Good Afternoon and Early Evening Dear Family of God and Love!
Happy final day of our holiday weekend. Today is the actual feast day of Frederick Douglass and we will repeat the lessons from last evening and incorporate tonight's readings with Words from our social justice sages- The voices of our sisters and mothers. We will pray, make vigil, and meditate upon these stalwart women's voices of social justice.
Think upon these things:
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
― Maya Angelou
“I am at peace with God and all mankind.”
― Harriet Tubman
Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
Sojourner Truth
“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.”
― Coretta Scott King
“We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.”
― Shirley Chisholm
God you call us to be abolitionists, guides on the New Underground Railroad, and voices and feet to stand up in the face of injustice, violence, and struggles. We light our candles tonight as we travel and light the pathway to freedom for all God's children.
Let us light our candles in memory of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, Shirley Chisholm, Coretta Scott King, and Eliabeth Cady Stanton have lit and led the way towards sanctuary, freedom, and non violence, equality, and human rights. Help us to learn from them and carry the banner of social justice to a fragile and broken world.
Let us pray the prayer for the Feast of Frederick Douglass-
Almighty God, we bless your Name for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned and reasonable speech moved the hearts of people to a deeper obedience to Christ: Strengthen us also to speak on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation, continuing in the Word of Jesus Christ our Liberator; who with you and the Holy Spirit dwells in glory everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Psalm 85 for the feast day starts with verse 7 but we will begin with the entire Psalm so that we have the right context.
Let us hear the sacred Psalm and may it resound in our hearts this day and always:
85 Benedixisti, Domine
1 You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”
― Harriet Tubman
Isaiah 32:11-18
11 Tremble, you women who are at ease,
shudder, you complacent ones;
strip, and make yourselves bare,
and put sackcloth on your loins.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vine,
13 for the soil of my people
growing up in thorns and briers;
yes, for all the joyous houses
in the jubilant city.
14 For the palace will be forsaken,
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watch-tower
will become dens for ever,
the joy of wild asses,
a pasture for flocks;
15 until a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
17 The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever.
18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
Hear the voice of our Mother Sojourner Truth
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”
― Shirley Chisholm
Exodus 22:21–27
21 You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 22You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. 23If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; 24my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.
25 If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. 26If you take your neighbour’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; 27for it may be your neighbour’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbour cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
Hear the voice of our Mother Coretta Scort King
“I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence.”
― Coretta Scott King
Psalm 126 In convertendo
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3 Then they said among the nations, *
"The Lord has done great things for them."
4 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.
5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.
6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
Hear the Voice of our Sister Elizabeth Cady Stanton
“The happiest people I have known have been those who gave themselves no concern about their own souls, but did their uttermost to mitigate the miseries of others.”
― Elizabeth Cady Stanton, History of Woman Suffrage, Volumes I-III
1 John 4:16–21
16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love* because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,* are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister* whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters* also.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." African Proverb
Hear the Voice of our Sister Elizabeth Cady Stanton
“Love is the vital essence that pervades and permeates, from the center to the circumference, the graduating circles of all thought and action. Love is the talisman of human weal and woe--the open sesame to every soul.”
― Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Luke 4:14–21
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Canticle M
A Song of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, *
we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.
The ransom that was paid to free us *
was not paid in silver or gold,
But in the precious blood of Christ, *
the Lamb without spot or stain.
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory *
so that we might have faith and hope in God.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest, our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee,
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" — often referred to as the "Black American National Anthem"— is a song written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) in 1899 and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) in 1905
Let us sing along!
God hear our voices as we pray as we are a crying, a crying!
Let us lift up our voices and pray as we pray and listen to the voices a crying, a crying!
God hear the voices, God hear the voices, God hear the voices a crying, a crying!
God hear the voices of the homeless, hungry and ill clad children, hear them a crying, a crying!
God hear the voices of the immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers yearning for freedom as they cry for a home, safe lives, and stable family situations, hear them a crying, a crying, a crying.
God hear the voices of the marginalized crying out for justice, love and mercy and freedom. Hear their voices a crying, a crying.
God hear the voices of those who are sick and lack quality caregivers and medical care. Hear their voices a crying, a crying. Heal their bodies, minds, and spirits and stop their crying.
God hear the voices of those who are in grief today as they mourn the loss of loved ones so dear. Hear their voices a crying, a crying. Help us comfort them with loving shoulders and arms and let them be even if they are a crying.
God hear the voices of your bullied, hated, abused, discriminated against children as they long to be accepted. Hear them loudly a crying, a crying.
God hear the voices of citizens of all nations and even this one who are a crying, a crying for justice, human rights, and equality. Hear their voices a crying for CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy)
God hear our prayers and voices as we are a crying, a crying unto you! Amen.
Canticle A
A Song of Wisdom Sapientia liberavit
Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21
Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.
To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.
And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *
and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.
Or these
Let my People Go Prayers!
We pray this night with a call and response : Let my People Go.
God we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world, free those who are trapped in war torn cities, terror-filled neighborhoods, and places where tyranny and occupation surround.
Let my people Go!
God we pray for all those who are enslaved by addiction, fear, and anxiety!
Let my people Go!
God we pray for all those who suffer from mental and memory related illnesses. Heal them and free them from mental and emotional bondage.
Let my people Go!
God we pray for an end to hatred, isms, obias, bullying, abuse, terror, and all things that hurt and harm all living beings. We remember all the marginalized who are being subjected to human rights indignities.
Let my people Go!
God we pray for all immigrants, refugees , victims of human trafficking, and all who fear for their safety. Grant to them security and forever homes where they my find solace and freedom.
Let my people Go!
God we pray for sound governance in this country where all our citizenry may live freely and with human rights and equality intact. We pray that all may be on the same footing without having to be afraid of their rights and justice being taken away. We pray that our leaders may listen to the cries of the people and lay down the need to hurt and harm because of political viewpoints that only serve their own interests.
Let my people Go!
God We pray for those involved in #SacredResistance and the #SanctuaryMovement that they may seek to be peacemakers, affect the change they want to see in the world, and become lights to this and the next generation. May they never waiver in their commitment to in the words of the Prophet Micah "Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with your God!"
Let my people Go!
God we pray that we my help you and stand and rise to the challenge and speak truth to power in the words of Moses!
Let my People Go!
God we pray these prayers as we remember it was you who made us and makes us one and that you have given us free will and freedom. Help us to hear your words "Let My People Go!" and May we help in freedom's struggle and bring this world together in peace, unity, and freedom. We ask this in the name of Jesus our redeemer, friend, and the one who frees us from all ills and bondage. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
Have a wonderful evening dearly loved ones! I love you ! You matter! Raise your voices and speak truth to power. I give thanks to God for you always!
With compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy!
Sara
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