Let Us Pray

February 10, 2021

Let Us Pray 
 
O God, you have bound us together in a common life.
Help us, in the mist of our struggles for justice and truth,
to confront one another without hatred or bitterness,
and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
In Time of Conflict,
BCP p.386
Dear Hearts,
You may remember that in Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus casts out demons and does not permit them to speak.  Demons still exist, and on Sunday, they crashed the Annual Meeting of our neighbors, First Congregational Church of Guilford!  In what is called, "Zoom-bombing," people possessed of unclean mouths, spewed racist, anti-LGBTQ, and Islamaphobic bile.  You might want to be in touch with your First Church friends and neighbors, and assure them of your concern, support, and compassion. 
      When order could not be restored, First Church's on-line meeting was quickly adjourned and will reconvene at a later date with tighter access control. 
      Our own abbreviated 1p.m. meeting on Sunday was spared a similar violation.  Our Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled to reconvene in the garden on Sunday, January 6. 
  
Our prayers are asked for all who are commended to the parish's prayers:
All who are ill, including
Diane L, Allison & Ryan Burns, Kelly Taylor, Philip, Jerry,
 Jack's daughter, Jim R, Jason, and Peter; and for
Jay, Matthew, 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 parishioner June Chittick,
for Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood and Jeffrey Smith,  FBI Child Protection Agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenbruger; and all who have died;
including the over 468,000 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 Fiona Jones,
as she celebrates her birthday this Sunday,
may she continue to grow in grace and delight.
 
Patrick and family, Felipe,  Diane L, 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, 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 offer readings, hymns and prayers for healing The livestream of the service starts before 7p.m. at www.facebook.com/cecguilford.

Thursday Bible Study continues February 11 at 9:30a.m. with the rest of the Exodus story of the Passover and the beginning of the flight into the wilderness -- two of the pivotal occasions in the Bible.  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 3p.m.  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.

On Sunday, our morning worship continues with our own livestream Holy Eucharist at 10a.m.  The forecast makes 1p.m. Prayers in the Garden unlikely, again this week.
And another thought:  This Saturday, February 13, the Episcopal Church gives thanks for the life and witness of the Rev. Absalom Jones.  Born in slavery, Fr. Jones was the first African-American to be ordained deacon and priest (1802) in the new Episcopal Church.  The Episcopal Church maintains the Absalom Jones Fund for Historic Black Colleges & Universities affiliated with the Church:  St. Augustine University and Vorhees College.  You can find out more about Absalom Jones, the fund in his name, these two Episcopal HBCUs, and how to donate here.
       A generous donation to the Absalom Jones Fund seems like another fine way to respond to those who violated First Church's meeting last Sunday!
Set us free, heavenly Father,
from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring
the steadfast courage of your servant Absoalom Jones,
we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love
and true freedom of the children of God,
which you given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.
 
May the Light of this season of Epiphanies
be with you and yours,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector