Christ's Episcopal Church

The Feast of Saint Matthew, Evangelist
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

John Coleridge Patteson (Bishop) & his Companions (Martyrs) – 1871

Almighty God, who called your faithful servant John Coleridge Patteson and his companions to witness to the gospel, and by their labors and sufferings raised up a people for your own possession: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon your church in every land, that, by the service and sacrifice of many, your holy Name may be glorified and your kingdom enlarged; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O God our Father. We praise you and we thank you for the blessing of this day and for all your many blessings - blessings of people, blessings of love and blessings of good health and comfort. Open our minds and hearts to truly appreciate the goodness and beauty around us in this world and all its people - known and unknown. Guide us in our life today and always, to walk in your ways and to share your many gifts with gladness and generosity. We offer this in the name of Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.
— The Prayer of Oscar Romero

Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic and Scholar (1179)
God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Ninian, Bishop (c. 430)
O God, who by the preaching of your blessed servant and bishop Ninian caused the light of the Gospel to shine in the land of Britain: Grant, we pray, that having his life and labors in remembrance we may show our thankfulness by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

We have a place at the table for you! ALL are welcome here.
We invite you to join us for services today at 8:00 and 10:30 AM in our Sanctuary as we celebrate the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19.
Tuning in online? You can find our Zoom streaming link and service bulletin on our website: https://christsepiscopalchurch.org/online-church/
Please join us if you are able; we look forward to seeing you!

The Collect of the Day
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Holy Cross Day
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

A Prayer for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

– Book of Common Prayer, page 815

A Prayer for Rain

O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

– Book of Common Prayer, page 828

Amen! Today, we pray for those who whose lives were lost during 9/11, and all who were, and continue to be, affected. 🙏🙏
by the traged

Today, we honor the memory of those we lost and pay tribute to the courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

A Prayer for Those We Love

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

– Book of Common Prayer, page 831

God of creation, who loves all he has made and all that has evolved, open the eyes of your people, that your love might be reflected in our care for the planet. Through Jesus Christ, who walked this earth and calls us by name. Amen.
— Rt Rev. Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds

God, teach us what it means to have faith in silence.
When we face trials that are beyond our understanding, help us to find peace.
Help us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.
You set all things in accordance with your time.
Remind us to wait patiently and find peace in your plan.
Amen.

We have a place at the table for you! ALL are welcome here.
We invite you to join us for Celebration Sunday today, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18! We'll have one service at 9:30 AM in our Sanctuary and online as we celebrate our parish life together.
Following the service, we'll have a potluck brunch in the Gathering Place and parking lot!
Tuning in online? You can find our Zoom streaming link and service bulletin on our website: https://christsepiscopalchurch.org/online-church/
Please join us if you are able; we look forward to seeing you!

Gracious God, help me to realize that you will be speaking to me through the events of this day.
Through people, through things, through your creation, give me eyes and ears and a heart to perceive you, no matter how vailed your presence might be.
Give me insight to see through the exterior of things to the interior truth.
Give me your discernment, oh Lord.
You know how busy I must be this day.
If I forget you, do not forget me. Amen.

Join us tomorrow morning at 9:30!

This year, Celebration Sunday will be THIS Sunday, September 8th. This marks the beginning of the school year, and our annual celebration of our parish family, all our ministries that help make such an impact on you and our community, and each other.

We'll have one service this Sunday at 9:30 AM, followed by a brunch in the Gathering Place and parking lot. The church will provide food off the grill, and we invite you to bring your favourite side, dessert, or drink to share.

We look forward to seeing you as we kick off a new program year together

A Prayer for Beginnings:
I make this day a beginning.
This is a time of beginning again. I will not waste my energy by looking back and longing for other days and other times. Today I have the courage to go forward in life, expecting good to unfold. There are times when circumstances change, when relationships change, when things I have taken for granted are no longer the same. These times are times that can be extremely difficult unless I have trust in the unchanging care and guidance of my Higher Power.
Today I am ready to release every thought that binds me to the limited beliefs of yesterday. I am no longer held in bo***ge to the past. Today I see myself in the world, free from limitations.
Today I am beginning to talk to and be with my God.

Lead Me:
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.
— Thomas Merton

Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady me with the vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amid the confusion of my days, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves with the soothing of the streams.
Help me to know the restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking one-minute holidays. Slow me down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to read a few lines from a book. Remind me each day that there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look into the branches of the towering trees and know that they grew great and strong because they grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots down into the soil for life's enduring values that I may grow towards the starts of my greater destiny.
Slow me down, Lord. Slow me down. Slow me down.

A Prayer for the Parish:
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen and confirm the faithful, arouse the careless, restore the penitent, convert the evil. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
— The Standing Liturgical Commission Publication: Prayers, Thanksgivings, Litanies

For the Human Family:
O God you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family. Take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts. Break down the walls that separate us. Unite us in bonds of love. Work throughout struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth, that in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— The Standing liturgical Commission publication: Prayers, Thanksgivings, Litanies

Great Spirit Prayer:
Oh, Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds and whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me! I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever hold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
Help me remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes towards me.
Help me find compassion without empathy overwhelming me.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy: myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.
— Translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887

Today is the first day of the month, so we pray for all those with birthdays in September.

Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We have a place at the table for you! ALL are welcome here.
We invite you to join us for services today at 8:00 and 10:30 AM in our Sanctuary as we celebrate the start of the Season of Creation on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17.
Tuning in online? You can find our Zoom streaming link and service bulletin on our website: https://christsepiscopalchurch.org/online-church/
Please join us if you are able; we look forward to seeing you!

The Creation Collect of the Day
Lord of all love and glory, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Creation; increase in all true unity; nourish the world with all goodness; and bring forth the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Dear Lord, it is heartbreaking to suffer from the mental anguish of emotional scars that feel like they can't be healed. Please pour Your merciful love and peace into the heart of anyone trying to manage this invisible pain and soothe every wounded soul with the healing power of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line
Martyrs, 1588, 1586 and 1601
Victims of anti-Catholic violence during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Most Merciful God, who despises not a broken and contrite heart and has promised to fill those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; We humbly beseech you, remember not the sins and offenses of our ancestors, but grant that, like your servants Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherew, and Anne Line, we may sanctify you in our hearts and be always ready to answer for our faith with meekness and fear; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird
When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf
— Wendell Berry

Photo by Autumn Mott Rodeheaver (https://unsplash.com/)

Augustine of Hippo | Bishop and Theologian, 430
Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant, Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whose service is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
— Lesser Feasts and Fasts

For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

But ask now the beasts,
and they shall teach thee,
and the fowls of the air,
and they shall tell thee.
Or speak to the earth,
and it shall teach thee.
And the fishes of the sea
shall declare unto thee.
— Job 12: 7-8, KJV