Happy You Matter Monday and The First Monday In Easter!

Hello Dear Family!

How many of you have hit the post Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter wall? If you haven't give it time. Today we find ourselves still keyed up and let down after all the emotions that we have expended for 40 days plus and Easter Day too. This is normal and remember Eastertide is 50 days long and we get to celebrate and find ourselves on yet another journey with Jesus complete with the feast of the Ascension and Pentecost. Today we rest and enjoy each other's company and being in a family. Today is also You Matter Monday and I saw this picture today and I want  to share it with you:

Since we are together as a family I would like us to change this to We and Our where appropriate. It is so important because we need to continue to take our Ego-Be-Gone medication and be the family of Love that God wants us to be.   

How many of you remember these songs ? They spoke to us then and they speak to us now. 

God Help the Outcasts- The Hunchback of Notre Dame

We are the World U.S.A. for Africa

Tonight I would like us try to do this breathing exercise  along with the "Be Stills"  Click on the link below and follow the instructions.

De-Stress Monday

Be Still and Know that I am God.
Be Still and Know .
Be Still. 
Be.

Let us light our candles and be at prayer. Tonight let us pray the Beatitudes and Prayer of St.Francis. Before we do this let us pray for peace in the world and an end to violence and terror. Let us remember the people throughout the world who in the last week have been victimized by terror, Brussels, Baghdad, Ankara, Lahore. We pray for an end to gun violence and for sensible laws to protect God's children. Let us remember that if we lay down all our weaponry of hate and that includes our voices we will be on the way to safety and learning to love our neighbors who are our family members too. 

The  Beatitudes 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)

Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)

Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)

Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is

in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen

Here is tonight's meditation music.John Rutter Mix 

Jesus banish our doubts so that we may believe and know that you not only rose from the dead but entered into our forgiven hearts with love. May our hearts and heart homes be ever widened to include the ability to love more and more fully.

Jesus take away our fears that bind us so that we may be ever drawn more closely to you.

Jesus, give us the strength and courage to speak for the voiceless and invisible.

Jesus, we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing. We pray especially for_____

Jesus, we pray for those who are facing many struggles this week that they may find peace, joy, hope,love, and a spirit of calm. 

Jesus, we pray for our family members who are in need of prayer  especially for ____________

Jesus, keep our hearts open to new possibilities and new lives and new loves.

Jesus, banish all those who have hardness of heart and who do not know how to love family members who differ from themselves.

Jesus help us when we need to be focused and not distracted this week. Give us energy and banish fatigue. 

Jesus we pray for all those who have chronic illnesses of body, mind, and spirit.

Jesus we lift up these our prayers to you in your most holy name. Amen.


Collect/ Prayer for 

Monday in Easter Week (BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER)
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with
awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to
everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
Preface of Easter

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Good Night Dear Ones! I love you! Take time for more self and Sabbath Care tonight as we approach Take Care Tuesday!  I give thanks to God for you this night and always!

Love to the brim and overflowing!

Sara


Easter Wings by George Herbert