Sunday, March 18, 2018

A time to celebrate and appreciate the simple things in life




Good Early Evening Beloved Community!

I'm blogging using a very old iPad due to my iPad mini is on the fritz not to mention my laptop too! Ok I'll mention the garbage disposal and clothes washer too! So here we are adjusting yet again to technology failure. Not sure why but it lets me know that I still have to get used to not being attached to things. You are probably wondering why we are celebrating when things are down ? Well dear family we are celebrating another milestone for Walk With Me On Our Journey! We now have 400,000+ page views all time history. This is truly E-Vangelism cyber style! Meanwhile our lessons from Luke and John today in #LiveLent, Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, and The Good Book Club speak of many things from the Word of Life, Following Jesus, and taking time to care for Jesus by anointing him with costly perfume without counting the cost. For a year I have been on an extreme austerity budget that has taught me many things and that if  I can go without to gain much, I am learning what Jesus' apostles learned to do. We all should learn from Jesus to take things in stride and follow Him. Following Jesus is all about being ÇÅLM( Compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful) every nano-second of the day. Celebrating the little things in life are much more satisfying that waiting for the the glitzy shindig. This kind of reminds me of the song from Camelot "What do the Simple Folk Do?' 
These next two weeks let us enjoy and embrace the simple life as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday!  


Let us begin our time together with the "Peace be stills!"

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace. 


Thus week's theme in Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John is "We declare to you!" Our opening sentence is from  1 John 1:1 
The Word of Life

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—




Let us read the first chapter of 1 John to place things into context


1 John 1 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Word of Life

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete.

God Is Light

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Let us pause and reflect upon the above before we begin our time of Evening Prayer and meditation.



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 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.






Luke 18:18-43

 A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

 Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’

 Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’ 

 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.’ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.


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.

Let us pray.



John 12:1-8 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Mary Anoints Jesus
12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and the money given to the poor?’ 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it[c] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’


Canticle M

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. 

Let us pray.



For our Enemies (From the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER)
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God, we pray that we may always acknowledge the sacredness of life and that each day is holy.

God, as we hear the rush of the evening breeze may we remember your holy walk in the Garden.

God we pray that we may take care of your Cathedral of Life and not waste precious resources.

God we pray that we may see the holiness of all things and especially in each other.

God we pray that we may live each day as a holy day and treat everything we do and each other with loving reverence.

God we pray for our littlest souls that they may be protected from harm.

God we pray for safe environments for all God's children to live, move, and just be their beautiful selves.

God we pray for children who are in need of forever homes! May they find the right family that fits.

God we pray for an end to child abuse, neglect, and human trafficking.

God we pray for all the missing children that they may be returned to their families safely and that their families may finally know what happened to them.

God as we prepare for our weekly Sabbath observances both personal and corporate we pray for love and understanding among all faith communities.

God we pray that we may learn to love each other and respect each other's beliefs with out fear and the need to speak in violent language towards our brothers and sisters.

God we pray for all faith leaders who are preparing for the Sabbath and the people whom they care for. We pray for an increase in all ministries lay and ordained, that we may be God's hands and feet in the world.

God we pray for peace in our hearts, minds, and spirits as we prepare to meet Jesus once again on the Jerusalem Road, in the upper room, along the Via Dolorosa, The Foot of the Cross, and entry to the Empty tomb.

God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing may have the courage to wait for healing in Your time and if it is your will.

God we pray for all those who are caregivers, those in the medical arts, and those who have the responsibility of caring for those who have died.

God we pray for all who mourn and especially those who have entered eternal life today.

God we pray for____________________

God we Give thanks for________________

God as you have taught us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first we pray for the least of these our family members, that we may lovingly respond to their needs.

God we lift up these our prayers in the Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.

and we add

God you call us to include not exclude. May we all be one.

God you remind us day after day that we are family and we are not let off the hook. May we all be one.

God you wrap us in prayer quilts of warmth, inclusion, and love even when we don't feel it. May we all be one.

God you heal our brokeness and estrangement from our families, friends, and communities as we struggle to find our way back home. May we all be one.

God we pray that we may seek to serve you and be co-healers and peacemakers together to make this fragile and broken world one. May we all be one.

God we pray for______________________May we all be one.

God we pray that we may help be the voice of reason and speak truth to power in these days of division and disunity that we may in the Baptismal Covenant strive for justice and respect the dignity of every human being. May we all be one.

God we pray for an end to hatred, violence, bigotry, oppression, terror and all that causes our family to be divided and harmed. May we all be one.

We pray these our prayers as one loving family and lay them at your feet and in the Name of God the creator, Jesus the redeemer, and the Holy Spirit the Holy Comforter. Amen.

The  Beatitudes 
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

The Prayer of 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

Bonus Prayers and meditations!










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.

Psalm 95

Venite, exultemus



Jesus' GPS Prayers

Jesus we love your GPS (Gospel Proclaiming System, Gentle Priority Shifting System, God's Planning System, Gentle praying system)

Jesus we thank you for leading us where we need to go without fear. Jesus we love your GPS plan for our lives. 

