11 January 2009

Evensong for Epiphany I and updates

Before I get to Evensong, I want to give a special advertisement to Oremus.

I don't know how many of you know about a unique service run by our brothers Steve Benner and Simon Kershaw. Their Internet ministry, OREMUS is better than sliced bread.

You may visit their site and find the daily office in several versions. or, you may subscribe and each day the Daily Office will arrive in your inbox complete with readings, canticles and all the prayers.

Their ministry is absolutely free. But if you avail your self of this excellent service, i encourage you to encourage them by making a donation. You won't be sorry. I mean, where else can you find everything necessary for the daily office from the 1662, 1979, and New Zealand BCP including the hymns appropriate for the day? You open your e-mail, start scrolling and absolutely everything you need is right there on your screen.

Also we need to note that our brother Lee, for whom we have been praying, has graduated this life for the life of larger life and perfect freedom. Please remember his transition and remember Melissa whom he could not take wit him. She needs our prayers more now than ever.
ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful are in joy and felicity: We praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course; and committing our brother Lee to thy gracious keeping, we pray that we with him, and with all those that are departed may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, In thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Also a new name appears on our Prayers of the People. Susan D has cancer and the prognosis is not good. Please remember and her family in your prayers.

Also, please remember my cousin, Barbara who is terminal with cancer. We learned of her terminal status the day her sister died of cancer. My family is plagued by cancer. Bobbie had faith when she was a little girl, but for the past 50 years, she has not darkened the door of a church except for weddings. She raised her children with absolutely no faith of any type. I do not know Bobbie's spiritual condition, but God does. Please remember her in your prayers.

Now on to more pleasant matters.

Three Rivers announced that another of Pittsburgh's churches has voted to remain in TEC. St. John's in Jonestown voted by a two-thirds majority to remain and the vestry vote was 7-0.

Evensong this week is from All Hallows (All Saints) London, England. The choir is the Kings College Choir from Cambridge. The link is here.