Let Us Pray + Wednesday + Thanksgiving

November 24, 2020

Almighty and gracious Father,
we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season
and for the labors of those who harvest them.
Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty,
for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Thanksgiving Day, BCP, p. 246
Dear Hearts,
    We'll offer this Collect at our 10a.m. Thanksgiving Day livestream service.  In addition, we'll sing the great hymns of the day and celebrate the Great Thanksgiving spiritually.  One of the things I will miss this Thanksgiving is hosting the congregation at a reception in the Rectory.  It was my excuse to make  favorite appetizers that I shouldn't eat, and share hot spiced cider and various sherries at a time of day when I usually don't drink either.  This year, our worship together will set the stage for an afternoon of online visits with friends whom I can't safely visit in person, and a take-out turkey dinner.  God willing, one day we'll tell stories about this era, and give thanks for all who helped us through it.
 
Our prayers are asked for all who are commended to the parish's prayers:
All who are ill, including
Daniel E, Andrew E, Sheward, Dale, and Bob C; 
for Brad T 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 Kenneth Strickland -- Harriet's son-in-law;
and the over 258,000 of our fellow citizens
who have died of the coronavirus.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;
may light perpetual shine upon them.
We give thanks for the birthdays of
Kenneth P and Jean C,
Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace
as they begin another year.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Carol U, Sue S, George H, Alex & John H, Jeremy H, Shelly, Philippe, Margaret S, Kate, Frank, Jack, Judy & Ed S,  Michael M,  Richard D, Dave K, Brian A, Jim & 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, 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 move to the "continuing" list, and the longer term list upon request. 
 
Thanksgiving Food Drive Gift Cards: Thanks to all who donated grocery gift cards for the Guilford Food Bank's Thanksgiving Program.  By my back-of-the-envelope calculations, Christ Church folks provided $950 for our neighbors' Thanksgiving Feasts!  Blessings! 

Wednesday Evening Prayers, tomorrow, November 25 will give thanks for the life and witness of a 20th century saint, James Huntington, monk and priest. You'll find the bulletin here.  You can join the 7p.m. livestream via  www.facebook.com/cecguilford
 
Thursday Bible Study will observe the Thanksgiving holiday this week and return next Thursday, December 3 at 9:30a.m. 

ChristKindl Market cancelled.  Our Tag Sale Team leadership has decided, with regret, that this is not the year to initiate this offering, writing:  "We take this opportunity to thank you all for the donations we received, and the words of encouragement.  If you donated an item, we will be able to use it for a future sale to benefit the church. Of course, if you'd like it returned we can do that too. 
We look forward to 2021 and the many opportunities it will offer (watch out for our Facebook page!).
Questions? Contact the team at churchtagsale@gmail.com"
 
As the number of infections mount, and the map turns increasingly red, let us continue to pray for endurance to persevere through the coming dark winter. Key to our perseverance is maintaining the three "W's":  
Wear you mask, Wash your hands & Watch your distance
Here again is an adapted prayer from A Prayer Book for New Zealand:
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for People ... Facing Great Uncertainty, p.747
 
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector