Winter at St. Andrew's
FROM THE RECTOR
How many times will we say unprecedented this year? I know I’ve never used the word so much in my entire life. Most of the times I’ve used it in the last year have been in relationship to COVID: an unprecedented virus sickening an unprecedented number of people; an unprecedent number of deaths; an unprecedented lock down of our cities, unprecedented stay at home orders, an unprecedented number of restaurants and small businesses unable to remain viable. But there were other times too: an unprecedented number of voters in a presidential election; unprecedented divisions in our country (at least in our lifetimes). And the list goes on. But perhaps nothing is a shocking as what happened in our nation’s Capitol yesterday: again, certainly unprecedented in our lifetimes – actually in the last 200 years. It is my fervent prayer that this word “unprecedented” will not need to be used so frequently in the days and weeks to come. But I fear we are not out of the woods.
The news on the COVID front gives up hope that we will see the virus controlled sometime this year. How wonderful it will be when we are finally able to gather together in our beloved church for face-to-face worship!
The news from the Capitol yesterday continues to unfold, and we can only watch and hope and pray.
To that end, here is a link to Presiding Bishop Curry’s Call to Prayer for the Nation:
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled, that they may be kept safe, seek an end to the divisions in our land, and enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion, p. 827
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and
its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And a prayer I saw on Facebook:
Come to our help, merciful God, for we are in need. Our spirits are weighed down with worry; our bodies feel as fragile as the dust from which we came. All that we have trusted seems hidden from sight. Although this moment has come upon our nation, you have not forgotten us. We do not trust in our own power or strength, but in your steadfast love in every generation. Show us your face in this time of trial, remind us of your faithfulness, and save us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-All Creation Sings, p. 49, "A prayer for a time of civic distress"
The news on the COVID front gives up hope that we will see the virus controlled sometime this year. How wonderful it will be when we are finally able to gather together in our beloved church for face-to-face worship!
The news from the Capitol yesterday continues to unfold, and we can only watch and hope and pray.
To that end, here is a link to Presiding Bishop Curry’s Call to Prayer for the Nation:
The Episcopal Church | Welcomes You
And
from the Book of Common Prayer:
O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech you so to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress assembled, that they may be kept safe, seek an end to the divisions in our land, and enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name and the welfare of this people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion, p. 827
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and
its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
And a prayer I saw on Facebook:
Come to our help, merciful God, for we are in need. Our spirits are weighed down with worry; our bodies feel as fragile as the dust from which we came. All that we have trusted seems hidden from sight. Although this moment has come upon our nation, you have not forgotten us. We do not trust in our own power or strength, but in your steadfast love in every generation. Show us your face in this time of trial, remind us of your faithfulness, and save us for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-All Creation Sings, p. 49, "A prayer for a time of civic distress"
Caroline
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP
The 1st Sunday of the month at 9:00 AM
The remaining Sundays at 10:00 AM
This Sunday-January 10
at 10:00 a.m.
The First Sunday after The Epiphany
via Zoom (email RectorSAITV@gmail.com for Zoom information) or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR
A VIRTUAL
on ZOOM
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
First Lesson Genesis 1:1-5
In our opening lesson we read the beginning of the story of creation. God sweeps like a wind over the chaos and formless void and begins to establish order, bringing forth light and separating that light from darkness. This light precedes the creation of the sun, moon and stars and may be perceived as an initial revelation of God’s character as this first step in creation is declared good.
Psalm 29
The majesty of God is described in the likeness of a thunderstorm: the Lord is mighty over land and sea.
The Second Lesson Acts 19:1-7
In our second reading the apostle Paul continues to travel through Asia Minor carrying the good news of Jesus to Jew and Gentile alike. In Ephesus he encounters a group of believers who had received only John’s baptism of repentance. Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus. He then lays his hands upon them and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying as had others among those who first came to faith. The number of believers was twelve, which could reflect a connection with the original twelve disciples, the twelve tribes of Israel, and the ongoing power of the Spirit of God evident in Paul’s ministry.
