#AdventWord week 3 #HashTagsWithMeaning2017 - #Greeting

                                                 Good Evening Dear Beloved Family!
                       
                            This is my Merry Christmas #Greeting blog from me to you!
                                        
                           

My Christmas wishes for us this day albeit it is a few days early are these: 


That we know that we are loved by God from the tips of our toes to the top of our head, inside and out.

We know that we matter along with everyone and every thing on the planet

You have a home and family here at Walk With Me On Our Journey. This is the place where all is CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) and bright with God's healing and loving light.

We take time this season to practice radical hospitality and love towards everyone and that you spend time alone with God in humble adoration of Jesus The Christ in the manger and remember that Christmas is is about the giving the gift of ourselves and our presence.

We spend time being reminded that the Holy Family were the least of these.

And finally that you know that I love you and give thanks to God for you this day and always. That you can take to your heart home. This is my Christmas #Greeting to you all!


With love, peace, joy, and hope!

Sara


Here is the definition of  our #AdventWord - #Greeting
greet·ing
[ˈɡrēdiNG]
NOUN
greetings (plural noun)
a polite word or sign of welcome or recognition:
"Mandy shouted a greeting"
synonyms: hello · salute · salutation · address · welcome · acknowledgment
antonyms: farewell
the action of giving a sign of welcome or recognition:
"she raised her hand in greeting"
(greetings)
a formal expression of goodwill, said on meeting or in a written message:
"warm greetings to you all"
synonyms: best wishes · good wishes · congratulations · felicitations · compliments · regards · respects
greet
[ɡrēt]
VERB
greeting (present participle)
give a polite word or sign of welcome or recognition to (someone) on meeting.
synonyms: say hello to · address · salute · hail · welcome · meet · receive
receive or acknowledge (something) in a specified way:
"everyone present greeted this idea warmly"
synonyms: receive · acknowledge · respond to · react to · take
(of a sight or sound) become apparent to or be noticed by (someone) on arrival somewhere:
"flowers and cheers greeted the shipyard workers"
ORIGIN
Old English grētan ‘approach, attack, or salute’; related to Dutch groeten and German grüssen ‘greet.’
greet
[ɡrēt]
VERB
greeting (present participle)
weep; cry:
"he sat down on the armchair and started to greet"
ORIGIN
Old English, partly from grētan ‘cry out, rage,’ partly from grēotan ‘lament,’ both of Germanic origin.

#AdventWord Thesaurus Work : #greeting


Now let us begin our time of holding sacred space in a healing circle of love.


Peace be still
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still 
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.


Our opening #Greetings are from Abraham Joshua Heschel

Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of your universe. Each day enrapture me with your marvelous things without number. ...I do not ask to see the reason for it all: I ask only to share the wonder of it all.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

(People achieve) fullness of being in fellowship, in care for others.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Worship is a way of seeing the world in the light of God.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

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 greet one another in prayer, as we vigil and in love for one another as we make a healing circle of love in sacred community.

Our Great O Antiphon of the Day

O Rex Gentium

Latin:

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,

lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:

veni, et salva hominem,

quem de limo formasti.

English:

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

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.

Latin:

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,

lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:

veni, et salva hominem,

quem de limo formasti.

English:

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

O Rex Gentium

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.

Human being is both being in the world and living in the world. Living involves responsible understanding of one's role in relation to all other beings. For living is not being in itself, but living of the world, affecting, exploiting, consuming, comprehending, deriving, depriving.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

The task of life is to face sacred moments.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

51 Miserere mei, Deus

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *

in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, *

and my sin is ever before me.

.

4 Against you only have I sinned *

and done what is evil in your sight.

5 And so you are justified when you speak *

and upright in your judgment.

6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *

a sinner from my mother's womb.

7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *

and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *

wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *

that the body you have broken may rejoice.

10 Hide your face from my sins *

and blot out all my iniquities.

11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *

and renew a right spirit within me.

12 Cast me not away from your presence *

and take not your holy Spirit from me.

13 Give me the joy of your saving help again *

and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

14 I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *

and sinners shall return to you.

15 Deliver me from death, O God, *

and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,

O God of my salvation.

16 Open my lips, O Lord, *

and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

17 Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *

but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

18 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

19 Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *

and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

20 Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,

with burnt-offerings and oblations; *

then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.

Zechariah 7:8-8:8

Punishment for Rejecting God’s Demands

8 The word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying: 9 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another; 10 do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. 11 But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. 12 They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. 13 Just as, when I* called, they would not hear, so, when they called, I would not hear, says the Lord of hosts, 14 and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and a pleasant land was made desolate.

God’s Promises to Zion

8 The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 3 Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 6 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; 8 and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.

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.

Revelation 5:6-14

6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9They sing a new song:

‘You are worthy to take the scroll

   and to open its seals,

for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God

   saints from* every tribe and language and people and nation; 

10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving* our God,

   and they will reign on earth.’

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honour and glory and blessing!’ 

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honour and glory and might

for ever and ever!’ 

14 And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped. 

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.

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents,* to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

A Song to the Lamb Dignus es

Revelation 4:11;5:9-10,13

Splendor and honor and royal power *

are yours by right, O God Most High,

For you created everything that is, *

and by your will they were created and have their being;

And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *

for with your blood you have redeemed for God,

From every family, language, people, and nation, *

a royal priesthood to serve our God.

And so, to the One who sits upon the throne, *

and to Christ the Lamb,

Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *

for ever and for evermore.

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.

Let us pray in the words of our #AdventWord -#Greeting

God we pray that we may greet one another in love this season.

God help us to greet the least of these as if we are seeing you in them.

God help us we pray to find ways to receive healing greetings from those with whom we have differences.

God help us to learn how to say Merry Christmas in new and exciting languages.

God give us courage to speak and say "Hello" to the strangers within our midst.

God may greet the days ahead with patience, expectation, and a renewal of our commitment to serve the least of these.

God help us to shout from the roof tops on Christmas Morning "Christ is born", "Emmanuel is with us"

God help us to greet people with a calm spirit and remember that we are all in this together.

God we pray these prayers as we greet you warmly as we sit at your feet and in your presence this night and forever more. Amen.

Faith opens our hearts for the entrance of the holy. It is almost as though God were thinking for us.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

God to enfold me,

God to surround me,

God in my speaking,

God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,

God in my waking,

God in my watching,

God in my hoping.

God in my life,

God in my lips,

God in my soul,

God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,

God in my slumber,

God in mine ever-living soul,

God in mine eternity.

(Ancient celtic oral traditions - carmina gadelica)

The true meaning of existence is disclosed in moments of living in the presence of God

Abraham Joshua Heschel

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in dark

You are the heart's eternal spark

You are the door that's open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are my Lord and with me still

You are my love, keep me from ill

You are the light, the truth, the way

You are my Saviour this very day. 

(celtic oral tradition - 1st millennium)

Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

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.

Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.

Abraham Joshua Heschel

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

++++++

Today's 

#AdventWord:#Greeting

Tomorrow's 

#AdventWord :#Child

++++++

Good Night Beloved Ones! I love you! Take care, rest, and hydrate! Don't forget we do our Worry Free Sabbath Work tonight and this will help us until Boxing Day!

With Love, Peace, Joy, and Hope,

Sara

Resources:

Satucket -Lectionary and optional Saint of the Day: Henry Budd

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

Optional lessons and collect for the Feast Day of Henry Budd.

Creator of light, we thank you for your priest Henry Budd, who carried the great treasure of Scripture to his people the Cree nation, earning their trust and love. Grant that his example may call us to reverence, orderliness and love, that we may give you glory in word and action; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

29 Afferte Domino

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.

9 And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, "Glory!"

10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.

11 The Lord shall give strength to his people; *
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Sirach 11:1-6,14,17

11The wisdom of the humble lifts their heads high,
   and seats them among the great. 
² Do not praise individuals for their good looks,
   or loathe anyone because of appearance alone. 
³ The bee is small among flying creatures,
   but what it produces is the best of sweet things. 
⁴ Do not boast about wearing fine clothes,
   and do not exalt yourself when you are honoured;
for the works of the Lord are wonderful,
   and his works are concealed from humankind. 
⁵ Many kings have had to sit on the ground,
   but one who was never thought of has worn a crown. 
⁶ Many rulers have been utterly disgraced,
   and the honoured have been handed over to others. 

¹⁴ Good things and bad, life and death,
   poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.^* 
17 The Lord’s gift remains with the devout,
   and his favour brings lasting success.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-18

¹³esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, beloved,^* to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.¹⁵See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray without ceasing, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

John 14:15-21

15 ‘If you love me, you will keep^* my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,^* to be with you for ever. ¹⁷This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in^* you.

18 ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. ¹⁹In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. ²⁰On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’