Today we write our Wilderness Narrative! I get to share mine with you today. You never know what God has planned when you go to church!

Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!

Wow when the Holy Spirit works the results may surprise you: As you know I came out to you gradually over the past few months and publicly on Facebook and you know the struggles I faced in deciding to tell. Well today we get to add another piece of this wilderness narrative. I came out to my congregation today within the service. Our rector was giving a time of teaching on the Gospel lesson of Nicodemus and combining our Lenten Study on Sebastian Junger's book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging. We were talking about being authentic people and the values that we are faced with. We dealt with the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic values. When our rector started asking questions I talked about being authentic, she wanted to know more so I told the congregation it is all about living one's truth authentically. That's when it happened ! I came out to the congregation  and told them I am Gay, and  our rector assured them that we hadn't planned this. Which we hadn't. There was a temptation for me to keep my mouth shut and not say a word but God made it possible for me to speak my truth in love and have the entire support of the congregation. The fear is gone. I belong! I am one of God's beloved ones. So are you! Each of these coming out stories are crucial now more than ever because they model courage and the passion to be a part of the social justice world, to exhibit the need for all places and that means your place of worship to be truly sanctuary. And finally to be able to become sanctuary to others by our transparency without fear but with love. Yes you can go into the wilderness and come out on the other side healthier in all ways and know down deep in your heart home that God is love, is love, is love and is love! I want to thank you for being my soft place to fall when I needed to struggle with this. I give thanks to God for you now and always. You are my heroes and family. 

Now, let us be at prayer in God's Sanctuary of Compassion, Acceptance, Love and Mercy.

Let us breathe and set our hearts, minds, and spirits in a place of quiet and calm.

Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be still. 

Be not afraid.


I am a beloved child of God ! 



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.

God we meet here together  to make vigil and pray.  Let us pray for our country that there will be an end to the terrible divisiveness ,hatred, and extremism that is affecting it. We pray that we may once again find common ground and a return of common decency. We continue to pray that we become bridge builders and peacemakers. We pray that we my be united as one family in CALM (Compassion, acceptance, Love, and mercy) Purpose, for the good and benefit of all. We pray that we may acknowledge our dependence upon each other and every living thing and that we may practice conservation of God's Cathedral of life. 

Let us love one another and extend our arms of love to one another and our hands in friendship. We are truly family and sacred beings made in the image and likeness of God. Every day is sacred even when we don't feel like it is!  So in the silence of tonight's meditation may we pledge to ourselves and one another that we are family, we love one another, accept each other where we are and who we are, and that we will never hate or harm each other in any way.  Tonight and if you are reading this tomorrow, I'm issuing a call for all of us to be the holy and loving children of God.

Or this vigil format


This is a day of Sabbath Rest dear ones. I invite us all this night to enter into our time of Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigil quietly, reverently, and take  journey into a holy time with God. Let us open our heart homes widely with CALM (compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy) Let us pray that we may practice holy hospitality daily with all whom we meet and also with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. We pray that we may walk together as the family of  God and Love. We pray that we may walk hand in hand on equal footing.  We pray that we may welcome all the table and that means everyone. We pray that we may see God in every person this week. We pray that we may use loving words, kind speech, and non-violent actions towards our family members. We pray that we may let go of any and all anxieties that we are struggling with this week. We pray that we may Love one another as united family members in peace.

Psalm 121

Levavi oculos

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The Lord himself watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Genesis 12:1-4a

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

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.

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

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.

John 3:1-17

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

Anselm of Canterbury

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; *

you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride, *

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *

in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *

by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; *

through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead, *

your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *

in your love and tenderness, remake us.

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, *

for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.

Let us be quiet and be at prayer.

Feel God's presence creating a space of welcome and hospitality for you in God's gentle arms.

Feel God's loving presence enfolding us and our family members.

Feel God's gentle tap on the shoulder guiding you and your life path.

Feel God's welcoming presence as we pray.

Second Sunday in Lent

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious

to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them

again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and

hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ

your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God we pray for an end violence of any kind and that peace may prevail upon earth.

God we pray for an end to all forms of abuse.

God we pray for an end to all hatred that we may sew the seeds of love.

God we pray for an end to all those who wish to do  us or our family members from harm.

God we pray that love may be the key to help conquer the world's ills and that we may show how loving we may be to our brothers and sisters who do not understand us.

God we pray that we may practice good conservation of the World natural resources.

God we pray for all of our family members who are grieving the loss of loved ones who are animal and human.

God we pray for all  who are ill that they may be healed and given  courage during their illnesses.

God we pray for all who are transitioning into Life Eternal and those who have entered the Thin Places today.

God give us courage to live and follow you and what you teach us each and every day.

God we pray for all these yet un-named prayers that we may have the courage to speak and pray them aloud.

God accept these our prayers in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Or these:

Prayers for Healing 

Tonight we are going to spend our time together with a  Time of prayer for the healing of lives, world, nations, and the Earth

Gracious and loving God, we pray for all of our family members this night who are in our hearts and on our minds especially_________________.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all lives who are touched by abuse and violence.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  all those whose hearts are hardened and feel the need to act violently.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all family members of the animal kingdom that are facing being endangered and extinct.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all of our personal wounds that have kept us from moving on and living lives well lived.

Gracious and  loving God, we pray for the healing of all of those who are mourning losses of  family members and pets. We remember especially those who have lost children.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all children who are suffering from any untimely disease that keeps them from enjoying childhood.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all of our family members with whom we might be estranged. May we lovingly be united once again with them.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  your Cathedral of Life and that we might be good stewards of  the Earth you made.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all hearts and heart homes who are facing any family holiday alone!

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all divisions that we may be one.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all who have had surgery that they may receive healing and recover fully.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all who are homeless, hungry, and ill-clad that they may find warm shelter, nourishing food, and warm and comfortable clothing.

Gracious and loving God,we pray for the healing of all nations where there are warring factions and terror that peace may prevail upon earth.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all faith communities that they may find common ground rooted in love.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all the hate and rancor in this world.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of all those who are feeling isolated and outcast that they may feel accepted and loved as the beautiful people whom you created that they may see  as you see them.

Gracious and loving God, we pray for the healing of  anything that is being brought to mind this night remembering especially__________________________

Gracious and loving God we pray in the name of Jesus,Your Son. Amen.

As we close our worship this night we remember these prayers"

The  Beatitudes  Matthew 5:3–12 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10


Canticle D
A Song of the Wilderness
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

 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.

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)

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Good Night Dear Ones! I love you! May you have a blessed and restful night.

With love, prayers, and peace of mind as we adjust to the time change.

Sara