Sunday, January 26, 2025

Third Sunday after the Epiphany - 192nd Annual Meeting

 Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.




 O Lord, we give you thanks that you have called us to be your church in this time and place. Bless this congregation and our ministries of care and outreach. Empower us as we seek to serve all people, and offer worship that glorifies you. Enable us to offer your love and care to one another, and to all those whose lives we touch. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

 O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; 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.

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

 

 Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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 Collect for Martin Luther King, Jr;

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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 Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite hymn “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” was beautifully sung a cappella for us by Marguerite and Pamela. 

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, lin­ger near,
When my life is al­most gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,
Lead me home.

When the dark­ness ap­pears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the ri­ver I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,
Lead me home.

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  Prayers of the People 

 Gathering our hearts and minds, let us offer God the words of our hearts, saying: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the church pray for those who serve, those who pray, those who fear to enter its doors. On the Diocesan Cycle we pray for the churches named for St. Paul in North Kingstown, Pawtucket, and our own church in Portsmouth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for clergy: for bishops, priests and deacons. For lay worship leaders, lay leaders, lay visitors, servers and all who seek to follow where God leads. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for all the responders who are helping with the result of the winds and fires in California, who are working for justice and peace throughout the world, and, and we pray, for those who seek to serve this nation in various offices, that all who serve be guided by your Spirit of fairness, justice, and mercy. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for our communities. Pray for those who work late shifts and long hours, for those who have no possibility of employment; for those who hunger for food: for those who respond to emergencies and those who keep doors open. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the needs of all the world's people; for good and strong leaders and for responsive politicians who turn their energies and hearts toward solutions that provide lasting peace, adequate resources, and safety for all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your 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 here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your 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 you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray for those who are anxious and depressed: for those who are addicted; those who are weary; for those who are sick and suffering; for those who are waiting for diagnosis and those who are living with a negative diagnosis. We pray for those on our prayer list. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for the dying; pray for those who wait to meet their savior and for those who mourn the loss of them. Bring all souls into the loving embrace of your angels and into the light of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We offer all these prayers with confidence in you, Father of all; and you, Son who came among us; and you, Spirit who flows in us, and throughout the world. Amen.


Saturday, January 18, 2025

Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

 Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

First Sunday after the Epiphany - The Baptism of our Lord

 

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.

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Something special today! Rev. Pamela Spence-Bakker read the gospel and was our preacher for the sermon. We all know Pam for her lovely voice during the singing of hymns during our services.  We have been blessed to have her with us often this past year. 

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Prayers of the People

Lord God, in thankfulness and confidence we lift our hopes
and needs to you in prayer as we say: Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Raise up in your church leaders whose lives are centered
in love and whose hearts yearn for justice and peace.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for Sean Rowe, the Presiding Bishop, and for
Nicholas, the Bishop of Rhode Island.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Center
for Reconciliation and all who seek to be reconcilers in the
state, the nation, and the world.

Enter into the hearts of those with authority in our nation
that they might work for the fellowship of all people and
bring about a world where enemies are reconciled and
conflict ceases.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Inspire our congregation, through the in-breaking of the
Spirit into our lives, that our faith may be bolstered and our
commitment to the gospel mission be renewed.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Instill in us awe and thankfulness for the majesty of your
created world that we might be good stewards and develop
sustainable practices so that nature’s abundance might be
available to all future generations.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring healing to the sick and hurting, especially those who
suffer from the several on-going fires and winds in
California, mend the fractured and broken, grant hope to
the fearful and anxious, and grant to all your peace and the
knowledge of your love for all people.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those on our Parish Prayer List.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to all the departed peace and rest in your eternal
love and, when our time comes, welcome us into the
resurrection along with all your saints.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers and grant our desires as may be best
for us and in ways that show forth your grace and
mercy. All this we ask through our advocate and Lord,
Jesus, who is the Christ and lives with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Our Christmas greeting from Ashley and family in Florida.



 


Monday, January 6, 2025

The Epiphany

 O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Second Sunday after Christmas

 O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

The Holy Name of our Lord

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.