Their sound has gone out into all lands; and their message to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:4

Prayer of Approach

O God of truth, who art worthy of nobler praises than we can offer and of purer worship than we can imagine, assist us in our prayers and draw us to thyself, that what is lacking in our words and thoughts may be supplied by thy overflowing love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

8:53 ReflectionBells have been rung in churches for centuries. They have been rung to mark the passage of time, to serve as a reminder, to sound a warning; they have rung in mourning and in celebration. Today we will ring our church bell for all these reasons.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the most common birth defect in the industrialized world, affecting millions of people world-wide, resulting in physical and neurological damage to those exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. It affects us all, because such damage has a profound affect on the entire society in which it occurs. And, it is entirely preventable. If a woman drinks no alcohol during pregnancy and when breastfeeding, the child will not have FASD. This disorder has been with us as long as there has been alcohol, but it was just thirty years ago that researchers defined and named it. Since then, much progress has been made in diagnosing and identifying those with the disorder. Some help is now available for women at risk of having affected children, and some interventions and services have been developed to help children and adults damaged by alcohol prenatally. But, there is still much to be done, and we have a long way to go. Families and the general public, especially pregnant women, must be alerted to the danger. Alcoholic beverages must be appropriately labelled and those who serve them must be made aware. Those in medicine, education, social services and the justice system must be educated. And changes in public policy must be implemented to support these efforts.

At the ninth minute, of the ninth hour, of the ninth day, of the ninth month, people around the world pause to remember those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Here at __________ we are participating in an international bell concordance which began ____ hours ago, where the day begins, at churches in New Zealand. The bells will continue to ring in each time zone as the day moves westward.

"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God." Luke 18: 15, 16

Know that the Lord is God!

It is he that made us, and we are his;

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

The church is catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all. When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me, for that child is thereby connected to that head which is my head too, and grafted into that body whereof I am a member. ... No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Let us pray for those damaged by alcohol before they were born. We pray, O God, that they might have knowledge of your love, and a strong sense of your presence in their lives. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those among them who are poor and neglected, the hungry and homeless, the destitute and the oppressed, and those who have none to care for them; that they might find comfort and relief according to their needs. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those who are ill; the sick, the injured, and those broken in body, mind, or spirit. We pray, O God, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions and that they may be strengthened. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those who live with loneliness, fear, injustice and danger; that they may find friendship, safety, justice, and protection. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those who are sad and overwhelmed with despair; the sorrowful and the bereaved. Lord our God, Healer of Souls, we pray that they be given hope and comfort. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for the many people with FASD who are in prison; protect them Lord, send them good friends, and bring them to a place of hope for their future. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those who have been blessed with the joy and care of children affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol. O God, you have taught us through your blessed Son that whoever receives a little child in the name of Christ receives Christ himself: give them calm strength and patient wisdom in this great responsibility. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for the families; the birth, adoptive and foster families of those with FASD; strengthen and bless them Lord, and help them to find the support they need each day. Lord, in your mercy,

Lord we pray for those who love and care for affected adults, especially families, friends and spouses. Grant them strength and patience to serve and care for their loved ones, for your sake. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for social workers, counsellors, doctors and teachers, who work, often unknowingly, with children and adults affected by FASD. Enlighten them O God, and grant them skill, discernment and a caring concern in their work. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for the police, youth justice workers, lawyers and judges; that they might be knowledgeable and considerate in all their dealings, especially with those affected by FASD. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for jailers, guards and prison administrators, and all those who minister to those in prison; that they might exercise compassion in their work, and be open to learning more about this disorder. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those who work in the area of FASD; we give thanks Lord for the efforts of all those who have contributed to our understanding of this disorder, and in developing programs for those affected. Encourage and strengthen them in this good work. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for those in government and all who influence public opinion; those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they will use their influence to bring about improvement in public policy and services to those affected. Lord, in your mercy,

Let us pray for all those around the world who join with us today in a common effort to reduce and prevent this disorder, support those affected, and educate our communities. O God, your fatherly care reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth. Grant that all of us, drawing nearer to thee, may be bound together by thy love. Lord, in your mercy,

We pray especially Lord for those whom we name before you now. (Here we pause to name those for whom we pray, aloud or in silence.) Keep them O Lord, as the apple of your eye; hide them under the shadow of your wings. Lord, in your mercy,

Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee, and has promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.

9:10 "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in all we do, that we may be faithful in seeking to eliminate this terrible disorder and serve those affected by it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, strengthen you with might by his Holy Spirit, that, Christ dwelling in your hearts by faith, you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation, in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever.

(Times noted are approximate; please adjust so as to arrive at 9:09 for the ringing of the bell.)

Submitted by Rae Ryan, Ottawa, Canada

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