Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

 Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles

 O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint James of Jerusalem

 Grant, O God, that, following the example of your servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

 Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Luke the Evangelist

 Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

 Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Statement from Bishop Knisely

 

Earlier this week, I stood with members of the Rhode Island community at the Jewish Community Center in Providence and joined with our Jewish neighbors lamenting the horrific attacks on civilians in Israel and praying for peace. Since that evening, the news has grown increasingly dire and I am fearful, as are many, that this conflict will continue to escalate and spread across the Middle East.   Israel has a fundamental right to exist and to protect itself. And all life is sacred and must be preserved. I ask your prayers for de-escalation, for a humanitarian response, and for an end to the violence and unimaginable suffering in the Holy Land in this hour.   I ask you also to be careful to avoid any attempts to turn this horrible and complex situation into a simple binary us versus them narrative. Our Jewish neighbors are in danger, in deep grief and shock. One synagogue in Providence has been threatened. That sense of fear may spread in the coming weeks to our Muslim neighbors and their friends as well.   I also want to urge you to be aware that an increasing amount of disinformation is being posted to Social Media. When you are seeking understanding, please turn to professional journalists who have checked facts rather than initial reports from unknown observers. Be careful not to spread disinformation unintentionally.   The Bishops of the Episcopal Church have heard from Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East. He has asked us to pray urgently for the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza. He has also asked us to support the Gaza Appeal of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which is providing critical support to Ahli Hospital in Gaza. (https://afedj.org)   I invite Episcopalians across the state to join with me in prayer this weekend. Archbishop Hosam has written a prayer that we can use.   O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.   Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land.    While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father.    In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.  +Nicholas

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.