Dear parishioners,
Well, it was kind of a rainy day, but with the showers we get flowers and that can’t be a “bad thing,” right?!?
People have been sharing some pretty funny viral postings giving us all a few laughs and twists of irony on what we are all experiencing in these “new normal” times. Nice to know we have not lost our sense of humor.
Today, Glen and I drove up to Newark, NJ, where our son, Ian lives, to deliver supplies as it is very challenging to get items of quality up there now and because it is such a “hot spot” it is just better to not venture out unless absolutely necessary. I must admit it was a little strange to leave the bags in his apartment building lobby, not be able to go upstairs to his apartment and just wave goodbye from the car. But, we are all taking this very seriously and as his job entails him to potentially go into the city some days (believe it or not you need to carry a letter from your company deeming you “essential” in case someone asks) it is always a bit worrisome. But, he has the gear and heeds the warnings. Just thought I would share a story from another region as we all pray for one another’s safety and wellness.
Also, the parish office has received several suggestions this week about setting up virtual “meet-ups” of different types and we will be working with Father David and vestry to sort through how we can enact some of these great ideas. They have not fallen on deaf ears ? Once I get word from Father David et al, I will be back in touch by mid-week, at the latest. Thank you so much for all who have suggested new ways for us to connect!
Take care. Sunday is a day of prayer and meditation so I look forward to reconnecting from the St. Edward’s parish office with everyone on Monday! Be well and safe.
Michelle
LENTEN MEDITATION – SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
- Psalm 95:7b
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Many of us are familiar with the term lectio divina which means holy reading. It is a spiritual practice of listening deeply to God, usually through meditation on a biblical text; however, we hinder our listening if we limit it only to the written words of scripture.
One day, my children and I were talking about God when my eight-year-old son said, “Dad, people have seen God in rays of light.” I’m sure he did not mean it as profoundly as it hit me, but it stayed with me, like a little note, folded up and put into my pocket, walking around with me wherever I went.
It reminded me of something Thomas Merton wrote concerning his revelation of union with all of humanity, as he stood on the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets in Louisville, Kentucky. He saw people as they really were, in all of their luminous God-given glory, each person “walking around shining like the sun.”
It could have been easy to miss, but in a passing phrase, the unassuming voice of my young son helped me hear what God was saying. “People have seen God in rays of light.” And God shines in my son. In me. And in everyone I see, walking around shining like the sun.
- Jamie Osborne serves as a priest at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where he lives with his wife, Lauren, and their two elementary-age children.
March 29, 2020 Cycle of Prayer
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Season of Prayer and Repentance
Today, the fifth Sunday in Lent, is the focus of the Primates’ Task Group’s call for a period of prayer and repentance in the Anglican Communion. The Bishop of West Malaysia, Moon Hing, is a member of the Task Group and has written this prayer, which the Task Group offers to the Anglican Communion for use today.
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sovereign Lord of the universe, Creator of humankind,
We, your unfaithful children, are truly sorry for our sins and the lives that we have lived.
We sincerely believe and confess in our hearts that only through the precious blood
Of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, can we obtain Your forgiveness.
We repent that:
In thought, word or deed, we have committed serious offences against You and our neighbors;
In laziness, despair and lust for power, we have provoked hatred, division and hurt within our communities;
In greed, deceit and indifference, we have caused serious damage, unnecessary conflict and aggravated destruction to our refugee and migrant brothers and sisters;
In selfishness, insensitivity and bias, we have encouraged and emboldened those who inflict hurt, pain and sorrow on our loved ones and families;
In the name of religion, doctrine and even of Christ himself, we have wounded believers and pursuers of holiness and faith;
In stubbornness, pride and arrogance, we have caused division and strife within
Your church and among Your children;
Mercifully send Your Holy Spirit – the Spirit of order and comfort – and cleanse us from all unrighteousness; restore in us true faith in Christ which brings truth, peace and harmony; and help us to walk together with our brothers and sisters in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of Your name.
Amen.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
St. Luke’s, Mechanicsburg
We pray for Christians, Muslims, and Jews and all people of faith throughout the world who are suffering persecution for their beliefs.
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Bill and Yvonne Gasperetti; Karen Grant and Shawn Irons; Dottie Gschwend; Jerry, Beth, and Seth Hake
Praying for those we love and who are important in our lives is an essential component of our worship, but many of the names listed and read out in the Prayers of the People are known only to those who have requested them, and the list grows each week. So, when we come to the Prayers of the people in the service, the names for those “You are asked to pray for” and those “for our military personnel” will not be read aloud; rather we invite you to lift those names up to God in Christ silently in your heart as we pray the Prayers of the People, adding any others you wish to pray for.
You are asked to pray for: The St. Edward’s Vestry, The Rev. David Bateman, The Rev. Rick Bauer and family; The residents of The Episcopal Home, Joe Holwager, Rose Dixon, Arch Cross, Mary Walker, Liz Yeager, Patricia Stout, Marge Sieghardt, Harry West, Sandy Patrone, Mimi Stauffer, Robert Hubbard, Kate Peterson, Donna J. Mott, Charlotte Jakiel, Stephanie Patrone, Nicholas Patrone, Dakota Patrone, DJ Dixon, Robert, The Rev. Jay Croft, Robert Carter, Dorothy Diehl, Barbara Bradfield, Fran Davis, Cody Campbell, Heather, Cheryl Shearer, Myra Taylor, Sally Mears, Barry Leed, Father Sud, Dr. Randy Cohen and Family, Aaron Rowe, Sr., Dorothy Rowe, Dr. Karl and Carolyn Moyer, James Pentland Moore, Joseph Holena, Rick Welk, Max Lown, Aiden Guillory
You are asked to pray for our military personnel who are being deployed or serving in the military: Rev. David J. Sparks, Evan Westgate, Adam and Christina Grim, David Peck, David Sternberg, John Lewis, Gordon Frankenfield, Allison Tomich, Mike Spurr, Seamas Whitesel, Capt. Andrew Pfeiffer, 1st Lt. Thomas Whitesel, Brandon Fox, Alex Kube, Richard Mutari, Dustin Burleson, Anthony Koser, Jack Hawk, Christina Dragon, Justin Carnahan, Clayton Tennies, Benjamin Jenkins, Andy Lopez