St Elisabeth's Church

09/06/2026

We all have seasons in our lives when everything appears to be ‘on hold’. Our prayers might appear to be unanswered. Our purpose in life undefined or unfulfilled.

Today's reading encourages us to hold fast to the promises of God that offer hope and new life to each one of us.

Discover the , Holy Lives reflections at cofe.io/EverydayFaithApp.

09/06/2026

Today the Church also remembers Ephrem of Syria, teacher of the faith.

“Scripture brought me to the gate of paradise, and the mind stood in wonder as it entered.” - Ephrem of Edessa, Deacon and Teacher of the Faith (306-373)

Ephrem was a deacon, hymn writer, and theologian, living in Syria at the border of the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. When Ephrem was a child, the Roman Emperor Constantine declared that he had become a Christian. Constantine declared toleration for all religions and ended Christian persecution. This was a great blessing for the church in the Roman Empire. In the Persian Empire, this had the opposite effect. Because Rome and Christianity were on friendly terms, Persian Christians were suspected of being Roman spies and vicious persecutions were unleashed against the churches of the East. Ephrem served as a deacon in the town of Nisibis when the Persians invaded. While the city withstood a long siege of Persian elephant cavalry, Ephrem stood with his bishop, offering prayers and ministering to the suffering. Eventually, the Persians took the town and Ephrem and hundreds of other Christians were driven into exile. Ephrem settled in Edessa, where he lived a solitary life of prayer and fasting. Ephrem wrote hundreds of hymns and sermons that have survived the centuries. Many of his writings defend the Trinitarian doctrines of Nicene Christianity.

Almighty God, you gave your servant Ephrem of Edessa special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art and history by Ben Lansing

Order the “Our Church Speaks” book 📚 ourchurchspeaks.com

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09/06/2026

Today the Church remembers Columba, Abbot of Iona

“Since all the world is but a story, it is well for you to buy the more enduring story.” - Columba (521-597), Abbot of Iona and Missionary to the Scots

Columba lived in Ireland in the century following the ministry of Saint Patrick. Educated and trained by many of the greatest theologians of Ireland, Columba was given the mission to evangelize the fierce pagans of Scotland. Journeying with a cadre of 12 disciples, Columba established a monastery on the island of Iona, which served as a center of Christian culture and mission. Iona was strategically located on an island at the doorstep of Scotland and served as a springboard for the missionaries. Over the ensuing centuries, Iona became a center of Celtic Catholic Christianity. Over his lifetime, Columba was respected as a holy man, a worker of miracles, a writer of hymns, and a prolific transcriber of books. His prophecies, miracles, and visions were recorded by one of his successors at Iona in a single volume called, “The Life of Columba.”

Almighty and everlasting God, you called your servant Columba to preach the Gospel to the Scots: Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, nowand for ever. Amen.

Art and history by Ben Lansing

ORDER the “Our Church Speaks” book 📚 - ourchurchspeaks.com

09/06/2026

Have you prayed using the audio version of today's prayer?

Go to cofe.io/TodaysPrayer to learn more.

08/06/2026

All are welcome to join us for a special service on the eve of the 30year anniversary of the 1996 Manchester bomb

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

Today the Church remembers Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” - Thomas Ken (1637-1711), Bishop

Thomas Ken was a man of principle, a quality that brought him much trouble. He served as the chaplain to Queen Mary, daughter of the English King James II and wife of King William of Orange. He corrected William for his mistreatment of Mary and was quickly sent packing. He then became chaplain to King Charles II. Charles asked that his mistress, Nell Gwyn, be temporarily lodged in the chaplain’s residence. Ken refused and chastised the King. Charles so admired Ken’s honesty and principled stand that he later insisted that Ken become the Bishop of Bath & Wells, saying, “None shall have it but that little man who refused lodging to poor Nellie!” On his deathbed, Charles asked for Ken to minister to him in his final hours. Ken swore fealty to James II, Charles’ successor. James converted to Roman Catholicism and imprisoned Anglican bishops for refusing to back his political agenda. The English people initiated the “Glorious Revolution,” replacing James with William & Mary. Ken’s sworn loyalty was now to a dethroned king and he could not in good conscience swear a new oath to a different sovereign. Ken was labeled a ‘non-juror’ (someone who refuses to swear an oath), was stripped of his bishopric, and served his final years as a private tutor and writer. His most famous hymn, known as “The Doxology” (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow”) is now sung in churches throughout the world.

O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant Thomas Ken to be a Bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Art & history by Ben Lansing

ORDER the “Our Church Speaks” book 📚 ourchurchspeaks.com

08/06/2026

Join with us in prayer. 🙏

Today's prayer is available in plain text and audio formats at cofe.io/TodaysPrayer.

07/06/2026