Experiencing Lent and Life as the Beloved Community: Our circle of Love is widening!

Good Evening Beloved Community and Family of God/Love,

Happy Sunday! Today we are joining two communities as part of our Lenten discipline, Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John and The Good Book Club the links are below:

Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John

From the Society of St. John The Evangelist and Virgina Theological Seminary

The Good Book Club

From the Forward Movement

Bonus: if you want to have a lot of fun learning about the saints Lent Madness is for you:

Lent Madness- Who will win this year's Golden Halo?   

Each day we will have a reading from these two Gospels and The Book of Acts later in the season.  Today we begin with the reading from the first Chapter of Luke and a quote from the Gospel of John as our  opening sentence.  I encourage you all to sign up and follow along and spend time together doing something that many of our family members will be doing across the country and around the world.

So let us get our Good News and Loving Hearts on!


Let us prepare ourselves by doing our "Be Stills"

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Slowly inhale.
Hold.
Slowly exhale

Pause. Count to 10.

Repeat 4 times! 



Now sit quietly and reflect up the day past and enjoy your visit with God. Open wide your heart homes and feel God filling you up with Love Energy.


God is love:
1 John 4:16


Let us light our candles of love and unity.

Today's vigil is dedicated to those who have been Victims and Survivors of Abuse.

Dear Ones it is time to set aside our time for our Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigils. Let us light our candles and be at prayer This evening let us pray for the victims and survivors of violence and abuse. We pray for those who feel the need to commit crimes and we pray that justice may roll down and be done equitably and non-retributively. We pray for those whose hearts, minds, and spirits, are shaken.  We pray that we may all learn to be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful). 

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. 

A Song of Faith

1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, * by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, * we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.

The ransom that was paid to free us * was not paid in silver or gold,

But in the precious blood of Christ, * the Lamb without spot or stain.

God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory * so that we might have faith and hope in God. 

Luke 1.1-56

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. 

 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

 After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

 And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name. 
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation. 
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly; 
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty. 
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy, 
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

 And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

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.

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.

Let us pray

Collect for Last Sunday after the Epiphany

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. 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)

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) 

 Let us be at prayer:

Let us now pray as the transformed and loving family of God.


God transform our lives each day so that we may do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with You.

God transform our souls that we may accept your call to serve and follow you. May we feel the Holy Spirit's power transforming us and guiding us to be the loving the family that we are called  to be.

God transform the world where peace and justice reign and so that we may all live in peace and harmony with us.

God transform the lives of the least of these so that they may feel your  love and that their lives may be transformed and made whole.

God transform all of our family members who are driven to hate and commit violence.

God transform all of us to be accepting, loving, non-judging, and giving as we walk every day on life's journey.

God Continue to transform our lives as we approach Lent. May we see this as a time for deeper transformation and self-care of our bodies, minds, and spirits.

God we pray for_____________________________

God we give thanks for________________________

God we celebrate this day______________________

God we remember this day________________________


Transform our steps, lives, spirits, and hearts as we walk with you on our journey, O God this day and always.Amen.

or these

A few prayers for the Vulnerable and Survivor-victims of Violence and abuse:

Dear Lord we pray for the victims and survivors of violence and abuse. 

We pray for all those who work in the areas of domestic violence and child abuse prevention.

We pray for CALM, CASA, Child Help, Silent Witness and the many organizations that help and make programs for our family members feel safe, protected, valued, loved, and remembered.

We pray for all those who are trained in SART and those who will be cared for tonight. Wrap your arms around them Lord and make them feel that they are safe.

Remembering those who have lost their lives due to gun violence.

We pray for all women who have been victims of Domestic Violence and those who have lost their lives due to domestic violence and are known only to you.

We pray for safe streets and sidewalks for all of our family members. 
Remembering especially the disabled, elderly, women, and children.

We pray that all those who commit these terrible acts may be caught and brought to justice.

We pray for our family members who have been victimized by the Santa Maria Groper. 

We pray that all of us may not be afraid to get involved, speak truth to power,  report incidences as both victims/survivors, and witnesses, and wear the mantles you give us when we are called to be your spokespeople and speak up on behalf of others who can't and are afraid to.

Lord God, watch over our cities, family members, and those who haven't any choice but to walk during the evening and night hours. We lift up these prayers to you O Lord. Amen.



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This week's prayer cycle:

We remember especially all those who are preparing for worship during Lent  our faith communities and all religious leaders who will need strength and energy to serve their congregations.

For the countries of  Venezuela, the Ukraine, Syria, South Sudan, Uganda, Nigeria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. For Peace, acceptance, justice, equality and an end to violence and terror. (Please add additional countries to your prayers) 

For the least of these.

Those living with chronic illnesses and pain.

Those continuing to live where there is bad and dangerous weather.

For children who are ill, bullied, abused, and special needs.

For family members who are differently able and face many challenges.

Caregivers of every stripe.

Cancer patients and those newly diagnosed.

Those who travel on unsafe roads and infrastructure.

Sound Government and leaders.

Compassionate immigration reform.

Family members who are struggling.

For courage to live into our Lenten disciplines that we may be transformed on our Lenten Journey.

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 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 Avila

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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Good Night Beloved Community! Here is our toolkit for Lent and beyond. We will be adding things each day as we focus on our values that are important to us, as the days and weeks unfold.  I love you and am grateful to you this day and always.

Love and blessings!

Sara

Resources 

Enriching our Worship

BCPONLINE

Walk With Me On Our Journey