Since we cannot make the journey backward into
innocence,
help us go forward into wisdom.
Since we cannot
begin again from the beginning,
help us to go on faithfully from
here.
Since we cannot turn ourselves by our own willing,
do
thou turn us toward thee. AMEN
Edward Tyler
Friday August 5th is Charlie Barton's
Birthday.
Our prayer for Charlie is found on page 830 of the Book of
Common Prayer, number 51.
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we
pray, on your servant Charlie as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow
in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of
his life; through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen
The Bubble of Fear
As I was meeting with someone this week about upcoming
events in the fall, she mentioned that it seems as though we often live in a
"bubble of fear." We fear so many things - war, loss, loneliness, change.
Children worry whether they will be accepted by their peers. Parents
worry about their children's well-being. We worry about the future.
Some of us live or work in dangerous situations, making fear a
daily experience.
This week's
gospel is the story of Jesus walking on water. The disciples who were in
the boat were already in the fear bubble before they saw him. They had
been battered by wind and waves all night, trying to get from one shore to the
other. Seeing what appeared to be a ghost coming toward them in the early
hours of the morning must have been terrifying. No doubt Jesus knew
that - he had seen their distress, and come to their aid. "Take
heart, do not be afraid" were his words to the disciples.
Take heart, do not be afraid.
I wonder what would happen if we were to trust Jesus so completely that we could step out of the fear
bubble. That is, after all, what Peter did. He stepped out, and took
faltering steps toward Jesus. Even when he failed, Jesus was there
to reach a hand toward him - not in a condemning way, but in a loving way.
As he is with us today.
All we need to do is take the
first step.
Not waiting for You, climbing up the hill
I slip and
stumble.
Still, Your hand upon my shoulder is so strong;
and every
boulder sings a song of love while, high above,
Your laughter draws me on
and on;
and every since that morning
there has been no right or wrong, but
love.
from Celtic Daily
Prayer
Debra's Mid-Week
Meditation
Debra is on vacation
this week. Please look for her meditation when she returns next week.
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew he
moved my soul to seek him, seeking me;
it was not I that found, O Savior
true; no, I was found of thee.
Thou didst reach forth thy hand and mine
enfold; I walked and sank not
on the storm-vexed sea;
'twas not so much
that I on thee took hold, as thou, dear Lord, on me.
I find, I walk, I
love, but oh, the whole of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee;
for thou
wert long beforehand with my soul, always thou lovedst
me.
Hymnal 1982, 689
Daily Morning Prayer
http://www.missionstclare.co/english/index.html
If the link doesn't open, highlight it, click copy, and then
paste it into your web server address line.
This Week at St. James
Sunday: 8:00 and 10:15 Holy Eucharist
in Susan Tucker Moore Room
Tuesday: Charlie and Debra return from
vacation
Saturday August 13: Nathan and Anne's farewell dinner.
Prayers Etc.
Once again, thanks
for your prayers for my friend Rick Hoecker. He died peacefully last
Thursday.
Prayer Needs from St. James
Chloe
Sarah J.
Anna B.
Lelia G.
Jeffrey
Natalie K.
Matty
Henry H.
Joel B.
Susan L.
Rosemary
Phil O.
Aris
Dave
Paul
& Fritz
David W.
Earl C.
Uncle
Bob. O . Heather, JB, Chase & Sandy
All
wounded soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in our military hospitals.
In Closing:
Spirit, moving over chaos, bringing light
where there was none.
Be to us a light, revealing where the work is to be
done.
Praise to God, among us dwelling; Praise the Spirit giving
light.
Breath instilling animation, Giving life, informing
soul
Breathe into this congregation Life that makes the Body whole.
Praise
to God, among us dwelling; Praise the Spirit giving life.
Wind,
inflaming, fear-filled bodies, sending them to tell the news.
Fire anew
your church's spirit, show us the path we ought to choose
Praise to
God, among us dwelling; Praise the Spirit giving fire.
Power,
Life-force, Inspiration, Blowing, breathing, brooding here,
Call, enliven,
and empower for your work, both far and near.
Praise to God, among us
dwelling; Praise the Spirit giving
strength.
Ms. Patricia B. Clark, from Women's Uncommon
Prayer
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+