What We Do
We vow to pray daily for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, for God’s blessing on the work of our Order, for the spiritual growth of our parish. Let us pray for the many projects in the Church and community.
Opening Prayer
Generous God, for all that sustains us; air to breath, warmth and light, food to eat, water to drink, we offer our thanks and praise. For spiritual gifts that bind us together; one people, one body empowered for service we offer our hands and voices. For the Good News of the Gospel; healing and wholeness freedom and justice we offer our hearts in service. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our Epiphany Journey
God of all time, we praise and adore you for breaking into the darkness of this world with the glorious light of your presence. A light which made your love for the world visible in the babe born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior.
A light which guided those gift-bearing travelers from afar to find and worship the Christ-child.
A light which leads us to you, now revealed in Jesus Christ.
We pray that you will accept our worship for it arises from hearts and minds in awe over the enormity of your gift to us of pure love. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
An Epiphany Prayer for Spiritual Renewal
Dear God, we find ourselves at the beginning of another year.
We do not know what it will bring.
Please help us to be ready for whatever it may be.
If we are to stand up, help us to stand bravely.
If we are to sit still, help us to sit quietly.
If we are to lie low, help us to do it patiently.
If we to do nothing, help us to do it gallantly.
As we gather we pray for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live.
"Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
May these words that he taught us become more than words.
Please free us from all forms of self-will, self-centeredness, dishonesty, and deception. Send your Spirit to inspire us in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path. In the name of Jesus e pray. Amen.
The Prayer of the Order
O Eternal Father, you have sent us your Son to teach us things pertaining to your heavenly Kingdom. Give your blessing to our Order wherever it may be throughout the world. Grant that we, your Daughters, ever may discern your truth and bear the cross through the battles of our earthly life. Give us strength to overcome temptation and the grace to work to spread your Kingdom and to gather your scattered sheep within your fold. Pour out upon us the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit that we may always remember it is your work we are called to do, that all we think, do or say may be pleasing in your sight. We ask it all For His Sake, our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For Faithfulness in Service
Devotion and Reflection: Toward a Just and Beloved Community
A Litany for Martin Luther King’s Birthday which was celebrated January 21 ,2019
All of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work, from the very beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, was oriented toward the creation of a community characterized by love and justice, a society completely integrated among different races, a vision he called "the Beloved Community."* Legislated desegregation was just the beginning; although laws could correct injustices of housing, education and employment, such legislation could not affect the change of hearts and minds which would foster true community. A wholehearted integration of society was King's hope and the hope of the movement he led.
Today Martin Luther King, Jr., society's work toward full integration continues; within communities of color the cry out for equity or a level playing field across the board still remains a constant challenge. The church's work toward the Beloved Community continues as well. The work for this whole-hearted integration in both society and church includes today not only people excluded by race, but also those excluded by gender, disabilities, and sexual orientation.
The following litany has been inspired by Psalm 86 and Dr. King's vision of the Beloved Community.
Psalm 86
Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me—they have no regard for you.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.
Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me
Dr. King's work reminds us:
church and state must work together for the common good;
laws must establish justice for all,
but hearts must change for the Beloved Community to flourish.
We will do the work of justice for all;
We will trust the Spirit of God to guide and move us between the present and the anticipated Realm of Justice.
You are our God; be gracious to your children, for we cry out to you all day long. Bring joy to the soul of your servants, for to you, O God, we lift up our soul.
Dr. King's vision inspires us:
"We are tied together in a single garment of destiny caught in an inescapable network of mutuality."
We will work for a world where lives are enriched by difference;
Where people of different genders, races and sexual orientations work together in Shalom for the good of the whole.
We will work for a nation where persons will be judged solely upon the content of their characters.
For you, O God, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you. Give ear, O God, to the prayers of the marginalized; listen to our supplications.
Dr. King's words challenge us:
"...injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
We will listen to the cries of the poor;
We will stand in solidarity with those who suffer oppression;
We will take as our own the hopes of all who long for full human life;
We will create in our midst the Beloved Community with room for all, justice for all, joy for all, Shalom for all.
We will listen to the voice of the Christ, who stirs about liberating all minds, hearts and spirits.
In our days of trouble we call on you, for you will answer us.
There is none like you among the gods, O God,
nor are there any works like yours to the ends of the earth.
Teach us your way, O God, that we may walk in your truth.
Dr. King's life inspires us:
"I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land...I still believe that someday we shall overcome."
We will overcome because of our faith and trust in God.
We will reach the goal laid before us without faltering.
We will never give up our hope for equality with one another.
We will live Dr. King's dream into our reality. Amen.
Prayers For a Daughter Who Has Died
Dear Heavenly Father, we bless You for all those who have departed this life in Your faith and fear. Through their loving service to others and the Order and their way of prayerful living they endeavored to perfect Your will in their life. May their deep faith be an inspiration to all and so illumine the hearts of women and girls to find You along their earthly pilgrimage. Grant that the light of Your presence and Your eternal peace be their great and everlasting reward. Amen.
Prayers For Members Who are ILL
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers, mercifully accept our prayer and grant to all the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned to health and our sorrow to joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Pray For Healing
Our Heavenly Father, by whose loving kindness and mercy our souls and bodies are renewed, look upon your children for whom we pray. Knowing you are interested in personal needs, we bring to your altar those who are perplexed or afraid, as we ask you to take away fear; those who face physical suffering, as we ask you to give them courage to endure; those who seem burdened with indecision, as we ask you to lift the pall of confusion. We also bring those who are lonely, for whom we ask companionship. We ask guidance and comfort for those to whom death has brought sorrow and despair. Amen.
We Pray For Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father, to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Holy Cross
Almighty God, whose beloved son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow Him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Motto of the Order
For His Sake...I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?
Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times
Dear Lord,
in these troubled times make your presence known to all the peoples around the world so that they may see peace as the only way to salvation. Replace the anger and violence in our hearts with joy and tranquility and help us to seek the good in everyone. Cause us all to realize that without you we can do nothing that will bring us peace and joy. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.\
Oh, Divine Mystery, An Epiphany Litany
DIVINE MYSTERY, the people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Loving Mystery, you have lifted every sorrow, fear, and hatred that weighs us down.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Living Mystery, you have trampled the powers of death that oppress your people.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Faithful Mystery, you sent into the world as a child your Son, the Prince of peace.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Powerful Mystery, through Jesus, you have established justice and righteousness on the earth.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Eternal Mystery, glory to you in the highest heaven.
Oh, come to us, abide with us.
Gentle Mystery, let your peace fill all the earth.
Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
