Let Us Pray + St Chrysostom

January 27, 2021

O God, whom we cannot love unless we love our neighbor,
widen the boundaries of our hearts
that we may see you in one another.
Let us pray for the most vulnerable in our communities.
Washington National Cathedral
January 21, 2021
Dear Hearts,
The quotation above introduced a series of petitions in "Prayers for the Peoples of this Nation," one of the litanies offered during the course of the interfaith Inaugural Prayer Service, hosted by Washington National Cathedral.  This service is traditionally offered within the Cathedral; this year year it was offered virtually, with the officiants and some musicians within the Cathedral, others participating from across the nation, and the President and Vice President and their families participating from the White House.
I found the quoted invitation quite stirring, along with much of the service.  It included another great rendition of the National Anthem; this one by Patti LaBelle!  You can find the service here, and the service bulletin here.
  
Our prayers are asked for all who are commended to the parish's prayers:
All who are ill, including
 Allison B, Philip, Patrick and family, Felipe,  Diane L,
Jim R, Jason, and Peter; and for
Buster, Jimmy C, Dale,  and all who are contending
 with Covid-19 disease;
for the medical caregivers who minister 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.
 
For the repose of Joan Gilliland, Baby Cecilia, 
and all who have died;
including the over 427,000 of our fellow citizens
claimed by the coronavirus.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;
may light perpetual shine upon them.
 
Look with favor, O Lord, on
Laura Raymond and Gene Bishop
as they celebrate their birthdays;
may they continue to grow in grace and wisdom.
 
 
Richard D, Andrew M, Alice M, Elizabeth Ann, Parker, Webb, Jill, Andrew E, Ed C, Pastor Bryan Meyers, Bob C, Carol U, 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, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, 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 move to the longer term list upon request. 
 
Wednesday's Order of Evening will commemorate St. John Chrysostom, best known to Episcopalians for the concluding prayer in the Daily Offices (quoted below).  Thanks to Leigh for sharing with me this quotation from St. John Chrysostom with which I wasn't familiar:
The bee is more honored than other animals
not because she labors,
but because she labors for others.
That's where we'll begin this evening.  The livestream of the service starts before 7p.m. at www.facebook.com/cecguilford.

Thursday Bible Study continues January 28 at 9:30a.m. with the Exodus story of Moses and the plagues -- a contest between the God of the Hebrews and the god of the Egyptians -- their Pharaoh.  Join the conversation via Zoom.  There are no prerequisites or homework!

Our experiment continues -- keeping the side door, closest to the Guild Room, unlocked between 10a.m. and dusk.  This  provides an opportunity for a quiet moment of prayer in the church, likely alone, as well as to pick up from the chancel table your 2021 Offering Envelopes, and a candle stub to light during prayers at home.

Sunday's 10a.m. Service will begin our diocese's "5th Sundays Across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut."  On the 5th Sundays of 2021, we are invited to join in worship led by our brothers and sisters from across the state.  This Sunday, January 31, being the fifth Sunday in January, we are invited to join in worship led by the parishes in Enfield, Stafford Springs, and Good Shepherd, Hartford.  Links to the bulletin and the service itself will be in the Announcements Letter on Friday. 
The other "5th Sundays" will be in May, August and October.

Our prayers this evening will conclude with this "Prayer of St. Chrysostom:"
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time
with one accord to make our common supplication to you;
and you have promised through your well-beloved Son
that when two or three are gathered together in his Name
you will be in the midst of them: 
Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions
as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting.  Amen.
BCP, p. 59, 72, 106, 126
 
May the Light of this season of Epiphanies
be with you and yours,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector