St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Thursday – The people of Bondeau, Haiti, especially Pere Phanord, the school teachers and medical clinic volunteers, for our Cursillo community.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

I love Philippians. This letter to the church in Philippi which St. Paul writes while in prison is so encouraging yet also contains deep truths of our faith. Today in chapter 2 Paul says, “14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing, 15so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.”. 

In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation could certainly apply today. Yet we are called to shine like stars in the world – by doing all things without murmuring and arguing. A great reminder of how we as followers of Jesus are to present ourselves. Children of God, shine.

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

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

Philippians chapter 1 includes this from today’s readings:

21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am hard pressed between the two:my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the Christ

The holier-than-thou me wants to send this to all our elected officials who claim to be followers of Jesus but whose policies reflect quite the opposite.

And then I walk by a mirror…..

I pray to live a life in a manner worthy of Christ. In fact, that’s a great prayer to start and end each day with. With God’s help, of course….

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – 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 Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

Happy Labor Day everyone. I hope you have some extra “sabbath” time today. If you are off today, enjoy and also take a moment to give thanks. Here is the Collect for Labor Day from the BCP:

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; 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 – Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

I like the Collect for Saturdays in the Book of Common Prayer.  A helpful reminder of the most broken commandment.

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all you works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Don’t miss this part: “sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures”. Sanctified, made special, made holy. In our ever increasingly busy lives, we need sabbath rest. Putting away all earthly anxieties – a tough task.

But….it is a commandment…..