Friday, December 14, 2012

Prayer Service, Saturday, December 15, Noon

St John's family wishes to express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of this unspeakable horror. We pray for the victims and hope that, in time, their loved ones will find some measure of peace through God's grace.

We invite the Sandy Hook community to join us for a prayer service at noon on Saturday, December 15th.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our prayers are with you as you minister in this tragedy. May God grant you peace and comfort.

Bishop Dan said...

Just want you to know that in Nevada we are shocked and grieved by this tragedy. We are praying along with you. Bishop Dan Edwards

Bishop Dan said...

Just want you to know we in Nevada are shocked and grieved by your tragedy. We are praying along with you.

Dan & Mary Brewer, Granger In said...

Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord; and let Light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Anonymous said...

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you - I am sharing just one Blessing that I saw tonight on line - It represent the sentiments of so many who are holding you all in our heart tonight. ("Friday Mornin - A PRAYER FOR THE BLUE HEARTS: Let us all appreciate every moment we have in this life as we never know when it can end. Let us appreciate every person we have in this moment because they may not be there in the next. All we can do is grow in compassion, love, and kindness to one another and see our fellow man as ourselves. When we learn to do this we will all be better for it. May everyone be blessed and held to the highest good, may we all live our lives beautifully and ferociously while lifting another up to be greater than where we are today. May the broken be healed and the healed help the broken. May all things be done for, with, and in the name of LOVE."

Merciful God let your healing light shine in the darkness of this time and teach us the meaning of your peace, love, compassion. Help us to come together to heal the broken hearts and to show us the tremendous power of prayer.

Father Stevo said...

To our sisters and brothers at St. John's - know the people of St. Andrew's are holding you and the people of Sandy Hook in our prayers. In the midst of the terrible shock and pain that you have been thrust into, may you know God's presence and may you find comfort, strength and courage to see you through the days to come. - The Rev. Steve Mosher, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Maryville Tennessee

Anonymous said...

The members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tomahawk, WI of the Diocese of Fond du Lac express our deepest sympathy to the survivors, families and the community.
You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Pastor Clint said...

From a small community church in rural Illinois, know that our hearts and prayers are with your community. We can do little more than pray and weep, but if it's any comfort, we are praying FOR you and weeping WITH you.

May God's peace and comfort find and sustain you all.

Pastor Clint
Cable Community Church
Sherrard, IL

Rev Carol Meredith said...

Dear friends our prayers are with you all. In our hearts we journey with you through Christ during this dark night. May God's light rest upon you as you comfort each other and are surrounded by the prayers and love of others. Rev carol Meredith St Stephens Aurora CO

Unknown said...

Our prayers are with you! Know that you are being upheld by millions around the world.

Anonymous said...

We have had a Blues Christmas service planned for this evening (Saturday, December 15) for sometime. Just saw a post from our rector that we will, of course, hold the families and victims of the Sandy Hook shootings in our prayers. May light perpetual shine on us all in peace.

Anonymous said...

St. Stephen's in Ridgefield keeps you in our hearts, minds, & prayers.

Betty Read said...

As a member of Episcopal Church of Reconciliation in San Antonio, Texas, my heart is heavy for the loss of life in your little city. May our Lord welcome all those to whom he once said, "Blessed are the little children, let them come unto me." And may our Lord touch each one of you with His compassionate love, peace and strength...Amen

Anonymous said...

Christ's peace, from Southaven, MS (St. Timothy's Episcopal Church)

Deacon Sue said...

The people of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Waupun WI of the Diocese of Fond du Lac want you to know we are holding the innocent victims, their families , and your community in in our prayers. We offer thanksgiving for the heroic actions of the school personnel. May the grace of God give you comfort.

SamooraiMommy said...

Know that the thoughts and prayers of many are with your community at this time and may the blessings of the holidays bring healing and surcease to those who grieve.

Anonymous said...

The nation shares the grief that has been visited upon your community. You are all in our prayers.
Jeanette in Louisiana

Chris Yaw said...

Members of St. David's Episcopal Church in Southfield, MI are remembering you at this time. Peace be to you, The Rev. Chris Yaw+

St. John's Episcopal Church said...

Our thanks for everyone's outpouring of sympathy, prayers and thoughts.

Charles Hogan said...

Peace be with you.

Unknown said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the little ones, parents, teachers and the Newtown community, all of us are deeply saddened by this tragedy.
Andrew Belcher,family and community, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Anonymous said...

Oh God, our Heavenly Father, who in the crucifixion of your son, Jesus, suffered the loss of a child; send your infinite mercy on those in Newtown, Connecticut. Grant that they may be comforted and strengthened by the power of your Holy Spirit in their lives.

For those who were lost, grant the infinite joy and peace of your Heavenly Presence. For those of us left behind to deal with this atrocity, grant us understanding and the grace to deal with our emotions in a way that is pleasing to you.

Give us strength in our humanity, to comfort and support one another. Give us the ability to accept those questions for which there may never be answers.

This we humbly ask through the power of You, our Heavenly Father, your only son, Jesus Christ, and thy Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Betty Cordoza
Bishop's Warden
St. Mary in the Mountains
Jamestown, CA

Unknown said...

May God give you the grace to heal the brokenhearted at this most profound moment.
The Rev. Wayne Nicholson
St. John's Episcopal Church, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

The Rev. Patricia E. Henking said...

We will hold you in our hearts and prayers at services tomorrow, and carry you in our thoughts as we disperse. -- YOur brothers and sisters at Faith Episcopal Church in Merrimack, NH

Anonymous said...

