B, Margaret S, and Michael M;
for Dale and all others contending
with Covid-19 disease,
 and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic.
May they all know the healing power of
Christ's presence and love.
 
For the repose of Jean Landon Smith;
and for the over 145,000 of our fellow citizens,
 who have died of the coronavirus;
Remember your servants, O Lord,
according to the favor you bear unto all your children.

Let us send up prayers of thanksgiving for the birthdays of
June Chittick and Jean Valentine
Watch over your servants, O Lord, as their days increase;
bless and guide them; and may your peace abide with them all the days of their lives.

In gratitude, for Sunday's Sunday School Celebration in the parish's backyard (and for the lovely breeze!)
and for all those involved in making all those sandwiches and brownies,
and delivering and serving them:
We thank you for calling us to tasks that require our best efforts,
and leading to accomplishments that delight and satisfy us
and benefit others in need.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Richard L, Richard, D, Dave K, Brian A, Emily L, Tim H, John, Joan G., Lois C., Winnie Z, Bernie and family, Susie & Paul, Pam McG, Julie H,  Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl,  Michael S, Joanne N-R,  Madeline H, Kelly G,
Also: Paul D, Bob vM, Susan S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois T, and Jo B.
Please also remember:  St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti).

To add names and concerns for Wednesday's and Sunday's intercessions, and this "Let Us Pray" letter, please send them to YFNR at harrisoncec@snet.net with any details you care to share.  Names will then move to the "continuing" list for 30 days, and the longer term list upon request. 

Wednesday Evening Prayers this week, will take as its theme the witness of Jesus' friends and disciples, Martha and Mary of Bethany, Today, July 29th is "their day."  Fans of Lent Madness may remember that Martha of Bethany "won" the "Golden Halo" in 2019.  You can join the service on www.facebook.com/cecguilford 

Thursday Bible Study ... continues with the saga of Jacob, who has met and married his wives Leah and Rachel.. This week's chapter may lead us to wonder if Leah and Rachel have taken a page from Jacob's trickster playbook.  Following this meeting, Thursday Bible Study will begin a Summer break until September.  We meet for an hour via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 9:30a.m.  Here's the link.

Realizing that we all weren't able to participate in this week's Outreach effort, all of us can join in prayer "For the Poor and the Neglected.":  Perhaps the prayer will inspire a friendly call or email or text or card to someone who might be alone
Almighty and most merciful God,
we remember before you all poor and neglected persons
whom it would be easy for us to forget: 
the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. 
Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit,
and to turn their sorrow into joy. 
Grant this, Father for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Poor and the Neglected, BCP, p. 826
 
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR