Evening Prayer 3.25.17, Annunciation of Our Lord

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

Alessio Baldovinetti, 1447: The Annunciation. Today is a major feast, remembering Mary’s reception of the angel who announced that she would bear the Messiah.

From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11

INVITATORY AND PSALTER

O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Hymn: Light of the World
Phos hilaron

Light of the world in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

Psalm 110:1-5

1  The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, *
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2  The LORD will send the scepter of your power out of Zion, *
saying, “Rule over your enemies round about you.
3  Nobility has been yours from the day of your birth; *
in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,
like dew from the womb of the morning.”
4  The LORD has sworn and will not recant: *
“You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5  The Lord who is at your right hand
will smite rulers in the day of his wrath; *
he will rule over the nations.

Psalm 132

1  LORD, remember David, *
and all the hardships he endured;
2  How he swore an oath to the LORD *
and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3  “I will not come under the roof of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed;
4  I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *
nor let my eyelids slumber;
5  Until I find a place for the LORD, *
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6  “The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *
we found it in the fields of Jearim.
7  Let us go to God’s dwelling place; *
let us fall upon our knees before God’s footstool.”
8  Arise, O LORD, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.
9  Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy.
10  For your servant David’s sake, *
do not turn away the face of your anointed.
11  The LORD has sworn an oath to David; *
and in truth will not break it:
12  “A son, the fruit of your body *
will I set upon your throne.
13  If your children keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
their children will sit upon your throne for evermore.”
14  For the LORD has chosen Zion, *
and desired it for the holy habitation:
15  “This shall be my resting-place for ever; *
here will I dwell, for in Zion I delight.
16  I will surely bless the provisions of Zion, *
and satisfy its poor with bread.
17  I will clothe its priests with salvation, *
and its faithful people will rejoice and sing.
18  There will I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
19  As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *
but as for him, his crown will shine.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Meister der Braunschweig-Magdeburger Schule: Annunciation (Austrian National Library, Vienna)

THE LESSONS
Wisdom 9:1-12 (NRSV)

“O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy,
who have made all things by your word,
and by your wisdom have formed humankind
to have dominion over the creatures you have made,
and rule the world in holiness and righteousness,
and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul,
give me the wisdom that sits by your throne,
and do not reject me from among your servants.
For I am your servant, the son of your servant-girl,
a man who is weak and short-lived,
with little understanding of judgment and laws;
for even one who is perfect among human beings
will be regarded as nothing without the wisdom that comes from you.
You have chosen me to be king of your people
and to be judge over your sons and daughters.
You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain,
and an altar in the city of your habitation,
a copy of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning.
With you is wisdom, she who knows your works
and was present when you made the world;
she understands what is pleasing in your sight
and what is right according to your commandments.
Send her forth from the holy heavens,
and from the throne of your glory send her,
that she may labor at my side,
and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.
For she knows and understands all things,
and she will guide me wisely in my actions
and guard me with her glory.
Then my works will be acceptable,
and I shall judge your people justly,
and shall be worthy of the throne of my father.”

Canticle: The Song of Mary
Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your Name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm, *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones, *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things, *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Henry Ossawa Tanner (d. 1937): Annunciation

John 1:9-14 (NRSV)

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Canticle: The Song of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may depart this life in your faith and fear,
and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit
in the communion of all your saints,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi: Annunciation. (Siena Cathedral)

Collect of the Day: The Annunciation of Our Lord

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Saturday in the Third Week of Lent

O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Saturdays

O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Diocese of Meru, Kenya

Saturday Evening Prayer List: For the Church

For Our Mission Partners
Cuttington University School of Nursing, Liberia
The American Friends of Cuttington, New York
Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion, New York; Canon Jamie Callaway
Haiti Nursing Foundation
Diocese of Brasilia Afterschool Program, Brazil
Rosebud Episcopal Mission, South Dakota
St. André’s School, Mithon, Haiti

For Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13++

VIDEO: Canticle of the Turning (Star of the County Down, Irish, arr. Ferguson; Rory Cooney) – Doane College Collegiate Chorale, Lincoln Lutheran Choir and First-Plymouth Choir, Lincoln, Nebraska, dir. Tom Trenney, 2013

Evening Prayer 3.18.17, Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386

There was considerable complaining about Jesus among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.” Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

Bishops of the First Council of Nicaea in 325, depicted with King Constantine and the text of the Creed produced by the Council of Constantinople (381), which Cyril attended. The Creeds attempted to put down the Arian heresy and uphold the equal divinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thus was Orthodoxy defined, largely according to Cyril’s views. (Wikipedia)

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. Psalm 139:10-11

GENERAL CONFESSION

God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
opposing your will in our lives.
We have denied your goodness in each other,
in ourselves, and in the world you have created.
We repent of the evil that enslaves us,
the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.
Forgive, restore, and strengthen us
through our Savior Jesus Christ,
that we may abide in your love
and serve only your will. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

INVITATORY AND PSALTER

O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Hymn: Light of the World
Phos hilaron

Light of the world in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

Psalm 23

1  The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2  You make me lie down in green pastures *
and lead me beside still waters.
3  You revive my soul *
and guide me along right pathways for your Name’s sake.
4  Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5  You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6  Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 27

1  The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2  When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3  Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4  And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in the LORD.
5  One thing have I asked of the LORD;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
6  To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek God in the temple.
7  For on the day of trouble the LORD shall shelter me in safety; *
the LORD shall hide me in the secrecy of the holy place
and set me high upon a rock.
8  Even now the LORD lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9  Therefore I will offer in the holy place an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10  Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11  You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12  Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13  You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14  Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the LORD will sustain me.
15  Show me your way, O LORD; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16  Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17  What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the LORD *
in the land of the living!
18  O tarry and await the LORD’s pleasure;
be strong, and the LORD shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the LORD.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE LESSON
John 7:1-13 (NRSV)

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, “Where is he?” And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.” Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

Canticle: The Song of Mary
Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your Name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm, *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones, *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things, *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may depart this life in your faith and fear,
and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit
in the communion of all your saints,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

When you think of Cyril, think of Holy Week, of catechumens preparing for months for baptism at Easter, and say a prayer for those in your own parish who will receive the gift at Easter. He produced detailed lessons for those being instructed in the Christian faith, and those writings survive today. (iconographer unknown)

Collect of the Day: Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386

Strengthen, O Lord, the bishops of your Church in their special calling to be teachers and ministers of the Sacraments, so that they, like your servant Cyril of Jerusalem, may effectively instruct your people in Christian faith and practice; and that we, taught by them, may enter more fully into celebration of the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Saturdays

O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Diocese of Mbaise, Nigeria

Saturday Evening Prayer List: For the Church

For Our Mission Partners
Cuttington University School of Nursing, Liberia
The American Friends of Cuttington, New York
Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion, New York; Canon Jamie Callaway
Haiti Nursing Foundation
Diocese of Brasilia Afterschool Program, Brazil
Rosebud Episcopal Mission, South Dakota
St. André’s School, Mithon, Haiti

For Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
 
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13++

VIDEO: Not far beyond the sea (#422, Denise, Richard Baker; George B. Caird, alt.) – Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora, Ontario, 2015

Morning Prayer 3.3.17, John & Charles Wesley, Priests, 1791, 1788

Ready for Streaming Now

Our early service was technically perfect today; click here.
A good spirit prevailed at 9 a.m.; to watch, go here.

—

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope.

A Liberian nurse who was featured on the cover of Time when Ebola fighters were named Persons of the Year has died shortly after giving birth, in a most tragic, heartbreaking way. Salome Karwah, top left, contracted the virus, was able to recover from it, and devoted the rest of her young life to helping victims. When she developed complications after giving birth to her fourth child, she was taken to the hospital, but the nurses there would not touch her or attend to her. Effective treatments exist for her seizures, but she was allowed to convulse alone. Experts blame a lingering stigma even against survivors of the virus, as if touching them would somehow bring it back to life. When nurses refuse to treat even another nurse who objectively represents no threat to them, it shows the depth and power of the superstition in Liberian society – and just how much our Cuttington University nursing students and faculty are up against in trying to fight ignorance with knowledge. It also illustrates the importance of our Daily Office Network’s financial commitment to support Cuttington nursing students’ education. We don’t know whether Salome Karwah was a Cuttington nurse – but she sure sounds like one. We mourn her unnecessary death and renew our commitment to our cousins in Bong County.

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Luke 15:18-19

CONFESSION OF SIN

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

INVITATORY AND PSALTER

Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalm 95 (PCP)
Venite

1  Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2  Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving; *
and raise a loud shout to the LORD with psalms.
3  For the LORD is a great God; *
and a great Sovereign above all gods.
4  The LORD holds the caverns of the earth; *
and sustains the heights of the hills.
5  The sea belongs to God, who made it, *
whose hands have molded the dry land.
6  Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7  For the LORD is our God,
and we are the people of God’s pasture and the sheep of God’s hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to God’s voice!

8  Harden not your hearts,
as your ancestors did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,
when they tempted me.
9  They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
10  Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
“This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways.”
11  So I swore in my wrath, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Psalm 31

1  In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2  Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
3  Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4  Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
5  Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.

6  I hate those who cling to worthless idols, *
and I put my trust in the LORD.
7  I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
for you have seen my affliction;
you know my distress.
8  You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; *
you have set my feet in an open place.
9  Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10  For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11  I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12  I am forgotten, out of mind, as if I were dead; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13  For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14  But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, “You are my God.
15  My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16  Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”
17  LORD, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.
18  Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.
19  How great is your goodness, O LORD!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.
20  You hide them in the covert of your presence from those who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
21  Blessed be the LORD! *
for you have shown me the wonders of your love in a besieged city.
22  Yet I said in my alarm,
“I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.” *
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.
23  Love the LORD, all you who are faithful; *
the LORD protects the pious,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
24  Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the LORD.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE LESSONS
Deuteronomy 7:12-16 (NRSV)

If you heed these ordinances, by diligently observing them, the LORD your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors; he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you. You shall be the most blessed of peoples, with neither sterility nor barrenness among you or your livestock. The LORD will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.

Canticle: A Song of Penitence
Prayer of Manasseh, 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

Titus 2:1-8, 11-15 (NRSV)

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

Canticle: A Song to the Lamb
Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13

Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

John 1:35-42 (NRSV)

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”

The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

V.  Help us, O God our Savior;
R.  Deliver us and forgive us our sins.
V.  Look upon your congregation;
R.  Give to your people the blessing of peace.
V.  Declare your glory among the nations;
R.  And your wonders among all peoples.
V.  Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away;
R.  Never forget the lives of your poor.
V.  Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you;
R.  And your favor to those who are true of heart.
V.  Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning;
R.  So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

John and Charles Wesley were both Anglican priests, a fact which always surprises people. As students at Oxford University in England, they underwent a conversion experience in 1738, developing a rigorous spiritual discipline others dubbed “the Method”; it included everyday use of the Daily Office, just like we do here, and frequent participation in Holy Communion, ideally every Sunday, which most or all in our congregation hope to achieve. The Wesleys were committed to spreading this discipline to unchurched people, especially in the American colonies, employing circuit-riding believers who preached wherever they could find an audience – and they were good at finding them. Their Method or practice was uniquely suited to a growing, frontier country of indigenous peoples and immigrant pioneers. The Wesleys’ Method achieved explosive growth in the USA, powered by talented preachers, hymnwriters and others, and spread from there to most parts of the world – though indeed it is English, indeed Anglican, in origin. (artist unknown)

Collect of the Day: John and Charles Wesley, Priests, 1791, 1788

Lord God, you inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer for Friday after Ash Wednesday

Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Fridays

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Friday Morning Prayer List

For Those Looking for Work or a New Project
Kimberly
Nyck
Tom

Financial Needs
For the Homeless
50,000 U.S. veterans (source: Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
Residents of tent cities and refugee camps
Those living in shelters, motels, cars, on the streets and in the woods

For the Poor of every nation
For the cold and hungry
For those who minister among them
Parish food pantries, gardens and orchards

For Those Facing Danger & Oppression
Christians persecuted in China, Sudan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Turkey India and Pakistan
Muslims persecuted in India, Myanmar, Europe, Canada & the USA
Hindus persecuted in Bangladesh
Jews all over the world
For an end to racism in all its forms
All women and girls of the world
LGBTs in places of violence, especially youth worldwide
Victims of human trafficking
Archbishops Paul Yazigi and John Ibrahim, Syria, abducted 3 years ago, fate unknown
Rev. Andrew Brunson, American missionary detained in Turkey

Please add your own intercessions, supplications and thanksgivings here.

Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Webcast Dismissal
by Josh Thomas

O God, we’re ready to depart now to begin the rest of our morning. Thank you for this time together to worship you, to see and listen to each other over miles and time zones. We ask your blessing on the concerns and joys each of us has brought with us, that you will be with N., N., and each of our viewers as we go about our day. Be present in our encounters with others, and give us awareness of you in our solitude. Help us do good work and live good lives, in unity with your Son and Holy Spirit. And now, with one voice,

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time and now and for ever. Amen. Jude 24-25++

VIDEO: Depth of mercy (Chad Cates, Tony Wood; Charles Wesley) – Selah, 2010

Evangelism ’17 Update: Reporting Improves, Fundraising Shoots Up, & the Vicar Confesses His Sins

Gentle ones in the faith of Christ,

Our fundraising has hit 56% of goal, or $20,000 of the $36,000 we need to be able to continue our ministry this year. Thank you!

Most of this week’s financial surge is accounting for pledges members made in past years that continue today. (We’ve improved our reporting system with the diocese and PayPal.) Thank you, longtime donors!

We’ve known all along our members are generous, and that our main job in fundraising is to reach all 3600 subscribers with our request: $10 per member per year; less if you need to, more if you can. Please take a moment to pray about it, then click here.

Subscriber money is how we’re educating student nurses in Liberia and Haiti – feeding and teaching schoolkids in Haiti and Brasilia – heating the homes and hearts of elders and children on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. These are great programs and we’re proud of what we do together to support them.

Subscriber money is how we keep the liturgies and prayers coming – in English & Spanish – for Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

Subscriber money is how we webcast live 11 times a week, to the four corners of the earth. (Okay, a few corners; South Korea, Costa Rica and the Northern Isles of Scotland. Our webcasts, like our sites, can reach the entire world!)

Whole world in his hands.

We couldn’t raise any money if you weren’t praying with us and for us. And we wouldn’t get much without the prayers of our volunteer officers and staff. Someone has to ask for money; and to do that they have believe in what they’re asking for, to have the courage to ask and to face rejection. They have to believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit first of all – then they have to believe in us.

It’s an honor to be entrusted with your gifts, and empowered to act on your behalf in Haiti, Liberia, Brazil and on the Rez; in China, Korea, ANZ, India and Japan; in two languages. Like the Parable of the Sower, we scatter the seed – and we’re delighted with all the fertile ground we find.

But here’s something else. As the years mount up (since 2004) and our rosters of followers grow, I’ve come to realize in the past month that I’ve been thinking too small.

Not only have I been fearful of asking too much of you, I’ve been afraid to trust in the Lord to provide for this ministry according to our potential – and what we’ve already done.

But what parent, if a child asks for bread, gives her a stone?

This whole project was God’s idea. Then when I brought it up in prayer God said, “That’s an excellent idea. I nominate you!”

So now, in 2017, all these millions of page-views later, do I think God’s gonna leave us high and dry? You can see where this is going.

It’s my fault; I’ve been thinking too small. I confess this to God and to you my brothers and sisters. I have failed to trust. I have let myself be overcome by fear, despite the fact that “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible I’ve been reading every day these last 13 years.

This year we’re going to keep asking you for 10 bucks per person until we’ve got that much, and then we’ll quit. We’ll be in good shape with everything we need to keep operating at this level.

But next year we’re going to make a quantum leap in how we function. We’re going to hire an assistant vicar, build an internet radio station and make some more waves. Because this level – still too dependent on one person, me – is not where we should be. It’s not what God calls us to; at this rate I can’t even die or retire without losing everything we’ve built together. Volunteers can’t do it!

So of course we’ll need the budget to double. Even then we’ll be the least expensive ministry in all of Anglicanism.

No fooling, we’re bigger than 34 dioceses. (Based on “TEC Member & Attendance Totals, 2014-15” and our own public records.) Maybe we’re not supposed to say that out loud but it’s true.

Not one of those 34 functions on 36 grand a year. —-> I’ve been thinking too small. So I apologize to every one of you.

Next year, we’re hiring and we’re building.

The quantum leap we’re taking is one of faith, not of money; one of mission, not of empire; one of Good News, salvation, forgiveness and healing.

Next year, Jerusalem!

Josh Thomas
Founder & Lay Vicar
February 27, 2017
with Ash Wednesday beating down on my forehead

—

P.S. Now look at this wonderful list of 2017 donors – and if you’re not on it, click here.

Acolyte – under $50
Mary Barber
The Rev. Michelle Boomgaard
Kathleen Bryant
Richard Burgess
Owene
Mark Bradley Cappetta, in honor of the Very Rev. Fr. John David van Dooren
Cliff Carr
Nancy C. Deutsch
Rachel Diem, in honor of the Community of the Gospel & the Order of Julian of Norwich
Lara Dreyer
Barbara
Steven Ellis
The Rev. Elizabeth Fowle
Gary Gee
Pr Dave Heckler
Patricia Henkel
Ann Higdon
Freda Iverson
Kammy and George
Sara Keeth
Nick Kuchcinski, in memory of all beloved family now enjoying eternal rest
Thomas LaFrance
Elizabeth
Glenn, in honor of Margie McCaslin
Eric L. Miller, in memory of the Rev. Rick Rutledge
Anita Miner
The Rev. Roberta Morris
Janet Norden
Stephen Oakes, in honor of Mr. & Mrs. M. Wayne Oakes
Patti Sachs
The Rev. Deacon Leslie Scoopmire
Gary L. Short, in memory of Isaac Allen Tabler
The Rev. R.F. Solon, Jr.
V. Thomas
Will Wauters, TSSF
William Weightman

Intercessor – $50 – 99
Davidson Bidwell-Waite
Caroline Braun
Leslie Bryan, in memory of Billy Bryan, in honor of Connie Bryan
Grace Burton-Edwards
The Rev. Denise Cabana
Jennifer Clyde
May B. Daw
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Dreisbach
Marilyn Engstrom
Linda Goertz
Patty Gotway
The Rev. Dr. Janine Howard
The Rev. Steven Kern (Canada), in memory of Lawrence & Martha Blum
Jill Littlefield
Steve LoCastro
The McAskill Family, in honor of John Alexander McAskill
Dale McNeill
Julie Morris, in honor of dailyoffice.org
Nancy Parr
Morgan Ponder
The Rev. Deacon Susan Reeve
Joseph Scholtes
Susanne Woods

Lector – $100 – 249
Brendan Barnicle
Jane Beebe
Ron Blaisdell
Elisabeth Bourdet
Libbye Brooks
Robert L. Buzzard
Jonathan Coffey, in memory of Hollis Hamilton Ambrose Corey
Allen Davis
Diane (Canada), in memory of Kevin
Ann Doebler
Robert and Josephine R. Giannini
Brian Gloe
Hilary Greene, in honor of Josh Thomas
Gail Hart
Fr. Robert Hughes
Eric Johnson
Harry Kelley
Jo Ann, in memory of Jesse
Lighthouse Literacy
Barry MacDowell
Brian L. MacFarland & Ian L. Bockus
Joyce Palevitz
John H. Ryan, O.C.P.
Alison Saichek
Valerie Scott
Katrina Soto
Jerold Stadel
Marion W. Stodghill
The Rev. Sam Tallman
Victoria, in memory of Fitz Harvey
The Rev. Deacon Teresa Wakeen
Tom Welch
Francesca Wigle
Susanne Woods
The Rev. Gwynne Wright (UK)

Cantor – $250 – 499
Lisa C.
Michael Delaney
Jerry Fitzgerald
The Rev. Michael E. Hartney
Steve Helmreich
Julie
The Rev. R. R. Lutz
Nicholas Myers
Gregory Seamon
Josh Thomas
The Rev. Warner C. White

Gospeler – $500 – 999
Denise Clauss, to the glory of God
Robert Crane
Letha Tomes Drury
Clint Gilliland
The Rev. Gwen Hetler
The Rev. Anjel & Stu Scarborough

Missioner – $1000 – 2499
Tom Alloway/James Beckwith (Canada)
Linda Barry
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
R. Nikolaus Merrell, in honor of Espanol Costa Rica
Mark Nelson
Peter and Beverly Van Horne

Vestrymember – $2500 – 4999
The Rev. Michael Corrigan

 

 

Evangelism ’17: Our Thermometer’s Rising! One-Third of Goal, Plus Good News from Haiti

[UPDATED]

We’re halfway to our 2017 Evangelism goal of $36,000, and we need your help to keep our prayers and missionary work going – to teach and feed (“Lunches and Lessons”) schoolchildren in Mithon, Haiti and inner-city Brasilia, Brazil; to teach and empower nursing students in Liberia and Haiti; and to keep elders warm at the Rosebud Episcopal Mission on the Lakota Sioux reservation in South Dakota.

We ask for $10 from every subscriber around the world – more if you can afford it, less if you can’t. Click here. (Or you can send a check; see the sidebar at right.)

We’ve just received good news from Mithon, Haiti, where school has resumed even as rebuilding has begun after the most recent earthquake. Over 100 children depend on us for their lunches and lessons, and new video shows them lined up and filing through to grab their plates laden with rice and vegetables. (We’re trying to get a copy of the video!)

We’ve got photos of young people on the Rosebud splitting firewood and delivering it to seniors so they can get through another winter. This is lifesaving work; every year someone freezes to death on the reservation for lack of fuel.

Splitting firewood this very morning on the Rosebud Episcopal Mission. (The Rev. Mother Lauren Stanley)

We sponsor a nursing student at Cuttington University in Liberia, in honor of our own Martha Kelley, who graduated in the first class of 4-year nurses at the nation’s premier educational institution. And this year we’re making a similar donation to the Health Sciences program at Episcopal University of Haiti. The best way to improve public health and suppress disease outbreaks in these impoverished countries is to train local nurses as trusted sources of medical information and treatment; the impact on lives is immediate and personal.

Most of all, we enable people to pray – 6000 people every week, in every country, at any hour of the day or night, plus 11 live webcasts every week.

Just $10 from every subscriber keeps us going for a whole year. Join these fine people who have given already:

Acolyte – under $50
The Rev. Michelle Boomgaard
Richard Burgess
Owene
Mark Bradley Cappetta, in honor of the Very Rev. Fr. John David van Dooren
Cliff Carr
Nancy C. Deutsch
Rachel Diem, in honor of the Community of the Gospel & the Order of Julian of Norwich
Lara Dreyer
Barbara
Steven Ellis
The Rev. Elizabeth Fowle
Gary Gee
Pr Dave Heckler
Patricia Henkel
Ann Higdon
Kammy and George
Sara Keeth
Thomas LaFrance
Eric L. Miller, in memory of the Rev. Rick Rutledge
The Rev. Roberta Morris
Janet Norden
Stephen Oakes, in honor of Mr. & Mrs. M. Wayne Oakes
Patti Sachs
Gary L. Short, in memory of Isaac Allen Tabler
The Rev. R.F. Solon, Jr.
Will Wauters, TSSF
William Weightman

Intercessor – $50 – 99
Davidson Bidwell-Waite
Caroline Braun
Leslie Bryan, in memory of Billy Bryan, in honor of Connie Bryan
Grace Burton-Edwards
The Rev. Denise Cabana
May B. Daw
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Dreisbach
Marilyn Engstrom
Linda Goertz
Patty Gotway
The Rev. Steven Kern (Canada), in memory of Lawrence & Martha Blum
Jill Littlefield
Steve LoCastro
The McAskill Family, in honor of John Alexander McAskill
Dale McNeill
Julie Morris, in honor of dailyoffice.org
The Rev. Deacon Susan Reeve
Joseph Scholtes

Lector – $100 – 249
Brendan Barnicle
Jane Beebe
Ron Blaisdell
Elisabeth Bourdet
Libbye Brooks
Robert L. Buzzard
Jonathan Coffey, in memory of Hollis Hamilton Ambrose Corey
Ann Doebler
Hilary Greene, in honor of Josh Thomas
Gail Hart
Eric Johnson
Harry Kelley
Jo Ann, in memory of Jesse
Lighthouse Literacy
Barry MacDowell
Brian L. MacFarland & Ian L. Bockus
Joyce Palevitz
John H. Ryan, O.C.P.
Alison Saichek
Valerie Scott
Katrina Soto
Jerold Stadel
Marion W. Stodghill
The Rev. Sam Tallman
Victoria, in memory of Fitz Harvey
The Rev. Deacon Teresa Wakeen
Francesca Wigle
Susanne Woods
The Rev. Gwynne Wright (UK)

Cantor – $250 – 499
Lisa C.
Michael Delaney
Jerry Fitzgerald
The Rev. Michael E. Hartney
Steve Helmreich
The Rev. R. R. Lutz
Nicholas Myers
Gregory Seamon
Josh Thomas
The Rev. Warner C. White

Gospeler – $500 – 999
Robert Crane
Letha Tomes Drury
Clint Gilliland
The Rev. Gwen Hetler
The Rev. Anjel & Stu Scarborough

Missioner – $1000 – 2499
Tom Alloway/James Beckwith (Canada)
Linda Barry
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
R. Nikolaus Merrell, in honor of Espanol Costa Rica
Mark Nelson
Peter and Beverly Van Horne

Vestrymember – $2500 – 4999
The Rev. Deacon Michael Corrigan

Don’t do it for me, do it for the Lord. Thank you.

Josh Thomas
Founder & Lay Vicar
February 21, 2017

Evangelism ’17 Update 2.6.17: Great Start!

(UPDATED February 6, 7, 8 and 11)

We kicked off our 2017 fundraising last Wednesday and already have received $9,225 of our $36,000 budget for Evangelism & Mission. That’s a great start and we’re grateful to our early donors.

Note too that this total does NOT include “carryover” pledges from our Support site last year – where someone donates $ X per month and wants to continue in 2017. We will receive an accounting of that money in a few days from the diocesan office in Indianapolis.

The total DOES include our earliest pledgers from 2-3 years ago. How can you tell? Look for your name below; it’s what we know so far, and we’ll know more soon, with constant updates and weekly summaries every Monday until we reach our goal.

We need your financial contributions so we can continue to produce Morning & Evening Prayer twice a day in English & Spanish, with services timed for Asia-Pacific and the Americas. We enjoyed a record-breaking year with 570 live webcasts, 3400 subscribers, 7.5 million emails, thousands of followers on Facebook and Twitter, 2190 published services, and over 328,000 site visits, for an average weekly attendance of 6600.

This compares favorably to every Anglican and Episcopal church in the world – and at the lowest cost – $36,000 a year!

 

In U.S. Dollars.

We don’t just “live for ourselves,” either. We’re actively engaged in mission in Haiti, Liberia, Brazil and the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. We keep children taught and fed at St. André’s School in Mithon, Haiti and the Anglican Social Centre in inner-city Brasilia; we keep elders from freezing to death in the harsh Dakota winters. We help train vital professional nurses in Liberia and Haiti. And we can’t do any of it without you.

Members of the Diocese of Indianapolis World Mission Committee visiting last year with children and the respective bishops of Indianapolis and Brasilia at the after-school program at the Anglican Episcopal Social Center. We’re proud to support this program which reaches so many kids. (World Mission Committee, Diocese of Indianapolis)

Please look over our 2017 Evangelism & Mission budget, pray about it, and click here to make your one-time donation or ongoing monthly pledge. We ask a minimum of $10 per year from every subscriber – more if you can, less if you can’t.

Our goal is not just to cover our expenses but to extend God’s kingdom beyond the walls of the institutional church. Won’t you help us? Just click here.

Donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law and can be made anywhere in the world. (And yes, checks are welcome; see the address in the sidebar, upper right.)

Thank you,

Br. Josh Thomas
Founder & Lay Vicar

Here is today’s list of donors for 2017 – folks who have already given money. We update it daily and publish again on Monday, February 13. Add your name!

Acolyte – under $50
The Rev. Michelle Boomgaard
Richard Burgess
Owene
Cliff Carr
Nancy C. Deutsch
Rachel Diem, in honor of the Community of the Gospel & the Order of Julian of Norwich
Barbara
Steven Ellis
The Rev. Elizabeth Fowle
Gary Gee
Pr Dave Heckler
Ann Higdon
Kammy and George
Sara Keeth
Thomas LaFrance
Eric L. Miller, in memory of the Rev. Rick Rutledge
The Rev. Roberta Morris
Janet Norden
Stephen Oakes, in honor of Mr. & Mrs. M. Wayne Oakes
Patti Sachs
The Rev. R.F. Solon, Jr.
Will Wauters, TSSF

Intercessor – $50 – 99
Davidson Bidwell-Waite
Caroline Braun
Libbye Brooks
Leslie Bryan, in memory of Billy Bryan, in honor of Connie Bryan
The Rev. Denise Cabana
May B. Daw
The Rev. Dr. Christopher Dreisbach
Marilyn Engstrom
Patty Gotway
Jill Littlefield
Steve LoCastro
The McAskill Family, in honor of John Alexander McAskill
Dale McNeill
Julie Morris, in honor of dailyoffice.org
The Rev. Deacon Susan Reeve
Joseph Scholtes

Lector – $100 – 249
Brendan Barnicle
Ron Blaisdell
Elisabeth Bourdet
Jonathan Coffey, in memory of Hollis Hamilton Ambrose Corey
Ann Doebler
Hilary Greene, in honor of Josh Thomas
Gail Hart
Harry Kelley
Jo Ann, in memory of Jesse
Brian L. MacFarland & Ian L. Bockus
Joyce Palevitz
John H. Ryan, O.C.P.
Alison Saichek
Katrina Soto
The Rev. Deacon Teresa Wakeen
Francesca Wigle
Susanne Woods
The Rev. Gwynne Wright (UK)

Cantor – $250 – 499
Michael Delaney
The Rev. Michael E. Hartney
Steve Helmreich
The Rev. R. R. Lutz
Josh Thomas
The Rev. Warner C. White

Gospeler – $500 – 999
Letha Tomes Drury
Clint Gilliland
The Rev. Gwen Hetler
The Rev. Anjel & Stu Scarborough

Missioner – $1000 – 2499
Tom Alloway/James Beckwith (CANADA)
Linda Barry
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
R. Nikolaus Merrell, in honor of Espanol Costa Rica

Vestrymember – $2500 – 4999
(Your Name Here)