Our hearts are heavy here in Australia, our thoughts and prayers with you all in this terrible time of grief and shock. May you find peace and comfort that we all share this terrible tragedy with you. With much love from South Australia.

Unknown said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. There are no words to describe just how our family feels about this tragedy. May the victims and their families find peace.

Anonymous said...

We grieve with you. Love and Prayers, Christina, Grace, Anniston, Alabama

Sue R Elliott said...

Last night at St Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Overland Park, KS our services were in memory of the 26 people who died at Sandy Hook on Friday. Each name was read, tears were shed as we joined you in the sadness that has spread around the world. 2 elementary age children were baptized as previously planned. As Father Gar said, they represent the light and the hope that we have because of our belief in God.
I hold all of you in my prayers as you begin this long journey.
In God's Love and Peace
Sue Elliott
St Thomas the Apostle Vestry

Anonymous said...

St. John's please remember at this difficult time that you are not alone in your sorrow. The unimaginable tragedy that occurred in your midst was an offense to all peaceful and loving people. Wishing eternal peace for those you may have lost in this senseless crime. (White Plains NY)

Dejuanna said...

I saw this in a local radio station's news article posted on Facebook (KRMG Tulsa, Oklahoma): "At St. John's Episcopal Church, 54-year-old Donna Denner, an art teacher at an elementary school in nearby Danbury whose classroom was locked down after the shooting, said she feels the same way she did after 9/11 but isn't sure the rest of the country does.
"I don't know if the rest of the country is struggling to understand it the same way we are here," she said. "Life goes on, but you're not the same. Is the rest of the country — are they going about their regular activities? Is it just another news story to them?" Donna, I felt exactly like that, like I did after hearing about 9-11, when I heard about this tragedy. I think the nation, no, the world is grieving with your community and the families of the lost. Pictures and stories from around the world of people showing support and grieving for those lost have been on the news. God bless you all with peace and healing.

Maura said...

A candle burns for your community and families who lost loved ones on Friday at Intercession Episcopal Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Please also let Donna Denner know if she is a parishioner that we have not gone about business as usual here in Wisconsin after the tragedy. This has affected us all deeply and we have been praying since we received news on midday on Friday. May you find comfort in knowing this and may God grant you peace.

Samantha Sayer said...

Please know that we are thinking of you and your community as you seek to support those who are bereaved and hurting. May God give you all you need to minister.

Samantha Sayer
Bristol
UK

Chrming said...

Thank you pastor Clint for these words - I echo them from our small town in Limerick, Maine... We are praying for and weeping with you.

"From a small community church in rural Illinois, know that our hearts and prayers are with your community. We can do little more than pray and weep, but if it's any comfort, we are praying FOR you and weeping WITH you.

May God's peace and comfort find and sustain you all.

Pastor Clint
Cable Community Church
Sherrard, IL

Chrming said...

to quote pastor Clint.. "We can do little more than pray and weep, but if it's any comfort, we are praying FOR you and weeping WITH you."

Christine Ming
Limerick, Maine

Anonymous said...

Hoping you can pass this on to Ms. Denner-

In regards to this excerpt from an article found on AOL...

"At St. John's Episcopal Church, 54-year-old Donna Denner, an art teacher at an elementary school in nearby Danbury whose classroom was locked down after the shooting, said she feels the same way she did after 9/11 but isn't sure the rest of the country does.

"I don't know if the rest of the country is struggling to understand it the same way we are here," she said. "Life goes on, but you're not the same. Is the rest of the country – are they going about their regular activities? Is it just another news story to them?"

I am in Rheinland-Pfalz Germany and can not stop weeping and praying for the people there in Connecticut. This is not just another news story. It is a horrible, senseless tragedy that will be forever ingrained on our hearts. May God's loving arms envelop each and every one directly affected by this. Prayers for each of you...

Anonymous said...

The thoughts and prayers of the Parish of St. Paul in Newton Highlands, MA are with you and your heartbroken community. And in the words of St. Benedict, "Always we begin again." Peace.

JimMollo said...

From The Episcopal Church of St. Paul in Chatham, NJ, please know that we pray with you and grieve with you. We are holding up our collective grief in prayer. We are sending love and prayers and light to you all.

Dennis Lloyd said...

Today, we at Holy Apostles in Wynnewood, PA offered up our prayers for our brothers and sisters in Newtown. Several of our members have ties to your area, and all of us here want you to know that we stand ready to assist in any way can. We will continue to hold you in prayer. Iknow that God will grant you the strength and wisdom you need to bring the healing presence of Christ to the people of Newtown.

Anonymous said...

The prayers of all of us at St. Peter's Church, Osterville, MA are with all of you and your community during this time. May Christ's healing love shine on you all.

Anonymous said...

Our hearts are just crushed over this tragedy. Our church family at St. Anna's Episcopal in New Orleans are praying for everyone in Sandy Hook. -Don Dubay

Anonymous said...

Peace be to you and grace from him
Who freed us from our sin, who loved us all, and shed his blood
That we might saved be.
Sing holy, holy to our Lord
The Lord almighty God Who was and is, and is to come.
Rejoice in heaven,
all ye that dwell therein
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below
For Christ is coming soon.
E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come
And night shall be no more
They need no light, no lamp, nor sun
For Christ will be their all!
-“E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come”, Paul Manz
Lyrics Reworked from the Book of Revelation

Peace be with you all, from the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri.