Due to Shelter in Place, we are not gathering at this time.
Welcome to each of you...
The Scottish island of Iona is a sacred place. Over the centuries millions of pilgrims come to this cradle of Christianity in Scotland, a place given to St. Columba in 540 AD where he turned it into a center for missionary activity. Over the forthcoming 8 weeks, we will metaphorically journey a pilgrimage to Iona. (Next week: A visit to St. Martin’s Cross on the Island)
Peace Be with You... And Also With You...Let Us Pray...
Quotes from Today’s Lectionary, May 27
In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the Lord will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. Isiah 4:2
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-12
When he arrived at the other side of the region of the Gadarenes, two demon- possessed men coming from the tomb met him. Matthew 8: 28
The honored Christians for May 27 are Bertha and Ethelbert 560 AD.
Bertha was a French Christian Princess who married Ethelbert Saxon King of Kent 560 AD who was baptized becoming the first Christian King in England.
Christianity had been known in Britain among the Celts since the third century, but in the fifth century the southeast was invaded by pagans who drove the Celts north and west into Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Queen Bertha’s kind and charitable nature and King Ethelbert’s respect for the law and dignity of individual conscience represent, to this day, some of the best of the English Christian Spirit. (Information taken from Holy Women Holy Men, Church Publishing Inc. 2010)
Let us pray The Lord’s Prayer.
Let us reflect for a moment on all our blessings.
We will end with a Celtic Prayer, some verses collected at the end of the 19th century from Ireland.
Three folds of the cloth, yet only one napkin is there,
Three joints in the finger, but still only one finger fair;
Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear,
Frost, snow-flakes and ice, all in water their origin share,
Three Persons in God; to one God alone we make prayer.
Hoping that you find time to pray this today...
Peace in Christ... Susan
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Evening Prayer Service is based on the prayers of the Iona Abbey Worship, Iona being the island
off the west coast
of Scotland, a place of ancient Celtic Spirituality and a cradle of Christianity in Scotland.
The service on Wednesday nights at 7:00pm is attended by faithful Christians seeking a mid-week
spiritual devotion and usually numbers between 4 and 9 participants. It is 20 minutes of quiet prayer,
the three daily Lectionary readings plus Psalm, a homily of the "Saint for the Day" listed in Holy Women
Holy Men, and Prayer Requests.
The service is followed by fellowship in the Parish Hall. We enjoy conversation and refreshments.
Please join us for evening Prayer on Wednesday nights. It is an excellent discipline no matter the season
of the Church calendar.
A Prayer from Iona Abbey Worship Book by the Iona Community 2000
Now that evening falls, gently fades the light;
Moon replaces sun and day takes leave of night.
Gratitude we raise for the day that's gone
And for the love that stays till dusk is kissed by dawn.
To the Maker's care we in faith commend
All we love and long for, all we still intend.
Glory be to God, glory to the Son,
Glory to the Spirit, ever Three in One.
Wednesday Evening Celtic Prayer