Good Evening Dear Family of Love!
Happy Self-Care Saturday! Most Saturdays I am home doing things but today I attended a workshop on climate change and the formation of a new chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby. I felt that I was lacking the environmental piece in my social justice portfolio. If we don't work on conservation and saving the planet all of our other social justice and faith work will have been for naught. I'm learning that we all must be united in mind, spirit, soul, and heart. Our extended families who are working in many groups often see each other in other social justice work settings. This is a perfect and goosebump creating sign from God that we need to strive for unity, peace, justice, love, conservationism, equity, equality, and mercy and respect the dignity of every human being. God is calling us to come together as one. We only need to listen deeply at our heart home level. If we don't listen, come together, and set ourselves on the work of healing our division and the planet we will be lost. So dear family let us come together as one tonight and that means joining together in our virtual circle of love and healing.
Diversity is what makes unity possible, especially with love in our hearts! #RespectTheDignityOfEveryHumanBeing!
We come together as one! We come together in compassion! We come together accepting one another! We come together in Love! We come together in Mercy and being merciful! We come together in unity through our diversity! We come together in Peace! We come together seeking justice and universal human rights for all.
We meet tonight in a circle of love and healing asking God to guide us on together without fear but in faith. We meet tonight in a community from across the miles to take God's Good news to our families, friends, neighbors, enemies, throughout our cities, counties, states, nation, and the world.
We pray together with hands uplifted and our eyes fixed on each other at heart level and in peaceful acknowledgement that we are all made in your image O God. Give us courage to see one another that way beginning now.
We pray in the words of 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.
25 Ad te, Domine, levavi
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For your Name's sake, O Lord, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.
11 Who are they who fear the Lord? *
he will teach them the way that they should choose.
12 They shall dwell in prosperity, *
and their offspring shall inherit the land.
13 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him *
and will show them his covenant.
14 My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, *
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15 Turn to me and have pity on me, *
for I am left alone and in misery.
16 The sorrows of my heart have increased; *
bring me out of my troubles.
17 Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
18 Look upon my enemies, for they are many, *
and they bear a violent hatred against me.
19 Protect my life and deliver me; *
let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you.
20 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, *
for my hope has been in you.
21 Deliver Israel, O God, *
out of all his troubles.
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.
A Song of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 36:24-28
I will take you from among all nations; *
and gather you from all lands to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *
and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.
A new heart I will give you *
and a new spirit put within you.
I will take the stone heart from your chest *
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will help you walk in my laws *
and cherish my commandments and do them.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
Isaiah 35:3-6
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then the lame shall 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;
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.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
3 We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters,* as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.
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.
Mark 7:32-37
32They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ 35And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36Then Jesus* ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37They were astounded beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.’
Canticle 21
We Praise You, O God Te Deum laudamus
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
Tonight let us join together in A Litany of Healing from the Book of Occasional Services.
Imagine me saying the bold portions and you respond.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our
prayers.
God the Father, your will for all people is health and
salvation;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might
have it more abundantly;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your
presence;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have
our being;
We praise you and thank you, O Lord.
Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured,
or disabled, that they may be made whole;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are
lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will
and an awareness of your presence;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional
distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the
suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and
patience;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by
the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are
bereaved;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in
our lives, in our nation, and in the world;
Hear us, O Lord of life.
You are the Lord who does wonders:
You have declared your power among the peoples.
With you, O Lord, is the well of life:
And in your light we see light.
Hear us, O Lord of life:
Heal us, and make us whole.
I am sending you Light to heal you, to hold you.
I am sending you light to hold you in love.
( From John Phillip Newell's Great Creating Spirit: A Celtic Earth Mass for the Celebration of Communion)
Let us pray.
God let us light our candles to pray that we may love radically with open hearts, open souls, open spirits, and open minds. Let our love be seen not only in words but deeds. Let our lives show the love that you have given us daily without fear. God let our love be the measuring stick from which we may guide ourselves to do better when we fall short in loving all of our family members. God help us to love with words that have deep and abiding meaning that will build up and not tear down. Give us the courage to support our family members who desire to love and live openly as beloved children of God. God help us to know that Love truly is Love without condition and needs to be celebrated daily in many and exciting ways. God help us to love radically in the service of others and with enough Love Energy to set the world ablaze with enlivened and joyful hearts. We pray these our prayers in the name of God and in the name of Love who is God. Amen.
Prayers of Commitment
God help us to commit to each other every day to be mindful that everyone matters.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our lives to the care of all of our family members nearby and far away.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our Love Energy and Heat Homes to making peace on our streets and through out the world.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our care muscles in the care of all our family members and especially the least of these and our many family members who are ill in body, mind, and spirit.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our compassion muscles in lovingly supporting our family members who are grieving and having life struggles.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our energy to be good conservationists of your Cathedral of Life.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit ourselves to the fight of injustice, being a voice for the voiceless, and speaking truth to power and letting justice roll down.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit ourselves to the inclusion of all human beings into our lives and be fully accepting of them as our brothers and sisters.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit our energies in the service of all our family members who are in trouble, danger, escaping tyranny and unsafe nations.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God help us we pray to commit ourselves to protecting all who labor in factory, farm, and everywhere.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit ourselves to you,
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to being Loving towards you, our family members, and ourselves.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to walk the walk and talk the talk without fear and reservation.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to speak lovingly towards each other with dignity and respect.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to get to know our family members from other faith communities as our brothers and sisters.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to the affirmation that All Lives Matter and All means All and not Some.May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we commit to enter into daily silence and go deeper to the center to be in communion, conversation, and listening with you and hear with our heart homes and with the necessary Love Energy you Give us.
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we add our additional prayers and thanksgivings now remembering especially__________
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
God we add our additional prayers and thanksgivings now remembering especially__________
May we love and serve radically with your help, O God.
Accept these our prayers in name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
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.
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: our Creator has made us holy, has always
protected us, and loves us as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with us always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
Good Night Loving Family in our Healing Circle! I love you and hold you in my heart, prayers, and thanksgivings!
With a CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) Heart on fire in service to God,
Sara
Resources :
Satucket Lectionary Page
Book of Occasional Services
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching Our Worship
Walk With Me On Our Journey
John Phillip Newell's Great Creating Spirit: A Celtic Earth Mass for the Celebration of Communion
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