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

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his early life
shared our toil and hollowed our labor:
Be present with your people where they work;
make those who carry on the industries and
commerce of this land responsive to your will;
keep them safe in their labors; 
and give to us all a pride in what we do,
and a just return for our labor;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spiirt, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Rogation Day Collect for Commerce and Industry;
Book of Common Prayer, p.259
 
Dear Hearts,
      The three days before Ascension Day, have long been kept by the Church as "Rogation Days," the Church's "Earth Days" from long before the secular world thought of having one. The prayer above addresses those of us whose labor is no longer so directly connected to the land; it seemed appropriate as more folks return to their places of employment today.  Our prayers are also asked for --
All who are ill or in distress including:
Pam McG and Julie H 
-- both recovering in their homes from ortho surgery;
Gail B -- with the virus;
Joan G -- at home with her daughter;
Lois C -- out of the hospital but not yet home;
Gabrielle and Robin --  at home;
Dale & Michelle -- with the virus
Lisa and Matthew -- at home,
Richard & Anne -- as they return to their 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 Judith Benton,
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.

Thanksgivings for all who participated in "Mulch Weekend,"
and for our Outreach Team's efforts to provide two days of breakfast and lunch (lasagna and chicken pot pie) for the 50 or so homeless folk served daily by Amistad House in New Haven.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that call on our best efforts,
and that delight us and address the needs of others.
 
Thanksgivings as we celebrate the 90th birthday of 
Hope S.
 May she grow in wisdom, grace and trust in your goodness.

 
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,  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 [email protected] 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. 

Attention HIgh School Seniors:
For the 12th consecutive year, our ECW is pleased to offer a scholarship to Christ Church's high school graduating seniors.  The requirements needed to apply are:  1) You must be an active member of Christ Episcopal Church;  2) You have already been accepted at a school of higher learning, either academic or technical..
If interested in applying, please send an e-mail letter to Ms. Jean [email protected]
Your letter should include all your Christ Church activities, the school to which you have been accepted and your future aspirations.  Deadline for receiving all entries will be Monday, June 1, 2020.  ECW will then confer together and announce  recipient (s) shortly thereafter.

And another thing ...
Last Sunday's Instructed Eucharist reminded me of an earlier one for children on a Sunday afternoon.  Linda Snyder, who led that service, included a scavenger hunt for the children.  They were asked to find places and things inside our worship space, e.g. "What represents a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire?" Answer: The paschal candle -- the tall thick candle on a tall brass stand -- which represents the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that led the ancient Israelites out of Egypt, across the Red Sea and through the wilderness.  Another question was who are the figures in the stained glass windows? Answer: Peter and Paul on either side (easy because their names are below them), and Jesus.  This got one youngster to look closely, and ask, "Why are they all barefooted?"  Best answer we could come up with is, that like Moses before the burning bush, they are on holy ground. (Moses was told to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Exodus 3.5)
 
Tomorrow is Ascension Day, one of the Church's High Holy Days.  This is one of the collects for the Ascension:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.. Amen.
BCP, p. 226
 
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.