 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Ember Days Say what?  Ember Days “Ember” sounds like a fire – or the leftovers from a fire. But it actually has nothing to do with that! The Latin word actually had to do with the quarterly times for the Church’s prayers for planting, gathering grapes, harvest, even wine-making. Later on ordinations were scheduled around those three days each quarter when the candidates for ordination would prepare by prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Ordinations no longer follow that schedule anymore – but the days have become primarily the time each quarter when candidates for ordination write a letter to their bishop to share progress in their preparation: spiritual, academic, and practical – to ask questions or to share insights. Those letters are actually required! It is important for the bishop to keep up with what is going on with those preparing for ordination. The Ember Days occur on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after Pentecost, after Holy Cross Day in September, after December 1, and after Ash Wednesday. Our privilege during these days is to especially pray for all the ministers of the Church and for those preparing for ministry. But see who those are.Lay people are first named: the priesthood of believers begins there.  Prayers for Ember Days page 256 of the Book of Common Prayer For all Christians in their vocation Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen For the choice of fit persons for the ordained ministry O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen For those to be ordained Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in y our divine providence you have appointed various orders in your church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reign with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen  |
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