Lesson for the week of march 30 - April 3, 2020
John 11: 28-44
A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said,"Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said,"Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out,his hands and and his feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
THE WORD OF THE LORD
and the People respond, “Thanks be to God."
PRAYERS OF THE COMMUNITY
For those expecting babies
Richard and Talisa Sadler - due in mid-April
Evan and Margy Peterson, Class of 2009 - due in May
John and Amy Duhan - due in late May
Maria and James Madden - due in late May
Allen (Class is 2006) and Elizabeth Wilkerson- due in late June
Peyton (Class of 2006) and Lyndey Bryant - due in late June
Bo and Frances Bryan - due mid-August
Wilson and Karee White - due in August
For those in need of God's healing power
Jane Hall
Francis McMeekin
Melinda McMeekin
Anna Gallery Bennett
Cantey Heath
Ann Thomas
Juanita Wilson
Rosie McCoy
Clarence Heatley
Misti Raman
Laura Slocum
Tim Duncan
Stefan Pack
Beth McMaster
Emily Prince
Betsy McKay
Stuart Smith
Our International students
Sheree Kunz
Helen McKnight
Bob McKnight
Colleen McKnight
Judy and Bill Marmon
For Episcopal Schools in South Carolina
All Saints Preschool in Hilton Head
Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia
Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School in Clemson
The Little School at Grace Church in Charleston
Porter Gaud School in Charleston
I hope you find these prayers from Morning Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer useful to begin your devotionals in the morning. I like to always start with the Collect for Purity.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following are the Collects for each day of the week.
Prayer for Mondays, the Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King Eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Tuesdays, the Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Wednesdays, the Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Thursdays, the Collect for Guidance
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may ever remember that we are walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Saturdays
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Sundays
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessings through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen