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DEAR FRIENDS
In my sermon this last Sunday, I mentioned St. George's Church, Baghdad, the only Anglican Church in Iraq, in the context of the ongoing persecution and martyrdom of Christians around the world. Since I rushed off to celebrate the 11:00 mass at Christ Church, Cobble Hill, our neighbor Episcopal Church, I didn't get the opportunity to follow up with people after mass, as I usually do. Several people here and at Christ Church asked about St. George's, so I thought I would use the opportunity of the Eblast to provide more information. I mispoke when I said that St. George's is a part The Episcopal Church. I have seen it mistakenly listed as a part of our church, hence my own confusion. It is, in fact, a part of The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East (one of the constituent churches in The Anglican Communion), in the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, The Rt. Rev. Michael Lewis, Bishop. They have, by God's grace, endured bombings, kidnappings, beheadings, assassinations, mostly by ISIS, not to mention a whole list of less-violent persecutions. Over 1,000 members have been murdered since 2003, and yet, hundreds of Iraqi Christians continue to gather there every Sunday to worship and celebrate the Divine Mysteries and to stand together for Christ. Until recently, they were served by the Rev'd Canon Andrew White, of the Order of St. George of the Church of England, until he was finally forced to leave. They are now served by The Revd Faiz Jerjes, the first Iraqi to be ordained in the Anglican Church. St. George's continues to be the headquarters of The Foundation for Reconciliation and Relief in the Middle East, runs a medical clinic, and has just broken ground on an elementary school. They do not maintain a traditional website, but you can see some pictures here, and so I invite to you read more at the following links:
MID-WEEK MASS
7:30 pm, Wednesday, July 25, in the Lady Chapel
We will celebrate the Feast of St. James, a major feast in the Church, and the ninth anniversary of Fr. Wallace’s ordination with an evening mass in the Lady Chapel. It will be Low Mass, and everyone is invited.
NEXT PRAYER DAY
Saturday, July 28th, 2:00 pm—4:00 pm, in the Library
Please mark you summer calendars and plan to join us for the next Prayer Day, again led by Lilo Carr Rivera, in a workshop/practicum learning environment. We will explore the prayer tradition which uses Anglican Prayer beads and we will repeat Ignatian mediation prayer, which was popular with the participants. These Prayer Days are part of our Prayer Covenant with Bishop Provenzano. More information about the Prayer Covenant may be found on the back table in the church.
JAZZ MASS!
10:00 am, Sunday, July 29
The first of our two summer Jazz Masses is just ten days away. This has become an annual favorite both with parishioners and in the neighborhood, so please plan to join us. Parishioner Willie Martinez is again coordinating the musicians for the popular and well-attended event.
PRAYERS FOR ST. PAUL’S DURING THE SEARCH
As you read the Eblast each week, it is a good opportunity to take 30 seconds and offer a prayer for St. Paul’s during its transition and for the members of the Search Committee. Prayers to that effect will be included each week in the Eblast.
- For St. Paul’s: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
- For the Search Committee: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on St. Paul’s, and so guide the minds Keith, Monika, Anne, Michael, Willie, Julie, Cynthia, Ken, and Rob, and all those who shall call a rector for this parish, that they may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for thy people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIS COMING SUNDAY AT ST. PAUL’S
July, 22, 2018: The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Low Mass with Hymns: 10:00 AM
- Sunday's Appointed Readings and Homily
The First Reading—2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Epistle—Ephesians 2:11-22
The Gospel—Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
- Music
The Entrance Hymn: “Christ for the world we sing,” Hymnal, 537
Offertory Hymn: “Christ is made the sure foundation,” Hymnal, 518
Communion Hymn: “Just as I am,” Hymnal, 693
Dismissal Hymn: “The Church’s one foundation,” Hymnal, 525
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