Good Evening Beloved Community!
Let us #Gather together and pray and meditate upon the third #AdventWord and #HashTagWithMeaning, #Gather. A few questions to ponder regarding this special word.
What does the word gather mean to you? How does this word fit in with your spiritual lives and does it help you put down heart roots? If these questions are a little bit troublesome let us take a look at the definition of the word.
gath·er
[ˈɡaT͟Hər]
VERB
gathers (third person present) · gathered (past tense) · gathered (past participle) · gathering (present participle)
come together; assemble or accumulate:
"a crowd gathered in the square"
synonyms: congregate · assemble · meet · collect · come/get together · convene · muster · rally · converge · cluster together · crowd · mass · flock together
antonyms: scatter
bring together and take in from scattered places or sources:
"we have gathered the information"
synonyms: collect · accumulate · amass · garner · accrue · store · stockpile · hoard · put away/by · lay by/in · stash away · squirrel away
pick up from the ground or a surface:
"they gathered up the dirty plates and cups"
collect (grain or other crops) as a harvest.
synonyms: collect · accumulate · amass · garner · accrue · store · stockpile · hoard · put away/by · lay by/in · stash away · squirrel away
collect (plants, fruits, etc.) for food.
synonyms: harvest · reap · crop · pick · pluck · collect
draw together or toward oneself:
"she gathered the child in her arms"
synonyms: clasp · clutch · pull · embrace · enfold · hold · hug · cuddle · squeeze · embosom
draw and hold together (fabric or a part of a garment) by running thread through it:
"the front is gathered at the waist"
synonyms: pleat · shirr · pucker · tuck · fold · ruffle
infer; understand:
"her clients were, I gathered, a prosperous group"
synonyms: understand · be given to understand · believe · be led to believe · think · conclude · deduce · infer · assume · take it · surmise · fancy · hear · hear tell · learn · discover
develop a higher degree of:
"the green movement is gathering pace"
summon up (a mental or physical attribute such as one's thoughts or strength) for a purpose:
"he lay gathering his thoughts together" · "he gathered himself for a tremendous leap"
synonyms: summon · call together · bring together · assemble · convene · rally · round up · muster · marshal
antonyms: disperse
NOUN
(gathers)
gathers (plural noun)
a part of a garment that is gathered or drawn in.
ORIGIN
Old English gaderian; related to Dutch gaderen, also to together.
Advent is such a time where we are attending many gatherings. God is gathering us in and making us family. God is calling us to gather in a compassionate, accepting, loving and merciful family. We will pray, make vigil, and gather in this holy and sacred space in sanctuary as one family. Our lessons will be from the Feast of Clement of Alexandria. We will have our usual evening prayer time and pray using the synonyms for the word #Gather.
Our opening hymn is:
Gather us in!
Above all Christians are not allowed to correct by violence sinful wrongdoings.
Clement of Alexandria
Let us light our candles and be at prayer.
Light of the World
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.
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.
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.
Psalm 34:9-14
9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11 Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
1 Samuel 12:20-24
20And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lordwith all your heart; 21and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless. 22For the Lord will not cast away his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24Only fear the Lord, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.
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.
Colossians 1:11-20
11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled*you* to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.*
The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in* him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in* him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
A Song of the Spirit
Revelation 22:12-17
“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.
John 6:57-63
57Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ 59He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
The Words of Eternal Life
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ 61But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? 62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
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 Lord, who called your servant Clement of Alexandria from the errors of ancient philosophy that he might learn and teach the saving Gospel of Christ: Turn your Church from the conceits of worldly wisdom and, by the Spirit of truth, guide it into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
God we come together as one family of love into this beloved community. Give us we pray the courage to include everyone into this family whom you have made.
God we pray that the communities in which we live may come together in the spirit of friendship with common goals to affect change wherever we are.
God help us not to be hoarders of your abundance but to give of ourselves and become cheerful givers to all who are in want.
God take from us all worldly ideas and things that clutter up our minds, homes, and hearts.
God may we come together this night and offer our many prayers that have been requested of us remembering especially________________.
God help us to always to seek and embrace the holy and walk in your holy footsteps in your service.
God help us to meet together in the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
God give us courage to rally together as the voices of the voiceless and in support of the least of these.
God give us strength to come together and love and comfort all who are ill and are in mourning. Give us we pray the courage to listen quietly and offer our shoulders and arms in loving embraces when needed.
God help us to gather together and resist and protest the evils that are happening in this fragile and broken world. Give us courage to stand up and rally to be peaceful change makers.
God let us pray together the words of the Beatitudes:
Matthew 5:1-12New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “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.
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 pray for all who have been affected by wildfires and for the safety of all people in these fire storm paths. May we feel you upholding all of us and all who are in danger safely in your loving embrace.
Holy God we pray for all who have been affected by wildfires and for the safety of all people in these fire storm paths. May we feel you upholding all of us and all who are in danger 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.
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 Jesus we lift up these our prayers in love, peace, joy , and hope in your most holy Name. 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.
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.
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.
Holy Wisdom, in your loving kindness you created and restored
us when we were lost: inspire us with your truth, that we may
love you with our whole minds and run to you with open hearts,
through Christ our Savior. Amen.
(source: Alcuin of York, Mass of Wisdom
Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us
with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in
Jesus Christ our Savior. 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)
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.
St. Teresa of Avila
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.
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)
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to
generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.
Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
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Here is the guide for our #AdventWords2017
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Good Night Beloved Community! Let us rest gentle together knowing that God is love, We are love, and we are one family brought together by God. I love you and am grateful this day for your presence in my life and in the lives of others.
Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy!
Sara
Resources
Quote Sites for Prayers, quotes, word definitions
Enriching our Worship
Book of Common Prayer
Walk With Me On Our Journey
YouTube
Satucket Lectionary for lessons and the Saint of the Day: Clement of Alexandria
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