In-Person Worship Cancelled at Cathedral News from the Congregation March 22, 2020
Sunday Cathedral Services Cancelled as New York Goes on PAUSE; Vestry Allots Surplus Money to Various Cathedral Funds, Parish Prayer Project, Musical Meditation by Susan Sobolewski (Sunday Programming on Zoom: 10 am Bible Study, 12:30 Adult Formation Class); Home Liturgy for Use During COVID Pandemic
Canon Lee
This Sunday, there will not be any worship service at the Cathedral. The Governor's order on Friday that New York go on "PAUSE," upended our plans for broadcast Morning Prayer from the Cathedral, as we could not in good conscience ask our technical and production staff to travel here and risk their health. The Dean and Chapter are exploring alternative means of providing connection and spiritual nurture while adhering to these new guidelines.
Yesterday afternoon, the Vestry voted unanimously to adopt the following recommendation of the Task Force on the Surplus:
That $5,000 of the surplus go to the Emergency Fund the Dean has set up to continue paying the musicians and maintenance workers who normally are paid per service or by the hour;
That $2,500 be given to Cathedral Community Cares for its feeding program;
That $2,500 be given to the Food Bank for New York City, which supplies most of the feeding programs in the five boroughs.
The Task Force also recommended that other types of "surplus" owned by the Congregation be given away as a response to this crisis, such as our supply of food service gloves to Mount Sinai Morningside (the new name for the hospital next to the Cathedral). The task force will meet again in a week to discuss the potential for further gifts.
I hope you can take heart in how our Congregation, in this time of fear and deprivation, continues to turn outwards and focus on helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Finally, an update on our Parish Prayer Project. For most of this program year, Jennifer Allen has been emailing a select group of you each week to ask for prayer requests, and she and I would then pray for that group the following week. Since the COVID-19 crisis started getting more serious a couple weeks ago, we have been praying for the entire list of members each day. Jennifer has made a recording of her prayers for you. Listen here.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
SUNDAY, MARCH 22
***New link for Community Notes, including a Beethoven piece played by Susan Sobolewski: http://www.saintsaviour.org/podcast-feed
***Join us on Slack, which is essentially a chat room for the Congregation, and a great way to stay connected in this time of physical distancing.
10:00 AM - Online Sunday Morning Bible Study | Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/838851930
This week's Bible Study is led by Canon Lee and will be online by Zoom.
10:00 AM - Sunday School Packets Emailed
Please contact Jennifer Allen if you have any questions or do not receive a packet.
12:30 PM - Online Adult Formation Class | Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/816715234
Join Sub Dean Malloy and Canon Lee as they discuss the theological implications and practical logistics of "doing" church digitally.
To use Zoom on a computer:
Click one of the links above and you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom application.
After the Zoom application is installed on your computer, wait until the Bible Study or Adult Formation Class is scheduled to begin.
At that time, click the link again to open up a video-conferencing screen, and you will join the Bible Study or Adult Formation class.
To use Zoom on a telephone:
First dial 929.205.6099, and then enter the following meeting IDs:
Bible Study—838-851-930
Adult Formation—816-715-234
A Liturgy During a Pandemic
This liturgy has been designed for use at home during this time of uncertainty and fear due to COVID-19. One person may read the portions in regular font and everyone responds together for italicized portions. It may also be read by one person. This is meant to be used at any time of the day, or multiple times a day, if so desired. © The Rev. Porter C. Taylor, 2020
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
The Maker of heaven and earth.
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from all fear may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.
Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
Confession
Heavenly Father, we confess to you our fears, our worries, and our anxieties. You have given us your perfect love which casts out all fear and your peace which transcends all understanding, but even still we feel dislodged, displaced, untethered, and uncertain during these times.
We believe, Lord;
help our unbelief.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Comforting Words
Use one or more of these verses as a prayer.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1
For he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”
Hebrew 13:5-6
Intercessions
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people as we cry out to you; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all of your creation; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, giver of life, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those who grieve come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us also pray
For a swift end to COVID-19.
For those infected and those who have been exposed;
grant them strength, healing, and protection.
For their loved ones and caretakers;
grant them peace, comfort, and endurance.
For those leading nations;
grant them sound minds, courage, and humility.
For physicians, nurses, technicians, researchers, administrators, and all other healthcare employees around the world;
grant them strength by your life-giving Spirit, wisdom, and resources to do the work before them.
For those who must work, despite the threat of sickness;
grant them protection and continued provision.
For those who have become unemployed or underemployed during this pandemic;
grant them comfort, wisdom, and financial provision.
For churches and their clergy;
grant them discernment and creativity to lead and minister in unprecedented circumstances.
For parents and families;
grant them wisdom, patience and joy.
For children;
grant them protection from fear.
For those for whom home is not a safe haven;
grant them refuge.
For those who are alone;
grant them a sense of your nearness and love.
For all navigating decisions during this time of uncertainty and fear;
grant them your peace.
And for all the prayers we cannot voice because our language is insufficient or our ignorance too great;
Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live; grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer to Close
Morning
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.
Day
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who are scared, anxious, those who are mourning, or who are nervous; that, casting all their cares, worries, and anxieties upon you, they may know the overwhelming peace of your presence and the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Night
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you.” May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.