Good Evening Dear Family of Love!
Happy Second Day of 2017 ! Thinking of new #ChristmasWords are sometimes challenging but I came up with the fact that each year we set our feet upon a holy path of life called #Pilgrimage. How many of you know that being a pilgrim means we are doing holy wandering and sojourning throughout each of our days? Some days we are called to rest and stop by a place of oasis and retreat for rest, refreshment, and renewal. But all and all we are pilgrims, apostles, witnesses, and evangelists whether we want to be or not. Tonight let us begin our Pilgrim Year by first reading the definition of today's #ChristmasWord #Pilgrim.
A pilgrim (from the Latin peregrinus) is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journey (often on foot) to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system
Each year we find ourselves traveling far distances around the sun and calendar so that makes us pilgrims too.
Our first task is to do a virtual Labyrinth Walk as part of our pilgrimage, just to settle the dust out of our heads. Remember we do this with our mouse that equals our feet.
Pray 'The Be Stills" as you walk:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Let us make vigil, light candles, and begin our year of pilgrimage with our hearts and feet set up on a holy path with Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy.
Let us start the year off right with our smudging prayer :
A Smudging Prayer
Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.
In peace we walk and carry the light of Jesus as we begin our year of holy pilgrimage. May we set our feet upon the path of the pilgrim way of Jesus.
Christmas
The Word was made flesh, * alleluia, alleluia.
The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.
And dwelt among us:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Word was made flesh, alleluia, alleluia.
V. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, alleluia:
R. God is the Lord; he has shined upon us, alleluia.
As we continue our time of Christmas let us as pilgrims set our feet upon the Stations of the Creche as we approach the Feast of the Epiphany.
Stations of the Creche
I. Mary receives word that she is to bear the Christ child.
"Be it unto me according to your Word"
Lord may we say yes to your call and walk with you in love and not fear.
II. Mary Tells Joseph her news!
"Do not be afraid Joseph to Take Mary as your wife"
Help us to not be afraid when God presents us with difficulty. May we seek to have faith and resiliency.
III. Joseph receives word about needing to go to Bethlehem to be enrolled
Lord help us to remember that we are all written in your Book of life and that we are precious to you and every hair on our heads are counted.
IV. Mary and Joseph set out on the road to Bethlehem.
Lord God we pray for all who travel and pray for safe passage wherever we go this season.
V, Mary and Joseph seek shelter as Mary goes into labor.
Lord God we pray for all who seek shelter this night and for all women who are in labor. We pray for safety for all who are the least of these our family members. May we offer our homes and hearts as shelters from any kind of storm.
VI. Mary and Joseph take shelter in a manger
Lord God it is good to be in this manger as a reminder that all living things are precious to you and that we all must eat the Bread of eternal life in new mangers as we feast with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist at God's Holy Table set with Bread and Wine.
VII Jesus is Born
Come let us adore him and give thanks that Jesus came into God's world to redeem, heal, and teach us how to be brothers and sisters one to another. We give thanks that on that most holy night we were no longer strangers but the Family of Love.
VIII. Angelic Hosts tell the Shepherds "Do not be afraid"! Follow the Star to the Manger and greet with joy the birth of the Messiah.
Lord God may we never be afraid to come and meet and greet our Lord in all persons, places, and situations.
IX. The Magi Visit Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Lord God, teach us to be giving of our time, talents, treasures, and ourselves. Help us to give and receive the Gift of presence from you and others.
X. Herod sets out to kill the Holy Innocents.
Lord God, we pray for peace in the world and an end to violence against all your children , young and old. We pray for your holy and loving protection to surround them wherever they may be.
XI Jesus, Mary, and Joseph take flight into Egypt.
Lord God, we pray for all refugees who are fleeing wars, economic situations, religious persecution, and political uncertainty. We pray that they may return to their homes and livelihoods and if they are to stay where they have taken flight to that they may be welcomed not as strangers but as members of the family of love.
XII. Jesus, Mary and Joseph return home to Nazareth.
Lord God we pray that as we return home from work or travel that our homes may be havens of peace and places of refreshment for all of our family members.
These prayers may be interspersed after each station:
46 And Mary[a] said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
The Lord's Prayer
(traditional)
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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God set our bodies, minds, spirits and feet upon this holy year of pilgrimage that our hearts may be ever fixed on You and in your service to all our family members.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God we pray that we may spread the Good News to all People with love, faith, and without fear.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God give us grace and courage to speak truth to power during this holy year of pilgrimage and stand up for the marginalized and their need for universal human rights.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God we pray that we may listen to where you call us to go during this time of holy pilgrimage.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God help us to have times of oasis and refreshment and learn that being a pilgrim also involves being on retreat.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God we pray for all those who are ill and in need of healing. Help us to go and be sent to care for them with healing hands and hearts of love.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God we pray that we as pilgrims may also become peacemakers at home and throughout the world.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God we lift up these our prayers to you in the name of Jesus who taught us how to be pilgrims. Amen.
Or these:
Holy God as we set our feet out upon this year's pilgrim way may we be always reminded that life is a journey not a destination. Guide our feet and paths O, God!
Holy God help us to learn many things this year and become your willing students who want to sit at your feet to look, listen, seek, and feel your presence and hear what you are calling us to do and what you have to impart to us.
Holy God, give us courage to become your feet to spread your Good News of Peace to all our family members.
Holy God enfold all those who are suffering this night especially_____________
all who are ill and in the hospital. Comfort, console, and heal their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Holy God, enfold all of your children who are seeking help from you. You know their needs before we pray. Comfort, console, and heal their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Holy God enfold all of your children who are in mourning, give them strength and consolation as they meet the challenges of living with out their precious loved ones. Help us to step up and give them our love, support, and a soft place to fall.
Holy God enfold all of your children who have fears, anxieties, worries , and other concerns. Give them peace and the knowledge of knowing you are ever present.
Holy God enfold. all of us who are facing struggles this year. Help us to know that we are in your arms and you will not let us fall.
Holy God enfold all your children who are dying and those precious souls who have made their journey into the Thin Places this night and today. May they rest in peace and rise in glory and may they sing and dance for joy in the heavenly places for all eternity.
Holy God enfold all living things from the rich soil, verdant foliage, and the tallest giraffe that it may be protected and conserved and that God's Cathedral of Life may flourish and be healed.
Holy God enfold us as we pray and give thanks for all our many blessings and may we add our prayers for those who have come to us seeking prayers especially____________________ and for those who have wanted to ask us for prayer but were afraid and the may unspoken prayers this day.
These are our prayers Lord Jesus and we present them to you in your most Holy Name. Amen.
Or these
O God of our journey and daily life pilgrimage guide our footsteps where we should be going each and every day. I will follow you on the route with out fear and anxiety.
O God help us to know when we need to use our wings to take to sky, and fly with your Spirit into the future where you are calling us. May we hear and feel the Holy Spirit give us the nudge to take route and take flight.
O God we pray for those who have been rooted too much in their thoughts, deeds, and beliefs that have led them to bully,hate, and discriminate.
O God we pray that faith may take root in each of us so that we may take route and proclaim Your Good News with love, compassion, and example and with a joyful spirit.
O God may we take root this evening and rest and honor our bodies, minds, and spirits to be able to take route tomorrow and serve you in your kingdom.
Prayers, Thanksgivings, Remembrances, and Celebrations may be added here.
All this we ask in the God who has taken root in us, and set us on the route that leads to life eternal and the springs of the Water of Life. Amen.
O God help us to know when we need to use our wings to take to sky, and fly with your Spirit into the future where you are calling us. May we hear and feel the Holy Spirit give us the nudge to take route and take flight.
O God we pray for those who have been rooted too much in their thoughts, deeds, and beliefs that have led them to bully,hate, and discriminate.
O God we pray that faith may take root in each of us so that we may take route and proclaim Your Good News with love, compassion, and example and with a joyful spirit.
O God may we take root this evening and rest and honor our bodies, minds, and spirits to be able to take route tomorrow and serve you in your kingdom.
Prayers, Thanksgivings, Remembrances, and Celebrations may be added here.
All this we ask in the God who has taken root in us, and set us on the route that leads to life eternal and the springs of the Water of Life. Amen.
Selected prayers from the BCP (Book of Common Prayer)
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator
of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary,
renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing
upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have
protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the
coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every
fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of
our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen
A Prayer attributed to 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.
Prayers for use by a Sick Person
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in
your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for
your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your
healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Pain
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed
earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your
Father’s will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain;
sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may
not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always
to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if
you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. 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.
The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Let us bless the God our Creator, Jesus our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit our Advocate and Guide.
Thanks be to God.
Our Daily Commemoration Follows:
Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah
First Indian Anglican Bishop, Dornakal
1945
Loving God, who raises from every nation, people, tribe, and tongue witnesses to your glory: May we who celebrate your servant Samuel Azariah be strengthened by his witness to your love without concern for class or caste, that people of all languages and cultures might be drawn into your loving embrace, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 4:1-12
My child, do not cheat the poor of their living,
and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
Do not grieve the hungry,
or anger one in need.
Do not add to the troubles of the desperate,
or delay giving to the needy.
Do not reject a suppliant in distress,
or turn your face away from the poor.
Do not avert your eye from the needy,
and give no one reason to curse you;
for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you,
their Creator will hear their prayer.
Endear yourself to the congregation;
bow your head low to the great.
Give a hearing to the poor,
and return their greeting politely.
Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor;
and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.
Be a father to orphans,
and be like a husband to their mother;
you will then be like a son of the Most High,
and he will love you more than does your mother.
Wisdom teaches her children
and gives help to those who seek her.
Whoever loves her loves life,
and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
The Psalm
Psalm 37:23-31 Page 635, BCP
Laetatus sum
23 Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, *
but those who are cursed by him shall be destroyed.
24 Our steps are directed by the Lord; *
he strengthens those in whose way he delights.
25 If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, *
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
26 I have been young and now I am old, *
but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread.
27 The righteous are always generous in their lending, *
and their children shall be a blessing.
28 Turn from evil, and do good, *
and dwell in the land for ever.
29 For the Lord loves justice; *
he does not forsake his faithful ones.
30 They shall be kept safe for ever, *
but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.
31 The righteous shall possess the land *
and dwell in it for ever.
The Epistle
Acts 14:21-27
After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.
Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.
The Gospel
Luke 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.”
John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”
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Good Night Brother and Sister Pilgrims! I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. May you have a peaceful and restful night in God's most gentle arms.
With love and blessings,
Sara
Our sources for tonight's blog.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Occasional Services- Anthem at the Candle Lighting
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Indian Metis Christian Fellowship -Smudging Prayer
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