Saint Andrew's-in-the-Valley
Thursday MEMO
May 5, 2011
Services for this coming Sunday, May 8th, the third Sunday of Easter, and Mothers' Day, will be at 8 and 10 AM with coffee hours following both services. We hope you will join us for worship as Eastertide continues.
All are invited to attend the May Mission Center Day Eucharist on Wednesday, May 18th, at 12:10 at Trinity Church, Meredith. Bishop Gene Robinson will preside and preach and be available for informal conversation following the service. Mission Center Days are set up by the Diocese at a central location within each Convocation as a way for church members to have more frequent contact with our bishop than is possible with his biennial parish visits. Trinity church in on the left on route 25 as one heads down the hill into Meredith.
Thank you to those of you who participated in the Spring Clean-up Day last Sunday. I was out of town, and have been taking a few days of vacation this week, but I understand some serous lawn raking got done! If you were not able to lend a hand last week, and are willing to offer an hour or two during the week, let us know on Sunday and we'll set you up with something -- either outdoors or indoors. Your choice.
Readings for Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116: 1-3, 10-17, 1 Peter 1: 17-23, Luke 24:13-35
Food for thought and prayer: The capture and killing of Osama bin Ladin earlier this week has occupied the attention of news media and the hearts, minds and emotions of many around the world. I offer you the following prayers for reflection, passed along by a colleague in our Eastern Slopes ecumenical clergy network.
A Prayer for Friends and Enemies
by Safiyah Fosua
"But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27, NRSV)
God of our silent tears, for nine weary years we have longed for justice for the families of thousands who died on 9/11 at the hands of terrorists. As the world reels with the news of the death of a mass murderer, remind us of these words of Jesus, "Bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you," lest we be tempted to gloat or revile.
Remind us that we are all dust, and remind us that even this man was once a child of his community.
We join the thousands of families affected by terrorism as they mourn anew seeking resolution and consolation.
We join the world community in prayer for world peace.
We look forward to a day when people everywhere will be free to dwell under their own vines and fig trees and study war no more. Amen
* * * * *
Where does Pain Go?
by Safiyah Fosua
Written the day after the death of Osama bin Laden
It was easier
to assuage Pain and Sorrow
by focusing all our thoughts
on finding the one(s) who robbed us of the fellowship of family and friends.
It was,
in a strange way,
easier to cuddle with Anger,
and to delay Grief altogether while we curdled our stomachs with Hate.
But where does Pain go
when the one most hated is gone,
along with many of his fellows?
Today,
Osama is gone;
and we are left with Tears,
the messenger of Grief,
reminding us
that we never tasted deeply enough of her bitter brew
to walk away from her table.
God,
give us enough faith
to dismiss Hate and Anger
while we summon the strength
to drink enough of Grief's cup
to push it away.
Amen.
And so we pray:
Jesus, risen,
Conqueror of Death,
heal us.
Jesus, risen,
Great High Priest,
hear our cries as prayer.
Jesus, risen,
Redeemer of the World,
deliver us from temptation.
Jesus, risen,
Judge of living and dead,
have mercy upon us and all whom you have made.
Jesus, risen,
Prince of Peace,
show us the path of Life and Peace.
Amen.
See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+
