Retreat day 3 Let us be united in the circle of love and find community there.

Good Evening Dear Family of Love!

Happy Sabbath Day! I love you! I hope all is well. Today has been a busy day for me. It started out with Picnic and Worship and then an anti-hate rally. I had the opportunity to speak against hate and bigotry today representing St. Peter's Episcopal Church. It was a moving experience. The central theme of my remarks were : #respectthedignityofeveryhumanbeing and reminding them of the words of the Prophet Micah. Let us be united in the circle of love and find community there.

 Tonight let us take out our pens and paper so that we can  do our circle work. 

You will need a red crayon or marker
A piece of paper

Draw a red circle:

Where are you today in the circle ? Where where you yesterday? How did you feel? Tonight everyone is in the circle. The circle of love. The round circle is our circulatory system and our love energy is coursing through our veins. The round red circle is also our living and breathing community taking action for the good of all people. 


Now tonight we are going to meet inside the circle of love. Let us now draw a read heart inside the circle. Now let us focus how we can be the compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful children of God and Family of Love to all. 

Tonight let us listen to this song to Gather us In ! Then listen to the next song!




Diversity is what makes unity possible, especially with love in our hearts! #RespectTheDignityOfEveryHumanBeing!

Let us spend a moment and reflect on this before we begin our time together in prayer and reflection. 

Let us begin!
Let us Sow Seeds of:
C= Compassion
A= Acceptance
L= Love
M = Mercy

Let us speak in words that are:
C= Comforting
A= Appreciative
L= Living and Loving
M= Mindful and Matter

Let our deeds be:
C= Caring and Compassionate
A= Admirable
L= Life giving
M= Mannerly

Let us choose to live a life of Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy. Let choose to speak in words that are courageous, amiable, enLightening, Mannered, and Make sense and don't harm or divide. Let our deeds be all these things.

Let us engage in the Be Stills

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.
Peace be.
Peace.

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.
Peace be.
Peace.

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.
Peace be.
Peace.

“*Breathing in, I know this is my in-breath.
Breathing out, I know this is my out-breath.*

It's very simple, but very effective. When we bring our attention to our in-breath and our out-breath, we stop thinking of the past; we stop thinking of the future; and we begin to come home to ourselves...Don't think this practice doesn't apply to you. If we don't go home to ourselves, we can't be at our best and serve the world in the best way... Our quality of being is the foundation for the quality of our actions.

*Breathing in, I'm aware of my whole body.
Breathing out, I'm aware of my whole body.*

Breathing mindfully brings us back to our bodies. We have to acknowledge our bodies first because tension and suffering accumulate in the body. Breathing in this way, we create a kind of family reunion between mind and body. The mind becomes an embodied mind.
...We can't do our best if we don't know to release the tension and pain in ourselves. 

*Breathing in, I'm aware of the tension in my body.
Breathing out, I'm aware of the tension in my body.*

When we look at the suffering around us, at poverty, violence, or climate change, we may want to solve these things immediately. We want to do something. But to do something effectively and ethically, we need to be our best selves in order to be able to handle the suffering...
*Breathing in, I am aware of a painful feeling arising.
Breathing out, I release the painful feeling.*

This is a nonviolent and gentle way to help our bodies release tension and pain. It is possible to practice mindful breathing in order to produce a feeling of joy, a feeling of happiness. When we are well-nourished and know how to create joy, then we are strong enough to handle the deep pain within ourselves and the world.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Societ

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.

Let us begin lighting our candles of love!

God we are privileged to come into your sanctuary each night to pray and give thanks and share community with one another. We are here to light candles to provide a pathway out of the darkness in our lives and those of others. We pray and give thanks for all the blessings you bestow upon us each and every day. We pray for our families who give us strength and emotional support. We pray this night that we may open our hearts with love to all the fragile ones and yes God we know that our enemies and those who hate us are fragile in a different way. We pray that they may turn away from violence and hate and that they may learn to love, listen, and seek to come together in unity. We know that fear triggers hate and violent action. We pray that everyone receives a good education where they live not only in school but in their faith communities so they may learn what is truly taught and not made up to incite violence, disunity, and hatred. We pray this night for Charlottesville, Barcelona and all who have become the victims of terror. We pray that violence of this kind may cease and that the only radicalization that takes place is that of Compassion, Acceptance, Love, Mercy and Hospitality where unity is fostered and brought into being. We pray this night for the least of these and that we may continue to seek your face in all of our family members. We pray these our prayers as we lift up our candles in a mirror and say "The Light of Christ in Me, recognizes the Light of Christ in you!' Let us be the light to your fragile and broken world and in the warmth of the light may it represent love in all of its hues and actions. May we feel its love energy radiating in all, through all, and to all. Amen.

