Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

From Book of Common Prayer:
Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, You alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant Your people grace to love what You command and desire what You promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A poem for the first day of spring

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

-by Robert Frost

Happy St. Patrick's Day

(Window from St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, Ireland)


Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever. By power of faith, Christ's incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom;* I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of the cherubim; The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim, Confessors' faith, Apostles' word, the Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls, all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven, the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours, against their fierce hostility, I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart's idolatry, against the wizard's evil craft, against the death wound and the burning, the choking wave and the poisoned shaft, protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong Name of the Trinity; By invocation of the same. The Three in One, and One in Three, of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.
_____________________________________
* Note: "day of doom" is an Old English term meaning "Day of Judgment."

We're a "Welcoming Congregation"

March 15, 2010

First United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula
401 S. Harte Street
Iraan, TX 79744

Dear Rev. Alkula and church members:

United Methodist Communications is pleased to award First United Methodist Church in Iraan initial certification as an official Welcoming Congregation in 2010. Because The United Methodist Church places a high value on radical hospitality as a vital ministry, we know you will want to celebrate this important achievement in your congregation by continuing to embrace newcomers and provide opportunities for discipleship through your welcoming lifestyle.

Your welcoming plaque and original copy of certification letter will be sent via UPS to the church address. In addition to the plaque, your church is recognized as a certified Welcoming Congregation on the denomination’s Find-A-Church.org website. Your church’s profile displays this designation. We encourage you to visit Find-A-Church.org to update your church information with pictures, worship times, ministry listing and a word of welcome!

We hope you will continue to participate in annual renewal of the welcoming certification program so every member of your congregation can embrace welcoming as a lifestyle, and your church can maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry for all people. Details concerning the annual renewal process will be sent to you after April 1, 2010.

To help you strengthen and maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry in your congregation and to help you extend your welcome into the community and the world, we invite you to visit RethinkChurch.org and review the information and resources available. In addition, we have added your church email address to our database so you can begin receiving email updates about Welcoming Certification and welcoming ministry training and resources.

On behalf of United Methodist Communications, we thank you for ensuring newcomers know the people of The United Methodist Church have open hearts, open minds and open doors.

Sincerely,
Sheila Harrison
Certification Coordinator
United Methodist Communications

cc: District Superintendent, Rev. Larry Altman
SWTX Conference Communications, Thomas Monahan

Lovely Sunday at the Iraan FUMC!

Folks did remember to set their clocks, so they could get to church on time. We had a wonderful church family reunion this Sunday morning (as we do every Sunday morning): Praise be to God!!

One Great Hour of Sharing

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Today’s special offering enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to do business and to send 100% of all designated funds to the selected programs. Please do your part by giving generously to One Great Hour of Sharing. Now more than ever the world needs you. Be there with UMCOR. Visit this link to learn more.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

(the Ford of the Partridge on the River Jordan)


CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (UMC Hymnal #253):

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized in His name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess Him as Lord and Savior, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, One God, in glory everlasting. Amen.