To Comfort and to Welcome!

Dear Family of Love!

I hope everyone had a Wonderful and Wonder-Filled Wednesday. Every so often we find ourselves surprised by events in our lives that make us sit up and take notice at such a deep level that it stays with us in the deepest parts of our heart homes. Today I found my self being amazed at the courage a homeless gentleman had when he came to worship at our weekly Holy Eucharist and Healing service. This man is one of many who come to the window in the afternoons for shelf stable lunches at our church. Seeing him come in for service was a deeply moving experience because it took courage and a lot of not knowing what to expect. St. Peter's on Wednesday is made up of about 12 people who come for communion and healing we find this time together as a place of solace and sanctuary and a place where everyone is welcome and comforted. We all must be encouraged to be welcoming and comforting people. This isn't just for show. This is what God calls us to do each and every day with our family members and yes even our enemies.  How do you provide comfort and welcome? How would you want to be received if you walked into a strange place where you didn't know anyone? These are the questions we will ponder this evening.  Let us keep asking ourselves how do we individually and together comfort and welcome all our brothers and sisters and open our loving heart homes to them and often times that means us as well. 

To help us out  before we go deeper and  ponder those questions, let us remember the words of the hymn "There's A Wideness in God's Mercy"

There's a wideness in God's mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there's a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior; 
there is healing in his blood.

There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than in heaven;
there is no place where earth's failings
have such kind judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.

For the love of God is broader
than the measure of man's mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.

Words: Frederick William Faber, 1862;
this is a cento of verses from Souls of men, why will ye scatter.
Music: Beecher, St. Helena, Zum Frieden

Meter: 87 87 D

Now let us take time to ponder the questions and go deeper. Take as much time as you need. 

Our music for meditation comes from: The Spledour of the House of God-John Bell

Dear Ones It is time once again to lay aside your burdens and join with our family members in our daily Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigil. Let us light our candles and be at prayer and pray that we may be sources of comfort and welcome wherever we may be. We pray for an end to division and violence and that love and peace may prevail the world over. We pray this night for our family members who are homeless, hungry, and ill clad that they may find safe shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing to protect them from harm from the cold. We pray that love may infect our hearts with a spirit of comfort and welcome. 

God of all comfort be with us this night as we pray for peace in this world and that we may live into our baptismal covenant with you and each other.

God  of all comfort may we seek as one family with you to find solutions that will stem the tide of all violence and terror.

God of all comfort may we seek with you to find our true calling and life path.

God of all comfort give us strength to speak out firmly and lovingly for those who haven't any voice.

God of all comfort give us all a return to common sense. Take away from us all temptation to fall into a mob and hate mentality.

God of all comfort we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of their bodies, minds, and spirits.

God of all comfort may we be sources of comfort  one to another and listen to you with our heart homes for those who are in need of help and may not be able to name their needs.

God of all comfort may we ever be mindful of our family members who are grieving losses and pre- grieving. 

God of all comfort we pray for all who have been senselessly murdered for who they are. Grant to them eternal rest.

God of all comfort may all of us who struggle to live authentically without fear be able to speak and live our truth valiantly and with courage.

God of all comfort we pray and give thanks for_________________________

We lift up these our prayers in the Holy name of Jesus!  Amen. 

Remember to pray for all cancer patients, caregivers,family members of cancer patients, survivors, oncology nurses, oncologists, radiation techs, radiation oncologists, and researchers on  World Cancer Day tomorrow!

Today's wish:We never forget that we have a heart to love and a purpose from which to give.

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Good Night Dear Family of  Love! I love you and Give God thanks for you this day and always!May we all love, comfort, and encircle  each other  with compassion , mercy, grace and peace.Remember tomorrow is Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday!

Love, prayers, blessings and a wish for a comforting and restful night,

Sara