Tuesday in Holy Week: Let Us Pray

April 7, 2020

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy
but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p.220 & 272
 
Dear Hearts,
      Our prayers are asked for --
Kate S. -- receiving treatment
Tracy M. -- recovering
May they know the healing power of Christ's love.
 
In thanksgiving for the 25th Wedding Anniversary of
Pamela & Tom McGuigan 
who have decided "on a quiet celebration at home!"
Send your blessing upon your servants,
that their home may continue to be a haven of blessing & peace.

Let us thank God for --  the splendid Vegetable Soup and
Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs prepared by Chef Antonio Greco
which delighted so many of us last week!
And for the gardeners who participated in
our Parish-Garden-Clean-up-by-Appointment,
organized by Alicia Bacon and Donna LaFata.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that engage our best efforts,
and for guiding us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Carl, Winnie Z., Jim Rae; Jennifer, Robert & James; Carol L-U, Judy & Eddie G. and family, Sandy &  Roy N., Madeline Hubbard, Kelly Gatto, Paul Dostie, Lois Sawtell, Hope Sperry, Bob van Marx, Kelly, Joanne Neel-Richard, Dave Kurcharski, Nancy Cairns, Fred Murphy, Margaret Smith, Philomena, Justin, Bob Augur, Jean, Virginia Maioriano, Florence Clark, Linda, Michael Sandrey  
Also:  Linda Brouard, June Chittick, Charlie Koncz, Anne Christofferson, Mark Scott, Angela Goodfellow, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois, and Jo. 
Please also remember:  St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti)  I spoke with its founder, the Rev. Sam Owen last week; all Haiti, including Martel, is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.  A check is being sent from the discretionary fund to help with the teachers' payroll for May.
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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. 

Easter Prayers:
Our Easter prayers typically include a remembrance of those who rejoice with us "on another shore and in a brighter light."  Please send me names of those you would like to have remembered this Easter.  Although donations are always welcome, members of the Finance Committee have provided for Easter flowers.

Wednesday Evening Prayers
Please join our livestream evening service of prayer and music on Wednesday, April 8 at 7p.m.,  The service will begin with the Order for Evening and continue with the Great Litany -- which the Prayer Book recommends as a separate devotion during Lent.  An online bulletin will be available Wednesday morning.

Thursday Morning Bible Study will continue this Thursday, April 9, 9:30-10:30a.m. on Zoom.   We will continue our discussion of chapter 8 of Paul's Letter to the Romans -- sometimes called "the pinnacle of the New Testament."  Here's the link to our online conversation: click here:   Participation by telephone is also possible; I'll send the connection number on request. 

Maundy Thursday Reflections with our Bishops, +Ian Douglas and +Laura Ahrens will be offered from Noon to 12:30p.m.  You can find them, and all the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's Holy Week offerings by clicking here,    There are all sorts of online services being offered around the diocese, as well as from Washington National Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John Divine.

Our Good Friday Vigil will take a simpler form this year, while still including Passion Chorale Preludes for organ that drive home a depth of feeling for the day as only music can.
1st Hour -- beginning at Noon, Liturgy of Good Friday
2nd Hour -- Silent Vigil before the Cross
2:15p.m. -- Passion Chorale Preludes for organ
3p.m. -- The Tower Bell will toll the death of Jesus.
This service will be livestreamed on facebook.com/cecguilford and available later on YouTube, as will the 7p.m. offering of The Liturgy of Good Friday with hymns and organ. 

Another inspirational offering for Holy Week are Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet's  dances and reflections for each day's readings.  You can find them here.  Ekklesia had been scheduled to perform a dance and lead a discussion with us during Coffee Hour this past Sunday.  Physical-distancing cancelled that possibility; but these offerings almost make up for that missed opportunity.
I began with a prayer from the Liturgy of the Palms, and close here with another one.  It addresses these upcoming three Holy Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, known collectively as the Triduum.  
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation,
that we may enter with joy upon the contempation of those mighty acts,
whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
BCP, p. 270
And again, if you are sheltering-in-place and need assistance with picking up groceries or prescriptions, please be in touch with the Parish Office.  Fellow parishioners would gladly do the go-fer-ing for you.
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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.