Saturday, March 31, 2018

Easter is a time of newness!




Good Evening Beloved Community!

Alleluia! Christ is Risen
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Happy Easter one and all. I hope everyone is having the feeling of newness after our long Lenten observance. We are still on pilgrimage though because that is what life is all about after all. Today, going down to the church this morning to open up, I kind of felt like I was going to the tomb like the Mighty Marys and the many other women featured in the Gospel of Mark. When you open up a church on Sunday morning you never know what you might find. Today the parking lot was vacant, our little alcove in the back entrance didn't have our usual homeless people camping out. The church was silent, clean, and empty but not really God and the whole company of heaven was present before everyone arrived. Before I left my house, I decided that I had better pack my cross that I wear as a L.E.M. (Lay Eucharistic Minister) just in case. I found out that I needed it and was a LEM and a Lay Eucharistic Visitor today. God is always full of surprises. Sorry no April Fools jokes here the only surprise is that Christ is Risen and we are risen and made new not just on Easter but everyday. So dear ones let us spend a time of prayer and meditation so that we may find rest for our souls this Easter Evening before we visit our friends on the road to Emmaus tomorrow.

Alleluia! Christ is risen. 
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in 
it.    Psalm 118:24

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord 
Jesus Christ.    1 Corinthians 15:57

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that 
are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1

Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a 
copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in 
the presence of God on our behalf.    Hebrews 9:24

You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost has come upon 
you; and you shall be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all 
Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.    Acts 1::8



O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.



IN  LAK’ECH

TÚ ERES MI OTRO YO.
YOU ARE MY OTHER ME.
SI TE HAGO DAÑO A TI,
IF I DO HARM TO YOU,
ME HAGO DAÑO A MI MISMO.
I DO HARM TO MYSELF.
SI TE AMO Y RESPETO,
IF I LOVE AND RESPECT YOU,
ME AMO Y RESPETO YO.
I LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF.
LUIS VALDEZ

 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. 


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

Repeat until you feel relaxed and ready for our virtual candlelight prayer vigils. 

Let us light our candles and be at prayer. Tonight we pray for the peace of the world and especially the victims of the atrocities in Gaza. We pray for the families who lost loved ones and friends. We pray for and  end to violence and terror of all kinds and that our family members who are driven to commit these terrible acts may learn that this isn't the way to live or treat others. Help us to continue to love God, love our neighbors, and ourselves. We pray for all who are actively involved in making peace and striving for justice and universal human rights of others. We pray that we may be CALM (compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful) Help us we pray to take time for our physical, spiritual, and mental health. We give thanks O God for the gift of your son as our savior and redeemer and brother. We give thanks to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the love model he continues to show us daily.Let us remember this tonight: The Light of Christ In Me recognizes the Light of Christ in you! Amen.




Christ our Passover     Pascha nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Alleluia. 
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * 
    therefore let us keep the feast, 
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, * 
    but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; * 
    death no longer has dominion over him. 
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; * 
    but the life he lives, he lives to God. 
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, * 
    and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead, * 
    the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 
For since by a man came death, * 
    by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 
For as in Adam all die, * 
    so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.


A Song of the Heavenly City

Revelation 21:22-26, 22:1-4

I saw no temple in the city, *
for its temple is the God of surpassing strength and the Lamb.

And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, *
for the glory of God shines on it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

By its light the nations shall walk, *
and the rulers of the world lay their honor and glory there.

Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; * into it they will bring the honor and glory of nations.

I saw the clean river of the water of life, bright as crystal, * flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

The tree of life spanned the river, giving fruit every month, * and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.

All curses cease where the throne of God and the Lamb stands, and all servants give worship there; *

there they will see God’s face, whose Name shall be on their foreheads. 





John 20 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Resurrection of Jesus

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look[a] into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ 14 When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ 16 Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew,[b] ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”’ 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Jesus and Thomas

24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin[c]), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’

26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

The Purpose of This Book

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe[d] that Jesus is the Messiah,[e] the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.


