"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11
Dear Beloved Friends,
In the wake of the horrifying scenes yesterday at the Capitol in Washington, DC, I am sure that you are, like me, still processing all that our nation is enduring in this unprecedented and stressful time. On the day that we celebrate and remember the Feast of the Epiphany, when Jesus was visited by the Magi, the wise strangers from the East, we are reminded of the surprising and ever-present love that God has given to us through Jesus Christ.
May we lift up in prayer our Nation, especially the vulnerable, and may we also pray for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the pandemic of fear and hatred.
A Prayer For Our Country
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy 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 into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy 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 thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
You may also read a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Gutierrez, posted on our website HERE. And, do check out Jonathan Stark's wonderful mid-day concerts, which we posted on the Days of Christmas HERE.
In Christ's Love,
The Rev. Peter M. Carey, Rector
St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Cathedral Road
434-242-6633
"Be always joyful; Pray continually; Give thanks whatever happens." -
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Begin to see your self as gift, love it as gift, from God's hand, and learn how the neighbor too is a gift, to himself or herself, and to you." -Rowan Williams