The New #AdventWords and #HashTags With Meaning are here! Today's word is #Renew

Good Evening Dear Family of Love!

Today is day 3 of Advent and our #AdventWord is #Renew! This isn't the kind of renewal like a magazine subscription but to re-new meaning make all things new. Yes friends, God is making all things new and especially during Advent. I like to think that God is managing our dead soulular  not cellular skin cells by renewing them daily with compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy. The dead soul cells keep us from deepening our relationship with God and each other. How do we do this ? Well let's begin by taking time to be in holy silence with each other. If you so desire repeat the key words of Advent:
 Hope,Joy, Love, and Peace 3 times each with slow and gentle inhalations and exhalations between each set.

Now let us take time to review and renew our Baptismal Covenant because it gives us a centering point from which to make vigil and pray.

The Renewal of Baptismal Vows (From the Easter Vigil in the BCP)

Celebrant Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and
renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Celebrant Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.


Celebrant Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Celebrant Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the
prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.

The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and
bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal
life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

In some churches there are times when it may be necessary to speak to member of the clergy for counsel and confession as part of becoming renewed. For now let us take time to remember those things that we have done amiss and ask God's forgiveness so that we may freely atone and be at one with God, ourselves, and each other again.

Tonight we begin and make our vigil by lighting candles representing our commitment to renew ourselves in body, mind, spirit, and in unity and love for one another.

I ask your prayers for the Students at Ohio State, the situation at Standing Rock, the wildfires in Gatlinburg Tennessee, Denver Colorado, The soccer team who was killed in an airplane crash in Colombia. For and end to violence, terror, abuse, and that peace may prevail upon earth.

 (Prayers from the BCP)
O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to
your presence, where we may be still and know that you are
God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the
Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.


For the Restoration of Health
Almighty God and heavenly Father, we give thee humble
thanks because thou hast been graciously pleased to deliver
from his sickness thy servant N., in whose behalf we bless
and praise thy Name. Grant, O gracious Father, that he,
through thy help, may live in this world according to thy will,
and also be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the
night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive
far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having
done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may,
when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen

For Sleep
O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the
refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep
me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those
whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of
your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the
blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our
Savior. Amen.

In the Morning

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring
forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I
am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still,
help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it
patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit
of Jesus. Amen.


Prayers for Transformation
God we pray that we may live lives that will transform us into the children you'd have us be.

God we pray that we may become your peacemakers so that we may help transform this broken, fragile, and divided world.

God we pray that many of  our family members may be raised up to be positive transforming leaders in the nations of the world. 

God we pray that every day we live, move, and just be may be moments of self-transformation.

God we pray that we may seek ways to help transform our cities into places of sanctuary and safety.

God we pray that with your help we may seek to do justice, love, mercy and walk humbly with you and transform the lives of our family members who are voiceless and live on the margins. 

God we pray that society may be transformed into a place where all human needs are met, human rights may be afforded to all, and our family members who have hardness of heart may be transformed into loving and kind human beings willing to extend a gracious hand to help in times of need.

God we pray that as we awaken from tonight's slumber we may be transformed into new beings willing to give lovingly of ourselves. 

God we thank you that by the gift of your son Jesus we were transformed and as new beings we lift up these our prayers in His most Holy Name. Amen

or this meditation Beside the Still Waters

If you so desire you may Click on the links to music below or have this time of meditation in quiet silence ; and let us close our eyes and continue our breathing exercises, let us take time and  feel our bodies, minds, and spirits journeying to the center of our being where we will meet God and spend time with God. Feel God's presence enfolding you and listen for God's still small voice.

Jon Mark -Alhambra

Or

Loreena McKennitt - Nights from the Alhambra


Beside the still waters we come  to seek you  God  in the quietness of our being.

Beside the still waters we come to pray for peace in this fragile and broken world of  yours

Beside the still waters we pray for and end to all anxiety, fear, and worry that our minds and spirits may be still.

Beside the still waters we pray for our neighbors all over the world that we may find unity and learn to love one another as dearly loved family members of Yours.

Beside the still waters we come for respite, relaxation, rest, and renewal. We pray for calmness as we rest in your arms and never ending love and mercy.

Beside the still waters we come to ask prayers for all our family members who are in need of healing and strength remembering___________________

Beside the still waters we come seeking solace for those of us who are living through the long journey of mourning and grief.

Beside the still waters we come praying for all the least of these and all who are affected by violence, terror, abuse, and everyone who is struggling through the world's calamities.

Beside the still waters we give thanks for the lives who have entered eternal joy today and those who are in the midst of transitioning from this earthly life into a heavenly one.

Beside the still waters we pray for all who are lost, lonely, alone and seeking companionship. We pray that our hearts may be stilled as we wait. We pray that we may not lose heart and live boldly,yet gently alone.

Beside the still waters we pray for _____________________

Beside the still waters we give thanks for _______________

Beside the still waters may we journey over to the other side of the lake and offer our prayers in the quietness to Jesus . Amen.

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Before we close here is today's Story From the Window!

Today's Story From the Window!
God puts our homeless and indigent family members in our midst every day as a sacred reminder that we shouldn't become complacent or hardened. Today one of our homeless veterans came to the window distraught as many like him do but today was different he shared with me that he and his lady who is 4 months pregnant live down in the riverbed. He is 60 and she is in her 20's. He doesn't have a clue what to do to keep them safe. He has had to kill rattlesnakes, scorpions, and other dangerous creatures. Today my tears were and are flowing from my heart. I'm afraid for everyone who is having to live this way. God calls us to see Him in everyone we meet and not look away. Looking God and his children in the eyes, having empathy, and truly loving, serving and respecting the dignity of all is very important. Tonight we pray for Joe, Perla, and the health of their unborn child. We pray for all parents to be in situations like them. Tonight we pray for all the marginalized people who live in challenging situations. Pray for the homeless, hungry, and ill-clad tonight and in danger. Let our hearts be filled with love and empathy this season and beyond and renew our commitment to serve the least of these.

Good Night Dearly Beloved Family Members! I love you! Have a blessed and restful night! May we be united in prayer, love, and family hood and give God thanks for this always.

With love, joy, and in the stillness,

Sara

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