Monday, September 30, 2019

Revive



Thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, "I dwell in the high and holy place and also with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15

Sunday, September 29, 2019

The birthday of the world BY MARGE PIERCY

The birthday of the world

BY MARGE PIERCY
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On the birthday of the world
I begin to contemplate
what I have done and left
undone, but this year
not so much rebuilding

of my perennially damaged
psyche, shoring up eroding
friendships, digging out
stumps of old resentments
that refuse to rot on their own.

No, this year I want to call
myself to task for what
I have done and not done
for peace. How much have
I dared in opposition?

How much have I put
on the line for freedom?
For mine and others?
As these freedoms are pared,
sliced and diced, where

have I spoken out? Who
have I tried to move? In
this holy season, I stand
self-convicted of sloth
in a time when lies choke

the mind and rhetoric
bends reason to slithering
choking pythons. Here
I stand before the gates
opening, the fire dazzling

my eyes, and as I approach
what judges me, I judge
myself. Give me weapons
of minute destruction. Let
my words turn into sparks.

The General Thanksgiving



The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

All things bright and beautiful




All things bright and beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
And made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden:
God made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Words: Cecil Frances Alexander

Friday, September 27, 2019

You have clothed me with joy




Psalm 30
Exaltabo te, Domine

1I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as
the mountains."
8Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper."
12You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

For our Country



For our Country

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cicely Anne Murray


Cicely Anne Murray died on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Cathedral Village. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. William V. Murray, a priest in the Episcopal Church who served several parishes in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. She is survived by her beloved stepchildren, Patricia Murray King, Virginia Murray Hiscock and William V. Murray III.

A Requiem Holy Eucharist will occur on Thursday, October 3rd at 2 p.m. at Cathedral Village in Cathedral Hall with a committal service following at Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Memorial Garden at 4 pm. 

"Anne" Murray was a quintessential Deacon of the Church, a gentle and passionate advocate for those in need, a pastor to parishioners, friends and family members alike. She lived at Cathedral Village for nearly 25 years where she served on the board and in many other capacities during the earlier years of her and husband, Bill's, residency. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Episcopal Community Services or the All Saints Fund, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill.

For more information please contact the Rev. Beth W. Hixon, bhixon52@gmail.com, 215-896-0828.

Rest eternal grant to them, and let light perpetual
shine upon them. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Send out your light



Send out your light and your truth, 
that they may lead me, 
and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. 

Psalm 43:3


Be a beginner


Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Arise, shine, for your light has come

Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19
Surge, illuminare

Arise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise, *
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light, *
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, *
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

A Collect for Saturdays



A 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.

Diocesan News

Convention Nominees, Details and Deadlines
11/1-11/2, Philadelphia Cathedral
Stay up to date on Convention deadlines; a list of all open positions (deadline to nominate is 10/2; and come to one of our

Celebration of New Ministry: Ted Thompson
9/25, Trinity, Swarthmore
Please join Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore for a celebration when the Rev. Dr. Edward E. B. Thompson will be formally installed as rector. More details.

Bishop's Office Hours
9/26, St. Luke's and the Epiphany
As part of Bishop GutiĆ©rrez’s pledge to serve the churches of the Diocese, he has made a commitment to have office hours in the deaneries. In addition, Canons from the Offices of the Diocese will accompany the Bishop. More details.

Upper Room
9/25, Radnor Memorial Library
The Upper Room is a mid-week community conversation open to all hosted by St. Martin’s Church, Radnor and Christ Church, Ithan. The next gathering will focus on “What is the most compelling vision of life that pulls me into my present and future moments?” More details.

Ladysitting Author Signing
9/29, St. Dunstan's
Author Lorene Cary will be reading from and discussing her recent, critically acclaimed book Ladysitting. "Thoroughly engaging . . . Cary invites readers into a complex extended family . . . [and] recounts a distinctly American story.” -NPR . More details.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
March 2020
Join Bishop Daniel GutiĆ©rrez on a pilgrimage through Israel and Palestine, retracing the footsteps of Jesus. Highlights include prayerful encounters in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, the Galilee, Nablus, and Emmaus, including several intimate Eucharists at key holy sites. More details.
Trunk or Treat
10/31, St. John's, Norristown
Join us at our new office on Halloween for trunk or treat. We fill the parking lot with mobile candy units. Organized by the diocesan deacons. Young and young at heart invited. If your church is willing to staff and man a car trunk for the event, contact us. We need 23 total.  More details.

More News/Notices
Diocesan Warehouse Open House
The warehouse (at St. Phillip's, 317 Oreland MIll Rd., Oreland 19075) will be open on 9/21 and 9/23 from 10 am to noon. All items (hymnals, prayer books, etc.) are free to parishes and diocesan organizations. Contact carl.knapp@verizon.net for registration and inventory list. The next Open House will be in November.
Please subscribe to this newsletter and other diocesan mailings here. Have an event that you want us to promote? Please fill this out.

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