The real gift of Christmas

A video courtesy of Acts 8:

 

St. Alban’s Christmas Eve service will begin at 7:30 pm December 24 with prelude music, followed by the First Mass of Christmas at 8 pm.

The Christmas Day service will be at 9:30 am December 25.

Holy Name of Jesus service January 1, 9:30 am.

General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, 25th June – 3rd July, 2015

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-See more at: http://www.acts8moment.org/

The General Convention of The Episcopal Church, which meets every three years, will convene on Thursday 25th in Salt Lake City, Utah, and run until the 3rd July.

There are many sites which can help you to follow what is happening, and a live-streaming site which can enable you to listen “as it happens!”

If you have a little time over the next ten days or so, you can inform yourself about how TEC “works,” and see where the energy and enthusiasm of the church is faced right now.

The sites will be added in the next day or so.

In the meantime you might look at this: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/praying-for-general-convention/

There is a blog designed for those who wish to pray for the church at this important time. You may check this out also. Please pray for the Church, for the Deputies and Bishops, the Visitors and all connected with the Convention.

Blog site on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1816748015216213/

Pray for your Congregation and its Leaders (Clergy, Vestry, Ministry Leaders, and Others), and for your own Christian Witness.

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

About this prayer cycle

The Acts 8 Moment calls on Episcopalians to pray for the church, each day between now and the start of General Convention on June 25. To help you in your prayers, we have suggested a specific prayer intention for each day, along with prayers that might be helpful to you as you pray. We hope you will pray at various times of the day, but especially at 5:08 p.m.! (The number 5 is for the 5th book of the New Testament, the Book of Acts, and 8 is for the 8th chapter.)

The Acts8 Moment is a Missionary Society made of lay and clergy members of the Episcopal Church who seek to change the conversation in The Episcopal Church from death to resurrection; equipping The Episcopal Church to proclaim resurrection to the world.

– See more at: http://www.acts8moment.org/

Visit the Media Hub for the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church at http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc/ for live-streaming from Salt Lake City of legislative sessions from both houses, daily worship, press round-ups, and on-demand features. Plus you’ll find links to coverage from Episcopal News Service and a complete calendar of events. Also click on tabs for:

  • WORSHIP
  • PRESS
  • FEATURES
  • DEPUTIES (lay and clergy deputies)
  • BISHOPS

The Blue Book, which contains all the reports and resolutions, plus official business of 78th General Convention, may be accessed at:

http://www.generalconvention.org/home/bluebook