Lenten Prayer Project (#ASW40daygiveandpray)
We are almost done our All Saints’ Lenten prayer and alms-giving observance, On Saturday April 11, after that day’s prompt, please total up all your daily donations. If the sum feels like too much, feel free to give an amount appropriate to your means. If you feel it’s not enough to account for all your blessings, then give more.
You can mail your donation to the church or drop it off in the exterior mailbox anytime in the month of April. Cheques should be payable to All Saints Anglican Church, Whitby. Mark your gift as a “Lenten Prayer/Food Bank Donation.” Be sure to put your name and address or offertory # on the envelope. You can also give your #ASW40daygiveandpray donation using the online Donate option. Use the notes or the “in honour of” field to designate the donation is a “Lenten Prayer/Food Bank Donation.”
Normally we would include these gifts in the Easter Sunday offertory and bless it to the use of the Deacon’s Cupboard food bank at All Saints. Please know that your gift is blessed by virtue of your prayerful giving, and it glorifies God in its use to care for those who are experiencing food insecurity and need.
ONE WEEK TO GO! KEEP CHECKING IN FOR THE FINAL WEEK!
Mon., April 6: Did you celebrate Palm Sunday in some way yesterday? If yes, donate 10¢. If no, donate 25¢. Pray in thanksgiving for people who are passionate about their faith and dedicated in their lay ministries on Sundays and throughout the week.
Sun., April 5 (Palm Sunday): Enjoy the Sabbath break. Still a week of prompts to come. Stay tuned. Be joyful today!
Sat., April 4: For every phone call you made today, pay 2¢. Pay the same for every personal email you received. Ask God to make you a representative of love in every situation and interaction.
Fri., April 3: Tally 5¢ for every tea cup you own (even if you never use them). Pray for someone you know who lives in a seniors’ residence or retirement community and for the staff and volunteers who care for them.
Thurs., April 2: Tally 10¢ for every coffee cup in your kitchen cupboards right now. Pray for people whose lives feel empty, asking the Holy Spirit to refresh them and fill their cups with purpose and joy.
Wed., April 1: Did you skydive, snorkel, or para-sail this week? You didn’t?! Then donate $10.00. Just kidding: it’s April Fool’s Day. However, if you did play cribbage, backgammon, or cards in the past seven days, pay 5o¢. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide each of us to make good decisions in times of trial.
Tues., March 31: How many cookbooks do you own? Pay 5¢ for each one (church cookbooks excluded). Pray for those who struggle to feed themselves and their families.
Mon., March 30: Did you say thank you to someone yesterday? If yes, then no charge. You already did good. If no, there’s also no charge. Obviously you were having a bad day. Either way, if you are feeling grateful at all today, donate any amount between 5¢ and 50¢. Pray for people who rarely experience a kind gesture or encouraging word.
Sun., March 29 (Lent V): Sabbath break today. Do something that feeds your soul. Listen to a hymn or discover a poem related to today’s lection. Read Fr. Geoff’s sermon for today. See you back here tomorrow.
Sat., March 28: For every shelf of books you have in your house, pay 5¢. Ask God to help you resist impatience, restlessness, and self-absorption and instead strengthen you with forbearance, tranquility, and healthy distraction.
Fri., March 27: If the weather is sunny today, donate 25¢. Is there snow or rain? Donate 25¢. Remember both sun and rain are needed for growth and give thanks for the wonders of Earth.
Thurs., March 26: Do you have a calendar in your kitchen? If not, pay 30¢. If yes, pay only 15¢. If it’s an Anglican Church calendar, pay nothing at all. Pray for other parishes that you know and love.
Wed., March 25: Show your great joy by donating 20¢ for each child and grandchild that you have. If you have great-grandchildren, pay 30¢ for each. Pray for the children and youth of our community, and for grandmas and grandpas who are missing the company of their families.
Tues., March 24: Did someone listen to your problems yesterday? Donate 40¢ in gratitude for their generosity of spirit. But if you listen to another person’s concerns today, no charge at all. You’re doing good, too. Stay connected and pray now for someone you know of who is troubled or tired.
Mon., March 23: Tally 20¢ for each tap in your home. Thank God for clean water that is delivered directly to you, and pray for those who must boil or fetch their water daily.
Sun., March 22 (Lent IV): Sabbath break today. The church building is closed, but faith is not cancelled. Find ways to pray and glorify God on our Together Apart page. See you back here tomorrow.
Sat., March 21: It’s the first Saturday in spring. Today is international day of forests, and tomorrow is world water day. And we’re over halfway through Lent. All good news. And if you own a pleasure vehicle (a boat, an RV or trailer, a jet ski etc.), you’re going to give 50¢ for each. Pray in thanksgiving for Canada’s beautiful forests and lakes and the change of seasons.
Fri., March 20: Add together the ages of all the people in your household today and donate the total amount. Round up to the nearest five. Pray for those in your family history who, through their love and care, have passed down good things to you.
Thurs., March 19: “Let’s Laugh Day” is celebrated every year on March 19, an unofficial holiday that encourages people to laugh. If something made you giggle or guffaw today (and we don’t mean, hysterically), pay 25¢ and pray in thanksgiving for the therapeutic power of laughing.
Wed., March 18: Pay 50¢ if you did any of the following today: listened to a podcast, watched something on YouTube, used an e-reader, facetimed an friend, or had a zoom meeting. Reflect and pray in thanksgiving for the great gift of technology that allows us to share ideas and gather virtually.
Tues., March 17: How many living plants in your home? Donate 5¢ each. If you have more than 15 plants, you can stop at 75¢. Double the tally if one of your plants is a shamrock. (But subtract 20¢ if you are wearing green today.) Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Pray specifically for three people who need God’s blessing and some good news in their lives.
Mon., March 16: If you have a garage, pay 10¢. If it’s too full to park your car in, pay 25¢. If you have a 2-car garage, double it. If a three- or four-car garage … you do the math. Pray for the safety of those who travel daily on the roads and highways.
Sun., March 15 (Lent III): Sabbath break today. The church building is closed, but faith is not cancelled. Find some time today for private devotions. Pray for our clergy and our churchwardens and staff who are working hard to keep us safe and connected.
Sat., March 14: If you have a floor rug in your living room, pay 40¢. No charge for bare floors or wall-to-wall carpeting. Pray that you may be open to pushing yourself to the edges of your comfort zone for Jesus’ sake. Invite God to call you to new things.
Fri., March 13: Count every mirror in your home and donate 15¢ for each. Don’t break any, especially today of all days! Pray that those who are struggling with low self-image will see themselves through the eyes of their Creator.
Thurs., March 12: For every serving of vegetable or fruit you ate today, donate 10¢. Thank God for points of goodness in your own health. Pray for others to stay healthy. Pray for those who are sick to feel God’s presence as they recover.
Wed., March 11: Count the number of lamps in your house. Donate 5¢ for each one. Ask God to give you clarity on things you are trying to figure out in your life.
Tues., March 10: For every year that you and others in your household attended of post-secondary school, donate 5¢. Pray for those who want to go to school but are denied it by virtue of their race, gender or lack of resources.
Mon., March 9: Count the number of shoes at your front door right now. Pay 5¢ per shoe. Pray for family members and friends who don’t yet know Jesus that they may someday walk with Him.
SUNDAY (Lent II): Sabbath break today. Another brilliant day of rest. Get out into the sunshine. Be less busy. Meet you back here tomorrow.
Sat., March 7: Donate 10¢ for every device or appliance in your house that displays the time. Deduct 15¢ if you have an actual wall clock. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward tonight. Pray that God will show you ways to use your time well to put your faith into action.
Fri., March 6: Did you eat in a restaurant anytime this past week? Pay 50¢ for each night dining out and add another 20¢ for every person who ate with you, if you were paying. Ask God to give you a deep hunger to accomplish something significant and lasting for His kingdom on earth.
Thurs., March 5: Tally 20¢ for every musical instrument in your house. Say a simple prayer of praise and love for God. Make a joyful noise in your heart.
Wed., March 4: It’s ‘March 4th and Do Something’ Day. Pay 25¢ if you keep a written or digital “to do” list. Deduct 10¢ if you have more than 10 things on that list. Pray for those days when there’s too much to get done, and ask God will order your steps and guide your choices.
Tues., March 3: For each pet you have, donate 30¢. No pets? Pay 25¢. Give thanks for the wonderful creatures on our planet home and pray for the protection of their habitats. #worldwildlifeday
Mon., March 2: Did you attend church yesterday? If not, donate 50¢. You were missed. Try to make it next week. Pray that people who visit All Saints may be drawn to the love of Jesus and will find a parish home.
SUNDAY (Lent I): Sabbath break today. March looks to be coming in like a lamb. Enjoy the sunshine. Spend time doing something you love. Meet you back here tomorrow.
Sat., February 29: It’s Leap Day! Your choice: donate nothing because it’s a free day, or 29¢ in honour of the day, or $1.28 in total. Why $1.28? Because leap day only falls on a Saturday once every 28 years. Give thanks to God for this beautiful day and pray you’ll spend it wisely.
Fri., February 28: How many litres of milk are in your fridge right now? Donate 25¢ for each. Pray for God to pour love into the lives of three people you know.
Thurs., February 27: How many stairs in your house? Donate 2¢ for each step. Too many to count, pay just a dollar. Ask God to show you anything in your life (sins, attitudes, actions, etc.) that hinders you in your faith walk.
Wed., February 26: How many pancakes were eaten yesterday? Tally 10¢ per pancake. If you had real maple syrup, add 25¢ more. Ask God to help you and strengthen you as you give alms and pray for the next 40 days.
A Season of Transition
At All Saints, we are in a season of transition as we seek a new permanent senior priest. Our parish selection committee (PSC), a group of 8 individuals representative of our congregation, is now in the process of discerning who we are as a parish, what we hope to achieve as church in the next few years, and what individual God is preparing to be our Incumbent in the near future. As the PSC does its work and we continue to engage in ministry and outreach here at All Saints, we uphold our parish and the PSC process in weekly prayer, knowing God will hear and answer our requests according to His will and timing.
Thy Kingdom Come
Watch this space from May 21st – May 31st 2020 as we join Thy Kingdom Come, the global wave of prayer calling all Christians to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ.
