Tuesday in the 4th Week of Easter: Let Us Pray

May 5, 2020
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him
who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads;
who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p.225
 
Dear Hearts,
      Our prayers are asked for --
All who are ill or in distress including:
Joan G -- now 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 Henry Puciato's brother,
Thomas Puciato, and
for Florence Clark, Lois Dillon,
and for all who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic;
and for Roy Nuhn.
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won.
 
To celebrate the birthdays of 
Marsha B., and Ed S.
 May they grown in wisdom, grace and trust in your goodness.

Thanksgivings for the safe delivery of
Josephine Rosemarie to
Gina & James P. and brother Paul.
Confirm this family's joy with a lively sens
e of your holy presence.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Avery M., Sandy G., Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl, Winnie Z.,; Jennifer, Robert & James; Carol L-U, Judy & Eddie G. and family, Margaret S, Philomena, Justin, Bob A, Jean, Virginia M, Linda, Michael SJoanne N-R, Dave K, Madeline H, Kelly G, Paul D, Lois S, Hope S, Bob vM,  
Also:  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. 

A Word to the Church, from the Presiding Bishop:
This week, I'll let our Presiding Bishop, +Michael Curry, have the "And Another Thing" portion of this letter.  In his  April 29th "Word to the Church", Bishop Michael quotes . a paragraph from the writing of Verna Dozier, his mentor, colleague and friend.  Here's a taste of it:  Since I do not live by being right, I am not destroyed by being wrong.  I hope you'll read the whole quotation, as well as  Bishop Michael encouraging us to consider "What would love do?"  You can find it here.
Verna Dozier was a living saint during my early days in the Diocese of Washington (the District of Columbia and four counties in Maryland).  People who knew and studied with this lay woman -- a theologian, teacher, author and mentor to more than one bishop and hosts of others -- would quote from her book The Dream of God by heart.  It's still in print.

Wednesday Evening Prayers
Our livestream evening service of prayer and music will continue this Wednesday, May 6 at 7p.m.,  The service will be a form of the Order for Evening with lots of candlelight.  We'll use a Litany for this season of the pandemic from Washington National Cathedral.  If you would like to read the lesson, lead the psalm, or help with the singing, please reply to this message.  An order of service will be available Wednesday morning here.

Thursday Morning Bible Study will continue this Thursday, May 7, 9:30-10:30a.m. on Zoom.   We're into Chapter 11 which, if taken seriously, should have dealt a death blow to Christian anti-Semitism.  Here's the link to our online conversation: click here.   Participation by telephone is also possible; I'll send the connection number on request
Here's a lovely prayer for caregivers during these challenging times.  It comes from the Episcopal Church's  Enriching Our Worship 2, which is also the source of our Great Thanksgiving Prayer during Eastertide:
Compassionate God, support and strengthen all those who
reach out in love, concern, and prayer for the sick and distressed.
In their acts of compassion, may they know they are your instruments. In their concerns and fears may they know your peace. In their prayer may they know your steadfast love. 
May they not grow weary or faint-hearted, for your mercy’s sake. Amen.
EoW2, p. 93
I've been reminded that "Hill Street Blues" Sergeant Phil Esterhaus also said, "Let's be careful out there!"
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.