Good Evening Dear Family of Love and God!
How has your Self-Care Saturday been? I hope you managed time for yourself and that it gave you refreshment. I have been taking a body Sabbath Day and enjoying periods of sleep and silence. With the rains that we have been having, I have decided not to take the car out and drive aimlessly for no reason. So today was one of those days. Today was also a day where staying in one's Pajamas or Jammies was a gift from God. When I was going through chemo God would tell me when to rest and relax and heal. God still rules the roost even though I am no longer undergoing chemo. God still rules the roost in our lives and that is always something we must remember. Having faith in God is one of the most necessary things a person of faith can do and practice. It's not easy especially during times such as these but we must try no, we must do. So dear ones let us have faith in a loving God. God is love and that''s the most wonderful God News There is. Yes I said God News! God News is Love News!
Tonight we are going to do a basic evening prayer time with a virtual candlelight and prayer vigil.
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.
It is time for our Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigil. Let us light our candles for those who are ill and in the hospital and recovering from surgery. We pray this night for all of our family members who are struggling to fit in and make meaning out of their lives. We continue to pray for an end to hatred, violence, disunity, and fear. Let us see God in each other and remember to take care of ourselves so that we may take care of others.
145 Exaltabo te, Deus
1 I will exalt you, O God my King, *
and bless your Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless you *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to his greatness.
4 One generation shall praise your works to another *
and shall declare your power.
5 I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *
and all your marvelous works.
6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
and I will tell of your greatness.
7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, *
and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *
and speak of your power;
12 That the peoples may know of your power *
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The Lord is faithful in all his words *
and merciful in all his deeds.
15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.
17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.
19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.
21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.
22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.
Hebrews 11:1-7
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith* our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.*
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable* sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith* he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and ‘he was not found, because God had taken him.’ For it was attested before he was taken away that ‘he had pleased God.’ 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.
Canticle B
A Song of Pilgrimage Priusquam errarem
Ecclesiasticus 51:13-16,20b-22
Before I ventured forth,
even while I was very young, *
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
In the forecourts of the temple I asked for her, *
and I will seek her to the end.
From first blossom to early fruit, *
she has been the delight of my heart.
My foot has kept firmly to the true path, *
diligently from my youth have I pursued her.
I inclined my ear a little and received her; *
I found for myself much wisdom and became adept in her.
To the one who gives me wisdom will I give glory, *
for I have resolved to live according to her way.
From the beginning I gained courage from her, *
therefore I will not be forsaken.
In my inmost being I have been stirred to seek her, *
therefore have I gained a good possession.
As my reward the Almighty has given me the gift of language,*
and with it will I offer praise to God.
Mark 9:2-13
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one* on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved;* listen to him!’ 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. 11Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ 12He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? 13But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’
A Song of True Motherhood
Julian of Norwich
God chose to be our mother in all things *
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.
God, the perfect wisdom of all, *
arrayed himself in this humble place.
Christ came in our poor flesh *
to share a mother’s care.
Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *
our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.
Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *
until the full time of his passion.
And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *
still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.
All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.
A Collect for Saturdays
O God, the source of eternal light: Shed forth your unending
day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you,
our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give
you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Canticle 15
The Song of Mary Magnificat
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.
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.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
― Teresa of Ávila
Matthew 5 The Message (MSG)
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
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.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
― Teresa of Ávila
Matthew 5 The Message (MSG)
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Prayers of God News!Remember the Good News is God News!
God we pray at this hour to have faith in your love for us and that we may lean on your God News, not the News we see on TV and on the Grid.
God we pray at this hour to firmly love our neighbors and enemies and accept them as your beloved children. May we see this as God News not Bad news.
God we pray for all those who are struggling to survive life in this dis-ordered world that we may come to their aid. May our loving response and care for them be seen as God News, Not bad news.
God we pray for sound governance in this country and all nations of the world and that peaceful non-violent protests and civil disobedience may be used to right the wrongs and that the wrongs may never be right. May our response be in accordance with Jesus' way and follow his God News every step of the way.
God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing. Help us to lovingly respond to their needs. May we learn patience and see even when the healing is slow it is God News, Not bad news.
God we pray these additional prayers of God news, not bad news_____________
God surround us all with your loving presence this evening as we sleep. May we rest secure in the knowledge of your God News this night and always! Amen.
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Let us be at prayer as we reflect upon telling our stories,Our living bible stories that God wants us to share with our family members and spread the Good News of love to a fragile and broken world.
God we pray this night that we may be able with confidence to tell our stories and begin to live authentically with out fear.
God we pray, for all of our family members who are feeling invisible right now. Help them to see how beautiful and loving we are.
God we pray, for the healing of all of our family members who are ill that their bodies, minds, and spirits may be returned to health and wholeness.
God we pray for peace in the world's war torn areas and that divisions may cease and that they may be united in heart and spirit.
God of our being help us to move from fear into faith as we tell our stories from our hearts.
God of our being help us to listen to the stories of our family members without judgement and fear and listen with our heart's ears.
God of mercy help us to do justice, love, mercy and walk humbly with you and speak truth to power by sharing our stories of injustice, inequality, and invisibility.
God of all creation we pray for all living things in Your Cathedral of Life and that we begin to tell the story of the destruction of the resources on this Planet Earth Our Island Home.
God of all Goodness and love may we look into the mirror and see you with loving eyes, smiles, and tender glances. May we see your reflection in us and and in the eyes of our family members.
God we pray for ourselves and on behalf of our family members remembering especially________
Come Lord Jesus and accept our prayers in your most Holy Name. Amen.
+++++++++
God you call us each day to lace up our shoes and care for your children.
Help us in new and inventive ways to do this. Give us the Love Energy to think outside the box and follow where you are leading us.
God you remind us each day to be loving, forgiving, merciful, and be fruitful with the Fruits of the Spirit to be engaged in the world and in the service of the least of these.
God help us to look into the eyes of all your children and see you and love in them.
God give us courage to be able to be hope bringers in the midst of all of the chaos that surrounds us.
God take we pray and give thanks for Jesus when he'd give his disciples ringers to wake them to attention. We pray that we may ever be awake and pay attention to what we are called to do and to just be.
God may we never be afraid to do the work you have given us to do when all seems bleak.
God replace all our anxieties, fears, and all thoughts that make our hearts uneasy with peace and an inner being alive with the Spirit.
God we pray that we may continue to walk with you as you walk with us on our journey.
God we pray that for our enemies and those who wish us harm to have a change of heart, mind, and spirit.
God we pray this night for all who are homeless, hungry, and ill clad that they may find shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing. We pray for appropriate shelters to meet the needs for all of our homeless family members.
God we pray for all of our family members who are lost, lonely, and alone with no one to be their soft place to fall and be accepted.
God we pray this night for the coming week ahead that we may seek to serve you in the ways that you would have us do.
God we pray for___________________________
God we give thanks for______________________
God ,As this is our last prayer this evening and since you have told us" the first shall be last and the last" we pray for all the peoples of the earth and especially,Pakistan, Syria, refugees, victims of violence, terror, human trafficking that peace, love justice, and mercy may prevail upon Earth. We lay these our petitions and thanksgivings in the loving arms of your son Jesus ,our brother, friend, Savior, and Great Physician. 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.
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
Good Night Dear Ones! This is a little bit early but on Saturday everyone needs a little more prayer time and meditation to prepare for our time of worship tomorrow. I love you and give God thanks for you this day and always. Remember we have two more days of Sabbath Care and Rest. If you haven't already done so take time to do your Worry/Sabbath Box, jar, or Journal work to free your hearts and minds for the remainder of the weekend.
With love and blessings,
Sara
For your virtual labyrinth walk if you should need a little extra time of meditation tonight.
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