Independence Day

O Holy, righteous and immortal God, King of kings and Lord of lords, thou art the Giver of all good, and the only hope of all the ends of the earth. With humble adoration we would lift our heart and voice to thee, in praise and prayer. We adore thee as the God in whom our fathers trusted; as the God, whose holy protecting arm has preserved the people of these United States, through many and great perils. Grant unto us, we beseech thee, such sense of thy blessings to us, and to the people of our country,

Ordination of Clelia Pinza Garrity

Ordination of Clelia Pinza Garrity as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. Service was held at St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church on April 10, 2010.  Pictured in Photo are Rev. William H. Stokes, Rector St. Paul’s Church Delray Beach, FL, The Rt. Rev. Dan T. Edwards, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada and [...]

1 Lent Collect

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns [...]

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is a unique time for revisiting the work of the soul and taking stock of what God has done and is doing in us. It is a time for letting go of those things that possess us and lay a claim instead to our own hope in Christ.

Inclement weather

God, we remember all those who have been adversely affected by inclement weather, including heavy rain in California, and heavy snow in the D.C. area in particular. We pray for all those who have lost electricity and whose homes have been damaged. But we pray especially for those who have no homes and no shelters [...]

praying against poverty

 Jesus, you told us that we would always have the poor. And God, we acknowledge the special concern you have for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. So give us eyes to see them around us, give us wisdom to know how to help, and give us the boldness and fortitude to take action [...]

Prayer for Haiti

God of mercy, we continue to lift up the people and country of Haiti. We ask that your presence would be with those who have lost loved ones and homes; we ask that your presence would be with those Haitians who are in other places around the world, uncertain of the fate of their families [...]

1 Epiphany – The Baptism of the Lord

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy [...]

A Litany of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.

About That Job

We all are called for service to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are diff’rent, our purpose is the same:
To touch the lives of others by God’s surprising grace,
So people of all nations may feel God’s warm embrace.
-Rusty Edwards, Hymn 778 (from Wonder, Love, and Praise)