Let Us Pray + Rogation Days+ Mulch Weekend

May 4, 2021

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth:
We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas,
and may prosper all who labor to gather them,
that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Rogation Days: 1. Fruitful Seasons
BCP, p.258
Dear Hearts,
      In Latin, to "rogare,"  is to ask.  So, these Rogation Days, are three days devoted to asking God's blessing on agriculture, aquaculture and human industry.  The Prayer Book provides the prayer above for fruitful season, the one below for commerce and industry, and one for stewardship of creation which we'll use to conclude Wednesday's litany.  In effect, these Rogation Days are the Church's historic "Earth Days."  Observances date from the 5th Century.
      When I was in graduate school and a new Episcopalian, I was introduced to this observance by that parish's (St. Mary's Church, Eugene, Oregon) Rogation Procession of prayers and psalms around its block.  The procession would helpfully stop and pray over every planting bed -- with much flinging of incense smoke and holy water.  The poor Christian Scientists across the alley didn't quite know what to make of it when we stopped at theirs!   Our observance will be more reserved.
     Our Rogation Prayers will set the stage for the spreading of mulch around the church's planting beds on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16.  Details are in an email sent out earlier today.  Here's the link to sign-up to help.
    
Let us pray for all who are commended to the parish's prayers:
All who are ill, including
Craig L, Carol U, Maureen S, Eugenia, Ann S, Alphonse, Elizabeth,
Jim R, Kevin and Danielle;  
and for all who are contending with Covid-19 disease;
for medical caregivers ministering of God's healing gifts;
and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic.
May they all know the healing power of
Christ's presence and love.
 
And for all who have died,
including those whose lives were lost in recent gun violence,
and for the over 582,000 of our fellow citizens
claimed by the coronavirus.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;
may light perpetual shine upon them.

Please also continue to pray for Amy B, Virginia, Sonny P, Alex M. Maryanne M,  Diane L, Jason, Peter, Dale, Buster, Jimmy C, Patrick and family, Felipe, Richard D, Alice M, Elizabeth Ann, Parker, Webb, Jill, Andrew E, Ed C, Pastor Bryan Meyers, Bob C, Sue S, George H, Alex & John H, Jeremy H, Shelly, Philippe, Kate, Frank, Jack, Judy & Ed S,  Michael M,  Richard D, Dave K, Brian A, Annie, 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, and Kelly G,
Also: Paul D, Susan S, Linda B, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, and Olivia;
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 move to the longer term list upon request.  

Wednesday's Order for Evening will offer readings, hymns and prayers to ask God's blessings, as noted above. The livestream of the service will start just before 7p.m. via www.facebook.com/cecguilford.
 
Thursday Bible Study continues May 13 at 9:30a.m. as we try to sort out the demise of Edward G. Robinson's character in Mr. DeMille's "10 Commandments."  Join the conversation via this Eastertide Zoom code.  There are no prerequisites or homework!
 
Our discussions of  Love is the Way: Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's latest book, continues Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Bishop Curry writes of love in action, just as surely as did the writer of the Letter of John that we're reading on Sundays.  In the current chapters, Bishop Curry is amazingly candid about how hard it is to respond in love to those who vehemently rejected to decisions that he supported.
  
Sunday's worship:  Guilford is now in a Connecticut "orangezone,"  So, in-person inside worship is on the horizon!  Our indoor 10a.m. service with sung music will continue to be livestreamed via facebook.com/cecguilford .
     Our 1p.m. Prayers in the Garden looks well-settled in the garden for in-person worship again this Sunday..
     The church is accessible via the driveway door between 10a.m. and 3p.m. daily for quiet time, likely alone.

Here's the Collect for the second Rogation Day, for commerce and industry:
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life
shared our toil and hallowed our labor:
Be present with your people where they work;
make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will;
and give to us all a pride in what we do,
and a just return for our labor;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
BCP, p.259
 
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector