Prayer Time – Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
Please join me for Compline (Night Prayer) Mondays & Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. I will send you the text for this beautiful and brief service - Compline can be found in The Book of Common Prayer starting on page 127. You will be receiving a Zoom invitation the day before, feel free to use your computer/smartphone or telephone. Mo. Mary+
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Jesus Christ, the love that gives love,
You are higher than the highest star;
You are deeper than the deepest sea;
You cherish us as your own family;
You embrace us as your own spouse;
You rule over us as your own subjects;
You welcome us as your dearest friend.
Let all the world worship you.
Holy Spirit, the life that gives life.
You are the cause of all movement;
You are the breath of all creatures;
You are the salve that purifies our souls;
You are the ointment that heals our wounds;
You are the fire that warms our hearts;
You are the light that guides our feet.
Let all the world praise you.
O eternal God,
Turn us into the arms and hands,
The legs and feet
Of your beloved Son, Jesus.
You gave birth to him in heaven
Before the creation of the world.
You gave birth to us on earth,
To become his living body.
Make us worthy to share
In his eternal bliss.
- Hildegard of Bingen, 1179
Hildegard was born to a noble family. Experiencing visions in her childhood, she was raised by a recluse. A community, organized on Benedictine lines, gathered around them. Hildegard became their second Abbess. She carried on an influential correspondence, advising the Emperor Barbarossa, popes, kings, bishops, and saints on a variety of matters. She showed powers of scientific observation which were unusual for the time. Her most famous book was called Scivias, probably an abbreviation for ‘the science of life.’
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For the church, for the clergy and parishioners of our diocese, for Andrew, Allen, and Mary our bishops, and for our parish Zion Church
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Stephanie, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and for the safety and wellbeing of all Con Edison workers and fuel delivery workers, and the volunteers at the Food Pantry.
My friend Jamie has just received a plasma transfusion at Elmhurst Hospital – please say a prayer for him.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, John, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, our leaders, our nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
I know it is kind of silly, but this is my favorite Google Doodle - I also love the audacity and adventure of the Pony Express. Have fun!
155th Anniversary of the Pony Express - Google
A Question:
Does anyone have a favorite (and easy) recipe to share? I’m really getting sick of my own cooking! Mo. Mary
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Monday, April 27, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
**The following is the Gospel Reading and the brief reflection shared last Sunday, for those who could not attend Zion’s Zoom service.
The Gospel for The Third Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020
Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
**This is a brief reflection on the Gospel for The Third Sunday of Easter
“The Road to Emmaus” is a familiar and, for many of us, favorite story. Many of you know that I have long lamented that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described as outright laughing, but in this encounter on the Emmaus Road I seem to hear an echo of laughter. The scene is hilarious; here are disciples telling Jesus about all the things that had happened to him, and Jesus blandly inquires, “What things?” The disciples, Cleopas and his friend, begin with a factual description but soon add in their own disappointed hopes, “We had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel”. Jesus then takes them through a Bible Study (I would have loved to attend!), starting with Moses and all the prophetic history of Israel to show them, indeed, Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God. The disciples prevail upon Jesus to stop at an inn on the way and take a meal with them. In the course of the meal Jesus takes bread, blesses it and shares it with his friends and in that action they recognize Jesus. Jesus disappears and the two disciples run back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the community of believers.
Surely it is no accident that the four parts of the story – Jesus meeting them amid their journey, interpreting Scripture, giving thanks and breaking bread, and then departing again for witness – model so closely the ancient and dominant pattern of worship that includes gathering, Word, meal, and sending. It is a pattern we follow every Sunday. What’s poignant, of course, is that we will not physically experience this rhythm this week… or perhaps for many weeks.
As I have studied this passage from Luke and prayed for each of you every day, I have found potential in this passage for the raising and comforting of your spirits.
First, I am struck once again that Jesus meets the disciples on the road. This meeting is an actual promise that Jesus always meets us where we are, whether in celebration or mourning, whether in victory or defeat, whether in gladness or sorrow, whether in times of heath or sickness or even pandemic. We are on a journey and Jesus regularly shows up midway through the journey, while we’re still on the road, to encourage us, accept us, and embolden us.
Second, while we typically read the story of the meal that the disciples and Jesus share as representing the Eucharist, it occurs to me that’s not a necessary conclusion to reach. The Gospel of Luke records these same words to describe Jesus’ feeding of the multitude (9:16) . Jesus spends a lot of time eating with folks and with each account of a meal we come to know more about Jesus. Cleopas and his friend recognize Jesus in the action of blessing and breaking bread, something they had seen him do many times before.
I believe that this meal (and all of our meals, for that matter!) is sacramental – that is, holding the potential of the grace and presence of God – without necessarily being a sacrament – that is, containing the promise of Jesus that they will mediate grace (remembering that a Sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace” BCP p. 857). Our reading of the Emmaus story as prefiguring of the Eucharist has overshadowed the potential of everyday events, occurrences, and people to be powerful reminders and even mediators of God’s promises and presence. We have sacramental moments every day in the ordinary meals we share and the times we spend together. Bright moments of God’s love are with us in our daily living if can but learn to see them.
I invite you to see the meals you share at home, as well as alone, or the online fellowship you enjoy via social media, or the additional time you are spending with those closest to you (some of that time joyful and some requiring patience, forgiveness, and compassion) as sacramental moments, places where God is continuing to show up, reminding us that we are loved, promising to meet us where we are in our journey, and accompany us all along the way. Please share and claim these sacramental moments you have at home as you are sheltering-in-place, and know them for the gift they are. God continues to meet us in the ordinary, everyday parts of life, often where we least expect God to be, reminding us of the promise that we are the beloved children of God.
God bless and keep you always. Amen
Mother Mary+
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For the church, for the clergy and parishioners of our diocese, for Andrew, Allen, and Mary our bishops, and for our parish Zion Church
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Stephanie, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and for the safety and wellbeing of the staff of DeCicco’s Market, and volunteers at the Food Pantry
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, John, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
Hart Island on CBS Sunday Morning:
Bishop Mary Glasspool shared with the clergy of the diocese her involvement with The Hart Island Project. Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning, and there was a touching story about Hart Island (formerly Potter’s Field) and a project called The Hart Island Project.
Here is the link:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-citys-hart-island-an-overlooked-final-resting-place/
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The Hart Island Project:
Here is the link to The Hart Island Project: https://www.hartisland.net/
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Saturday, April 25, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. Mark
Almighty God, we thank you for the gospel of your Son Jesus Christ, committed to his church by the hand of your evangelist Saint Mark; and we pray that, being firmly grounded in its truth, we may be faithful to its teaching both in word and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tradition holds that Mark (sometimes called John Mark) was the young man who lost his clothes when Jesus was taken in the garden of Gethsemane (see Mark 14:51). It is also thought by many that the “upper room” where the Last Supper was held was in Mark’s parents’ home. Mark’s mother, whose name was Mary, was a follower of Jesus and a friend of the disciples.
The apostle Peter seems to have taken young Mark under his wing. Mark is listed by Paul as one of Peter’s followers in the early controversies in the Jerusalem Church. Mark was also a missionary companion to Paul and a lifelong friend of Barnabas. He was in Rome with Peter and Paul, but escaped the Neronian persecution. According to the historian Eusebius, he traveled to Egypt and founded the great Alexandrian Church there. Also, it is believed that he was martyred there by a mob of angry pagans.
Mark is generally regarded as the author of the second gospel, which bears his name. It is sometimes called the Gentile Gospel because it seems to be directed more toward a Gentile than a Jewish audience.
Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago, for the safety and wellbeing of the staff of DeCicco’s Market.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
- Wendell Berry
When I am in times of stress (like now) I tend to go back to the classics. There is something very comforting to me about a piece of literature, music, visual art, or dance that has stood the test of time, and perhaps has comforted others facing their own era of stress. I heard Patrick Stewart in an interview on Canadian broadcasting talking about reading “A Sonnet A Day” as a way of supporting people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I commend them to you for your own sense of beauty and peace of mind. Mary+
A Sonnet A Day by Sir Patrick Stewart - YouTube
www.youtube.com › playlist
www.youtube.com › playlist
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time –Friday, April 24, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
The Canticle of the Sun
O Most High, almighty, good Lord God! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Praise to my Lord, with all his creatures: and specially our brother the Sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light. Fair is he and shining with a very great splendor: O Lord, it is you that he signifies to us.
Praise to my Lord for our sister the Moon: and for the stars, which he has set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praise to my Lord for our brother the Wind: and for air and cloud, calms, and all weather, by which you uphold in life all creatures.
Praise to my Lord for our sister Water: who is very serviceable to us, and humble, and precious, and clean.
Praise to my Lord for our brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness: he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong.
Praise to my Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains and keeps us; and brings forth diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors, and herbs, and grass.
Praise to my Lord for all those who pardon one another for his love’s sake: and who endure weakness and tribulation. Blessed are those who peaceably shall endure; for you, O Most Highest, shall give them a crown.
Praise to my Lord for our sister Bodily Death from whose embrace no living person is deprived: blessed are those she finds doing your most holy will.
Praise and bless the Lord and give thanks to him and serve him with great humility. Alleluia, alleluia.
- Francis of Assisi, 1226
The new merchant classes were growing rich and powerful. Francis of Assisi belonged to a wealthy family, but rejected his father’s cloth business to embrace Lady Poverty. So many sought to follow his example that he formed them into a community of Little Brothers or Friars Minor. He told them to ‘Preach the gospel at all times; and if you must, use words.’ His introduction of live animals into the Christmas nativity display was an attempt to show that Christ was born among the poor. His preaching to the birds was a protest at the unwillingness of the rich to listen to him. He retreated to Mount Verna in Tuscany to meditate, and so intense was his identification with the crucified Jesus that wounds or “stigmata” appeared on his hands, feet, and side.
