Saturday, November 17, 2012

A Call to Prayer for the Diocese of South Carolina

The Bishop of South Carolina
UPDATE: Kendall Harmon is live blogging the special convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina here.  Bishop Mark Lawrence's address is here.

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Kendall Harmon over at T19 writes, "I mean this--we NEED your prayers. Thank you."  Tomorrow is the Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina in Charleston.  Here are the details:

Date of Special Convention: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Location: Saint Philip’s Church, 142 Church Street, Charleston
Registration: 8:30 am – 9:45 am in the Parish Hall
Call to Convention: 10:00 am

Lent & Beyond has put up prayers and scriptures that are very helpful as we focus on prayers on this historic meeting on Saturday.  Included is the hymn St. Patrick's Breastplate:



Here are more songs to help focus prayer:






Looking at our broken and divided church it is so easy to be discouraged, but our hope is not in what we see but in what we cannot see.  We have hope not because we are right but because Jesus is risen.





Gracious Father, we pray for they holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you
through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him,
that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope
of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every
good and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and
other clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their
charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that they may
truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy
blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate
and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a
goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishops(s) N. [and N.],
and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word
may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments
faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your
Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your
Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to
all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and
understanding, be present with those who take counsel
at the Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of 
South Carolina, for the renewal and mission of your Church.
Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide
us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to
pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.




1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Will Sewanee's sick embrace of TEC's sexual innovations take a pause now that donors are impacted by South Carolina?


An Open Letter to Sewanee Vice Chancellor McCardell Concerning Status of Diocese of South Carolina

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=16838


4. If you do expect Bishop von Rosenberg to replace Bishop Lawrence, or if such a change is probable, why have you not yet notified your alumni and donors in South Carolina of this pending material change in University governance, especially now when many families are considering year end gifts to Sewanee's annual fund?