Monday in the 5th Week of Easter:Let Us Pray

May 11, 2020
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,
for I have taken refuge in you; *
    in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge
    until this time of trouble has gone by.
Psalm 57.1; Book of Common Prayer, p.663
from the Daily Office readings for today
 
Dear Hearts,
      Our prayers are asked for --
All who are ill or in distress including:
Julie H -- on her way to rehab;
Joan G -- at home with her daughter;
Lois C -- out of the hospital but not yet home;
Dale & Michelle -- with the virus
Gabrielle and Robin --  at home;
Lisa and Matthew -- at home,
Jim & Annie -- who can't be together for now, 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 Joanne Holden,
and for all who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic;
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won.
 
To celebrate the birthday of 
Jane B.
 May she grow in wisdom, grace and trust in your goodness.
And to give thanks for the life of Bob Sperry
(born 99 years ago Sunday)
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Sandy G., Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl, Winnie Z, Carol L-U, Judy & Eddie G. and family, Philomena, Justin, Bob A, Jean, Virginia M, Linda, Michael S, Joanne N-R, Dave K, Madeline H, Kelly G, Paul D, Lois S, Hope S, Bob vM.
Also:  Susan S, Margaret S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois, and Jo. 
Please also remember:  St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti).

To add names and concerns for next 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. 

Another Perspective on Sunday's Gospel ...
In his reflection on yesterday's Gospel reading, the Dean of Washington National Cathedral, the very Rev. Randolph Hollerith, pointed to a place where our understanding of words falls short of the biblical meaning.  In John 14:1-14, Jesus tells asks his disciples, and us, to believe in him.  Jesus isn't asking them to give intellectual assent to his identity and his teaching, Jesus is asking us to trust in him and to follow his example.  Therefore, ...
To be disciples must mean that we place the paths of our lives on [Jesus'] path, that we model our lives on his life. This means dying to the idea that this life is our own possession when it actually belongs to God. This means dying to the idea that this life is meant for our amusement when it is actually meant to be lived in service to others. This means dying to the idea that security lies in the attainment of power when in actuality security can only be found in self-sacrificing love. Amen.
You can read the rest of his meditation and subscribe to receive them in your inbox, by going to this page.
 
Continuing with Dean Hollerith's thought, let us pray the Collect for this week:
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life:
Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his
steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
BCP, p. 225
 
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s. Reminders for Christ Church's online worship:

• You can access the livestream directly at facebook.com/cecguilford. or the parish website christchurchguilford.org
• You may find that using an external speaker or headphones may improve the quality of audio from your device.
• Please remember to adjust both volume settings on your device: 

1. There is the device's volume control, usually accessed via the speaker icon on the lower right corner of your screen;  Be sure that the volume is turned up here.
2. There is another volume control on the Facebook Live image, as well. It's in the control panel at the bottom of the Live image.  The default setting on that control is often mute, indicated by an "x" over the speaker icon.  Be sure to click on the speaker icon to "unmute" the sound, and to turn up the volume here as well.

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