Monday, December 4, 2017

Introducing our second #Advent #HashTagsWithMeaning2017 : #journey





Good Evening Beloved Community and Pilgrims!

Happy second day of Advent! We are just beginning our #Journey. This #Journey is like none other! It is a personal yet public one where we are walking in the footsteps of our leader Jesus. Each footstep we take on this #journey is both introspective and action oriented. Last evening we learned the definition of #Awaken, tonight we learn the definition of the word #journey. These definitions carry with them contemplation and actions to heal our fragile and broken world.

Let us now learn the definition of  today's #HashTagWithMeaning - #Journey


jour·ney
[ˈjərnē]
NOUN
journeys (plural noun)
an act of traveling from one place to another:
"she went on a long journey"
synonyms: trip · expedition · excursion · tour · trek · voyage · junket · cruise · ride · drive · jaunt · road trip · crossing · passage · flight · travels · wandering · globe-trotting · odyssey · pilgrimage · peregrination
a long and often difficult process of personal change and development:
"her spiritual journey towards Roman Catholicism" · "I was excited with my character's journey in the film"
VERB
journeys (third person present) · journeyed (past tense) · journeyed (past participle) · journeying (present participle)
travel somewhere:
"they journeyed south"
synonyms: travel · go · voyage · sail · cruise · fly · hike · trek · ride · drive · make one's way · take/go on a trip · go on an expedition · tour · rove · roam
ORIGIN
Middle English: from Old French jornee ‘day, a day's travel, a day's work’ (the earliest senses in English), based on Latin diurnum ‘daily portion,’ from diurnus (see diurnal).


Our opening song is this:
The Summons

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.Matthew 32
The Son of man is to come with the angels in the glory of the Father.Matthew 16:27a (adapted)


Let us light our candles as we pray to God on our sacred #Journey and make vigil.

Image result for lighted pathways

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

The Servant Song

First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for 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.



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.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

The God-Given Task

9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. 14I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him.

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.

1 Corinthians 15:12-20



The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have died* in Christ have perished. 19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.*


A Song of Wisdom Sapientia liberavit
Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21

Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.
To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.
And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *
and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.

John 5:24-27

24Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.
25 ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man.

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.


God we pray and meditate on the #journeys synonyms-

We pray for all who travel this time of year and our families who are traveling to find a better life.

We pray for all who are refugees who are taking flight into sanctuary and asylum.  We pray that their final destination may be a new home where freedom, security, love, peace, and sanctuary may be found. 

We pray for all who are wandering  and lost without direction  and who may be mentally ill,  that caring and compassionate family members may come to their aid.

We  pray for all who are facing travails in crossing borders, traveling to far away and distant lands where loving welcomes are few and far between. We pray that every where we go we may be welcomed and be treated with Compassion, acceptance, love and mercy We pray to an end to travel bans, walls. We pray that we may build bridges that will become holy crossings.

We pray that we may be pilgrims on a journey daily to you O God of Love. 

We pray that we may be still and know that you are God and that you have placed us on life's journey and not a fixed destination.

We pray that our souls may take flight and be empowered to serve you and the least of these.

We pray that we may continue to put down heart roots ,heart homes, and inner beings that are being expanded as we journey daily into your holy presence O, God.

We pray in the words of the Lords' Prayer reminding us that  the etymology of #journey in Latin means 'Daily Portion' - Tonight we will use the form of the Lords' 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.

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)

Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true faith, set forth with power by your servant John of Damscus; that we, with him, confessing Jesus to be true God and true Man, and singing the praises of the risen Lord, may, by the power of the resurrection, attain to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for evermore

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”


― Teresa of Ávila



God our rock and refuge: keep us safe in your care and strengthen
us with your grace, that we may pray to you faithfully and love
one another boldly, following the example of Jesus, who with you
and the Holy Spirit lives for ever and ever. Amen.
(source: Veronese Sacramentary)


For Travelers

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole
creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve
those who travel [in particular _______________]; surround
them with your loving care; protect them from every danger;
and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.


The Beatitudes

When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Intercessory prayers for light!


God you gave us lights in the sky to help us light our way. Help us to follow the light of Christ and lead us away from darkness and into a new dawn of being.

God you gave us light to help plants grow. Help us be good stewards of all living things and in your Cathedral of life.

God give all of your servants who preach the Word tomorrow that they may be given your holy light to shine the words that they will say and make the "Words become Flesh" Inspire our ears as we hear old and familiar texts.

God give us the warmth of your light to comfort all who are ill in body, mind, and spirit.

God give us the warmth of your light to comfort all who mourn and are pre-grieving.

God show us how to Follow Christ's Light and love, Be the lights of love, and give the lights of love to all of our family members who are feeling invisible and marginalized. Help us to be lights of comfort to the least of these.

God show us how to pray when we feel like we are losing your Light. Help us to learn to live as the the living Word your Son Jesus and ask ourselves what He would do when we faced with self doubt.

God bring to light in us those things we need to pray for ourselves and on behalf of our family members remembering especially_________________

God we pray these prayers in the name of your Son Jesus the Christ who brought light to a darkened world. 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. 

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)

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Here is your guide to this year's #AdventWords
Today's Word : Journey
Yesterday's Word :Awaken
All the Words: #AdventWord2017




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Good night beloved pilgrims! I love you and Give thanks to God for you always!

With Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace,

Sara

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Resources: 
Enriching Our Worship
Book of Common Prayer
Walk With Me On Our Journey
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Satucket for lessons and our Saint of the Day: John of Damascus
























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