Intercessory Prayer in the Third Wave of COVID-19

 

The news reports about the advancement of this 3rd Wave of the COVID-19 virus and its variants indicate that there are surges of cases all across Canada -- particularly in Ontario, B.C. and Nova Scotia, but also in this province of Alberta.  

The following prayers are taken from the Church of England website, which offers a series of prayers as a Coronavirus (COVID-19) liturgy, and a down-loadable PDF booklet of prayers to use at home at this time of pandemic.   These resources are offered here for your encouragement and comfort; there are others available online, as well as in the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services from the Anglican Church of Canada.  

May this bless your day.

Opening Prayer

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

Intercession "A"

Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:

For all who are affected by coronavirus,
through illness or isolation or anxiety,
that they may find relief and recovery:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For those who are guiding our nation at this time,
and shaping national policies,
that they may make wise decisions:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,
that through their skill and insights
many will be restored to health:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

For the vulnerable and the fearful,
for the gravely ill and the dying,
that they may know your comfort and peace:
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.

We commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Prayer Before Sleep

God our Father, by whose mercy
the world turns safely into darkness and returns again to light:
we place in your hands our unfinished tasks,
our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes,
knowing that only what you bless will prosper.
To your love and protection
we commit each other and all those we love,
knowing that you alone are our sure defender,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

ZOOM! Lectionary Study

 

An invitation from Rev. Robert:

"We will be holding a lectionary study Wednesday evenings at 7 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7) via Zoom. We will be discussing the readings of the coming Sunday. It is an open event. Everyone can attend."

On Wednesday, April 28, the readings discussed will be for Sunday, May 2 as follows:

Acts 8:26-40, Ps 22, 1 John 4:7-21, the Gospel of John 15:1-8

Note: the meeting lasts an hour, so there's time to discuss at least one or two of the readings.

Please e-mail Rev. Robert for the Zoom link!

Service for Sunday, April 25, 2021: The 4th Sunday of Easter - Worshipping "In Place"

The Good Shepherd

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Parish,

Olds, Alberta.

 

Readings for Sunday, April 25, 2021

Acts 4: 5-12

Psalm 23

1 John 3: 16 - 24

The Gospel of John 10: 11-18

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.

Editor's Note:  Today is also the Feast Day of St. Mark the Evangelist. Here is the special Collect for this day:

Almighty God, by the hand of Mark the evangelist you gave to your Church the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  We thank you for his witness, andpray that we may be grounded firmly in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

AMEN

A Reflection on "Languishing and Pixilation" for These Times

From Archbishop Greg Kerr Wilson of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, comes this reflection* on 'Languishing and Pixilation' for these pandemic times. 

*Recorded on Vimeo, it's a different sort of link than this Editor usally uses (i.e., via YouTube).  May it nevertheless be a blessing to you.

A Reflection for Earth Day

 

Woodland path, Mirror, Alberta, April 2021

When I am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

    but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "Stay awhile."

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,

"and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine."

-- Mary Oliver, from "Thirst", 2oo6, published in Devotions, The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, Penguin Press, New York, 2017.

For the Beauty of the Earth

Lyrics: Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)

Tune: Dix

May this bless your day.

Habitat for Humanity: An Online Information Session

 

Service for Sunday, April 18, 2021: The 3rd Sunday of Easter - Worshipping "In Place"

 

"Fishy Proof"

Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

Alleluia!

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, 

Lacombe, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, April 18, 2021

Acts 3: 12-19

Psalm 4

1 John 3: 1-7

The Gospel of Luke 24: 36 - 48

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day. 

Service for Sunday, April 11, 2021: The 2nd Sunday of Easter - Worshipping "In Place"

 

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Parish,

Olds, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, April 11, 2021

Acts 4: 32-37

Psalm 133

1 John 1: 1 - 2:2

The Gospel of John 20: 19-31

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.

Remembering HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Ediburgh

 

His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
June 10, 1921 - April 9, 2021

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has written a message of condolence to Queen Elizabeth II, on the death earlier today of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at age 99.  You can read the text of this message HERE.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the life of The Duke of Edinburgh

God of eternal life and love
We give thanks today for the life and witness of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,
For his service in pursuit of peace as a naval officer,
For his service to the Queen as a wise counsellor and companion,
For his commitment in marriage for over seventy years in witness to mutual respect and love,
For his commitment to nurturing family and guiding with wisdom their growth and development,
For his encouragement of young people around the world to skill development, physical health, adventure, and service through the Duke of Edinburgh Award,
For his care and advocacy for all of creation
For a life lived selflessly in service to others.
We remember with thanksgiving and commit him into Your keeping this day
in the sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.        

Amen.

Up-coming: The 2021 Diocesan Anglican Church Women Conference

 

How to Be Community During COVID - Friday, April 23, 2021

The Anglican Diocese of Calgary ACW invites you to join them for their 2021 Annual Renewal Conference.  This year, it will be via Zoom.  This year's theme is "How to be Community During COVID."  Special guest speaker will be The Rev. Elizabeth Short, Parish Health Facilitator for the Diocese of Calgary.  For more information, the ACW website can be found here.  To register, please contact Mary Dymond at (403) 278-0137 

Service for Easter Sunday 2021: Worshipping "In Place"

 

Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!

The Lord is risen indeed!

Alleluia!

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, 

Lacombe, Alberta.

Readings for Easter Sunday,

April 4, 2021:

Isaiah 25: 6-9

Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24

Acts 10: 34-43

The Gospel of John 20: 1-18

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day. 

Happy Easter!

Just a Thought...

 

A Service for Good Friday 2021: Worshipping in Place

 

The Seven Last Words of Christ

Readings and Music

Program Notes

00:00 Opening Montage
00:36 Hymn 198 - O sacred Head
02:13 The First Word - Luke 23:34
02:17 Hymn 184 - My Song is Love Unknown
05:41 Our God Who Weeps
08:26 The Second Word - Luke 23:43
08:32 Jesus, keeps me near the cross
11:08 Hymn 634 - Jesus, Remember Me
12:23 The Third Word - John 19:26-27
12:32 There is a Green Hill Far Away
14:19 The Fourth Word - Matthew 27:46
14:27 Hymn 192 - Were You There
19:49 The Fifth Word - John 19:28
19:53 Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
23:12 The Sixth Word - John 19:30
23:16 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
25:20 Hymn 193 Calvary, Calvary
27:26 The Seventh Word - Luke 23:46
27:32 What wondrous love is this

Thanks to Rev. Robert and parishioners for this service.

May it bless your day.