Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 11/21/21

Dear Members and Friends of St. James,

Today we observe a feast day that, in liturgical speak, bears resemblance to the “neglected stepsister” in a Grimm nursery rhyme. With the homily that I offered today at Eucharist and attach here [see separate post] to my weekly greetings, I hope to open the possibility of a longer discussion regarding feast days in general, and the place of the Feast of Christ the King, in particular, in our liturgical year and worship. I invite your comments.

As it has not been the tradition of St. James to meet in worship on Thanksgiving Day, a tradition established long before my arrival, I take this opportunity to bid God’s blessings on you and those with whom you may gather on Thursday next, to give thanks for another successful harvest, although we no longer till the soil. I do so earnestly hope and pray that your prayers of thanksgiving will include those women and men of the scientific and medical fields who have given, and continue to give, so generously of themselves in order to aid those who have suffered, and suffer still, under the corona virus.

Of your charity, I bid you pray:
For the Rule of the God’s Messiah:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For the Beauty of the Earth:
We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.

For Family and Personal Life:
Almighty God, who sets the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech you, every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh. Turn the hearts of the parents to the children, and the hearts of the children to the parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be kindly affectioned one to another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, and those whom you love, for ever. Amen.

Your fellow traveler on the Way,
CEB+

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