Michael of the Angels
O Michael of the angels
And the righteous in heaven,
Shield thou my soul
With the shade of thy wing;
Shield thou my soul

On earth and in heaven;

From foes upon earth,
From foes beneath earth,
From foes in concealment
Protect and encircle
My soul ‘neath thy wing,
Oh my soul with the shade of thy Wing!
- from Celtic Vision

Difficult Times
This has been a difficult week for the St. James community. We collectively mourn the loss of a remarkable sixteen-year-old soul, Andrew Curley. On my first tour of the Sunday School classes, I met Andrew, who sat in a Godly Play classroom, with Ian Fitzhugh at his side. Andrew had a way with kids. All of us will miss him.

As we continue to think about and pray for Andrew and his family, a few thoughts have been making tapping noises in the back of my mind.

First, that as we pray for Andrew, and mourn ourselves, let us make every effort to be in touch with the other needs in our congregation. Some of those needs are listed on our prayer list. We have families in our congregation who live daily with concern for their son or daughter who is deployed in Iraq. We have others whose lives hang in the balance. As we have discovered again through Andrew’s death, we are all connected. Pray for those who are silent about their needs.

Second, I give to you a prayer to pray for your children, especially our teenagers. It is not easy growing up these days. Pray for the children and parents of St. James. Pray for us as leaders as we continue to work toward having a vital youth ministry for both Middle and High School.

And finally, take the time to take care of yourselves and your families.

Laugh, talk, watch movies, go to Hershey Park, live. Rejoice in God’s grace that invites us to abundant life each day. Hug your children. Let God love you.

There will be a Compline service tonight at 8:00 pm in the church for any and all who would wish to come and pray.

Protect Them and Lead Them
Precious Father, I especially pray for our teenagers and young adults; where they are lost, find them; where they are afraid, bring them comfort and love; and where they are confused, show them your will. Protect them, Father, and be with parents as they ride the roller coaster of these years with their children. May they have the courage, the strength, the wisdom through your Holy Spirit to help guide them and in many cases just to hold on, and to be there as their children take on adult responsibilities in a chaotic, sinful world. I now place them under your loving wings. AMEN
- Mrs. Stephanie Douglass, from Women’s Uncommon Prayers

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
Debra is on vacation, and will resume her meditation in August

Let nothing, O Lord,
Disturb the silence of this night.
Let nothing make me afraid.
As darkness hides me
With no one but you to
Overhear my prayers,
Let me know be afraid to dream great dreams
To pray great prayers.
With only you to hear,
I can be as bold as I need to be,
As courageous as my dreams permit,
As faithful as your love for me demands.
I want to do more than admire your saints;
I want to be one of them.

Let me not sin by hoping for too little.

If I have you, God,
My prayers will be heard,
My dreams realized.
I will want for nothing.
You alone suffice.
(Teresa of Avila)

Daily Morning Prayer
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/morning_prayer.htm

This week at St. James
Tonight: 8:00 Compline
Sunday: Liturgies at 8:00 and 10:15
Wednesday: 8:30 am. Healing Eucharist in the Meditation Chapel; 9:30 Prayer Shawl knitting group

Prayers, Etc.

Lord, I do not know what to ask of you;
Only you know what I need.
I simply present myself to you;
I open my heart to you.
I have no other desire than to accomplish your will.
Teach me to pray. AMEN
- Francois de Fenelon

For the repose of the soul of Andrew Curley
For the Curley family: Michael, Barbara, and Thea
For those who are deployed and their families.
For our seminarian Laura, and Lyle.
For the Bartons on vacation.
For our Prayer list:
Dot; Sue; Lori; Bill; Sarah; Joel; Toni
Anna; Philip; David; Brooke; Brian G.; Leib & Carlyn
Lovisah; Brooke H.; Brian E.; Jeffrey; Margaret S.; Nancy B.
Miriam F.; Cris; Traskey Family; Harold Fitch; Donovan
Walter Rasmussen

In Closing:
So shall it be at last,
In that bright morning

When the soul waketh

And life’s shadows flee;
Oh, in that hour,
Fairer than day-light dawning,
Shall rise the glorious thought –
I am with thee.
- Harriet Beecher Stowe

May the Love of the Lord Jesus
Draw us to himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus
Strengthen us in his service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus
Fill our souls.
May the blessing of God almighty,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
Be amongst you
And remain with you
Always.
- Archbishop William Temple

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

<- Back to Parish News