The Gospel Mark 1:4-11
Our gospel is the story of the ministry of John the Baptist, and of Jesus’ baptism. John tells of the mightier one to come whose baptism will be with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is then baptized and the Spirit is manifest. A voice from heaven speaks to Jesus in words that echo ancient oracles concerning the king and the calling of the Lord’s chosen servant.
Click below to see the readings:
via Zoom (email RectorSAITV@gmail.com for Zoom information)
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR
A VIRTUAL
on ZOOM
AND...
JOIN US FOLLOWING THE SERVICE FOR
A VIRTUAL
on ZOOM
READINGS FOR SUNDAY
The First Sunday after Epiphany
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
First Lesson Genesis 1:1-5
In our opening lesson we read the beginning of the story of creation. God sweeps like a wind over the chaos and formless void and begins to establish order, bringing forth light and separating that light from darkness. This light precedes the creation of the sun, moon and stars and may be perceived as an initial revelation of God’s character as this first step in creation is declared good.
Psalm 29
The majesty of God is described in the likeness of a thunderstorm: the Lord is mighty over land and sea.
The Second Lesson Acts 19:1-7
In our second reading the apostle Paul continues to travel through Asia Minor carrying the good news of Jesus to Jew and Gentile alike. In Ephesus he encounters a group of believers who had received only John’s baptism of repentance. Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus. He then lays his hands upon them and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying as had others among those who first came to faith. The number of believers was twelve, which could reflect a connection with the original twelve disciples, the twelve tribes of Israel, and the ongoing power of the Spirit of God evident in Paul’s ministry.
The Gospel Mark 1:4-11
Our gospel is the story of the ministry of John the Baptist, and of Jesus’ baptism. John tells of the mightier one to come whose baptism will be with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is then baptized and the Spirit is manifest. A voice from heaven speaks to Jesus in words that echo ancient oracles concerning the king and the calling of the Lord’s chosen servant.
Click below to see the readings:
PRAYERS FOR EACH OTHER
One thing we can always do while we stay at home is to pray for each other! We would like to keep our prayer list up to date and publish it each week in the Thursday Memo. Please email Deb at office@standrewsinthevalley.org with any updates.
This Week We Pray for
Health and Wholeness for: Jeannette Mead, Margaret, Mary Ireland, Jean DeThomas, Terri Hooper, Martin, John McGowan, Sue Huckman, Steve Thompson, Joan Marshall, Marilyn Cloran, Kitty Lou Booty, Gabriele and Bob Wallace, Dave Appleton, Carolyn Boldt, Angela B., Tom, Carolyn Jarvis, Doug Crapser, Peg Patenaude, Joyce Humphrey,
For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Brian & Sara Kelley, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.
For those who have died:
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
Updating the Prayer List
Please let Deb know if you want to put someone back on the prayer list going forward. Thank you for helping us keep our prayer list up to date.
THINK SPRING, PLANT A SEED
EFM, or Education for Ministry, currently has a combined New Hampshire/New York group that meets online weekly. This group was started by Rev. Bill Cruse, and was initially a New Hampshire group, but due to graduation, the group became too small for sharing and discussion, thus combining with the New York group this year. It has been a wonderful process, learning and sharing with new friends from an area totally different from rural NH. We would love to keep this group viable looking forward to next Fall.
If you like meeting new people, sharing your story and your faith with others, lively discussion about scripture and other authors, praying together, all from the comfort of your living room, EFM may be for you! If you need more information, Jen, Carol, Sammie, or Pat would be happy to answer any questions.
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING
No DINNER BELL until further notice.
Thank you for your volunteer
work in this special Outreach program!
COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER
The Food Pantry thanks you for your contributions throughout the year.
Food pantry continues to serve the communities needs
New Hours
Alternating Wednesdays
12-4 pm
Any questions call 603-960-4067
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
In Memoriam Section
CVI (“Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky”)
~ Alfred
Lord Tennyson
Ring
out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.
Birthdays
3 Donna Jones
4 Ellie McLaughlin, Jen Huckman
9 Pat Adams
19 Ginger Heard, Jonathan Brady
25 Connor Bunker, Ann Cady
27 Carol Tubman
FROM THE OFFICE
I WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS IN JANUARY
Wednesday and Thursday 13th, 14th
Annual Reports
due January 13th. Thank you.
