Christmas Service 2017
In Memory of Jean Cooper & David and Mary Newman
Prayers for National Life
For our Country
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our Congress
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech thee so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled (or in the Legislature of this State, or Commonwealth), that they may enact such laws as shall please thee, to the glory of thy Name and the welfare of this people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our Country
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our Congress
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech thee so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled (or in the Legislature of this State, or Commonwealth), that they may enact such laws as shall please thee, to the glory of thy Name and the welfare of this people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Information from the International Rescue Committee, a branch of the US State Department, reports these facts: 65.3 million people are displaced (half of them children), 34,000 folks flee their homes each day, 21 million children are out of school, the average length of displacement is 17 years, less than 1% of all refugees ever have an opportunity to be resettled. In 2016, 581 refugees were settled in Wichita. They came from the Congo-304, Somalia-100, Eritrea-42, Sudan-41, others from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Burma, South Sudan and Uganda.
Wednesday, February 22 has been designated as national “We Stand with Refugees Day.”
Leaders from all faith traditions and denominations across the US are planning local
events to show support for refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers.
The Mission Committee at First Presbyterian Church-Wichita, 525 N. Broadway has planned a prayer
vigil from 7:00 – 7:30 pm. Permission has been granted to meet on the west steps of the old Sedgwick County Courthouse, 510 N. Main. Participants will gather at the sports court south of the church
and march with flashlights or charged cell phones (lighting the way for refugees) to the courthouse.
Chris Fox with his guitar will lead singing for the march. Rev. Brent Johnston, two youth, two adults, a member of the Congolese congregation, and Marla Schmidt, Field Office Director for Episcopal Migration Ministries-Wichita will offer prayers and/or brief remarks. If you cannot join us at the courthouse, pray wherever you are for refugees. Their situation is grim!
Information from the International Rescue Committee, a branch of the US State Department, reports these facts: 65.3 million people are displaced (half of them children), 34,000 folks flee their homes each day, 21 million children are out of school, the average length of displacement is 17 years, less than 1% of all refugees ever have an opportunity to be resettled. In 2016, 581 refugees were settled in Wichita. They came from the Congo-304, Somalia-100, Eritrea-42, Sudan-41, others from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Burma, South Sudan and Uganda.
Wednesday, February 22 has been designated as national “We Stand with Refugees Day.”
Leaders from all faith traditions and denominations across the US are planning local
events to show support for refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers.
The Mission Committee at First Presbyterian Church-Wichita, 525 N. Broadway has planned a prayer
vigil from 7:00 – 7:30 pm. Permission has been granted to meet on the west steps of the old Sedgwick County Courthouse, 510 N. Main. Participants will gather at the sports court south of the church
and march with flashlights or charged cell phones (lighting the way for refugees) to the courthouse.
Chris Fox with his guitar will lead singing for the march. Rev. Brent Johnston, two youth, two adults, a member of the Congolese congregation, and Marla Schmidt, Field Office Director for Episcopal Migration Ministries-Wichita will offer prayers and/or brief remarks. If you cannot join us at the courthouse, pray wherever you are for refugees. Their situation is grim!
House of Bishops issues “Word to the Church”
The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, meeting in retreat March 11-15 at Camp Allen Conference Center in Navasota, Texas, unanimously approved the following “Word to the Church.”
"We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others.”
On Good Friday the ruling political forces of the day tortured and executed an innocent man. They sacrificed the weak and the blameless to protect their own status and power. On the third day Jesus was raised from the dead, revealing not only their injustice but also unmasking the lie that might makes right.
In a country still living under the shadow of the lynching tree, we are troubled by the violent forces being released by this season’s political rhetoric. Americans are turning against their neighbors, particularly those on the margins of society. They seek to secure their own safety and security at the expense of others. There is legitimate reason to fear where this rhetoric and the actions arising from it might take us.
In this moment, we resemble God’s children wandering in the wilderness. We, like they, are struggling to find our way. They turned from following God and worshiped a golden calf constructed from their own wealth. The current rhetoric is leading us to construct a modern false idol out of power and privilege. We reject the idolatrous notion that we can ensure the safety of some by sacrificing the hopes of others. No matter where we fall on the political spectrum, we must respect the dignity of every human being and we must seek the common good above all else. We call for prayer for our country that a spirit of reconciliation will
prevail and we will not betray our true selves.
Everything helps out for our Outreach Programs!!
Grace Episcopal Church
209 South Lincoln
Chanute, Ks. 66720
Net Profits will go for EMM ( Episcopal Migration Ministries )
Grace Episcopal Church
209 South Lincoln
Chanute, Ks. 66720
Net Profits will go for EMM ( Episcopal Migration Ministries )
A collect for Migrants and Refugees
For all those who see "home" and all it means disappear behind them;
For all those who cannot see a home in the days ahead of them;
For all those who dwell in daily insecurity;
For all those who are weary and without a safe place to rest their heads;
For all families in migration we pray.
May the image of the Holy Family fleeing oppression stay with us as we enter a New Year,
and stay with us each night as we are blessed with returning to a home;
May we also be blessed with compassion for those still weary, still seeking, still with far to go.
AMEN
(Jane Deren, 2007)
For all those who see "home" and all it means disappear behind them;
For all those who cannot see a home in the days ahead of them;
For all those who dwell in daily insecurity;
For all those who are weary and without a safe place to rest their heads;
For all families in migration we pray.
May the image of the Holy Family fleeing oppression stay with us as we enter a New Year,
and stay with us each night as we are blessed with returning to a home;
May we also be blessed with compassion for those still weary, still seeking, still with far to go.
AMEN
(Jane Deren, 2007)
Episcopal Migration Ministries
We are accepting donations for this
Ministry please contact us if interested.
The Nursing Student Association at Neosho County Community
College is also donating to this cause.
We are accepting donations for this
Ministry please contact us if interested.
The Nursing Student Association at Neosho County Community
College is also donating to this cause.
Important Websites :
The Episcopal Church Contact Information
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/contact
The Episcopal News Service :
www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens
The Three Crosses stand for the crucifixion of Jesus to save all people from their sins.
The White Buffalo stands for the spiritual and purity and the state of Kansas
Episcopal Shield to let people know what church we represent
The Red Background is for the Blood of Christ
Discipleship Prayer :
Lord, I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am your disciple. I won't look back, let up, bow down, back away, or be still. I am finished with low living, sigh walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of despair, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, keep quiet, or let up until I have stored up, prayed up and preached up for the cause of Christ. Amen.
The Rev. Joyce W. Holmes
joycewholmes@gmail.com
Cell : 863-257-0537
"To Serve Christ and transforming lives."