Walk With me on Our Journey: Finding Art in the Holy and in God's Cathedral of Life

Dear Family of Love,

Tonight I'm at home resting and relaxing before Adventure # 2 takes me to Solvang for Oklahoma tomorrow night and yes, Virginia I have the privilege of serving tomorrow at church at 8:00 a.m., I always need extra sleep and rest prior to those days. I am still amazed about yesterday's trip to the Getty Villa. The arts and antiquities are so very important to all of our lives whether we like to admit it to ourselves. When I saw the icons yesterday it was almost like looking to the face of God and all of the forerunners of our faith. The arts play a central role in our faith. When you hear the hymns and music on Sunday morning that is art. When you see stained glass windows, that is art. When you see liturgical dance, that is art. When you see The Stations of the Cross either painted or carved, that is art.
When you hear a soloist sing praises to God, that is art. Yes and when you see how a service is presented, that is art too. When you see icons, that is art. When you see beautiful seasonal vestments, that is art. When you see a woven or painted tapestry, that is art. When you see carved or sculpted statuary, that is art. When you see a rabbi reading from a beautifully caligraphied Torah Scroll, that is art. See, art is all around us as we worship. Art is everywhere; Let us give thanks to God for all artists everywhere. I'm begging to thing that Walk With Me On Our Journey is art.

Tonight let us take time to find peace at the center by listening to this wonderful peace of music by John Rutter: All Things Bright and Beautiful- John Rutter and For the Beauty of the Earth then pray this prayer. It is one of my favorites.

From THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER;

For Church Musicians and Artists ( I think this applies to all artists too)
O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in
heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through
art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on
earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty,
and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for
evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious and loving God who is both artist and creator we thank you for your wonderful artistry in the creation of the world and in the universe. May we all be better conservationists and steward of Your Planet and in God's Cathedral of life.

We pray for all people who are ill and especially children and the elderly.

We pray for all the religious leaders of the world and that they may continue to be beacons of hope,love , and charity in this broken world of ours.

We pray for all faith communities who are preparing for worship tomorrow. Help them to remember that You only require of all of us one day devoted to You.

We pray this night for all of our family members who are traveling. We pray that they may be safe and secure.

We pray for peace of the world and an end to violence and terror.

We pray for the leaders of the nations that in the words of the prophet Micah " Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God.

We pray for all students and teachers who continue to go back to school and that they may be made ready in body, mind, and spirit to teach and learn.

May we offer our own prayers for our selves and on behalf of others remembering especially___________

We pray this night for all who are living with mental illness, brain disorders, and memory-related illnesses. We also remember those who are addicted and in recovery.

This night we pray for all of our cities and towns and for those whose duty it is to protect and serve without violence and with justice. We pray for all first responders who will keep watch while we sleep and come to the aid of our family members.

We pray for all those who are dying and those who have died today. We pray also for those who mourn. Give us strength and courage to respond with loving and compassionate hearts.

We offer these prayers to you Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Good night dear ones, may you have a restful and peaceful sleep. I love you and please know that when things get tough you can always count on me. I give thanks to God for you this day and always.

Peace, love, prayers,and God's Blessings be always yours,

Sara