Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning Saint Stephen’s Church,
Today is Easter Friday
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with
Book of Common Prayer, p. 222-23
awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to
everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let’s pray:
For the just and proper use of your creation; for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For all essential workers; for 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: John, Ted, Sabrina, Joan, Charlie, Jim, Nichol, Kelly.
For those who are homebound: Stephen, Pauline, Joan, Janet and Marilyn.
Those who are imprisoned: those particularly vulnerable at this time, especially the women in the Schenectady County Jail.
For those in need of healing: Mark, the Guiles family, Cindi, Peter, Mary Frances, Debbie, and Joe.
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: Mombasa (Kenya), Western Newfoundland (Canada), Western North Carolina (The Episcopal Church)
For all who have died: especially Irene, David, Frances, George, Howard, Hazel, William, Marjorie, Mary, Fred, Peter, John andDorothy.
For one another.
Something to share
On earth has dawned this day of days
Nikolaus Hermann, 1561; tr. Charles Sanford Terry, 1936
On earth has dawned this day of days,
whereon the faithful give God praise!
For Christ is risen from the tomb,
and light and joy have conquered doom.
Alleluia!
At early morn, with spices rare,
the women three assembled there,
all to anoint fair Mary’s Son,
who over death had victory won.
Alleluia!
“Whom seek ye here?” the angel said;
“The Lord is risen from the dead;
see where he lay; let joy begin,
the tomb is empty: enter in!”
Alleluia!
So let our songs to heaven wing,
the vault with alleluias ring,
in praise of Christ, our risen Lord;
new life to all he doth afford.
Alleluia!
Jesus, you are risen! You are with us. Keep us ever mindful of how you are a part of our lives in a deep and profound way. Surprise us with a touch of your love in places where we never thought that we would find you. Fill our hearts with hope. May the gift of your presence transform every ordinary moment of our lives into a sacred place where you dwell. Help us to see this gift through the eyes of faith. Fill us with your peace. Amen.
Joyce Rupp, May I Have This Dance?
Reminders
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.
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+