Jesus we thank you for helping us to expand our definition of family. Jesus we love your GPS plan for our lives.

Jesus we thank you for giving us the tools to become witness and spreading your Good News. Jesus we love your GPS plan for our lives.

Jesus we pray that we may help our family members in need. Jesus we pray that we may follow your GPS into the lives of others and for the good of all.

Jesus we pray for an end to the violence and dis-ease in the world. Help us to become peacemakers. Help us to use the GPS system you have already built in us to do this. 

Jesus help us prioritize our lives with the GPS and Gentle Priority Shifting that is needed.  

Jesus give us courage to follow you with your GPS system and not ours.

Jesus we pray for _________________

Jesus we thank you for________________

Jesus we lift up these our prayers to you and follow where you lead. Amen.


A Song of Our Adoption
Ephesians 1:3-10
Blessed are you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
for you have blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Before the world was made, you chose us to be yours in Christ, *
that we should be holy and blameless before you.
You destined us for adoption as your children through Jesus Christ, *
according to the good pleasure of your will,
To the praise of your glorious grace, *
that you have freely given us in the Beloved.
In you, we have redemption through the blood of Christ,
the forgiveness of our sins,
According to the riches of your grace *
which you have lavished upon us.
You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight, *
the mystery of your will,
According to your good pleasure which you set forth in Christ, *
as a plan for the fullness of time,
To gather together all things in Christ, *
things in heaven and things on earth



Beside the still waters we come  to seek you  God  in the quietness of our being.

Beside the still waters we come to pray for peace in this fragile and broken world of  yours

Beside the still waters we pray for and end to all anxiety, fear, and worry that our minds and spirits may be still.

Beside the still waters we pray for our neighbors all over the world that we may find unity and learn to love one another as dearly loved family members of Yours.

Beside the still waters we come for respite, relaxation, rest, and renewal. We pray for calmness as we rest in your arms and never ending love and mercy.

Beside the still waters we come to ask prayers for all our family members who are in need of healing and strength remembering___________________

Beside the still waters we come seeking solace for those of us who are living through the long journey of mourning and grief.

Beside the still waters we come praying for all the least of these and all who are affected by violence, terror, abuse, and everyone who is struggling through the world's calamities.

Beside the still waters we give thanks for the lives who have entered eternal joy today and those who are in the midst of transitioning from this earthly life into a heavenly one.

Beside the still waters we pray for all who are lost, lonely, alone and seeking companionship. We pray that our hearts may be stilled as we wait. We pray that we may not lose heart and live boldly,yet gently alone.

Beside the still waters we pray for _____________________

Beside the still waters we give thanks for _______________

Beside the still waters may we journey over to the other side of the lake and offer our prayers in the quietness to Jesus . Amen.

and 

God you call us each day to lace up our shoes and care for your children. 
Help us in new and inventive ways to do this. Give us the Love Energy to think outside the box and follow where you are leading us.

God you remind us each day to be loving, forgiving, merciful, and be fruitful with the Fruits of the Spirit to be engaged in the world and in the service of the least of these.

God help us to look into the eyes of all your children and see you and love in them.

God give us courage to be able to be hope bringers in the midst of all of the chaos that surrounds us.

God take we pray and give thanks for Jesus when he'd give his disciples ringers to wake them to attention. We pray that we may ever be awake and pay attention to what we are called to do and to just be. 

God may we never be afraid to do the work you have given us to do when all seems bleak. 

God replace all our anxieties, fears, and all thoughts that make our hearts uneasy with peace and an inner being alive with the Spirit.

God we pray that we may continue to walk with you as you walk with us on our journey. 

God we pray that for our enemies and those who wish us harm to have a change of heart, mind, and spirit. 

God we pray this night for all who are homeless, hungry, and ill clad that they may find  shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing. We pray for appropriate shelters to meet the needs for all of our homeless family members.

God we pray for all of our family members who are lost, lonely, and alone with no one to be their soft place to fall and be accepted.

God we pray this night for the coming week ahead that we may seek to serve you in the ways that you would have us do. 

God we pray for___________________________

God we give thanks for______________________


God ,As this is our last prayer this evening and since you have told us" the first shall be last and the last" we pray for all the peoples of the earth and especially, the people and government of the United States, Africa and all places facing famine,Syria,  refugees, victims of violence, terror, human trafficking that peace, love justice, and mercy may prevail upon Earth. We lay these our petitions and thanksgivings in the loving arms of your son Jesus ,our brother, friend, Savior, and Great Physician. 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)


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! I give thanks to God for you this day and always. Thank you for your patience and continued presence and readership. God is Good! All the time! All the time! God is Good.

With love and prayers.

Sara


Resources
Bible Gateway
Oremus Bible Browser
#LiveLent
Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
The Good Book Club
Enriching Our Worship 1
Book of Common Prayer
Walk With Me On  Our Journey







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