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago), for Rita and all pharmacy workers who remain working for us at this time.
For all the blessings in this life: for old friends who reach out from the past, for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, for those who make us smile, for Food Pantry volunteers, and for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
This comes to us from my brother, Don Grambsch, in the hopes of giving us a little laugh:
Church Ladies With Typewriters
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation
Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM Please use the back door.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
And this one just about sums them all up
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time –Thursday, April 23, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry has done a recording this week in his series “Habits of Grace.” Here is the link to the P.B.’s talk: https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace?wchannelid=u3mbmc7c0r&wvideoid=pfqkbw50i3
Here is a message of hope and support from Bishop Shin:
Bishop Allen K. Shin's Video Meditation for the Second Wednesday of Easter _________________________________________________________________
Today’s Prayer
Sit down alone and in silence. Lower your head, shut your eyes, breathe out gently and imagine yourself looking into your own heart. Carry your mind, i.e. your thoughts, from your head to your heart. As you breathe out, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.’ Say it moving your lips gently, or simply say it in your mind. Try to pull all other thoughts aside. Be calm, be patient, and repeat the process very frequently.
- Symeon the New Theologian, 1022 from The Philokalia
Symeon was groomed to become a civil servant of the Byzantine Emperors, but instead became a monk, and eventually abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas at Constantinople. He taught that through meditation we can be ‘deified’, or share in the Divine Essence through grace. He was given his title because he was thought of as second only to Gregory Nazianzus (329-89) among Byzantine teachers on prayer.
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago).
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
I have heard from Molly Rodriguez that several Dobbs Ferry restaurants have been supplying meals to the Food Pantry, which is really wonderful of them to do so.
From my friend Christina Hing:
Just sharing what my son who owns a small restaurant with other restaurant owners are doing during this COVID 19 Pandemic in NYC. I'm so proud of them. We are all in this together.
Namaste,
Christina
Here is the link:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fevgrieve.com%2F2020%2F04%2Fanonymous-east-village-restaurant.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C88fd290e53fc466f33ea08d7e3792a68%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637227981852598026&sdata=CsN4qFJPg8LyrL0GYvGa%2FPBO9T0%2BxGRCctOmln2z3p4%3D&reserved=0
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer:
For People Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to us
as we wait in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
- A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 747
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, Dr. Ammir & Mary, Glenda and her family, and for the staff at Stop and Shop, and Readers Hardware. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for a hopeful flattening of the curve, for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the support of neighbors, for the spring buds and birdsong.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, and Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
From Thom Thurston – going out to all you Hamilton fans out there…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCK_1ydMhiE
I was listening to the radio last night (almost always tuned to NPR) and heard an amazing program, offered by Minnesota Public Radio, called “On Being”. I have listened to “On Being” often (the host, Christa Tippet, and I were at Yale Divinity School together), however the guest this week was the amazing and brilliant Dr. Ellen Davis (who was my Old Testament professor at Yale). I strongly recommend you listen to this episode of “On Being”, and be prepared to have your heart and outlook changed about your gift of creatureliness.
I would love to know your thoughts and understandings gleaned from this show. Mary+
Wendell Berry and Ellen Davis — The Art of Being Creatures ...
onbeing.org › programs › wendell-berry-ellen-davis-th...
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Do you have a photo to share?: Did you take any photos of your COVID-19 lifestyle ( a funky hairstyle, perhaps)? Or anything of interest? Send them along (maybe as an attachment to an email) and we can share them with the parish. Send to: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
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Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Monday, April 20, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Prayer in Time of Isolation:
Celebrant: Almighty God: Our times are in your hand. We call upon you in this hour of our need, when we are lonely and must stand apart. Be our strength, O Sovereign Lord, our calm in the midst of raging seas, our refuge and our dwelling place. Sanctify to us this time drawn away from others, even as your Son, O Father, drew away to a lonely place for prayer. Deepen our need of you, O Lord, that every breath may be a whisper of the Spirit’s prompting, a renewed searching of the deep things of God. Stir up in us the great act of intercession, that we may spend our time apart in prayer for the world you created and sustain. Bless us in our turning toward you, and make us a blessing to those who stand in need of you, the whole fragile earth. All this we ask in the name of the great Physician, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, Ammir & Mary, and for the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department and EMTs. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the generosity of the women who gave me a mask when the elastic on mine broke, for the spring buds and birdsong. Happy Birthday to Scott McKenna!
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary,
Christ has risen from the tomb;
on the cross a suffering victim,
now as victor he is come.
Whom your tears in death were mourning,
welcome with your smiles returning.
Let your alleluias rise!
Raise your weary eyelids, Mary,
see him living evermore;
see his countenance how gracious,
see the wounds for you he bore.
All the glory of the morning
pales before those wounds redeeming.
Let your alleluias rise!
Life is yours forever, Mary,
for your light is come once more
and the strength of death is broken;
now your songs of joy outpour.
Ended now the night of sorrow,
love has brought the blessed morrow.
Let your alleluias rise!
- Latin; tr. Elizabeth Rundle Charles, 1896
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In the Good News Department:
We have heard from Nancy Walters, and she and Kevin and the family are doing well sheltering in place. Nancy sends her greeting to all her friends at Zion. She says, “I miss you all very much and can’t wait to see you face to face”
The Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has been posting weekly these little 4-5 minute “Habit of Grace” meditations. I find them to be a thoughtful and prayerful few minutes in my sometimes anxious day. I commend them to you.
As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new meditation will be posted on Mondays through May. These meditations can be watched at any time by clicking here.
If you are looking for something cultural to do, the Metropolitan Opera is still streaming Operas. During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to “brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark”. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.
https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Easter Friday, April 17, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Friday in Easter Week
Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away
the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always
serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
- Book of Common Prayer, p. 224
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Patty, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, and for the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department and EMTs. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the generosity of the women who gave me a mask when the elastic on mine broke, for the spring buds and birdsong.
For all who have died, especially for Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary,
Christ has risen from the tomb;
on the cross a suffering victim,
now as victor he is come.
Whom your tears in death were mourning,
welcome with your smiles returning.
Let your alleluias rise!
Raise your weary eyelids, Mary,
see him living evermore;
see his countenance how gracious,
see the wounds for you he bore.
All the glory of the morning
pales before those wounds redeeming.
Let your alleluias rise!
Life is yours forever, Mary,
for your light is come once more
and the strength of death is broken;
now your songs of joy outpour.
Ended now the night of sorrow,
love has brought the blessed morrow.
Let your alleluias rise!
- Latin; tr. Elizabeth Rundle Charles, 1896
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Here are some tips from some leading mental health experts about dealing with anxiety over COVID-19: https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/covid-19-anxiety/?utm_source=YaleToday&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=YT_Yale%20Today%20-%20Best%20of%20the%20Week%20-%20Alumni_3-21-2020
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Do you have a photo to share?: Did you take any photos of Easter flowers, cakes, the view outside your window, or your pets in high content at your being home? Send them along (maybe as an attachment to an email) and we can share them with the parish.
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Subject: Prayer time 4/15
Prayer Time – Easter Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer
Wednesday in Easter Week
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his
disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Song of the Redeemed Magna et mirabilia
Revelation 15:3-4
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
- Book of Common Prayer, p. 94
Prayers of the People:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Jamie, Patty, Kathryn, Kate, Shirley, Yoko, Tilda, Marrisa, Ed, Stephanie, Erika and her family, and all those who live in anguish and fear for their loved ones.
For all the blessings in this life: for the beauty of spring, for our families and good friends, for the wonderful bird songs we can hear now that our world is quieter, and for all who volunteer in food sharing ministries.
For all who have died, especially for, Christopher, Billy, and Kenneth, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The following is a meditation for this Wednesday in Easter Week from our very own, Bishop Mary Glasspool:
https://vimeo.com/407748831
In the Good News Department:
We have heard form Mary and Herbert Donovan. Mary writes. “We are both well — sheltering with daughter Jane and her husband in Denver. They are taking good care of us!” They both send their love and good wishes .
Mary Ford-Sussman contributed this moving poem to our community prayers
Kathleen O'Meara (1839–1888), pen name Grace Ramsay, was an Irish-French Catholic writer and biographer during the late Victorian era. She was the Paris correspondent of The Tablet, still a leading British Catholic magazine. This poem appeared in her second novel, “Iza's Story”, about the struggle of Polish patriots against Russian, Austrian and German occupation. The book compares the Polish-Russian situation to the Irish-British situation and praises the revolt of a small nation against a powerful neighbor.
And the people stayed home
and read books and listened
and rested and exercised
and made art and played
and learned new ways of being
and stopped
and listened deeper
someone meditated
someone prayed
someone danced
someone met their shadow
and people began to think differently
and people healed
and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways,
dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
even the earth began to heal
and when the danger ended
and people found each other
grieved for the dead people
and they made new choices
and dreamed of new visions
and created new ways of life
and healed the earth completely
just as they were healed themselves.
This was reprinted during the Spanish Flu Pandemic, 1919
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully, Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Easter Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Happy Easter!
The Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Our Presiding Bishop’s Easter Day Sermon:
I think that several of us were watching our own Bishop Dietsche at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Easter Day, however, our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry had a moving sermon that was aired at the Washington National Cathedral.
Here is a link to our PB’s Easter Day sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAOdPjSXC5s
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for:, Ed, Terri, Yoko, Matilda, Kenneth, and Rita,
For all the blessings in this life.
For all who have died, especially for Billy, John, and all of those who have died of COVID-19. We also pray for all those who mourn for friends and family members.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra:
Another moving part of the Easter Day services at the Washington National Cathedral was the Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra. The description is, “Combining nearly 800 submissions from more than 600 participants all around the world, we invite you to celebrate Easter with us as we come together in one voice to proclaim - The Strife is O'er, the battle won!”
Here is the link: https://episcopalchurch.org/virtual-choir?fbclid=IwAR2V_jnfS4RfHU1hQjnDMzVm52kHpZdpH6lMrl_wcmmoX0GPVtcfkFCUaZ4
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Renewal of our Baptismal Vows
Another thing we would have done if we were together at Zion would have been to renew our Baptismal vows. It is OK under these circumstances to read the words with your eyes and your mind, and renew them in your heart to begin this Easter Season.
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
(On Easter Sunday we renew our Baptismal vows in place of the Nicene Creed)
Priest Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Priest Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Priest Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People 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.
Priest Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People 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.
Priest Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal
life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
People Amen.
If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
By centuries old tradition, the evening before Easter Day new Christians are baptized and brought into “The Household of God”. The Great Vigil of Easter has been celebrated since the earliest years of the church and continues to this very day. The people gathered in candlelit darkness and heard once again the sweep of Salvation History from Genesis onwards – God’s action he world for the salvation of God’s people.
Tonight, to celebrate the Easter Vigil virtually go to St. Thomas 5th Avenue. Here is the description of that service:
The Great Vigil of Easter @ St. Thomas Fifth Avenue
Saturday, April 11, 2020
8:00 pm High Altar
This service was filmed on April 2, 2020, and includes The Lighting of the Paschal Candle, Vigil Readings, and Homilies by Fr. Spencer.
The Exultet
The Proclamation of the Resurrection (Sung to Plainsong, Solemn Tone.)
The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
The Flood
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac:
Genesis 22:1-18
Israel’s Deliverance from the Red Sea:
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
The Valley of Dry Bones:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Link to the Great Vigil of Easter @ St. Thomas: https://www.saintthomaschurch.org/events/the-great-vigil-first-eucharist-of-easter/
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for Jamie, Patty, Kathryn, Kate, Shirley, Kenneth, Yoko, Tilda, Merrisa, Ed, Stephany, and all those who live in anguish and fear for their loved ones.
For all the blessings in this life: Thanksgiving for Kristen, Matt, and baby Logan (who are all home now. Mom can hold baby with mask and gloves), gratitude for prayers from their Aunt Carolyn, for the beauty of spring, for our families and good friends, and for all who volunteer in food sharing ministries.
For all who have died: for Christopher, Billy, John, doctors and nurses caring for the ill, and especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
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(Shared with us by Liza Thomas)
How the Virus Stole Easter
By Kristi Bothur
With a nod to Dr. Seuss
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.
“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.
The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.
“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.
“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.
“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.
And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.
But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!
Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”
“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”
Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
And what happened then?
Well....the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.
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Ubi Caritas by the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir
(Latin)
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor
Exultemus, et in ipso iucundemur
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero
Amen.
(English)
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ’s love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Amen.
http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=49296
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Good Friday, April 10, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Good Friday
"Behind the most heinous of actions is a person who cannot know fully what they are doing or why. If they could, I think it would be otherwise. And from Jesus’ perspective on the cross, this person needs to be forgiven. What Jesus is up to on the cross is forgiveness, his arms opened wide for all, whether or not they ask for it, whether they be friend or neighbor or enemy." – Br. Nicholas Bartoli
Here is more information about Good Friday:
https://www.ssje.org/2014/04/18/school-of-prayer-good-friday/
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The Good Friday liturgy and Stations of the Cross are available from many sources – my favorites are The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Brothers of the society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE). They can be viewed all day, at any time.
www.ssje.org
https://www.stjohndivine.org/calendar/32308/12-pm-livestream-good-friday-liturgy
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Shirley, Kenneth, Jamie, Billy, Kathryn, Patty, and all those who are feeling lonely or desolate.
For all the blessings in this life.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Bishop Allen Shin offers a homily for Good Friday: https://vimeo.com/405539679
Bishop Mary Glasspool offers a homily for Maundy Thursday from St. James’ Church, Fordham, Bronx: https://vimeo.com/404544770
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Here are some resources for worship from various parishes that have the capacity to livestream.
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Monday - Friday: Online Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM and Online Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM
Wednesday, April 8 | 8:30 PM - Congregation Compline by Zoom with the Vicar
Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 PM - Congregation Online Gathering and Prayer Service
Friday, April 10 | 12:00 PM - Live-Stream Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
Trinity Church Wall Street
To stay in community and support one another during this time, we will continue to live-stream our daily service at 12:05 pm Monday-Friday and at 11:15am on Sundays
Click her for Trinity Church Wall Street
Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue
During Holy Week, Monday to Wednesday Shrine Prayers (intercessions) and Mass are live-cast. Video of the Maundy Thursday service will be available at 5:30pm on April 9.
An audio webcast of the Three Hours Devotion will be available on demand starting at from 12pm on Good Friday, April 10.
Video of the Great Vigil of Easter will be available at 8pm on April 11, and then on-demand.
The video of the Solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection will be available at 8am on April 12, and then on-demand. For more information about all webcasts, click here.
Click here for Saint Thomas Church
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St. Matthew's Passion:
J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is revered as one of the quintessential masterpieces of western classical music. Originallly premiered on Good Friday in 1727, The Passion According to St. Matthew BWV 244, is a dramatic integration of scripture, new poetry, and great hymns of the Lutheran tradition. Bach’s sublime setting creates a portrayal of the Passion that is both profoundly human and divine.
Performed by the Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra
Julian Wachner, conductor
https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/video/st-matthew-passion-0?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTldFNFlqVTJaREE1TXpNeiIsInQiOiI5dkdVZDIycnBkeGtvVzZZT045bFlOZmMyK01ycWxNMlFBNE1OSFRGd2hiQkV1MHUzaGdEMVwvczAzTnladGlCbjVvaEFMdElRUXJzaHpheHFSeGQ0a3k5STB5azNnYTFqUnN3c2ZsWHQzc2c2R1BBNFYyb2tcLzY5d2NRYUE1XC9kdSJ9
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Maundy Thursday
Today is Maundy Thursday. In years past we would gather in the Parish Hall and eat an ‘Agape Meal’, that is a “Love Feast”, together and share stories about the presence of God in our lives, sometimes in remarkable, unlooked for ways. I urge you sincerely, with all my heart, to keep looking for those flashes of love, the working of the Holy Spirit, happening still in the world. The cynicism, fear, uncertainty, and death of this time will not overwhelm the light of love shining in this darkened world. Isn’t this indeed the message of Easter? Please know that I pray for each of you by name (and for the particular concerns that you have shared with me) every day and I will continue to do so. I yearn for the time we may all meet again for worship and community time together.
Here is more information about Maundy Thursday: “It is part of the Triduum, or three holy days before Easter. It comes from the Latin ‘mandatum novum’, meaning "new commandment," from John 13:34. The ceremony of washing feet was also referred to as "the Maundy." Maundy Thursday celebrations also commemorate the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus "on the night he was betrayed." Egeria, a fourth-century pilgrim to Jerusalem, describes elaborate celebrations and observances in that city on Maundy Thursday. Special celebration of the institution of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday is attested by the Council of Hippo in 381. The Prayer Book liturgy for Maundy Thursday provides for celebration of the Eucharist and a ceremony of the washing of feet which follows the gospel and homily (BCP, pg. 274). There is also provision for the consecration of the bread and wine for administering Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament on Good Friday. Following this, the altar is stripped and all decorative furnishings are removed from the church. See Eucharist; see Foot Washing.” from "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians," Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.
Although there are several places you can spend Maundy Thursday. I invite you to watch it at our national cathedral. Thursday, April 9, 2020 | 7:00pm If you would like to join me, here is the link: https://cathedral.org/event/online-holy-eucharist-with-stripping-of-the-altar/
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Joanne, Kristen, Matthew, and baby Logan, Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Billy, Jamie, Kathryn, and Ronny.
For all the blessings in this life: For the wonderful noises we make at 7 pm every night as a tribute to our first responders, for the beauty of spring around us, for our animal friends who give us so much comfort, and for our Zion community.
For all who have died: for Christopher, Frank, John Prine, and all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
This is a recorded meditation for Holy Week from Bishop Shin: https://vimeo.com/404379325
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Here are some resources for worship from various parishes that have the capacity to live stream. I think that these links will still work by sending them to you via email. If they do not, then just Google the particular parish for further information.
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Monday - Friday: Online Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM and Online Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM
Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 PM - Congregation Online Gathering and Prayer Service
Friday, April 10 | 12:00 PM - Live-Stream Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
Grace Church in NYC
Worship services are streaming
each Sunday at 11 am, and are also being recorded and made available for later viewing on-demand. There will be a special streamed service for Good Friday, April 10, from 12 to 3 pm - The Three Hours' Devotion: The Seven Last Words of Christ. All found here.
Click here for Grace Church
St. Bart's
We are streaming the 11 o'clock Eucharist each Sunday (organ prelude at 10:50 am). We are also streaming the 10 am Sunday Forum. Services are also being recorded and made available for later viewing on-demand on St. Bart's Facebook page.
Go to the "Worship" tab at the top of the church's homepage to see what services are being offered online.
Click here for St. Bart's
Click here for Replays on St. Bart's Facebook page
St. John's in the Village
Each Sunday we Live-stream Sunday Eucharists at 8.30am (said) and 11am (sung)
and daily Morning Prayer at 8am (said) and Evensong at 6.15pm (sung)
and also the Holy Week liturgies of
Maundy Thursday 6.15pm, and
Good Friday 12.30pm,
Holy Saturday (8pm) and
Easter Sunday 8.30am and 11am.
All are streamed on YouTube
Click here for St. John's in the Village
Trinity Church Wall Street
To stay in community and support one another during this time, we will continue to live-stream our daily service at 12:05 pm Monday-Friday and at 11:15am on Sundays
Click her for Trinity Church Wall Street
Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue
During Holy Week, Monday to Wednesday Shrine Prayers (intercessions) and Mass are live-cast. Video of the Maundy Thursday service will be available at 5:30pm on April 9.
An audio webcast of the Three Hours Devotion will be available on demand starting at from 12pm on Good Friday, April 10.
Video of the Great Vigil of Easter will be available at 8pm on April 11, and then on-demand.
The video of the Solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection will be available at 8am on April 12, and then on-demand. For more information about all webcasts, click here.
Click here for Saint Thomas Church
General Theological Seminary (GTS)
Join GTS for Evening Prayer in Chapel of the Good Shepherd, each evening at 5:30, Monday-Thursday. GTS is also recording the service for later viewing on-demand.
Click here for GTS
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Scripture Thought for Today:
“For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (our cathedral) is becoming a temporary hospital. I think all of us have been to St. John the Divine. During this crisis in our physical and psychological lives. We can all think of this as a beautiful testimony to our spiritual lives, for The Cathedral’s motto is taken from the words of Isaiah, “For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.
“Patients are expected to arrive at the cathedral field hospital by the end of this week or early next week, said James Patterson, its director of facilities and capital projects. He said roughly 400 beds were delivered to the cathedral last week and three tents sat in crates on a loading dock on Monday.” NY Times, April 7, 2020.
We can all thank Dean Daniels and the Cathedral staff and volunteers for their open hearted and open handed generosity for this gift of life giving sanctuaryto any who suffer. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.
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Here is a link to the article about The Cathedral of St. John the Divine becoming a field hospital from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/nyregion/cathedral-st-john-the-divine-coronavirus-field-hospital.html
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Matilda, Marrisa, Kathryn (mo. Mary’s sister), Yoko, Shirley, Stephanie, Kenneth, and John.
For all the blessings in this life. for the safe birth of Logan Anthony Minelli, our families and good friends, the promise of spring, and the ministry of our Cathedral.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Here is a Holy Week reflection from our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry. He starts the reflection with this, “There is a prayer that begins the Good Friday liturgy that may be perfect for this time. It's found on page 276 in the prayer book and it prays, "Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross. Who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen." That may well be a prayer for us this Holy Week.”
You can watch the Presiding Bishop’s reflection at this link: https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/habits-grace-april-6-2020-invitation-you-presiding-bishop-curry
Something for fun – Very imaginative Anglican Chanting!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=fRsOq-SBosg ___________________________________________________________________
If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at marygrambsch@earthlik.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
--
Prayer Time – Monday, April 6, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Collect Prayer :
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The following is a reflection by Bishop Mary Glasspool for this Monday in Holy Week: https://www.dioceseny.org/
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WONDERFUL NEWS!
(Kristen and Matthew has been on our prayer list, as has Carolyn)
Janet McKenna Reports:
“Kristen and Matthew’s baby was born today. Mom and baby doing ok! Dad tested negative so he is allowed to hold and bond with the baby.
Aunt Carolyn reported to Janet:.
“Logan Anthony Minelli was born today. 7lbs 3 oz. Mom and baby ok. She has virus so can’t hold baby☹ Father was tested twice and is negative. Not sure what happens next. Thank you for the prayers. Keep em coming!”
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Kate, Eva, Shirley, Kenneth, (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings in this life: for the safe birth of Logan Anthony Minelli, our families and good friends, the promise of spring, and the self- giving of so many.
For all who have died: for Frank, and especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Virtual worship at the Washington National Cathedral, and Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s Sermon based upon the Serenity Prayer is wonderful and timely. If you missed it, here she is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz8ytK0iuxM
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Friday, April 3, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Reflection:
God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient Church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise:
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days.
Many of you will find these words familiar as they are from one of the most popular hymns in the 1982 Hymnal (#594). I have found myself singing this hymn as I go about my day, especially the last two lines of the first verse, “grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days”. We do need both wisdom and courage in these days of pandemic, uncertainty, and fear. We are called upon to remember that we are the People of God, the disciples of Jesus Christ, and the wisdom of love and compassion, and the courage to live it in the world, in our own individual ways, is our deepest identity and calling. Keeping faith with God and the identity God gives us is in “the facing of this hour” and “the living of these days”; how we love, how we show compassion, how we are courageous, above all, how we pray, are all part of how we are the People of God, despite illness, fear, and death. May God give us all the strength, wisdom, and courage for the living of these days.
Mother Mary+
If you would like to sing along, please follow the link or put “God of Grace and God of Glory” in your search engine, and warm up your vocal chords!
God of Grace and God of Glory - CWM RHONDDA - YouTube
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & his Kristen (his7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19), Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Anne, Paul, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family, loving friends, the Zion community, for all those making masks at home (especially Yoko), and for the beauty of spring.
For all who have died, especially Joseph and all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
A friend in Italy shared this video with me (from YouTube), and I thought I would pass it along. This singer does very well with “Nessun dorma” from the opera “Turandot” (I especially liked how he picked up his child at the end of the video, although the kid obviously thought his voice was a bit loud!). The singer most associated with this aria is, of course, the great Luciano Pavarotti. Enjoy! Mary+
Italian Opera Singer Serenades Quarantined Florence Amidst ...
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+
Daily Prayer – Thursday, April 2, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer:
The Lord be with you.//Let us pray:
Lord, thou art in me and shalt never be lost out of me, but I am not near thee till I have found thee. Nowhere need I run to seek thee, but within me where already thou art. Thou art the treasure hidden within me: draw me therefore to thee that I may find thee and serve and possess thee for ever.
- Walter Hilton, 1396
Walter Hilton studied at the University of Cambridge before becoming a hermit and later joined the Augustinians at Thurgarton Priory, where he remained for the rest of his life. His major work was The Scale [or Ladder] of Perfection, written separately in two books. The first teaches the means by which a soul may advance toward perfection by destroying the image of sin and forming the image of Christ through the practice of virtue. The second distinguishes between the active, ascetic life and the contemplative, mystical life and describes the early stages of mystical contemplation, apparently from Hilton’s own experience. Because of its sober and methodical character, The Scale became and remained a popular devotional classic through the 15th and early 16th centuries and is regarded as the finest treatise on contemplation written in the late European Middle Ages.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & Kristen (his 7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19), Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Rita’s cousin, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family and good friends,for our Zion community, for all those “good Samaritans” who reach out to help others, for Yoko and others who are making face masks at home to share out, for sunny days and the budding of spring.
For those celebrating birthdays in April: Scott McKenna (04/20), and Bill Ford-Sussman (04/26)
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
The Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) is a monastic foundation of Episcopal/Anglican monks in Cambridge, MA. SSJE has provided many spiritual resources over the years, some of which we have used at Zion. Among their many offerings is one that I am currently using myself – Ways to Pray. Morning and Evening Prayer along with a short homily on a form of prayer (petition, intercession, thanksgiving, etc.). There are seven forms of prayer. This is a wonderful way to spend a week, perhaps even Holy Week.
Here is the link to the SSJE website:
www.ssje.org › ways-to-pray
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer:
The Lord be with you.//Let us pray:
I cannot dance, O Lord,
Unless You lead me.
If You wish me to leap joyfully,
Let me see You dance and sing--
Then I will leap into Love--
And from Love into Knowledge,
And from Knowledge into the Harvest,
That sweetest Fruit beyond human sense.
There I will stay with you, whirling.
- Mechthild of Madgeburg, 1282
Mechthild of Madgeburg was a thirteenth century German mystic. In 1235 she became part of a community of Beguines. Jane Hirshfield describes the Beguine movement this way in her book Women in Praise of the Sacred: "When, in the twelfth century, the Catholic Church refused to open new convents to house any additional women....laywomen with a genuine vocation for religious life banded together to create their own forms of practice...The women who entered these communities took no formal vows, and had no official connection to the Church, but for the duration of their stay they observed the rules of chastity and poverty and the practice of charitable work." In that community she wrote her mystical work The Flowing Light of the Godhead. Eventually, she took formal vows at the convent of Helfta.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & his 7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19, Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family, understanding friends, the re-discovery of crafting pleasures, meaningful work, and the beauty of spring.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The Morgan Library is offering some of their interesting talks from the past few years. Here is one that caught my eye recently:
The Monstrous Other in Medieval Art
From the Morgan Library and Museum
Co-curators of the exhibition Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders, Sherry C.M. Lindquist, Associate Professor, Western Illinois University and Asa Simon Mittman, Professor, California State University, Chico, will discuss the ways that medieval artists and writers demonized cultural outsiders, transforming religious and racial others into monsters, framing poverty and impairment as sin, and characterizing women as inherently deviant and dangerous. Focusing on medieval manuscripts illuminates the ways that these pernicious strategies are still in use today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOk43No02Es
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
Please join me for Compline (Night Prayer) Mondays & Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. I will send you the text for this beautiful and brief service - Compline can be found in The Book of Common Prayer starting on page 127. You will be receiving a Zoom invitation the day before, feel free to use your computer/smartphone or telephone. Mo. Mary+
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Jesus Christ, the love that gives love,
You are higher than the highest star;
You are deeper than the deepest sea;
You cherish us as your own family;
You embrace us as your own spouse;
You rule over us as your own subjects;
You welcome us as your dearest friend.
Let all the world worship you.
Holy Spirit, the life that gives life.
You are the cause of all movement;
You are the breath of all creatures;
You are the salve that purifies our souls;
You are the ointment that heals our wounds;
You are the fire that warms our hearts;
You are the light that guides our feet.
Let all the world praise you.
O eternal God,
Turn us into the arms and hands,
The legs and feet
Of your beloved Son, Jesus.
You gave birth to him in heaven
Before the creation of the world.
You gave birth to us on earth,
To become his living body.
Make us worthy to share
In his eternal bliss.
- Hildegard of Bingen, 1179
Hildegard was born to a noble family. Experiencing visions in her childhood, she was raised by a recluse. A community, organized on Benedictine lines, gathered around them. Hildegard became their second Abbess. She carried on an influential correspondence, advising the Emperor Barbarossa, popes, kings, bishops, and saints on a variety of matters. She showed powers of scientific observation which were unusual for the time. Her most famous book was called Scivias, probably an abbreviation for ‘the science of life.’
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For the church, for the clergy and parishioners of our diocese, for Andrew, Allen, and Mary our bishops, and for our parish Zion Church
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Stephanie, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and for the safety and wellbeing of all Con Edison workers and fuel delivery workers, and the volunteers at the Food Pantry.
My friend Jamie has just received a plasma transfusion at Elmhurst Hospital – please say a prayer for him.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, John, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, our leaders, our nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
I know it is kind of silly, but this is my favorite Google Doodle - I also love the audacity and adventure of the Pony Express. Have fun!
155th Anniversary of the Pony Express - Google
A Question:
Does anyone have a favorite (and easy) recipe to share? I’m really getting sick of my own cooking! Mo. Mary
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Monday, April 27, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
**The following is the Gospel Reading and the brief reflection shared last Sunday, for those who could not attend Zion’s Zoom service.
The Gospel for The Third Sunday of Easter April 26, 2020
Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
**This is a brief reflection on the Gospel for The Third Sunday of Easter
“The Road to Emmaus” is a familiar and, for many of us, favorite story. Many of you know that I have long lamented that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described as outright laughing, but in this encounter on the Emmaus Road I seem to hear an echo of laughter. The scene is hilarious; here are disciples telling Jesus about all the things that had happened to him, and Jesus blandly inquires, “What things?” The disciples, Cleopas and his friend, begin with a factual description but soon add in their own disappointed hopes, “We had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel”. Jesus then takes them through a Bible Study (I would have loved to attend!), starting with Moses and all the prophetic history of Israel to show them, indeed, Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God. The disciples prevail upon Jesus to stop at an inn on the way and take a meal with them. In the course of the meal Jesus takes bread, blesses it and shares it with his friends and in that action they recognize Jesus. Jesus disappears and the two disciples run back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the community of believers.
Surely it is no accident that the four parts of the story – Jesus meeting them amid their journey, interpreting Scripture, giving thanks and breaking bread, and then departing again for witness – model so closely the ancient and dominant pattern of worship that includes gathering, Word, meal, and sending. It is a pattern we follow every Sunday. What’s poignant, of course, is that we will not physically experience this rhythm this week… or perhaps for many weeks.
As I have studied this passage from Luke and prayed for each of you every day, I have found potential in this passage for the raising and comforting of your spirits.
First, I am struck once again that Jesus meets the disciples on the road. This meeting is an actual promise that Jesus always meets us where we are, whether in celebration or mourning, whether in victory or defeat, whether in gladness or sorrow, whether in times of heath or sickness or even pandemic. We are on a journey and Jesus regularly shows up midway through the journey, while we’re still on the road, to encourage us, accept us, and embolden us.
Second, while we typically read the story of the meal that the disciples and Jesus share as representing the Eucharist, it occurs to me that’s not a necessary conclusion to reach. The Gospel of Luke records these same words to describe Jesus’ feeding of the multitude (9:16) . Jesus spends a lot of time eating with folks and with each account of a meal we come to know more about Jesus. Cleopas and his friend recognize Jesus in the action of blessing and breaking bread, something they had seen him do many times before.
I believe that this meal (and all of our meals, for that matter!) is sacramental – that is, holding the potential of the grace and presence of God – without necessarily being a sacrament – that is, containing the promise of Jesus that they will mediate grace (remembering that a Sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace” BCP p. 857). Our reading of the Emmaus story as prefiguring of the Eucharist has overshadowed the potential of everyday events, occurrences, and people to be powerful reminders and even mediators of God’s promises and presence. We have sacramental moments every day in the ordinary meals we share and the times we spend together. Bright moments of God’s love are with us in our daily living if can but learn to see them.
I invite you to see the meals you share at home, as well as alone, or the online fellowship you enjoy via social media, or the additional time you are spending with those closest to you (some of that time joyful and some requiring patience, forgiveness, and compassion) as sacramental moments, places where God is continuing to show up, reminding us that we are loved, promising to meet us where we are in our journey, and accompany us all along the way. Please share and claim these sacramental moments you have at home as you are sheltering-in-place, and know them for the gift they are. God continues to meet us in the ordinary, everyday parts of life, often where we least expect God to be, reminding us of the promise that we are the beloved children of God.
God bless and keep you always. Amen
Mother Mary+
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For the church, for the clergy and parishioners of our diocese, for Andrew, Allen, and Mary our bishops, and for our parish Zion Church
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Stephanie, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and for the safety and wellbeing of the staff of DeCicco’s Market, and volunteers at the Food Pantry
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, John, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
Hart Island on CBS Sunday Morning:
Bishop Mary Glasspool shared with the clergy of the diocese her involvement with The Hart Island Project. Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning, and there was a touching story about Hart Island (formerly Potter’s Field) and a project called The Hart Island Project.
Here is the link:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-citys-hart-island-an-overlooked-final-resting-place/
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The Hart Island Project:
Here is the link to The Hart Island Project: https://www.hartisland.net/
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Saturday, April 25, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. Mark
Almighty God, we thank you for the gospel of your Son Jesus Christ, committed to his church by the hand of your evangelist Saint Mark; and we pray that, being firmly grounded in its truth, we may be faithful to its teaching both in word and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tradition holds that Mark (sometimes called John Mark) was the young man who lost his clothes when Jesus was taken in the garden of Gethsemane (see Mark 14:51). It is also thought by many that the “upper room” where the Last Supper was held was in Mark’s parents’ home. Mark’s mother, whose name was Mary, was a follower of Jesus and a friend of the disciples.
The apostle Peter seems to have taken young Mark under his wing. Mark is listed by Paul as one of Peter’s followers in the early controversies in the Jerusalem Church. Mark was also a missionary companion to Paul and a lifelong friend of Barnabas. He was in Rome with Peter and Paul, but escaped the Neronian persecution. According to the historian Eusebius, he traveled to Egypt and founded the great Alexandrian Church there. Also, it is believed that he was martyred there by a mob of angry pagans.
Mark is generally regarded as the author of the second gospel, which bears his name. It is sometimes called the Gentile Gospel because it seems to be directed more toward a Gentile than a Jewish audience.
Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago, for the safety and wellbeing of the staff of DeCicco’s Market.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________
Things to share:
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
- Wendell Berry
When I am in times of stress (like now) I tend to go back to the classics. There is something very comforting to me about a piece of literature, music, visual art, or dance that has stood the test of time, and perhaps has comforted others facing their own era of stress. I heard Patrick Stewart in an interview on Canadian broadcasting talking about reading “A Sonnet A Day” as a way of supporting people in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I commend them to you for your own sense of beauty and peace of mind. Mary+
A Sonnet A Day by Sir Patrick Stewart - YouTube
www.youtube.com › playlist
www.youtube.com › playlist
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time –Friday, April 24, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
The Canticle of the Sun
O Most High, almighty, good Lord God! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Praise to my Lord, with all his creatures: and specially our brother the Sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light. Fair is he and shining with a very great splendor: O Lord, it is you that he signifies to us.
Praise to my Lord for our sister the Moon: and for the stars, which he has set clear and lovely in heaven.
Praise to my Lord for our brother the Wind: and for air and cloud, calms, and all weather, by which you uphold in life all creatures.
Praise to my Lord for our sister Water: who is very serviceable to us, and humble, and precious, and clean.
Praise to my Lord for our brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness: he is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong.
Praise to my Lord for our mother the Earth, which sustains and keeps us; and brings forth diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors, and herbs, and grass.
Praise to my Lord for all those who pardon one another for his love’s sake: and who endure weakness and tribulation. Blessed are those who peaceably shall endure; for you, O Most Highest, shall give them a crown.
Praise to my Lord for our sister Bodily Death from whose embrace no living person is deprived: blessed are those she finds doing your most holy will.
Praise and bless the Lord and give thanks to him and serve him with great humility. Alleluia, alleluia.
- Francis of Assisi, 1226
The new merchant classes were growing rich and powerful. Francis of Assisi belonged to a wealthy family, but rejected his father’s cloth business to embrace Lady Poverty. So many sought to follow his example that he formed them into a community of Little Brothers or Friars Minor. He told them to ‘Preach the gospel at all times; and if you must, use words.’ His introduction of live animals into the Christmas nativity display was an attempt to show that Christ was born among the poor. His preaching to the birds was a protest at the unwillingness of the rich to listen to him. He retreated to Mount Verna in Tuscany to meditate, and so intense was his identification with the crucified Jesus that wounds or “stigmata” appeared on his hands, feet, and side.
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago), for Rita and all pharmacy workers who remain working for us at this time.
For all the blessings in this life: for old friends who reach out from the past, for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, for those who make us smile, for Food Pantry volunteers, and for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________
Things to share:
This comes to us from my brother, Don Grambsch, in the hopes of giving us a little laugh:
Church Ladies With Typewriters
They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation
Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM Please use the back door.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
And this one just about sums them all up
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time –Thursday, April 23, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry has done a recording this week in his series “Habits of Grace.” Here is the link to the P.B.’s talk: https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace?wchannelid=u3mbmc7c0r&wvideoid=pfqkbw50i3
Here is a message of hope and support from Bishop Shin:
Bishop Allen K. Shin's Video Meditation for the Second Wednesday of Easter _________________________________________________________________
Today’s Prayer
Sit down alone and in silence. Lower your head, shut your eyes, breathe out gently and imagine yourself looking into your own heart. Carry your mind, i.e. your thoughts, from your head to your heart. As you breathe out, say, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.’ Say it moving your lips gently, or simply say it in your mind. Try to pull all other thoughts aside. Be calm, be patient, and repeat the process very frequently.
