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Thursday, May 3, 2012

WELCOME TO THE DAILY OFFICE GUILD!

With Father Paul’s departure and conflicting schedules, Morning Prayer is only being "said" by Sister Jo Baim on Fridays and tenor section leader Alan Wheaton on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week at 9am.  “Matins,” or sung Morning Prayer Rite I, is a wonderful way to start the day.  The chant tunes are very easy to learn.  And chanting itself leads the chanters into a deep but unspeakable realm where God is encountered.  Join Sister Jo and Alan when you can.

Studies have also shown that Parishes which offer the Daily Office on a very regular basis are healthier than those who don’t.  On one level, we don’t know why and on a deeper level, it makes perfect sense: “The family that prays together stays together.”

Though our lives may be busy and sometimes beyond hectic, you are invited to join the Daily Office Guild, an at home community which offers the Office on a daily basis, if possible between the hours of 7am and 10am, or 4pm and 7pm.  Compline is also an option later in the evening especially before retiring.  While not physically offering the Office together at the same time, there’s something comforting and profound knowing that others you know are reading the same lessons and offering the same prayers at basically the same time. 

“Officiants” are welcome to use whatever form they choose as long as the basic structure of the offering is similar to the Daily Office in The Book of Common Prayer.  Many different versions of the Daily Office can be found at The Episcopal Bookstore: www.episcopalbookstore.com, and resources can be procured through Father Kevin.  The simplest version is found on pages 136 through 140 of The Book of Common Prayer. An example of the Morning offering from the previously mentioned pages follows.

Each week, the lessons appointed for each day will be sent to you via email.  Lessons and Collects (the prayer appointed for the occasion) for Saints days and Major Feasts of the Church Year, like Easter, Christmas, All Saints, etc., will also be included.  In addition, a list of special intentions will be included.  This will be the list from the Prayers of the People from the previous Sunday.  You are also encouraged to add your prayers of concern and thanksgiving on a regular basis if you have any.

Joining the Guild
The only qualifications for joining the guild are having the ability and time to pray.  J  The Guild will meet once a quarter to pray the Office together and build friendships in Christ.  Go to the bottom of this page and enter your email in the subscriber thingy and add your name to the list. 



In the Morning

From Psalm 51
Open my lips, O Lord, *
    and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
    and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence *
    and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again *
    and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
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.

A Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

or a lesson from the Daily Office Lectionary may be used.

A period of silence may follow.

A hymn or canticle may be used; the Apostles’ Creed may be said.

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Collect
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought
us in safety to this new day:  Preserve us with your mighty
power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by
adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your
purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


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