St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Tuesday – Seekers and other Young Adults, those in our community who are unchurched, our community and those in need, especially Family Promise and CROS ministries
From Psalm 45, appointed for today:

1My heart is stirring with a noble song;

Don’t worry, I am not about to sing for you! But my heart is stirring. My wife and I are taking a quick holiday to the Florida Keys, so the next 3 days my prayer time will be shared with  gazing at the ocean, watching the amazing sunsets, spending much needed time with my bride. One of my most-do-before-we-leave-south-Florida hopes was to see the Keys, as I have never been here before. And while our trip is very short (3 days), it is much needed. The future weighs on me at times, I must confess. I know my time at St. Paul’s is winding down, and I have no idea where we will be next. I know God knows, and for these 3 days my prayer is to put that aside and just be. Be present with my wife, be present with God’s glorious creation, be present in prayer….and maybe my heart will stir with a noble song.

Monday – Children, youth, and family ministries of St. Paul’s and those who teach and work with our youth. Our music program and choirs.

(click on Prayer Instructions for tips on saying Morning or Evening Prayer and online resources)

It seems evangelism remains foremost in my thoughts and prayers as I pray the daily office each day. Episcopalians joke about not using the “E” word, but we must get serious, joyfully serious, about sharing our faith. We are not primarily “in your face” people and evangelism by terrorism (meaning scaring young people, primarily, into professing faith in Christ) is not what I am talking about. But we have much to say about Jesus and much to offer the world, which if full of people seeking God, yearning for a spiritual home. All of us are called, sent by Christ, to preach the good news by what we do, how we love, and whom we serve, as well as what we say about God and the redemption of the world in Jesus Christ.

From Mark chapter 4, today’s gospel, we hear Jesus say: “13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown:when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground:when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. 17 But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are those sown among the thorns:these are the ones who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. 20 And these are the ones sown on the good soil:they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

Sow the word. Be like Sojourner Truth, whose feast day is today. Sow the word, God will give you the courage and the strength.

Sunday – Clergy, Staff, Wardens and Vestry and the Rector Search (click HERE to read the Rector Search prayer)

(click on Prayer Instructions for tips on saying Morning or Evening Prayer and online resources)

²Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness……

.⁹And in the temple of the LORD *
all are crying, “Glory!”

Psalm 29 invites us into worship. It’s Sunday y’all! I hope you are attending the church of your choice today. May you worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

(click on Prayer Instructions for tips on saying Morning or Evening Prayer and online resources)

It is the feast day of William White, Bishop. Bishop White was the primary author of the constitution of the Episcopal Church when it was first established in the late 18th century. The way we elect bishops and the structure of General Convention were all basically developed by Bishop White. He went on to serve as the Presiding Bishop for 40 years (for a long time the Presiding Bishop was the senior bishop in the House of Bishops and served as PB until retirement or death. The PB is now elected for a 9 year term by the HoB). Bishop White played an enormous role in the Episcopal Church’s early years and we owe much to his leadership and foresight. The prayer below is the collect for his feast day, and as I prayed it I could not help but think of our PB elect, the Right Reverend Michael Curry, and the excitement many of us feel about his time as PB. We need his prophetic voice just as we needed Bishop White’s leadership and intelligence and dedication. Pray for Presiding Bishop Katharine and Presiding Bishop elect Michael, and all bishops. They need our prayers.

O Lord, who in a time of turmoil and confusion raised up your servant William White, and endowed him with wisdom, patience, and a reconciling temper, that he might lead your Church into ways of stability and peace: Hear our prayer, and give us wise and faithful leaders, that through their ministry your people may be blessed and your will be done; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Friday – Daughters of the King, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Marthas, worship volunteers (acolytes, ushers and greeters, chalice bearers) and all over volunteer groups who work so tirelessly and joyfully for the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ at St. Paul’s.

From the General Thanksgiving these familiar words stood out for me as I said Evening Prayer: We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. 

The means of grace…..the hope of glory….something to meditate on this evening. What do these words say to you? What are the “means of grace”? What do we mean by “glory”?