News and Notes

The Armed Forces Prayer Book

Blessings and peace to you all. May God send his holy angels to protect you against all harms, and may God grace you with good health.
 
Father Rob+

A message from Father Rob on 3/12/20

Dear Parishioners:
 
Bishop Santosh has directed all parishes in the diocese to suspend all worship and public gatherings at least until March 22. The house of bishops will assess the situation in a couple of weeks and let us know if we may resume worship and public gatherings after that.
 
Therefore, all masses and events are cancelled, including Sunday Masses, Tuesday Lenten Studies, Wednesday morning prayer with icons and healing mass, and Thursday morning adoration- as well as any scheduled meetings- until at least March 22.
 
When we resume worship, it is likely that the cup will be suspended as well. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
 
If during this time you feel that you need the Sacrament brought to you, please do send me a text or an email.
 
For Protection
Christ, light of light, brightness indescribable, the Wisdom, power and glory of God, the Word made flesh: you overcame the forces of Satan, redeemed the world, then ascended again to the Father. Grant me, I pray, in this tarnished world, the shining of your splendor. Send your Archangel Michael to defend me, to guard my going out and coming in, and to bring me safely to your presence, where you reign in the one holy and undivided Trinity, to ages of ages. Amen.
 
A Prayer of Comfort in God
God, you are my help and comfort; you shelter and surround me in love so tender that I may know your presence with me, now and always. Amen.
 
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.        You know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.


Altar Services
We are in need of a few more people to assist during church services.  Jobs include:  Crucifer, Thurifer, Reader or Intercessor, and Lay Eucharistic Minister

Flowers
Consider donating flowers in memory of a loved one

Coffee Hour Hosts

The sign-up sheet to host Coffee Hour is in the vesting room.  Sign up now while the coffee is still hot.

Request for paper supplies
We are always in need of paper towels, tissues, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. When you are shopping
consider picking up one or two of these items and either dropping them off in the narthex or the parish hall.
Someone will be happy to put them in the storage room for you. Many thanks for your help


Presiding Bishop’s statement on Tree of Life tragedy October 27, 2018
 
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued the following statement:
 
Dear Friends, 
 
I’m here in Des Moines, Iowa at the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. It’s Saturday, and several hours ago you learned, as did we all, that a gunman entered Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. A number of people have been killed and wounded. Our Jewish neighbors, our brothers and sisters, are fearful and we must stand with them and provide comfort and support for them and for all. It is reported that the gunman not only ranted anti-Semitic sayings, he has also ranted and spoken against immigrants and refugees and other peoples.
 
We must pray, we must pray for him, we must pray for the spirit of our nation, that a spirit of love and compassion and goodness and decency would pervade, and that spirits of hatred and bigotry would be cast away. But, above all, at this time, pray for those who have died and for their families and their loved ones. Pray for those who are wounded. Pray for the first responders, pray for our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community. Pray for the Tree of Life synagogue. Pray for the City of Pittsburgh. Pray for America. Pray for us all.
 
And then, go out and do something. Do something that helps to end the long night and helps to bring in the daylight. Visit a neighbor. Remind our Jewish brothers and sisters that they do not stand alone. Care for someone. Love. Stand for what is right and good. Then pray. And then act. 
 
And pray: 
 
Our Father, who art in heaven,
            hallowed be thy Name,
            thy kingdom come,
            thy will be done,
            on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses,
            as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
            but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, 
            for ever and ever. Amen.
 
God love you. God bless you. And may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.
 
The Most Rev. Michael Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church