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Noonday Friday 4/16/21 ... See MoreSee Less

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Service for Noonday - Thursday 4/15/21 The Feast of Damien, Priest, 1889 and Marianne Cope, Monastic, 1918 of Hawaii (Marianne Cope, also known as Saint Marianne of Molokaʻi, (January 23, 1838 – August 9, 1918) was a German-born American religious sister who was a member of the Sisters of St Francis of Syracuse, New York, and founding leader of its St. Joseph's Hospital in the city, among the first of 50 general hospitals in the country. Known also for her charitable works, in 1883 she relocated with six other sisters to Hawaiʻi to care for persons suffering leprosy on the island of Molokaʻi and aid in developing the medical infrastructure in Hawaiʻi. She cared for the dying Father Damien, SS.CC., who was already known internationally for his work in the leper colony on Kalaupapa.)

Officiant O God, make speed to save us.
People O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as
it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn 204
Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
love lives again, that with the dead has been:

Love is come again
like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid him, Love whom hate had slain,
thinking that never he would wake again,
laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
he that for three days in the grave had lain,
quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
thy touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

John Macleod Campbell Crum (1872-1958), alt. Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A-725816. All rights reserved.
.

Psalm 103:13-22
Benedic, anima mea
13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.
14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; *he remembers that we are but dust.
15 Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
16 When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, *
and his righteousness on children's children;
18 On those who keep his covenant *
and remember his commandments and do them.
19 The Lord has set his throne in heaven, *
and his kingship has dominion over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
and hearken to the voice of his word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, *
you ministers of his who do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
bless the Lord, O my soul.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Scripture Matthew 11:1–6
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Thanks be to God.

Meditation
---

The Officiant then begins the Prayers
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray in the words Jesus taught us...

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.

Officiant Lord, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.

The Collect:
Bind up the wounds of your children, O God, and help us to be bold and loving in service to all who are shunned for the diseases they suffer, following the example of your servants Damien and Marianne, that your grace may be poured forth upon all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

I invite your own intercessions and thanksgivings at this time… (pause in silence)
For Jan, Sandy, Curt, and Kelly. Healing for Joy, Kathleen, Martin and especially Maggie. For Tim and all those with chronic conditions and those who care for them. For Nora and all who suffer from Long Covid. For all of us to continue to take necessary precautions against a 4th surge of this pandemic. -And for All Your Prayers,
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Compassionate God, support and strengthen all
those who reach out in love, concern, and prayer for
the sick and distressed. In their acts of compassion,
may they know that they are your instruments. In
their concerns and fears may they know your peace.
In their prayer may they know your steadfast love.
May they not grow weary or faint-hearted, for your
mercy’s sake.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Grant that our churches and communities of faith
may reflect your love, as they minister to the most
vulnerable among us; fill them with your Holy Spirit as
they work to be your healing hands and feet to all in
need.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Generous God, we give you thanks for your beloved
Jesus Christ, in whom you have shared the beauty
and pain of human life. Look with compassion upon
all for whom we pray, and strengthen us to be your
instruments of healing in the world, by the power of
the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The service concludes as follows
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

[From The Mission of St Clare, The Lectionary Page online, The Book of Common Prayer Online, The Episcopal Church .org, wikipedia] ... See MoreSee Less

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Service for Noonday - Wednesday, Apr. 14, 2021 - the Feast of
Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione Unmercenary Physicians, (c.100, c.117 April 14) Zenaida (Zenaida of Tarsus) and Philonella (d. circa 100) were traditionally the first Eastern Orthodox Christian physicians after Luke the Evangelist, and the first "unmercenaries" (physicians who would not accept fees from their patients). They practiced in a cave with healing springs. Hermione was born in Caesarea of Palestine early in the first century, a daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon. She bought a house and founded a medical clinic, devoted to the treatment of the poor and the homeless. Joined by her sister Eukhidia, she added rooms for these homeless ones and for poor travelers who were ill.

Officiant O God, make speed to save us.
People O Lord, make haste to help us.

Officiant and People
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as
it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia!

Hymn 180 (vs 1-3)

He is risen, he is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice:
he has burst his three days’ prison;
let the whole wide earth rejoice:
death is conquered, we are free,
Christ has won the victory.

Come, ye sad and fearful-hearted,
with glad smile and radiant brow!
Death’s long shadows have departed;
Jesus’ woes are over now,
and the passion that he bore—
sin and pain can vex no more.

Come, with high and holy hymning,
hail our Lord’s triumphant day;
not one darksome cloud is dimming
yonder glorious morning ray,
breaking o’er the purple east,
symbol of our Easter feast.

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), alt.
This selection is in the public domain.
Podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A-725816. All rights reserveD

Psalm 147 (1-12)
Laudate Dominum

[1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!

2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.

6 The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.

8 He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

9 He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.

10 He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

11 He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;

12 But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.]

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Scripture Ecclesiasticus 38:1–15
Honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them;
for their gift of healing comes from the Most High,
and they are rewarded by the king.
The skill of physicians makes them distinguished,
and in the presence of the great they are admired.
The Lord created medicines out of the earth,
and the sensible will not despise them.
Was not water made sweet with a tree
in order that its power might be known?
And he gave skill to human beings
that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.
By them the physician heals and takes away pain;
the pharmacist makes a mixture from them.
God’s works will never be finished;
and from him health spreads over all the earth.
My child, when you are ill, do not delay,
but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly,
and cleanse your heart from all sin.
Offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of choice flour,
and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford.
Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him;
do not let him leave you, for you need him.
There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians,
for they too pray to the Lord that he will grant them success in diagnosis
and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.
He who sins against his Maker will be defiant towards the physician.

Thanks be to God.

Meditation
---

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray in the words Jesus taught us...

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 forever. Amen

Officiant Lord, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.

The Collect
Merciful God, whose most dear Son came to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and preach good news to the poor: Lead us by the example of your servants, Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione, to freely give even as we have freely received; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

I invite your own intercessions and thanksgivings at this time… (pause in silence)
For Jan, Sandy, Barb, Curt & Cleo, Madge & Ron, Victoria & Robert, Dorothy & Frank, Donna & Angelo, Tracey & Billy, Christian, Mark & Matt, Dore, Christine, Augie & Ryan, Connie, Kelly & Shaun, Laura & Ted, Ron & Tony, Adam & Jane, all who participate in weekday Noonday Prayer, and all parishioners of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sharon. For Tim and all people who struggle with chronic medical issues and for those who care for them. Healing For Joy, Kathleen, Martin and especially Maggie. For all front-line workers. For 1st responders, Police and Firefighters, EMTs, Nurses, Doctors, Hospitals, and Testing Facilities. For the efficient deployment of protective vaccines. For our entire nation that we may grow in trust, support racial justice, and unity for all. For all of us, that we may practice your command to “love one another” by continuing protective behaviors. AND, FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS TODAY. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Heal those who are sick.
May they have access to medical care and regain their strength and
health; grant them your healing grace. Give strength to
all who are caring for loved ones.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Grant, 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;
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies
cannot be numbered: Make us, we beseech thee, deeply
sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let thy
Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days;
that, when we shall have served thee in our generation, we
may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a
good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church;
in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a
reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with thee our
God; and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The service concludes as follows
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

*The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms, and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. Also prayers from The Mission of St Clare online. ... See MoreSee Less

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