Psalm 134 Ecce nunc

Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *

you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.

Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *

the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

Psalm 141:1-3,8 ab Domine, clamavi

O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *

hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *

the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,

and guard the door of my lips; *

let not my heart incline to any evil thing.

My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *

in you I take refuge.

Psalm 36:5-10

Dixit injustus

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *

and your faithfulness to the clouds.

6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,

your justice like the great deep; *

you save both man and beast, O LORD.

7 How priceless is your love, O God! *

your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; *

you give them drink from the river of your delights.

9 For with you is the well of life, *

and in your light we see light.

10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *

and your favor to those who are true of heart.

Canticle J

A Song of Judith

Judith 16:13-16

I will sing a new song to my God, *

for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.

Let the whole creation serve you, *

for you spoke and all things came into being.

You sent your breath and it formed them, *

no one is able to resist your voice.

Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *

rocks melt like wax at your presence.

But to those who fear you, *

you continue to show mercy.

No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *

but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Ruth 1:15-18

Naomi said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said,

“Do not press me to leave you 

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go; 

Where you lodge, I will lodge;

your people shall be my people, 

and your God my God.

Where you die, I will die— 

there will I be buried.

May the Lord do thus and so to me, 

and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!”

When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, 

she said no more to her.

Canticle S

A Song of Our True Nature

Julian of Norwich

Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *

our trespasses and our humiliations.

Christ also revealed his blessed power, *

his blessed wisdom and love.

He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *

he raises us in spirit

and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.

God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *

God is the true father and mother of natures.

We are all bound to God by nature, *

and we are all bound to God by grace.

And this grace is for all the world, *

because it is our precious mother, Christ.

For this fair nature was prepared by Christ

for the honor and nobility of all, *

and for the joy and bliss of salvation

Philippians 2:1-4

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

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

 Mark 12:28-34a

          One of the scribes came near and heard the Saducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,'—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing ,we give thanks for our many blessings as we pray to you this night.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, we pray for those who are ill and in pain may they be relieved and healed of all suffering of body,mind, and spirit. May they feel you healing and loving balm permeating throughout.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing give us courage to speak for the voiceless ones and help promote justice for all and respect for every living being on this your fragile planet Earth.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, help us to be forgiving and accept the forgiveness of the wrongs that have been done to us and and as we have done to others.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, take our hands, feet, voices, and all our whole beings and make them holy and fit to serve you and the least of these our family members who are in need.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, we pray for peace in the world and that wars and enmity may cease and that we may all be of one mind, one heart, one body, one spirit, one family of God and through our sacred family tree through Abraham. May our branches grow strong and be rooted in you O God who are Love.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, we pray this night for all who mourn that they may be comforted.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, we pray for all who are dying and those who have died today that they are lovingly being borne into the Thin Places by your most warm and merciful arms. May eternal joy be upon them and through them.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, give us courage to love boldly, fearlessly, and with great joy. May we model our love after you and see you in the eyes of all your children.

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing we pray and give thanks especially for__________

Gracious God of Love, Compassion, and Healing, accept these our prayers with hearts full of love and compassion in the Name of Jesus Your only son. Amen.


A special wish for us all: May we never cease to be loving, joyful, hopeful, peaceful, thankful ,and thoughtful beacons one to another and to the world around us.


A Song of God’s Love


1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us





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

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 and am so glad that we are together in the circle of love and are community. May we ever be united in peace, mercy, justice, hope, and love. Thank you for being you and the beloved ones God has made you to be.

With love!

Sara

Resources:

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching Our Worship

Metis Aboriginal Ministries

Walk with Me On Our Journey

YouTube for music