- Symeon the New Theologian, 1022 from The Philokalia
Symeon was groomed to become a civil servant of the Byzantine Emperors, but instead became a monk, and eventually abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas at Constantinople. He taught that through meditation we can be ‘deified’, or share in the Divine Essence through grace. He was given his title because he was thought of as second only to Gregory Nazianzus (329-89) among Byzantine teachers on prayer.
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Prayers of the People
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Dr. Ammir & Mary, and Marianne (a staff member at Stop and Shop whose mother died a few days ago).
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for these amazing spring days.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Molly, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________
Things to share:
I have heard from Molly Rodriguez that several Dobbs Ferry restaurants have been supplying meals to the Food Pantry, which is really wonderful of them to do so.
From my friend Christina Hing:
Just sharing what my son who owns a small restaurant with other restaurant owners are doing during this COVID 19 Pandemic in NYC. I'm so proud of them. We are all in this together.
Namaste,
Christina
Here is the link:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fevgrieve.com%2F2020%2F04%2Fanonymous-east-village-restaurant.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C88fd290e53fc466f33ea08d7e3792a68%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637227981852598026&sdata=CsN4qFJPg8LyrL0GYvGa%2FPBO9T0%2BxGRCctOmln2z3p4%3D&reserved=0
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer:
For People Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to us
as we wait in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
- A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 747
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, Dr. Ammir & Mary, Glenda and her family, and for the staff at Stop and Shop, and Readers Hardware. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for a hopeful flattening of the curve, for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the support of neighbors, for the spring buds and birdsong.
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, and Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
_________________________________________________________
Things to share:
From Thom Thurston – going out to all you Hamilton fans out there…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCK_1ydMhiE
I was listening to the radio last night (almost always tuned to NPR) and heard an amazing program, offered by Minnesota Public Radio, called “On Being”. I have listened to “On Being” often (the host, Christa Tippet, and I were at Yale Divinity School together), however the guest this week was the amazing and brilliant Dr. Ellen Davis (who was my Old Testament professor at Yale). I strongly recommend you listen to this episode of “On Being”, and be prepared to have your heart and outlook changed about your gift of creatureliness.
I would love to know your thoughts and understandings gleaned from this show. Mary+
Wendell Berry and Ellen Davis — The Art of Being Creatures ...
onbeing.org › programs › wendell-berry-ellen-davis-th...
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Do you have a photo to share?: Did you take any photos of your COVID-19 lifestyle ( a funky hairstyle, perhaps)? Or anything of interest? Send them along (maybe as an attachment to an email) and we can share them with the parish. Send to: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
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Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Monday, April 20, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Prayer in Time of Isolation:
Celebrant: Almighty God: Our times are in your hand. We call upon you in this hour of our need, when we are lonely and must stand apart. Be our strength, O Sovereign Lord, our calm in the midst of raging seas, our refuge and our dwelling place. Sanctify to us this time drawn away from others, even as your Son, O Father, drew away to a lonely place for prayer. Deepen our need of you, O Lord, that every breath may be a whisper of the Spirit’s prompting, a renewed searching of the deep things of God. Stir up in us the great act of intercession, that we may spend our time apart in prayer for the world you created and sustain. Bless us in our turning toward you, and make us a blessing to those who stand in need of you, the whole fragile earth. All this we ask in the name of the great Physician, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, Ammir & Mary, and for the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department and EMTs. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the generosity of the women who gave me a mask when the elastic on mine broke, for the spring buds and birdsong. Happy Birthday to Scott McKenna!
For all who have died, especially for Ellen, Laurie, Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary,
Christ has risen from the tomb;
on the cross a suffering victim,
now as victor he is come.
Whom your tears in death were mourning,
welcome with your smiles returning.
Let your alleluias rise!
Raise your weary eyelids, Mary,
see him living evermore;
see his countenance how gracious,
see the wounds for you he bore.
All the glory of the morning
pales before those wounds redeeming.
Let your alleluias rise!
Life is yours forever, Mary,
for your light is come once more
and the strength of death is broken;
now your songs of joy outpour.
Ended now the night of sorrow,
love has brought the blessed morrow.
Let your alleluias rise!
- Latin; tr. Elizabeth Rundle Charles, 1896
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In the Good News Department:
We have heard from Nancy Walters, and she and Kevin and the family are doing well sheltering in place. Nancy sends her greeting to all her friends at Zion. She says, “I miss you all very much and can’t wait to see you face to face”
The Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has been posting weekly these little 4-5 minute “Habit of Grace” meditations. I find them to be a thoughtful and prayerful few minutes in my sometimes anxious day. I commend them to you.
As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new meditation will be posted on Mondays through May. These meditations can be watched at any time by clicking here.
If you are looking for something cultural to do, the Metropolitan Opera is still streaming Operas. During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to “brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark”. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.
https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Easter Friday, April 17, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Friday in Easter Week
Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away
the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always
serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
- Book of Common Prayer, p. 224
Today, let us pray:
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Winifred, Patty, Kathryn, Shirley, Eva, and for the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department and EMTs. We pray especially for the parish of St. Joseph of Arimathea (on Saw Mill River Road) whose Sr. Warden has died of COVID-19.
For all the blessings in this life: for homes to shelter in, family to shelter with, good friends, for the generosity of the women who gave me a mask when the elastic on mine broke, for the spring buds and birdsong.
For all who have died, especially for Kenneth, Clive, Christopher, Billy, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary
Lift your voice rejoicing, Mary,
Christ has risen from the tomb;
on the cross a suffering victim,
now as victor he is come.
Whom your tears in death were mourning,
welcome with your smiles returning.
Let your alleluias rise!
Raise your weary eyelids, Mary,
see him living evermore;
see his countenance how gracious,
see the wounds for you he bore.
All the glory of the morning
pales before those wounds redeeming.
Let your alleluias rise!
Life is yours forever, Mary,
for your light is come once more
and the strength of death is broken;
now your songs of joy outpour.
Ended now the night of sorrow,
love has brought the blessed morrow.
Let your alleluias rise!
- Latin; tr. Elizabeth Rundle Charles, 1896
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Here are some tips from some leading mental health experts about dealing with anxiety over COVID-19: https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/covid-19-anxiety/?utm_source=YaleToday&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=YT_Yale%20Today%20-%20Best%20of%20the%20Week%20-%20Alumni_3-21-2020
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Do you have a photo to share?: Did you take any photos of Easter flowers, cakes, the view outside your window, or your pets in high content at your being home? Send them along (maybe as an attachment to an email) and we can share them with the parish.
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Subject: Prayer time 4/15
Prayer Time – Easter Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer
Wednesday in Easter Week
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his
disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Song of the Redeemed Magna et mirabilia
Revelation 15:3-4
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
- Book of Common Prayer, p. 94
Prayers of the People:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Jamie, Patty, Kathryn, Kate, Shirley, Yoko, Tilda, Marrisa, Ed, Stephanie, Erika and her family, and all those who live in anguish and fear for their loved ones.
For all the blessings in this life: for the beauty of spring, for our families and good friends, for the wonderful bird songs we can hear now that our world is quieter, and for all who volunteer in food sharing ministries.
For all who have died, especially for, Christopher, Billy, and Kenneth, as well as all of those who have died of COVID-19, or any disease.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The following is a meditation for this Wednesday in Easter Week from our very own, Bishop Mary Glasspool:
https://vimeo.com/407748831
In the Good News Department:
We have heard form Mary and Herbert Donovan. Mary writes. “We are both well — sheltering with daughter Jane and her husband in Denver. They are taking good care of us!” They both send their love and good wishes .
Mary Ford-Sussman contributed this moving poem to our community prayers
Kathleen O'Meara (1839–1888), pen name Grace Ramsay, was an Irish-French Catholic writer and biographer during the late Victorian era. She was the Paris correspondent of The Tablet, still a leading British Catholic magazine. This poem appeared in her second novel, “Iza's Story”, about the struggle of Polish patriots against Russian, Austrian and German occupation. The book compares the Polish-Russian situation to the Irish-British situation and praises the revolt of a small nation against a powerful neighbor.
And the people stayed home
and read books and listened
and rested and exercised
and made art and played
and learned new ways of being
and stopped
and listened deeper
someone meditated
someone prayed
someone danced
someone met their shadow
and people began to think differently
and people healed
and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways,
dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
even the earth began to heal
and when the danger ended
and people found each other
grieved for the dead people
and they made new choices
and dreamed of new visions
and created new ways of life
and healed the earth completely
just as they were healed themselves.
This was reprinted during the Spanish Flu Pandemic, 1919
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully, Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Easter Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Happy Easter!
The Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Our Presiding Bishop’s Easter Day Sermon:
I think that several of us were watching our own Bishop Dietsche at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Easter Day, however, our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry had a moving sermon that was aired at the Washington National Cathedral.
Here is a link to our PB’s Easter Day sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAOdPjSXC5s
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for:, Ed, Terri, Yoko, Matilda, Kenneth, and Rita,
For all the blessings in this life.
For all who have died, especially for Billy, John, and all of those who have died of COVID-19. We also pray for all those who mourn for friends and family members.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
_________________________________________________
Things to share:
The Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra:
Another moving part of the Easter Day services at the Washington National Cathedral was the Episcopal Church Virtual Choir and Orchestra. The description is, “Combining nearly 800 submissions from more than 600 participants all around the world, we invite you to celebrate Easter with us as we come together in one voice to proclaim - The Strife is O'er, the battle won!”
Here is the link: https://episcopalchurch.org/virtual-choir?fbclid=IwAR2V_jnfS4RfHU1hQjnDMzVm52kHpZdpH6lMrl_wcmmoX0GPVtcfkFCUaZ4
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Renewal of our Baptismal Vows
Another thing we would have done if we were together at Zion would have been to renew our Baptismal vows. It is OK under these circumstances to read the words with your eyes and your mind, and renew them in your heart to begin this Easter Season.
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
(On Easter Sunday we renew our Baptismal vows in place of the Nicene Creed)
Priest Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Priest Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Priest Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People 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.
Priest Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People 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.
Priest Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Priest May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal
life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
People Amen.
If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
By centuries old tradition, the evening before Easter Day new Christians are baptized and brought into “The Household of God”. The Great Vigil of Easter has been celebrated since the earliest years of the church and continues to this very day. The people gathered in candlelit darkness and heard once again the sweep of Salvation History from Genesis onwards – God’s action he world for the salvation of God’s people.
Tonight, to celebrate the Easter Vigil virtually go to St. Thomas 5th Avenue. Here is the description of that service:
The Great Vigil of Easter @ St. Thomas Fifth Avenue
Saturday, April 11, 2020
8:00 pm High Altar
This service was filmed on April 2, 2020, and includes The Lighting of the Paschal Candle, Vigil Readings, and Homilies by Fr. Spencer.
The Exultet
The Proclamation of the Resurrection (Sung to Plainsong, Solemn Tone.)
The Story of Creation
Genesis 1:1—2:4a
The Flood
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac:
Genesis 22:1-18
Israel’s Deliverance from the Red Sea:
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
The Valley of Dry Bones:
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Link to the Great Vigil of Easter @ St. Thomas: https://www.saintthomaschurch.org/events/the-great-vigil-first-eucharist-of-easter/
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for Jamie, Patty, Kathryn, Kate, Shirley, Kenneth, Yoko, Tilda, Merrisa, Ed, Stephany, and all those who live in anguish and fear for their loved ones.
For all the blessings in this life: Thanksgiving for Kristen, Matt, and baby Logan (who are all home now. Mom can hold baby with mask and gloves), gratitude for prayers from their Aunt Carolyn, for the beauty of spring, for our families and good friends, and for all who volunteer in food sharing ministries.
For all who have died: for Christopher, Billy, John, doctors and nurses caring for the ill, and especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
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(Shared with us by Liza Thomas)
How the Virus Stole Easter
By Kristi Bothur
With a nod to Dr. Seuss
Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.
“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”
Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.
The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.
“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.
“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.
“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.
And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.
But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!
The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!
Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”
“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”
Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
And what happened then?
Well....the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.
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Ubi Caritas by the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir
(Latin)
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor
Exultemus, et in ipso iucundemur
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero
Amen.
(English)
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ’s love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Amen.
http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=49296
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Good Friday, April 10, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Good Friday
"Behind the most heinous of actions is a person who cannot know fully what they are doing or why. If they could, I think it would be otherwise. And from Jesus’ perspective on the cross, this person needs to be forgiven. What Jesus is up to on the cross is forgiveness, his arms opened wide for all, whether or not they ask for it, whether they be friend or neighbor or enemy." – Br. Nicholas Bartoli
Here is more information about Good Friday:
https://www.ssje.org/2014/04/18/school-of-prayer-good-friday/
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The Good Friday liturgy and Stations of the Cross are available from many sources – my favorites are The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Brothers of the society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE). They can be viewed all day, at any time.
www.ssje.org
https://www.stjohndivine.org/calendar/32308/12-pm-livestream-good-friday-liturgy
_____________________________________________________________
Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Shirley, Kenneth, Jamie, Billy, Kathryn, Patty, and all those who are feeling lonely or desolate.
For all the blessings in this life.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Bishop Allen Shin offers a homily for Good Friday: https://vimeo.com/405539679
Bishop Mary Glasspool offers a homily for Maundy Thursday from St. James’ Church, Fordham, Bronx: https://vimeo.com/404544770
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Here are some resources for worship from various parishes that have the capacity to livestream.
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Monday - Friday: Online Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM and Online Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM
Wednesday, April 8 | 8:30 PM - Congregation Compline by Zoom with the Vicar
Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 PM - Congregation Online Gathering and Prayer Service
Friday, April 10 | 12:00 PM - Live-Stream Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
Trinity Church Wall Street
To stay in community and support one another during this time, we will continue to live-stream our daily service at 12:05 pm Monday-Friday and at 11:15am on Sundays
Click her for Trinity Church Wall Street
Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue
During Holy Week, Monday to Wednesday Shrine Prayers (intercessions) and Mass are live-cast. Video of the Maundy Thursday service will be available at 5:30pm on April 9.
An audio webcast of the Three Hours Devotion will be available on demand starting at from 12pm on Good Friday, April 10.
Video of the Great Vigil of Easter will be available at 8pm on April 11, and then on-demand.
The video of the Solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection will be available at 8am on April 12, and then on-demand. For more information about all webcasts, click here.
Click here for Saint Thomas Church
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St. Matthew's Passion:
J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is revered as one of the quintessential masterpieces of western classical music. Originallly premiered on Good Friday in 1727, The Passion According to St. Matthew BWV 244, is a dramatic integration of scripture, new poetry, and great hymns of the Lutheran tradition. Bach’s sublime setting creates a portrayal of the Passion that is both profoundly human and divine.
Performed by the Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra
Julian Wachner, conductor
https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/video/st-matthew-passion-0?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTldFNFlqVTJaREE1TXpNeiIsInQiOiI5dkdVZDIycnBkeGtvVzZZT045bFlOZmMyK01ycWxNMlFBNE1OSFRGd2hiQkV1MHUzaGdEMVwvczAzTnladGlCbjVvaEFMdElRUXJzaHpheHFSeGQ0a3k5STB5azNnYTFqUnN3c2ZsWHQzc2c2R1BBNFYyb2tcLzY5d2NRYUE1XC9kdSJ9
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Maundy Thursday
Today is Maundy Thursday. In years past we would gather in the Parish Hall and eat an ‘Agape Meal’, that is a “Love Feast”, together and share stories about the presence of God in our lives, sometimes in remarkable, unlooked for ways. I urge you sincerely, with all my heart, to keep looking for those flashes of love, the working of the Holy Spirit, happening still in the world. The cynicism, fear, uncertainty, and death of this time will not overwhelm the light of love shining in this darkened world. Isn’t this indeed the message of Easter? Please know that I pray for each of you by name (and for the particular concerns that you have shared with me) every day and I will continue to do so. I yearn for the time we may all meet again for worship and community time together.
Here is more information about Maundy Thursday: “It is part of the Triduum, or three holy days before Easter. It comes from the Latin ‘mandatum novum’, meaning "new commandment," from John 13:34. The ceremony of washing feet was also referred to as "the Maundy." Maundy Thursday celebrations also commemorate the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus "on the night he was betrayed." Egeria, a fourth-century pilgrim to Jerusalem, describes elaborate celebrations and observances in that city on Maundy Thursday. Special celebration of the institution of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday is attested by the Council of Hippo in 381. The Prayer Book liturgy for Maundy Thursday provides for celebration of the Eucharist and a ceremony of the washing of feet which follows the gospel and homily (BCP, pg. 274). There is also provision for the consecration of the bread and wine for administering Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament on Good Friday. Following this, the altar is stripped and all decorative furnishings are removed from the church. See Eucharist; see Foot Washing.” from "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians," Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.
Although there are several places you can spend Maundy Thursday. I invite you to watch it at our national cathedral. Thursday, April 9, 2020 | 7:00pm If you would like to join me, here is the link: https://cathedral.org/event/online-holy-eucharist-with-stripping-of-the-altar/
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Joanne, Kristen, Matthew, and baby Logan, Ed, Tilda, Yoko, Billy, Jamie, Kathryn, and Ronny.
For all the blessings in this life: For the wonderful noises we make at 7 pm every night as a tribute to our first responders, for the beauty of spring around us, for our animal friends who give us so much comfort, and for our Zion community.
For all who have died: for Christopher, Frank, John Prine, and all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
________________________________________________________________
Things to share:
This is a recorded meditation for Holy Week from Bishop Shin: https://vimeo.com/404379325
_____________________________________________________________________
Here are some resources for worship from various parishes that have the capacity to live stream. I think that these links will still work by sending them to you via email. If they do not, then just Google the particular parish for further information.
This listing is kept by the Church Club of New York: https://churchclubny.org/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Monday - Friday: Online Morning Prayer at 8:30 AM and Online Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM
Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 PM - Congregation Online Gathering and Prayer Service
Friday, April 10 | 12:00 PM - Live-Stream Good Friday Liturgy
Saturday, April 11 | 12:00 PM - Holy Saturday Liturgy officiated by Jennifer Allen
Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 AM - Live-Stream Easter Sunday
For complete schedule and links to all services at the cathedral click here.
Grace Church in NYC
Worship services are streaming
each Sunday at 11 am, and are also being recorded and made available for later viewing on-demand. There will be a special streamed service for Good Friday, April 10, from 12 to 3 pm - The Three Hours' Devotion: The Seven Last Words of Christ. All found here.
Click here for Grace Church
St. Bart's
We are streaming the 11 o'clock Eucharist each Sunday (organ prelude at 10:50 am). We are also streaming the 10 am Sunday Forum. Services are also being recorded and made available for later viewing on-demand on St. Bart's Facebook page.
Go to the "Worship" tab at the top of the church's homepage to see what services are being offered online.
Click here for St. Bart's
Click here for Replays on St. Bart's Facebook page
St. John's in the Village
Each Sunday we Live-stream Sunday Eucharists at 8.30am (said) and 11am (sung)
and daily Morning Prayer at 8am (said) and Evensong at 6.15pm (sung)
and also the Holy Week liturgies of
Maundy Thursday 6.15pm, and
Good Friday 12.30pm,
Holy Saturday (8pm) and
Easter Sunday 8.30am and 11am.
All are streamed on YouTube
Click here for St. John's in the Village
Trinity Church Wall Street
To stay in community and support one another during this time, we will continue to live-stream our daily service at 12:05 pm Monday-Friday and at 11:15am on Sundays
Click her for Trinity Church Wall Street
Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue
During Holy Week, Monday to Wednesday Shrine Prayers (intercessions) and Mass are live-cast. Video of the Maundy Thursday service will be available at 5:30pm on April 9.
An audio webcast of the Three Hours Devotion will be available on demand starting at from 12pm on Good Friday, April 10.
Video of the Great Vigil of Easter will be available at 8pm on April 11, and then on-demand.
The video of the Solemn Eucharist of the Resurrection will be available at 8am on April 12, and then on-demand. For more information about all webcasts, click here.
Click here for Saint Thomas Church
General Theological Seminary (GTS)
Join GTS for Evening Prayer in Chapel of the Good Shepherd, each evening at 5:30, Monday-Thursday. GTS is also recording the service for later viewing on-demand.
Click here for GTS
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Scripture Thought for Today:
“For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (our cathedral) is becoming a temporary hospital. I think all of us have been to St. John the Divine. During this crisis in our physical and psychological lives. We can all think of this as a beautiful testimony to our spiritual lives, for The Cathedral’s motto is taken from the words of Isaiah, “For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.
“Patients are expected to arrive at the cathedral field hospital by the end of this week or early next week, said James Patterson, its director of facilities and capital projects. He said roughly 400 beds were delivered to the cathedral last week and three tents sat in crates on a loading dock on Monday.” NY Times, April 7, 2020.
We can all thank Dean Daniels and the Cathedral staff and volunteers for their open hearted and open handed generosity for this gift of life giving sanctuaryto any who suffer. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.
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Here is a link to the article about The Cathedral of St. John the Divine becoming a field hospital from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/nyregion/cathedral-st-john-the-divine-coronavirus-field-hospital.html
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Ed, Matilda, Marrisa, Kathryn (mo. Mary’s sister), Yoko, Shirley, Stephanie, Kenneth, and John.
For all the blessings in this life. for the safe birth of Logan Anthony Minelli, our families and good friends, the promise of spring, and the ministry of our Cathedral.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
Here is a Holy Week reflection from our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry. He starts the reflection with this, “There is a prayer that begins the Good Friday liturgy that may be perfect for this time. It's found on page 276 in the prayer book and it prays, "Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross. Who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen." That may well be a prayer for us this Holy Week.”
You can watch the Presiding Bishop’s reflection at this link: https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/habits-grace-april-6-2020-invitation-you-presiding-bishop-curry
Something for fun – Very imaginative Anglican Chanting!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=fRsOq-SBosg ___________________________________________________________________
If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at marygrambsch@earthlik.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
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Prayer Time – Monday, April 6, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Collect Prayer :
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The following is a reflection by Bishop Mary Glasspool for this Monday in Holy Week: https://www.dioceseny.org/
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WONDERFUL NEWS!
(Kristen and Matthew has been on our prayer list, as has Carolyn)
Janet McKenna Reports:
“Kristen and Matthew’s baby was born today. Mom and baby doing ok! Dad tested negative so he is allowed to hold and bond with the baby.
Aunt Carolyn reported to Janet:.
“Logan Anthony Minelli was born today. 7lbs 3 oz. Mom and baby ok. She has virus so can’t hold baby☹ Father was tested twice and is negative. Not sure what happens next. Thank you for the prayers. Keep em coming!”
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Today, let’s pray:
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. We remember people throughout the world in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
From the Parish Prayer list, let’s pray for: Kate, Eva, Shirley, Kenneth, (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings in this life: for the safe birth of Logan Anthony Minelli, our families and good friends, the promise of spring, and the self- giving of so many.
For all who have died: for Frank, and especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Virtual worship at the Washington National Cathedral, and Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s Sermon based upon the Serenity Prayer is wonderful and timely. If you missed it, here she is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz8ytK0iuxM
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Friday, April 3, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Reflection:
God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient Church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil round us
scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise:
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days.
Many of you will find these words familiar as they are from one of the most popular hymns in the 1982 Hymnal (#594). I have found myself singing this hymn as I go about my day, especially the last two lines of the first verse, “grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days”. We do need both wisdom and courage in these days of pandemic, uncertainty, and fear. We are called upon to remember that we are the People of God, the disciples of Jesus Christ, and the wisdom of love and compassion, and the courage to live it in the world, in our own individual ways, is our deepest identity and calling. Keeping faith with God and the identity God gives us is in “the facing of this hour” and “the living of these days”; how we love, how we show compassion, how we are courageous, above all, how we pray, are all part of how we are the People of God, despite illness, fear, and death. May God give us all the strength, wisdom, and courage for the living of these days.
Mother Mary+
If you would like to sing along, please follow the link or put “God of Grace and God of Glory” in your search engine, and warm up your vocal chords!
God of Grace and God of Glory - CWM RHONDDA - YouTube
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & his Kristen (his7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19), Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Anne, Paul, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family, loving friends, the Zion community, for all those making masks at home (especially Yoko), and for the beauty of spring.
For all who have died, especially Joseph and all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
A friend in Italy shared this video with me (from YouTube), and I thought I would pass it along. This singer does very well with “Nessun dorma” from the opera “Turandot” (I especially liked how he picked up his child at the end of the video, although the kid obviously thought his voice was a bit loud!). The singer most associated with this aria is, of course, the great Luciano Pavarotti. Enjoy! Mary+
Italian Opera Singer Serenades Quarantined Florence Amidst ...
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+
Daily Prayer – Thursday, April 2, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer:
The Lord be with you.//Let us pray:
Lord, thou art in me and shalt never be lost out of me, but I am not near thee till I have found thee. Nowhere need I run to seek thee, but within me where already thou art. Thou art the treasure hidden within me: draw me therefore to thee that I may find thee and serve and possess thee for ever.
- Walter Hilton, 1396
Walter Hilton studied at the University of Cambridge before becoming a hermit and later joined the Augustinians at Thurgarton Priory, where he remained for the rest of his life. His major work was The Scale [or Ladder] of Perfection, written separately in two books. The first teaches the means by which a soul may advance toward perfection by destroying the image of sin and forming the image of Christ through the practice of virtue. The second distinguishes between the active, ascetic life and the contemplative, mystical life and describes the early stages of mystical contemplation, apparently from Hilton’s own experience. Because of its sober and methodical character, The Scale became and remained a popular devotional classic through the 15th and early 16th centuries and is regarded as the finest treatise on contemplation written in the late European Middle Ages.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & Kristen (his 7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19), Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Rita’s cousin, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family and good friends,for our Zion community, for all those “good Samaritans” who reach out to help others, for Yoko and others who are making face masks at home to share out, for sunny days and the budding of spring.
For those celebrating birthdays in April: Scott McKenna (04/20), and Bill Ford-Sussman (04/26)
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
Things to share:
The Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) is a monastic foundation of Episcopal/Anglican monks in Cambridge, MA. SSJE has provided many spiritual resources over the years, some of which we have used at Zion. Among their many offerings is one that I am currently using myself – Ways to Pray. Morning and Evening Prayer along with a short homily on a form of prayer (petition, intercession, thanksgiving, etc.). There are seven forms of prayer. This is a wonderful way to spend a week, perhaps even Holy Week.
Here is the link to the SSJE website:
www.ssje.org › ways-to-pray
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+
Prayer Time – Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Dear Zion Parishioners & Friends,
We continue our life of daily prayer.
Today’s Prayer:
The Lord be with you.//Let us pray:
I cannot dance, O Lord,
Unless You lead me.
If You wish me to leap joyfully,
Let me see You dance and sing--
Then I will leap into Love--
And from Love into Knowledge,
And from Knowledge into the Harvest,
That sweetest Fruit beyond human sense.
There I will stay with you, whirling.
- Mechthild of Madgeburg, 1282
Mechthild of Madgeburg was a thirteenth century German mystic. In 1235 she became part of a community of Beguines. Jane Hirshfield describes the Beguine movement this way in her book Women in Praise of the Sacred: "When, in the twelfth century, the Catholic Church refused to open new convents to house any additional women....laywomen with a genuine vocation for religious life banded together to create their own forms of practice...The women who entered these communities took no formal vows, and had no official connection to the Church, but for the duration of their stay they observed the rules of chastity and poverty and the practice of charitable work." In that community she wrote her mystical work The Flowing Light of the Godhead. Eventually, she took formal vows at the convent of Helfta.
From Our Prayers of the People
Today, let us pray:
For all people in their daily life and work; for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus, and for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
From the Parish Prayer List, let us pray for: Matthew & his 7 months pregnant fiancée who has COVID-19, Carolyn (Matthew’s aunt), Frank, Jack, Joanne, Marissa, Tilda, Yoko, Ed, Kenneth, and Terri (this list will rotate daily).
For all the blessings of this life: for family, understanding friends, the re-discovery of crafting pleasures, meaningful work, and the beauty of spring.
For all who have died, especially all of those who have died of COVID-19.
For one another and for our community, the nation, and the world. Amen.
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Things to share:
The Morgan Library is offering some of their interesting talks from the past few years. Here is one that caught my eye recently:
The Monstrous Other in Medieval Art
From the Morgan Library and Museum
Co-curators of the exhibition Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders, Sherry C.M. Lindquist, Associate Professor, Western Illinois University and Asa Simon Mittman, Professor, California State University, Chico, will discuss the ways that medieval artists and writers demonized cultural outsiders, transforming religious and racial others into monsters, framing poverty and impairment as sin, and characterizing women as inherently deviant and dangerous. Focusing on medieval manuscripts illuminates the ways that these pernicious strategies are still in use today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOk43No02Es
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If you have something that touched you and want to share it with the parish (a poem you wrote or read, a short video, a musical piece, etc.), please let me know.
If you have a prayer you would like us to share, or if you have prayer requests, send it to me at: marygrambsch@earthlink.net
Faithfully yours,
Mother Mary+