Good Evening Dear Family of Love,
Happy Keeping the Faith Friday Fearlessly Without Fretting! I hope all is well and that you are ready for day 2 of our 8 day vigil and retreat. Before we begin let us take time to write down our worries, anxieties, fears, mads, and anything else that is drawing us away from God, each other, yourself and this sacred time and place them in a Jar, box, or journal. Write them down and don't look at them for many days if at all.
Take time to do this and when you are finished with this task let us begin to enter in silence and engage in the "Be Stills"
If you are just joining us here is yesterday's preparatory format.
Tonight we will be going into silence as we always do to calm and center our bodies, minds, and spirits into being in communion with God and each other. Doing this requires going off the grid and making our holy places of calm.
Let us begin now. Take your time after you have prepared your quiet and sacred home sanctuary.
When you return take time to breathe and begin a period of mindful quieting with The Be Stills -
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Take time to do slow and gentle inhalations and exhalations.
Our key concept tonight is praying for courage to serve and serve and care for the least of these. As this is the season of giving it is necessary to find the courage to spend time with our family members who are homeless, hungry, and ill-clad without resorting to check book activism and outreach. This my brothers and sisters is practicing random acts of kindness and hospitality. I hear that turkeys are in short supply at many food banks this year please consider donating one.
Pictures to meditate upon!
Let us light our candles, make vigil and pray for the least of these this night. Remember weekends are times when the least of these don't have access to food, clothing, and shelter. Please consider making up your own shelf-stable lunches to go in your cars.
For your shelf-stable lunches you will need:
Brown paper lunch bags
Granola bars
Cheese and crackers
Peanut butter crackers
Bottled water or V8 juice
Ring top cans of tuna, Vienna Sausages etc
Small packages of nuts.
Wash and dries.
Napkin, plastic utensils.
The items are endless.
Cuties, apples, etc.
Let us begin our time of prayer and meditation: (Tonight's prayers are from the New Zealand Prayer Book, Lectionary Page, BCP, Walk With Me On Our Journey.) Today's commemoration is of Hilda of Whitby.
Opening Vigil and Candle Lighting
God of All Kindness, we light our candles for all of our family members around the world who do not have access to food, clothing,shelter, clean water, and medical care. We pray for all of our family members who do not have a home to return to either by natural disaster or war and terrorist acts. We pray for all the many aid agencies that are struggling to meet the needs of our family members where resources are scarce. We pray that we may rise up and help them to seek and find solutions to the scarcity of programs and unmet needs. We pray for peace in this fragile and broken world and an end to terror, hatred, bullying and abuse. We pray for each other tonight and as God to heal, help, and console us as we struggle with aspects of daily living. We pray for justice and universal human rights for all. We pray that we may follow Jesus by being CALM(Compassionate, accepting, Loving, and Merciful). May we love one another and shine the light of Christ one to another "The Light of Christ in me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" May we all have a restful and blessed rest this night and always.
Opening sentences from scripture.
TIMES OF THANKSGIVING
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you O Lord judge the peoples righteously and guide the nations on earth.Psalm 67:4
TIMES OF TROUBLE
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Psalm 46:1
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
Proverbs 6:20–23
My child, keep your father’s commandment,
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Bind them upon your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
tie them around your neck.
When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Friday
It is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:6-10
Psalm 113
1 Hallelujah!
Give praise, you servants of the Lord; *
praise the Name of the Lord.
2 Let the Name of the Lord be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down *
let the Name of the Lord be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high *
but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth?
6 He takes up the weak out of the dust *
and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
7 He sets them with the princes, *
with the princes of his people.
8 He makes the woman of a childless house *
to be a joyful mother of children.
The Exalted Lord
| 1 | Christ Jesus was in the ′ form of ′ God: yet he did not think to ′ grasp · at e′quality · with ′ God, |
| 2 | but emptied himself, taking the ′ form · of a ′ servant: and was ′ born · in our ′ human ′ likeness. |
| 3 | Being found in our human state he ′ humbled · him′self: and became obedient unto death, even ′ death ′ on a ′ cross. |
| 4 | Therefore God has ′ highly · ex′alted him: and bestowed on him the ′ Name a·bove ′ every ′ name; |
| 5 | that at the name of Jesus every ′ knee should ′ bow: in heaven and on ′ earth and ′ under · the ′ earth, |
| 6 | and every tongue confess that Jesus ′ Christ is ′ Lord: to the glory of God the′ Father.′ A′men.Philippians2:6-11 |
Song of SimeonNunc Dimittis
Praise be to God, I have lived to see this day.
God’s promise is fulfilled, and my duty done.
God’s promise is fulfilled, and my duty done.
At last you have given me peace,
for I have seen with my own eyes
the salvation you have prepared for all nations -
a light to the world in its darkness,
and the glory of your people Israel.
for I have seen with my own eyes
the salvation you have prepared for all nations -
a light to the world in its darkness,
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory be God, sustaining, redeeming, sanctifying,
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.
Amen.
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.
Amen.
Ephesians 4:1–6
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
6
6
Lord,
it is night.
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
Matthew 19:27–29Amen.
Peter replied to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.”
Let us pray,
O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church: Raise up these gifts in us, that we, following her example and prayers, may build up one another in love to the benefit of your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
God of all creation we come to you this night in the silence of our beings to be at one with you!
God of all creation we come to you at this present moment ready to respond to your call and the new life paths and vocations you have set our feet and lives upon. Give us courage to say "yes" with LoveEnergy and being empowered by the Holy Spirit into positive acts of love, kindness, justice, unity for all of our family members.
God of all creation we come to offer our prayers and thanksgivings for ourselves and on behalf of others. We pray and give thanks especially for_____________________________________
God of all creation bind us into one family of love and that all of our divisions may cease with all living things and all that you have made.
God of all creation take away all hatred from all of our family members who wish harm to our brothers and sisters who are most vulnerable and feeling unsafe, unwanted, and unloved.
God of all creation, bring to all drought parched areas of the world much needed rain showers that will cleanse and heal your Cathedral of Life.
God of all creation, we pray for all of your children who are near death and have made the journey into The Thin Places to be with you in your eternal home of peace and joy.
God of all creation, may our hearts blossom with love for all living things and that we may practice conservation.
God of all creation, may we be compassionate, giving, and comforting towards all who are ill, in need, homeless, hungry, and in mourning May we help our brothers and sisters lay down and share their burdens no matter how light or heavy. For you taught us to share and give of ourselves.
God of all creation, may we continue to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you with light footsteps upon this fragile and broken world. May we with your help speak truth to power and never forget that we are to be your voice and that we must speak for our voiceless and fearful family members.
God of all creation, protect and let peace prevail in our own country and Burundi,Central America,Ecuador,Japan,Syria,Jordan,South Sudan,Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Territory,and all other places in this world. and may we never forget the refugees, persecuted, and all of our family members who have lost their lives by acts of violence and terror.
God of all creation, we lay down our bodies, minds, and spirits and take our rest and lift these our prayers and thanksgivings in the name of your only begotten Son Jesus the Christ our Redeemer, Healer, and Voice for all the voiceless. Amen.
Or these:
+++ Prayers of Hope
Let us pray!
God of Hope, as we enter fully into the Fall and Winter Months may we be given lenses that show us many things and where you would have us go, and what we are to become. Help us to lay down our worries and fears so that we may wait, watch, pray, and listen to you with open ears, hearts, and spirits.
God of Hope we pray for all of our family members who are in need of hope when they feel hopeless. Help us to bring hope to Your fragile and broken world.
God of Hope we pray for all our family members who are forced to live on the streets and out of doors during the cold weather. We pray that they may find sheltered areas from the winds, cold, rain, and snow. We pray that there may be homeless shelters and warming centers that will meet their needs as we know that one shelter type doesn't fit all.
God of Hope, we pray for our littlest family members who are in children's hospitals and PICU that they may be healed and be able to enjoy the holidays with their families.
God of Hope, we pray for all those who are dying and have died today that they may feel your loving presence and give them hope as they enter the Thin Places.
Let us pray!
God of Hope, as we enter fully into the Fall and Winter Months may we be given lenses that show us many things and where you would have us go, and what we are to become. Help us to lay down our worries and fears so that we may wait, watch, pray, and listen to you with open ears, hearts, and spirits.
God of Hope we pray for all of our family members who are in need of hope when they feel hopeless. Help us to bring hope to Your fragile and broken world.
God of Hope we pray for all our family members who are forced to live on the streets and out of doors during the cold weather. We pray that they may find sheltered areas from the winds, cold, rain, and snow. We pray that there may be homeless shelters and warming centers that will meet their needs as we know that one shelter type doesn't fit all.
God of Hope, we pray for our littlest family members who are in children's hospitals and PICU that they may be healed and be able to enjoy the holidays with their families.
God of Hope, we pray for all those who are dying and have died today that they may feel your loving presence and give them hope as they enter the Thin Places.
God of Hope, show us how to help creatively without having to write a check.
God of Hope, we pray for peace in your fragile and broken world. May we truly be blessed as peacemakers and find ourselves as your children.
God of Hope, we pray for all caregivers that they my find rest and respite.
God of Hope, we thank you for the gift of rain. May we continue to have more rain to refresh, replenish, and renew your drought parched earth.
God of Hope, help us to see You in all of our Family of Love's faces and that we may act accordingly and love, honor, and respect each other.
God of Hope, help us to love more fully, care more deeply, comfort with more compassion, and be more accepting and inclusive of all our family members.
God of Hope help us to console and comfort all who mourn at any stage of grief. Give us courage not to let any of our family members fall through the cracks.
God of Hope, we pray this night for all refugees, captives, political prisoners, victims of violence and abuse of any kind, victims of human trafficking and slavery.
God of Hope, we pray for ourselves and on behalf of others remembering especially______________
God of Hope, we offer our thanksgivings remembering especially______________________
God of Hope, we offer these our prayers and thanksgivings in the name of your only begotten son Jesus. Amen.
Or these prayers!
Now let us take time to pray to the loving and merciful God who made us and speaks to us gently and lovingly to our hearts,minds, and spirits every minute that we live, move, and just be!
God speak to our troubled minds and spirits as we prepare for our night's rest. We pray that we may take time to rest and pray more fully and in the knowledge that you are holding us and our family members in your arms that are loving and merciful.
God we pray for peace in our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits, and this world that you have created. We pray especially for unity where there is deep division. We pray that we may become truly peacemakers and learn what it is to make peace at all levels of our being.
God we pray for all of our family members who are ill in body, mind, and spirit that they may be healed. We remember this day_____________________
God we pray for all of our family members who have died and are transitioning into new lives in the Thin Places and Eternal Life and Joy.
God we pray for all who are struggling to find meaning and new life paths by life's wrinkly twists and turns.
God we pray for all who are being affected by severe weather remembering especially the people in the path of Matthew and all other places in our nation and throughout the world.
God we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of violence and abuse, and terror.
God we pray that we may love, include, and never treat anyone as invisible and give everyone a sense of belonging.
God of all Goodness we lift up these our prayers in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
God speak to our troubled minds and spirits as we prepare for our night's rest. We pray that we may take time to rest and pray more fully and in the knowledge that you are holding us and our family members in your arms that are loving and merciful.
God we pray for peace in our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits, and this world that you have created. We pray especially for unity where there is deep division. We pray that we may become truly peacemakers and learn what it is to make peace at all levels of our being.
God we pray for all of our family members who are ill in body, mind, and spirit that they may be healed. We remember this day_____________________
God we pray for all of our family members who have died and are transitioning into new lives in the Thin Places and Eternal Life and Joy.
God we pray for all who are struggling to find meaning and new life paths by life's wrinkly twists and turns.
God we pray for all who are being affected by severe weather remembering especially the people in the path of Matthew and all other places in our nation and throughout the world.
God we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of violence and abuse, and terror.
God we pray that we may love, include, and never treat anyone as invisible and give everyone a sense of belonging.
God of all Goodness we lift up these our prayers in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
FRIDAY
The blessing of God, the eternal goodwill of God, the shalom of God, the wildness and the warmth of God, be among us and between us, now and always.
Good Night Family of Love! Do you know why I call you Family of Love? I call you this because God is Love! So we are the Family of Love (God). May our heart, spirits, and souls join together in love, peace, hope, joy, and harmony. I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always.
Love, blessings, hope, peace, and joy be always yours!
Sara
Love, blessings, hope, peace, and joy be always yours!
Sara
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