#AdventWord Week 3 day 19 #HashTagsWithMeaning2017 - #Renew

Good Evening Dear Beloved Community!

Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! How many of you need a time of rest and #renewal? I know that I do. Tonight and tomorrow let's take a time to be #renewed in body, mind, and spirit. God wants us to be ready for all that is to come. How many of you know what the definition of our #AdventWord #Renew is? If you aren't sure you have come to the right place. I invite you to step into our time of dictionary practice!

re·new
[rəˈn(y)o͞o]



VERB
renews (third person present) · renewed (past tense) · renewed (past participle) · renewing (present participle)
resume (an activity) after an interruption:
"the parents renewed their campaign to save the school"
synonyms: resume · return to · take up again · come back to · begin again · start again · restart · recommence · continue (with) · carry on (with)

re-establish (a relationship):
"he had renewed an acquaintance with McCarthy"
repeat (an action or statement):
"detectives renewed their appeal for those in the area at the time to contact them"
synonyms: reaffirm · reassert · repeat · reiterate · restate
give fresh life or strength to:
"she would face the future with renewed determination"
synonyms: revive · regenerate · revitalize · reinvigorate · re-energize · restore · resuscitate · breathe new life into · rekindle
extend for a further period the validity of (a license, subscription, or contract):
"her contract had not been renewed"
synonyms: extend · prolong
replace (something that is broken or worn out):
"check the joints—they may need renewing"
synonyms: renovate · restore · refurbish · modernize · overhaul · redevelop · rebuild · reconstruct · remodel · bring something up to code · do up · rehab · refurb

#AdventWord Thesaurus work: #Renew

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Officiant O God, be not far from us.
People Come quickly to help us, O God.

Our God and Savior now draws near: O come let us worship.

Let us renew our spirits in prayer, vigil and love for one another as we make a healing circle of love in sacred community.




There is in us an instinct for newness, for renewal, for a liberation of creative power. We seek to awaken in ourselves a force which really changes our lives from within. And yet the same instinct tells us that this change is a recovery of that which is deepest, most original, most personal in ourselves. To be born again is not to become somebody else, but to become ourselves.
Thomas Merton




There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself.
Pope Francis


May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and
renewal to those Who work with you and to those who see
and receive your work. May your work never weary you.
John O'Donohue


One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal.
Sarah Ban Breathnach






Listen to the air.
You can hear it, feel it,
smell it, taste it.
Woniya wakan, the holy air,
which renews all by its breath.
Woniya wakan, spirit, life, breath, renewal,
it means all that.
We sit together, don’t touch,
but something is there,
we feel it between us
as a presence.
A good way to start thinking
about nature
is to talk to it,
talk to the rivers, to the lakes,
to the winds,
as to our relatives.
John Fire Lame Deer


..


Join with the Earth and each other, to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air, to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures, to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars, to recall our destiny, to renew our spirits, to reinvigorate our bodies, to recreate the human community, to promote justice and peace, to love our children and love one another, to join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery, for the healing of the Earth and the renewal of all life.
Martin Luther King, Jr.






God is not a 'being' removed from creation, ruling it from outside in the manner of a patriarchal ruler; God is the source of being that underlies creation and grounds its nature and future potential for continual transformative renewal in biophilic mutuality.
Rosemary Radford Ruether

                                                   Our Great O Antiphon of the Day

                                                                    O Oriens[

The Dawn Breaking, the Light of the World

Latin:

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

English:

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

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.

O Oriens,

splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:

veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

English:

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Oriens

Veni, Veni, Emmanuel

Come and save us, * O Lord God of hosts.

Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.

Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:

O Lord God of hosts.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.

V. Show us your mercy, O Lord:

R. And grant us your salvation.

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.

Prayer Over The Advent Candle

O God, as light comes from this candle,

May the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,

Warming our hearts and brightening our way.

May Christ our Savior

Bring life into the darkness of this world,

And to us, as we wait for his coming.

Amen.

(www.catholicnewsagency.com)

A Smudging Prayer

 Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.

Psalm 27

Of David.
¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^* of my life;
   of whom shall I be afraid? 

² When evildoers assail me
   to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
   they shall stumble and fall. 

³ Though an army encamp against me,
   my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
   yet I will be confident. 

⁴ One thing I asked of the Lord,
   that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
   all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
   and to inquire in his temple. 

⁵ For he will hide me in his shelter
   in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
   he will set me high on a rock. 

⁶ Now my head is lifted up
   above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
   sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
   be gracious to me and answer me! 
⁸ ‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
   Your face, Lord, do I seek. 
⁹   Do not hide your face from me. 

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
   you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
   O God of my salvation! 
¹⁰ If my father and mother forsake me,
   the Lord will take me up. 

¹¹ Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies. 
¹² Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they are breathing out violence. 

¹³ I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
   in the land of the living. 
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the Lord!

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you rejoice,^* even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, ⁷so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Although you have not seen^*him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Song of Zechariah    Benedictus Dominus Deus
          Luke 1: 68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
    he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
    born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
    from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
    and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
    to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
    holy and righteous in his sight
    all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
    the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the
                             shadow of death, *
    and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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.

John 14:1-7

14‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe^* in God, believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^*3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to the place where I am going.’^* 5Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ ⁶Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will know^* my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

21    You are God   Te Deum laudamus

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
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 became man to set us free
you did not shun 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 and 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.

Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come

among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,

let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver

us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and

the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Loving Jesus: Protect and sustain us with your hand. Open the

door of your love that, sealed with your wisdom, we may be free

to serve you with joy. Amen.

(a prayer of St. Gertrude)

Jesus, you are the way through the wilderness: show us your truth

in which we journey, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit be in us

the life that draws us to God. Amen.

(source: F.B. McNutt, The Prayer Manual [London: Mowbray, 1961], p. 29,

adapted)

O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the

angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in

danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and

grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and

serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

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.

Christ has no Body

 Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks. Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. - Teresa of Avila

Let us pray the Alternative form of the Lord's Prayer as found in the New Zealand Prayer Book

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples

of the world! 

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the
night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive
far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having
done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may,
when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray in the words of our #AdventWord - #Renew

God we pray for the renewal of our bodies, minds, and spirits and that we as we await with joyful expectation we may wholly be yours  in your most sacred presence.

God we pray that our planet's resources may be healed and renewed.

God we pray for all who are ill this time of year that they may be renewed and made whole to enjoy this special season of family time.

God we pray for a renewal of energy towards finding solutions to houselessness, hunger, income inequality, and all injustices that plague your world and your beloved children.

God we pray that we may continually renew our commitment to loving you, our neighbors, our enemies, and ourselves.

God we pray that we may continually renew our focus and speak truth to power and let justice roll down.

God we pray that we may continue to be renewed and reawakened to the call and path you have set our holy feet upon.

God we renew commitment to "Strive for justice, and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being" by standing for universal equality and human rights throughout the world.

God renew our energy to fight hatred, bigotry, abuse and governmental injustices that oppress and neglect the least of these.

God renew our hearts as we add these our own prayers:

We pray for_____________________

We remember____________________

We celebrate_____________________

We give thanks___________________

We lift up these  our prayers as we are renewed in the name of God the Creator, Jesus our Redeemer. and the Holy  Spirit our Advocate and Guide. Amen.

 A Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so
guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our

wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto
thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always
to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

We turn now to prayers featuring the   #AdventWord , #Embrace :

God we pray for all of your children who do not know a loving and warm embrace and who are in need.

God we pray for an end to senseless violence that people everywhere might embrace one another with  compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy.

God we pray this night that we may have the courage to embrace diversity with heart homes, heart roots, and our inner beings fixed on you and your ways.

God encircle us with your loving and merciful power  in this time of trial that we may come to rely upon you fully.

God may we continually embrace your teachings ans showings of love so that we may not falter and our faith may be strengthened.

God remind us daily to embrace everything as holy and not take anything for granted. 

God help us each new day to seek to see you in others with out fear or hatred, only love.

God we pray that we may embrace the calls you have given us and go and do and spread your God news daily.

God help us to remember the words of the hymn There's A Wideness in God's Mercy.

1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice,
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in His blood.

2 There is no place where earth's sorrows
are more felt than up in heaven;
there is no place where earth's failings
have such kindly judgment given.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the Head.

3 For the love of God is broader
than the measure of the mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful,
we should take him at his word;
and our life would be thanksgiving
for the goodness of the Lord.

Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863

Hymn -St. Helena

God let us embrace one another with our additional prayers.

We pray for_______

We remember_________

We celebrate_________

We give thanks__________

And these may be added as well. 

God of many names we come to you seeking unity, peace, and understanding. Help us we pray to embrace one another as your holy children who have been made in your image and likeness. Take away from us any thought, word, or deed that seeks to divide us one from another and You  O God. We pray this night for an end to all terrorists acts and those that are being planned. We pray that those who are contemplating such acts may be prevented from doing so and that they may feel your not so gentle tap on their shoulder as a reminder of what they shouldn't be doing.  God may we join our hands together in compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy and that we may encircle this fragile nation and world with your light and love as we pray and seek to serve you at all times and the places where you send us. Amen.

God We pray that we may embrace the holy at all times with these affirmations:

I embrace the holy by acknowledging that everything that God created is holy.
I embrace the holy by showing my love for all of my family members.
I embrace the holy by speaking out for the voiceless and invisible.
I embrace the holy by loving my enemies and those who hate.
I embrace the holy by practicing peaceful non-violence.
I embrace the holy by accepting and including everyone into our family of love.
I embrace the holy by being an ally for all those who are seeking universal human rights.
I embrace the holy by being a good steward of God's Cathedral of Life.
I embrace the holy by accepting God's call.
I embrace the holy by following Jesus and being his sister, friend and walking the walk and talking the talk as He Does everyday in our lives.
I embrace the holy by remembering to pray daily.
I embrace the holy by walking with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on life's path and journey.

We embrace the holy this night in prayer and in the stillness , in the longing, and seeking to be in your loving presence O God. 

Holy God we give thanks for the rain, we pray for the safety of all people in the wake of the storms.   May we feel you upholding us safely in your loving embrace.

Holy God we give thanks for your holy creation and the beauty of your Cathedral of Life. May we feel your presence as we breathe in the air that embraces us in and through our bodies.

Holy God we give thanks for your gift of peace. May peace prevail upon earth and within ourselves. Help us to embrace all people who differ from us with compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy.

Holy God we give thanks for our family of love. Lovingly enfold your arms around them this night if they are having any worries, anxieties, or fears.God give us courage to embrace our fragile and mentally ill family members with love and understanding.

Holy God we give thanks for our voices that we may speak truth to power and be the voice of the voiceless. God give us the strength to embrace social justice causes that are near and dear to you and that we may do as you command us to do.

Holy God we give thanks for your healing power that you are doing in the lives of  those who are ill  in body, mind, and spirit.  We pray especially for ____________

God Help us to lovingly embrace all who are ill and come to their aid and help them with a genuine and sincere heart. 

Holy God we give thanks for everything you have given us so abundantly.

 Help us to give thanks and embrace what we truly need and not all the extravagant wants.

Holy God we give thanks for ears and hearts to hear your still small voice.

Help us to embrace the small things in life.

Holy God we give thanks for the least of these as a reminder that we may never become hard, cold, or complacent.  God help us to embrace our fragile family members with warmth, comfort, God centered compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy.

Holy God we give thanks for the lives of those who now reside in the Thin Places. We pray for all who mourn and may we step up and lovingly respond with comfort and compassion. God embrace with your never failing love those who are dying and who have died today and enfold the grieving with your loving and consoling arms.

Holy Jesus we lift up these our prayers in love, peace, joy , and hope in your most holy Name. Amen.

Yesterday's #AdventWord Prayers #Open

God open our hearts, minds, and spirits as we await your coming with joy and love.

God give us open minds to inclusiveness and diversity and celebrating each other's differences and similarities in joy and not fear.

God open the minds of governments who seek to do harm to their citizenry by passing unjust laws that are inhumane and are in violation of human rights.

God open our hearts to invite our family members who are new to us into our midst. We pray for all who are on the margins of society remembering especially all immigrants, refugees, victims of human trafficking and abuse, the homeless, the hungry, the ill-clad and those who have been bullied, hated, and emotionally terrorized. 

God open wide our hearts to new possibilities to where you are calling us to go.

God open the minds of scientists and researchers to find cures and compassionate treatment for those suffering from rare and chronic diseases.

