Grateful Bread

Dear friends,

Just home from the wonderful “Grateful Bread” luncheon hosted by Trinity’s Parish Care team in the Parish Hall. Special thanks to Molly Stone, Jace Tilton, and everyone who brought food to share and prayers for one another.  

Delicious soups and breads were prepared and enjoyed by all those in attendance. Tables were decorated with fall flowers and leaves, pumpkins and lovely statements about Gratitude. Here are two traditional American Grace prayers that were offered:  

“May the love that is in my heart pass from my hand to yours.” 

and  

“Lord Jesus, be our guest; Our morning joy, our evening rest. And with our daily bread, and part, bring peace and joy to every heart.” 

Amen! to both of these. Maybe you will use them for your upcoming Thanksgiving meal with family and friends? Before we ate, we said Noonday Prayer together. Every Wednesday, this small service happens on Zoom, but today we were together in person. The centerpiece of the service is three spoken psalms including Psalm 121: 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”

Who among us does not need that reminder? That God is the one who shows up to help us? That when we look to other “hills” or to idols of greed, money, self- sufficiency, or pride we are missing the truth that it is God alone who saves us. Our hope is in the Lord, the God of all love and mercy. 

Friend and colleague, Scott Gunn, Ex. Director of Forward Movement puts it this way: 

“Material goods, politicians, jobs, money, and controversies are all fleeting. God’s love is eternal, and those of us who know Jesus Christ can experience this eternal life both in this life and in the life to come. We must never lose sight of this fact. Clinging to hope will not make the challenges of our lives or the problems of the world vanish. But this mighty hope can give us the perspective, the resolve, and the courage to contend with evil in our own hearts and in the world around us.”

This Sunday, the Collect of the Day speaks of “the blessed hope of everlasting life.” As you hear the words, written by our Anglican forbearer, Thomas Cranmer 500 years ago, may you join with all who have prayed, continue to pray, and will pray to hold fast to this hope, now and in the next life. 

May the peace of Christ be with you in these days of thanksgiving and gratitude and among you now and always, 

Nancy+