The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55

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.


Acts 1:1-11

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

The Ascension of Jesus

 So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’


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. 

Collect of the day

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the
glory of the Lord's resurrection: Stir up in your Church that
Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we,
being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in
sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.    Amen.
or the alternative form.
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.

Let us pray in the words attributed to St. Francis and Teresa of Avila.
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.

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)
Christ Has No Body

“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
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)

Prayers for Easter!

Jesus we give thanks for your rising from the dead and redeeming us from sin, fear, and invisibility.

Jesus we give thanks for the women in your life who bore witness to your resurrection and thereby gave us a place in ministry with you.

Jesus we give thanks for your institution of the Holy Eucharist and making us aware of who you truly are in the breaking of the bread and in fellowship with one another.

Jesus we give thanks for your acceptance of all of us and including us on your journey with you.

Jesus we give thanks for your healing power everyday that we live move, and have our being. 

Jesus we give thanks for you who came down from heaven to be among us and live as we are from babyhood and until your resurrection.

Jesus we pray for all who are in need of healing now, be with them and may they feel your love and give them courage.

Jesus we pray for all clergy and lay ministers who are in need of rest after this Lenten, Holy Week and  Easter day.

Jesus we pray for all who mourn any kind of loss that they may feel your comforting hands upon them.

Jesus, we pray for all who are dying and those who have died and entered into the Thin  Places.

Jesus, we pray for sound government. and that divisions may cease.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for this night all that is on our hearts minds and we pray especially for those who have asked us for our prayers.

Jesus , receive these our prayers in your name. Amen.




God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)

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)

Good Night Beloved Community! Have a restful and peaceful night as we celebrate being made brand new by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
May we continue to follow on our pilgrim journey with courage, strength, and resilience. May we spread the Good News of the God News to all whom we meet not only in our words but in our compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful deeds.  I love you and give thanks to God for you this day and always.

Love and blessings,

Sara

Resources
Online Book of Common Prayer
The Good Book Club
#LiveLent
Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Bible Gateway
Oremus Bible Browser
Enriching Our Worship 1 - 1997
In Lak 'Ech Luis Valdez
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Metis Aboriginal Ministries. 
Walk With Me On Our Journey

Easter Wings by George Herbert



Friday, March 30, 2018

Walking the whole Holy 3 on Holy Saturday: Walking in remembrance of Jesus and Jesus' followers who walked during the Great Triduum( Three Days)







Good Evening Beloved Community!

Boy my legs are spent! I have completed 3 days of walking and car-free days just in time for Easter Morning! I walked to free up carbon and to remind myself that Jesus and his followers didn't have access to cars and used only their feet to get around. Today I walked 3 miles or the Whole Holy 3 and survived. This was the first time in quite awhile since I have done this route due to illness. This morning I officiated at Morning Prayer, Helped ready the church for Easter, and attended the International Transgender Day of Visibility Rally all on foot. What does that have to do with Holy Saturday? My guess is this;  we need to have stamina to get through Holy Week and every day of our lives. This isn't any ordinary stamina, this stamina comes from God. As we make vigil tonight let us have holy stamina to watch and wait for the stone to be rolled away and meet Mary Magdalene there and spread the God News tomorrow far and wide that  He is Risen. 


Let us pray!

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.



IN  LAK’ECH

TÚ ERES MI OTRO YO.
YOU ARE MY OTHER ME.
SI TE HAGO DAÑO A TI,
IF I DO HARM TO YOU,
ME HAGO DAÑO A MI MISMO.
I DO HARM TO MYSELF.
SI TE AMO Y RESPETO,
IF I LOVE AND RESPECT YOU,
ME AMO Y RESPETO YO.
I LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF.
LUIS VALDEZ

 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. 





Let us light our candles and be at prayer. God we come to you feeling empty after yet another Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We pray that we may accept this emptiness as a means to reconnect with you and our family members. We pray and give thanks for these times where our heart homes need to lay fallow and rest so that we may welcome the renewal of our spirits that only can come from you.
We pray for peace in this world and that we may be ambassadors of CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) We pray that we may have love energy in our hearts to love all of our family members throughout the world and even if they just might be the ones who seek to do us harm.  Let us spend time tonight praying in the garden and outside the tomb once again and when it is time to rest we may awaken renewed to Love God, Our Family Members, Ourselves, and that we may rise to love and serve the least of these. Risen Lord may we feel your presence in the breaking of the bread and in our prayers. 






O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


 A Song of Penitence Kyrie Pantokrator

Prayer of Manasseh, 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
and in me you will show forth your goodness
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.



    John 19:38-42

    The Burial of Jesus

    38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.


    Canticle B

    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. 


    Luke 24:36-53

    Jesus Appears to His Disciples

     While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

     Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnessesof these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

    The Ascension of Jesus

     Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

    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. 


    “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


    The Beatitudes - Matthew

    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

    Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,
    your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
    on earth as in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread.
    Forgive us our sins
    as we forgive those who sin against us.
    Save us from the time of trial
    and deliver us from evil.
    For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
    now and for ever.    Amen.
    or the alternative form.
    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.


    Lord Jesus, as we approach the celebration of Jesus' resurrection may we   pray for peace in the world and the renewal of our spirits. 

    Jesus, give us the courage to become instruments of your peace and be "Lights of the World" and "The Salt of the Earth"

    Jesus, grant us the wisdom to find out for ourselves the truth behind all the stories we read and see in social media and in the newscasts and not be afraid to go to the tomb as Mary Magdalene did. 

    Jesus, we pray for the forgotten people in all the war torn areas of the world that our eyes may be opened and that we may have loving hearts to welcome them.

    Jesus, give us we pray the energy to do the tasks no matter how large or how small  you give us in service to you and in your Kingdom.

    Jesus, we remember those who are on our hearts this night especially______________________

    Jesus, protect all our family members around the world this night and 'Hide them under the shadow of your wings"

    Jesus, keep reminding us that we are to be your hands, your feet, your voice, in the world. Give us by your example to never treat anyone as invisible.

    Jesus, help us to be living  and  breathing Bibles by our love, compassion, mercy,  words, deeds and remember the words of  St. Francis of Assisi  "Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words!"

    Jesus, we remember all of our vulnerable family members who are lonely, lost, refugees, homeless, hungry, and all the least of these. Help us to remember that by caring and serving them we are serving you.

    Jesus, heal all those who are mentally ill, PTSD,  Memory problems, and all those who struggle with daily living. We remember all of our family members who are disabled.

    Jesus, help us to know that we are one with you and God and that we may never be afraid to come to you and knock at the door. Help us always to be listening and seeking you in those moments of stillness and calm.

    Jesus we pray our gratitude list and offer our thanks to you!

    Come Lord Jesus and be among us this night and always. 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 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.

    Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always.

    Amen.

    (source: from Saint Clare) 

    Good night dear ones! I love you and my God Bless you this night and always. Remember tomorrow is the Celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Let us have courage to say He is Risen!
    the Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! 

    Here is a special take on the Be Stills for you tomorrow!

    Risen Lord be known to us in the breaking of the bread.
    Risen Lord be known to us in the breaking.
    Risen Lord be known to us.
    Risen Lord be known.
    Risen Lord be.
    Risen Lord.
    Risen.

    The light of Christ in me ! Recognizes the Light of Christ in You. 


    Love, joy, blessings,prayers, with thanksgiving to God for you!

    Sara



    Resources

    Enriching our Worship 1 1997
    Online Book of Common Prayer
    The Good Book Club
    #LiveLent
    Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    Bible Gateway
    Oremus Bible Browser
    Walk With Me On Our Journey
    Good Reads for Buechner Quotes