God open our hearts and voices to speak for the voiceless remembering especially the planet's life forms remembering the land, the animal kingdom, the waters, the air, and the oxygen producing plants and trees. Help us to be the voice for our voiceless family members who do not have strength to raise their voices and be the change in this fragile and broken world.

God open our hands freely so that we may praise you, serve you, and help the least of these.

God help us to keep open to your presence and allow more time in conversation and listening with you. 

God we pray for__________

God we remember________

God we celebrate______________

God we give thanks for_________

God we lift up our prayers with open and loving hearts to you ! Amen.

Let us pray the #AdventWord -#Dazzle

God help us not to be #dazzled by the lights of this season but to be #dazzled by the light and love of Christ.

Light of Christ illumine our hearts with love energy so that we may serve you in your kindom daily.

God we pray for all who have become attached and bedazzled by the materialism of this world an have forgotten what matters most.

Light of Christ may we seek to be unattached to things but attached to you and where you lead us. May we find ourselves walking with you and covering ourselves in your dust.

God we pray for all who are lonely this time of year and all the dazzling sights and sounds become hurtful not helpful to them.

Light of Christ may we lovingly respond to our family members who are lost, lonely, alone, neglected and who may feel invisible. Give us courage to seek out the lost and bring them back into your fold and our family with loving acceptance.

God we pray for all refugees, immigrants, victims of abuse, terror, disaster, human trafficking and discrimination. 

Light of Christ help us to shine the light on injustice and do in the words of the Prophet Micah "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" and let justice roll down. May this light shine everywhere and into the hearts of tyrannical leaders who do not know or want to learn how to serve and govern the peoples whom they serve.

God be-stir our hearts once again on Christmas so that we may carry your message of love and the God News to everyone who need it or may need to hear it again.

Light of Christ may we shine your love light and Love News to the world with voices loud and clear and without fear. 

God we pray for_________________

God we remember_________________

God we give thanks for_______________

God we  Celebrate_________________

 Christ the light of our hearts  receive these our prayers and thanksgivings in your Holy Name. Amen.

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

#AdventWord prayers for #Light

God empower us to be your beacons of light and hope in this fragile and broken world.

God help us to shine your peace, love, justice, and mercy in those places where darkness is the order of the day and may your healing light be shed upon them.

God we pray for all who are in need of light therapy as Winter approaches. Help us to keep watch over our loved ones who need our loving light and presence as they cope with depression. 

God open wide our heart homes, nourish our heart roots with the necessary light, and radiate our inner beings with your presence from the inside out.

God help us to remember that your "yoke is easy and your burden is light!"

God make our lives lighter as we take time to live more simply.

God shed light upon all forms of violence, extremism, abuse, bigotry and hatred that we we may speak truth to power and stand for universal human rights.  

Give us courage to shine the light of truth to places where falsehood and danger are present.

Give us courage to stand with the vulnerable as we enfold them with compassion, acceptance, love and mercy. May we seek to work in our communities where injustice and apathy need the necessary light to make changes wherever and whenever necessary.

Let us remember That the Light of Christ in Me Reflects the Light of Christ in You.

May we shine the light of the Gospel to all who are in need of hearing and being shown the light of your love, the light of your mercy, and the light of your justice as we follow you O God. Amen.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us

through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole

human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which

infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;

unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and

confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in

your good time, all nations and races may serve you in

harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.

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.

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.

The Wisdom of God

the Love of God

and the Grace of God

strengthen you

to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,

in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

(source: Celtic)

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in

believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Romans 15:13

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Today's 

  #AdventWord:  #renew

Tomorrow's 

  #AdventWord : #Greeting

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Good Night Beloved Ones! I love you! Rest gentle knowing that you are loved and appreciated and I do not take our time for granted one bit. May we all take time in the next few days to be renewed and refreshed as we await the celebration of God's coming to Earth as Jesus the Christ. The light of Christ In me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you.

With hope, joy, love, and peace,

Sara

Resources:

Satucket -Lectionary and Saint of the Day: St. Thomas the Apostle

A New Zealand Prayer Book

Sepulchre -Candles

Book of Common Prayer - Online

Enriching Our Worship 1997

Book of Occasional Services -2003

A to Z Quotes

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Wikipedia - Great O Antiphons

YouTube for Music. 

Hymnary for Hymn Lyrics

Metis Aboriginal Ministries