Pax et Bonum

The Online worship resource for St. James Parish

January 20, 2010

Loving kindness is greater than laws;
And the charities of life are more than all ceremonies.
---Talmud---
Almighty and eternal God,
The disposer of all the affairs of the world,
There is not one circumstance so great
As not to be subject to thy power
Nor so small but it comes within thy care;
Thy goodness and wisdom show themselves
Through all thy words, and thy lovingkindness
And mercy appear in the several dispensations
Of thy providence. May we readily submit ourselves
To thy pleasure and sincerely resign our will to thine,
With all patience, meekness, and humility.
---Queen Anne---

Shaking the Earth

The recent earthquakes in Haiti have dominated the thoughts of many in the last week. Yesterday’s huge aftershock brought the devastation level even higher. I share with you here a report from Episcopal Relief and Development about the condition of this poorest of countries:

"In Port-au-Prince, the Diocese of Haiti has set up a camp where Haitians are seeking refuge. The Church is doing all it can to provide them with food, water and any other supplies that are available.

"It is a camp the size of a football field where Bishop Duracin and the church leadership are serving thousands of survivors," said Abagail Nelson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Vice President for Programs. "In the midst of losing their own homes, Diocesan offices and the Cathedral, the people of the Diocese of Haiti are reaching out in extraordinary ways to care for those in need."

Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting the Diocese of the Dominican Republic. As people cross the Haitian border seeking assistance, the church is working to meet their needs. Members of Episcopal Relief & Development’s staff will join them on the ground this weekend to coordinate relief efforts and tackle the enormous logistical challenges that lie ahead.

To assist those suffering in the wake of this disaster, please consider making a donation to the Haiti Fund at www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Please write "Haiti Fund" in the memo of all check.

Almighty and most merciful God,
We remember before you the poor and neglected of Haiti,
And all who have suffered from the devastating earthquakes.
Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit,
And to turn their sorrow into joy.
Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son,
Who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
---adapted from the Book of Common Prayer---

Debra invites you to view the new video about the Geography of Discernment - a program for discerning and deepening lay vocations.

Thanks,
Debra

Daily Morning Prayer

Daily Morning Prayer

This Week at St. James

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

For Matt Rogers, our Postulant
For those who are deployed and their families.
For the Diocese of Haiti in their efforts for the relief of their country.

There is a place where thou
Canst touch the eyes of blinded men
To instant, perfect sight;
There is a place where thou canst say, "arise"
To dying captives, bound in chains of night;
There is a place where thou canst reach the store
Of hoarded gold and free it for the Lord;
There is a place – upon some distant shore –
Where thou canst send the worker and the Word.
Where is that secret place – dost thou ask, "Where?"
O soul, it is the secret place of prayer!
--Alfred, Lord Tennyson--

In Closing:

Remembering Christ’s Call for the Least of These
 
Dear Lord, our Heavenly Father,
Help us to be your servants to those
Hungry for peace, not division; people whose souls
Clamor for the sustenance of justice, an end to crimes
Of violence and greed; to those longing for a night’s sleep
Without gnawing hunger, the fear of starvation.
Empower us to feed your sheep, your lambs.
 
Help us to be your servants to those
Thirsty for water, unpolluted water, parched for
Understanding, for living water.
Enable us to quench their thirst, to offer them the Blood
Of Christ.
 
Help us to be your servants to those
Strangers who live next door, the handicapped,
The addicted, the outcasts.
Remind us they are your friends, made in your image.
 
Help us to be your servants to those
Naked by their loss by fire, water, earthquake or tornado; exposed
By the media; unable to hide their emotions.
Give us grace to clothe their needs.
 
Help us to be your servants to those
Sick grown-ups and children, waiting for diagnoses,
Transplants, or cures; people sick from the world’s ills
And disappointments.
Beloved Physician, heal them, we pray.
 
Help us to be your servants to those
Imprisoned, awaiting sentence or parole; imprisoned
By debt or an abusive relationship, locked in prisons
That have no bars.
Help us to free them, to speak of your love.
 
Forgive us our failures. May we see you in others each day
Of our lives.
This we pray for Christ’s sake. Amen
--The Rev. Marie Elizabeth Dyer, from Women’s Uncommon Prayer--

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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