Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning Saint Stephen’s Church,
We continue our life of daily prayer. The Lord be with you!
Today’s Prayer
Our brother Jesus, you set our feet upon the way and sometimes
Kathy Galloway
where you lead we do not like or understand.
Bless us with courage where the way is fraught with dread or danger;
Bless us with graceful meetings where the way is lonely;
Bless us with good companions where the way demands a common
cause;
Bless us with night vision where we travel in the dark, keen hearing
where we have not sight, to hear the reassuring sounds of fellow
travelers,
Bless us with humor – we cannot travel lightly weighed down with
gravity;
Bless us with humility to learn from those around us;
Bless us with decisiveness where we must move with speed;
Bless us with lazy moments, to stretch and rest and savor;
Bless us with love, given and received;
And bless us with your presence, even when we know it in your
absence.
Lead us into exile,
until we find that on the road
is where you are,
and where you are is going home.
Bless us, lead us, love us, bring us home
bearing the gospel of life.
Kathy Galloway is an ordained Church of Scotland minister. She was leader of the Iona Community until 2009 when, after seven years’ service, she left to become Head of Christian Aid Scotland. The main focus of her work since then has been humanitarian in nature, both in emergency and conflict situations, especially for refugees, as well as long-term advocacy work, addressing human rights issues. The main focus of her work has been climate justice, tax justice (campaigning for multinational to pay their fair share of tax) and gender-related issues.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let’s pray:
For all affected by the coronavirus around the world. For the scientists and researchers around the world as they combat the virus, that their work may yield knowledge to develop a vaccine, treatments, and improved measures to reduce its spread.
For our Government Leaders: Donald Trump, President of the United States; Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York State; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady
For those on the frontline: police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For those on the Parish Prayer Chain: Stephen, Pauline, Janet, Marilyn, Joan.
For those who are homebound: Stephen, Pauline, Joan, Janet and Marilyn.
Those who are imprisoned: especially the women in the Schenectady County Jail.
For those in need of healing: Cindi, Peter, Mary Frances, Debbie, Budd and Joe.
For all the blessings of this life.
For Lisa M – today is her baptismal anniversary!
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: Today is the focus of the Primates’ Task Group’s call for a period of prayer and repentance in the Anglican Communion.
For all who have died: especially Sara, William, Emma, Dorothy, Glenn and Clark.
For one another.
Something to share
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord, I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p. 461
Give us a Pure Heart
GIVE US
Dag Hammarskkjold
A pure heart, that we may see Thee.
A humble heart, that we may hear Thee
A heart of love, that we may serve Thee.
A heart of faith, that we may live Thee.
Thou
Whom I do not know, but Whose I am.
Thou
Whom I do not comprehend, but Who has dedicated me to my fate.
Thou
Amen.
Give me Yourself
God, of your GOODNESS give me yourself, for you are enough for me. And only in you do I have everything. Amen
Julian of Norwich
News and Updates
Schenectady Clergy Against Hate holds a virtual service on Zoom with prayer and songs of healing on Thursday, April 2nd. Due to the generosity of our virtual hosts the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, up to five hundred individuals can zoom into the event in addition to various opportunities to call in or watch elsewhere online. Community members of all faiths and all those of goodwill are encouraged. All you have to do is click on this link by 6:30pm, Thursday, April 2nd, and it should take you to the service. https://uuma.zoom.us/j/199805063
Reminders
If you did not receive a phone call this last week from a member of the Vestry and you would like to be added to the communication list, please let me know (james.ross.mcd@gmail.com) and share with me the best telephone number(s) where we can reach you. We will add you to the list right away.
If you have an update/news, a prayer or poem or something inspirational you would like us to share with the congregation, please send it to us. Please also send us any prayer requests. We will incorporate these into the Morning Prayers as best we can.
Our church campus is closed. All parish meetings and gatherings are canceled and postponed until further notice.
Be careful what you read online. There are reports of false information circulating in an attempt to create fear and confusion. And, God forbid, always remember – any online or texted-based solicitation from me for money is A SCAM. Do not reply to such messages. Delete them.
Our goal is for all of us to stay in touch and connected in this time of isolation.
Share this news, and spread some love, not the virus!
Be of good courage. We are in this together, and we will be together again soon. God bless you and may God be with us in the days ahead.
Peace,
James+