World AIDS Day

"Every year on December 1, Episcopalians and Lutherans join with people around the world to commemorate World AIDS Day. This day serves as a time to remember those whose lives were forever changed because of HIV and AIDS. It also offers an opportunity to recommit ourselves to building God’s Kingdom by working to bring the AIDS pandemic to an end. This year, World AIDS Day falls on the second day of Advent, a time of hope and anticipation of the new life Jesus’ birth brings. As does Advent, World AIDS Day invites us to live with the joy that is to come by continuing to lift up the vision of a new life free of HIV and AIDS." ~ The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church and The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Merciful God, we remember before you all who are sick this day, and especially all persons with aids or hiv infection. Give them courage to live with their disease. Help them to face and overcome their fears. Be with them when they are alone or rejected. Comfort them when they are discouraged. And touch them with your healing Spirit that they may find and possess eternal life, now and forever. Amen.

Oh Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, whose Name alone under heaven is given for health and salvation, enlighten those researchers, scientists, and technicians who seek a cure for aids and its related conditions; be present with them in their perplexity and, at last, prosper their efforts with such success that those who were without hope may rejoice and those who were considered dead may be raised up; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.