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.

(reminder – click on Prayer Instructions for ways to say the Daily Office online)

From the New Testament lesson for this morning, taken from Acts Chapter 8: ²⁶ When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas is one of my heroes. The “son of encouragement” has such a huge role to play in development of St. Paul as an apostle, as one who joined him on his early journeys, and as seen here, one who defended him early on to the apostles. Without Barnabas would we have ever known Paul? Would the disciples had trusted him? Would Saul have learned the faith, the foundation of belief in Christ?

It is the feast day of Jan Hus, martyred in the 14th century. Hus’s story is amazing. He was a Barnabas in many ways, ensuring the faith passed down is true. Click HERE to read about Hus.

Who is a Barnabas in your life? Who can you be a Barnabas for? I will be looking for both today, thinking and praying about that in my own life. Will you join me?

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.

From Evening Prayer we hear the opening of the Phos Hilaron:

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

And the Psalm appointed is the beautiful Psalm 104 which celebrates all of creation. As you enjoy some 4th of July fireworks, remember these words which speak of the beauty of what God has made:

Bless the LORD, O my soul;*

O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness!

you are clothed with majesty and splendor.

² You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak*

and spread out the heavens like a curtain.

³ You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;*

you make the clouds your chariot;

you ride on the wings of the wind.

⁴ You make the winds your messengers*

and flames of fire your servants.

Prayers today for our country, our leaders, for peace and unity.

The Collect for Independence Day from the Book of Common Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; 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.

(Click Prayer Instructions for ways to say the Daily Offices online)

Today we read the beginning of the 8th chapter of Acts, the conversion of St. Paul. What a great lesson for us. He was an intense and productive persecutor of the early Christians, his zeal as one schooled in the Jewish faith led him to not tolerate any so called Messiahs….until the only Messiah struck him blind on the road to Damascus. From there he was led to a believer who took care of him, and eventually Saul-who-Jesus-renamed-Paul became a champion for Christ and the greatest missionary ever.

The lesson – keep praying for those who don’t know Christ, even our enemies, even those who persecute us. To quote the Presiding Bishop Elect, Michael Curry, in his sermon today – God is not done with them yet!

Nor is God done with you.

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.

From the benediction provided at the close of Evening Prayer tonight on the Mission St. Clare site:

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. I have been wondering about asking, about imagining. As my time as Interim Rector winds down and the search for “what’s next” moves into high gear, I am listening for God’s voice, God’s direction. And what I keep hearing is – God’s power, working in us, can do infintely more.

So I imagine. And I ask. Glory to God. Thanksgiving to God whose power…..

Amen