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We invite you to join the Intercessory Prayer Group every Monday evening (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.). Now we are praying at the same time, each in our own space, together in spirit and intention. We use the Book of Common Prayer, as well as other resources, including A New Zealand Prayer Book and readings from Forward Movement Daily Readings. During the Prayers of the People, we pray through the prayer list that is included in the weekly email News from St. James’.Night Prayer (from A New Zealand Prayer Book)The offering of prayer late in the evening, by laity, religious orders or clergy, often called Compline, has sometimes been described as the ‘goodnight prayer of the Church’. It rounds off the day and prepares us for a quiet night. As the psalmist wrote: I lie down in peace and take rest my restfor it is in God alone that I dwell unafraid.Night Prayer derives its content from the wisdom of the centuries in Scripture and above all in the psalms, but also from contemporary Christian experience of God. It celebrates the awareness that each of us who tries to pray is a part of the human whole. So we are taken over the threshold from daytime, not in a mood of self-centered spirituality, but as representatives of humanity, acknowledging our creaturehood before God. Week of Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (for Monday, Aug 10)ApproachThe angels of God guard us through the night,and quieten the powers of darkness.The Spirit of God be our guideto lead us to peace and to glory.It is but lost labour that we haste to rise up early,and so late take rest, and eat the bread of anxiety.For those beloved of God are given gifts even while they sleep.SilenceOur help is in the name of the eternal God,who is making the heavens and the earth.Dear God,thank you for all that is good,for our creation and for our humanity,for the stewardship you have given us of this planet earth,for the gifts of life and of one another,for your love which is unbounded and eternal.O thou, most holy and beloved,my Companion, my Guide upon the way,my bright evening star.We repent the wrongs we have done:SilenceWe have wounded your love.O God, heal us.We stumble in the darkness.Light of the world transfigure us.We forget that we are your home.Spirit of God, dwell in us.Eternal Spirit, living God,in whom we live and move and have our being,all that we are, have been, and shall be is known to you,to the very secret of our heartsand all that rises to trouble us.Living flame burn into us,cleansing wind, blow through us,fountain of water, well up within us,that we may love and praise in deed and in truth.InvocationGod’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. You are in the midst of us, O Lord;and we are called by your name.Psalm 4Answer me when I call, O God, for you are the God of justice. You set me free when I was hard-pressed: be gracious to me now and hear my prayers. Men and women, how long will you turn my glory to my shame? How long will you love what is worthless and run after lies? Know that God has shown me such wonderful kindness: when I call out in prayer, God hears me. Tremble, admit defeat, and sin no more. Look deep into your heart before you sleep and be still. Bring your gifts, just as you are, and put your trust in God. Many are asking, Who can make us content? The light of your countenance has gone from us, O God. Yet you have given my heart more gladness than those whose corn and wine and oil increase. I lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for in you alone, O God, do I dwell unafraid. ReadingJohn 3:1-211 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11?‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16?‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17?‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’Song of SimeonNunc Dimittis Praise be to God, I have lived to see this day.God’s promise is fulfilled, and my duty done.At last you have given me peace,for I have seen with my own eyes the salvation you have prepared for all nations - a light to the world in its darkness, and the glory of your people Israel.Glory be to God, sustaining, redeeming, sanctifying, as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen. LeaderLord, have mercy.AllChrist, have mercy.LeaderLord, have mercy.Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoplesof the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. ?? Amen.PrayersKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, orweep this night, and give your angels charge over those whosleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, blessthe dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield thejoyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit Among the People of GodGod of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest, and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenFor Young PersonsGod our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer for Social JusticeGrant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPrayers of the PeoplePresider: Gracious and loving God, you reach into the stormy chaos of our lives to save us from fear and to bring us into new life: Hear our prayers for the needs of a suffering world, and save all who call upon you, as we pray: Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful people. Litanist: Gracious One, your Church has been sent to proclaim good news to all the world: Protect us from jealousy and conflict, that we may witness to your saving presence. Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful people.Eternal One, our leaders and the leaders of the nations quarrel and bicker even in the face of threatening storms of chaos, illness and fear: Strengthen their faith to walk confidently into the future upheld by Christ's compassionate hand. Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful passionate One, our world is tossed by terror, fear, conspiracy, greed, bloodshed and oppression: Reach into the hearts of your storm-tossed creatures; let mercy and truth meet together and bring the peace of Jesus to all who are afraid. Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful people.Ever-Present One, the word is near us in this community, upon our lips and in our hearts: Help us to extend the confident hand of Jesus to those who share our lives here, that we may bring hope and peace to all our neighbors. Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful people.Loving One, we call upon you with believing hearts and your word is upon our lips as we offer our intercession for all who need your saving presence, especially all those on the St. James’ prayer list and for ___.We speak of all your marvelous works and give you thanks, especially for ___.Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, our clergy (Eileen, Robby, Al, Jim, Deacon Kyra, seminarian Lynn, our office workers Aimee & Diana, Simone, Emily and our Welcome Table staff, board & Freedom school. We pray for our Vestry members: Natalie Adelaja (Senior Warden), John Butler (Junior Warden), Alondra Johnson, Riley Caruthers, Pat Liston, Susan Gezana, Rudy Green, Micah Barber, Jason Myers, De Sellers, Teresa Chang, Craig Watkins and for our church treasurer, Will Clark. We pray for our City Council members: Natasha Harper Madison, Delia Garza, Pio Renteria, Greg Casar, Ann Kitchens, Jimmy Flannigan, Leslie Pool, Paige Ellis, Kathy Tovo, Allison Alter & for our mayor Steve Adler, our City Manager Spencer Cronk, our Assistant City Manager Christopher Shorter. We also pray for Brian Manley, the Chief of Police, for our Fire Chief Joel Baker and for other city and county officials. We pray for our Supreme Court Justices: Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Chief Justice John RobertsWe pray for public health officials and especially Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci. We entrust to your never failing care and love those who have died, especially ___.May all who need you hear Christ's words of comfort, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Truth shall spring up from the earth; for you are speaking peace to your faithful people.Presider: Save your children, O Holy One, and let your presence come to us like a sound of sheer silence filling our hearts with your Spirit, that peace may overcome enmity and love may calm our storms, through the power of the Son of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.Be present, Spirit of God, within us, your dwelling place and home, that this house may be one where all darkness is penetrated by your light, all troubles calmed by your peace, all evil redeemed by your love, all pain transformed in your suffering, and all dying glorified in your risen life. Amen.Sentence of the DayGod bless us and keep us,God’s face shine on us and be gracious to us,and give us light and peace.Final VersicleThe service concludesThe divine Spirit dwells in us.Thanks be to God.On Monday, August 17, 2020 (11th Sunday after Pentecost), the above form of Night Prayer for Aug 10 may be used. The following Readings, Prayers of the People, and Blessing may be used.Psalm 31 O God, I have come to you for shelter: let me never be put to shame.Deliver me in the justice of your ways: incline your ear to me and be swift to save me.Be for me a rock of refuge, a fortress to defend me: for you are my rock and my stronghold.Lead me and guide me for your name’s sake: deliver me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my strength.Into your hands I commit my spirit, for you will redeem me, eternal God of truth. John 5:19-2919?Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. 22The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, 23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. 25?‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. 28Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.Prayers of the PeoplePresider: O God, the loving Creator of all humankind, you have expanded the boundaries of kinship through the abundant compassion of your Son Jesus Christ: Empower your Church through our ministries of reconciliation as we bring to you our prayers on behalf of the whole world, saying: Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when kindred live together in unity!Litanist: Gracious God, awaken your Church to the cries of the suffering, especially our brothers and sisters from other cultures and other faiths, that we may be mediators of your charity and friendship. Oh, how good and pleasant it is,when kindred live together in passionate One, open the ears of the leaders of the nations to hear the voices of the importunate and those who refuse to be silenced, that your children may nevermore be treated as dogs nor be tossed only the crumbs that fall from the tables of the wealthy and powerful. Oh, how good and pleasant it is,when kindred live together in unity.Reconciling One, hear our prayers for the families of the world, divided by conflict and mistrust, especially those who suffer from famine, illness, violence, injustice and prejudice: May all be brought in peace to feast at your abundant table of fellowship. Oh, how good and pleasant it is,when kindred live together in unity.Unite our community in bonds of charity and friendship, that people of various races, cultures and religions may extend to one another gifts of mutual respect and generosity. Oh, how good and pleasant it is,when kindred live together in unity.Loving and healing God, extend your hand of mercy to those for whom we pray, especially ___.We raise our voices of thanksgiving for all the blessings of this life, especially for ___.We entrust to your never-failing care and love those who have died, especially ___.Oh, how good and pleasant it is,when kindred live together in unity.Presider: Through your scriptures you have shown us that you have rejected no one and that you offer your divine mercy to all humanity: Have mercy upon us, O Father, that we may extend your universal work of reconciliation to all whose lives we touch, through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and for ever. Amen.BlessingAs children of the God who rejects not the disobedient, but extends infinite mercy and love to all, we are filled with God's compassion.As brothers and sisters of Christ who have feasted on the children's food, we rejoice in our acceptance, and extend Christ's unconditional love to those who may not know themselves to be beloved.As the community of the baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit, we share in the ministry of reconciliation and be mediators of divine charity and friendship. And the blessing of our merciful God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with us and embolden us, now and for ever. Amen. ................
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