Sunday, April 8, 2018

Prayer walking to church today ! A wonderful and uplifting experience! God is good! All the time! All the Time !God is Good!




Good Evening Beloved Community!

Happy Second Sunday of Easter! Alleluia Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Remember we get to say this every day for 50 days ! Easter is is a season that is even longer than Christmastide! Yesterday I decided that I would walk to church. Walking to church this morning was glorious. The sunshine and blue skies made for a wonderful new time of prayer walking. Instead of going down Broadway, I went the back way and this really gave me an opportunity to connect with the holy. I kept remembering the hymns"When Morning Gilds the Skies and "Now the green blade riseth" which are below and how we will begin tonight's meditation.



When Morning Gilds the Skies


Laudes Domini


Joseph Barnaby


1 When morning gilds the skies,
my heart, awaking, cries,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall,
this rings my curfew call,
may Jesus Christ be praised!


2 When mirth for music longs,
this is my song of songs:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
God's holy house of prayer
hath none that can compare with:
Jesus Christ be praised!


3 No lovelier antiphon
in all high heaven is known
than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word
the eternal psalm is heard:
may Jesus Christ be praised!


4 Ye nations of mankind,
in this your concord find:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
ring joyous with the sound:
may Jesus Christ be praised!


5 Sing, suns and stars of space,
sing, ye that see his face,
sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God's whole creation o'er,
both now and evermore
shall Jesus Christ be praised!

Robert Seymour Bridges Translator


Now the Green Blade Riseth






Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid him, love whom men had slain,
Thinking that never he would wake again.
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green,

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain.
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.



John Mcleod Campbell Crum



Let us now engage in the "Be Stills"


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

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

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

Tomorrow we will have a new prayer walking framework. Here is the old one.

Let us keep our prayer walking framework in front of us and allow it to continue to sink in to our souls like a holy sponge.


(Here is the new prayer walk frame work ! hope you enjoy and are refreshed by it.)

Here are two musical selections suitable for tonight's prayer walk :




Begin by offering your walk and prayers to the glory of God.

We begin by consecrating our walk to God. We pray this prayer: God we consecrate this walk to you. Enliven our spirits, quicken our steps, and hydrate us with The Waters of Life that courses through our veins. May we be present to all those who have requested our prayers for healing and all those who are in need as we walk in God’s Cathedral of Life.  Amen.

Take a few deep breaths to breathe in the Holy Spirit.

We start our walk with the intention of praying and walking for those who are in need of healing.

Set your pace to the music that you are walking and praying to. 

As we walk we take a look at the pavement is it crooked or smooth? We pray to God to make this a smooth walk and that we may watch our steps not only while we walk but in our lives.

As we approach the first corner we pray for peace and healing of God’s world.

As we approach the first STOP sign we Stop, Look, and Listen to all living things and for God’s still small voice. What is God saying to us?

As we prepare to cross the street we pray for the safety of all who walk, drive and are on the road and cross unsafe streets. We also take time to remember the Good Samaritan. Are there any people who are in need on our route? Pray for them.

As we make our way from our homes we pray for all those who are in need, homeless, hungry, alone, and made to feel invisible.

We begin our prayer list and start praying slowly, deliberately, and reverently.

As we go along we begin to look around for opportunities to pray for all living things and many concerns that God brings us to mind.

As we continue to walk we begin to offer our thanksgivings for all God has given us and God’s Cathedral of Life. 

As we begin to conclude our walk we take time to be silent and listen to nature.
We now take time to pray for ourselves and ask for God’s healing of anything that is giving our bodies, minds, and spirits trouble.

We pray that as we prayer walk we may bring Good News to all whom we meet with a greeting and a smile and that as we look them in their eyes and see God. We remember these words :
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salv
 ation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" 

We conclude our walk today with the words of St. Teresa of Avila:
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.” Amen.



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.

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. Let us pray this night for all of our family members who are living in  times of doubt and uncertainty. Let us pray for peace in this fragile and broken world. Let us pray for our family members who are caregivers that they may find respite and give themselves permission to rest, relax, and renew. We give thanks for the doubters who give us an example of how important it is to ask questions that will make our faith and beliefs stronger and more sure. We give thanks for our family members who have a strong faith in God and don't need proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We pray and give thanks for all of God's children, our brothers and sisters around the world who teach us many things and that diversity is  holy and good thing. We pray that we may be united in our diversity and be the human family of  God by being CALM ( Compassionate, accepting, Loving, and Merciful). 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.


Acts 4:23-31

The Believers Pray for Boldness

 After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
“Why did the Gentiles rage,
   and the peoples imagine vain things? 
The kings of the earth took their stand,
   and the rulers have gathered together
     against the Lord and against his Messiah.” 
For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servantJesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.



Acts 4:32-35

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

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.



1 John 1:1-2:2

1We 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— 2this 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— 3we 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. 4We are writing these things so that our* joy may be complete.

5 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. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7but 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. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

A Song of the Heavenly City

Revelation 21:22-2622:1-4

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. 


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.’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If 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*), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So 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.’ 27Then 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.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus 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. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe* that Jesus is the Messiah,* the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. 


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. 



The Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter (BCP)
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Here is our meditation music for tonight: Paul Winter Consort -Icarus


Risen Lord Be with us this night and give us courage to feel and know your presence in our lives.

Risen Lord we pray for all of our family members who do not know you yet.

Risen Lord may we always love the least of these our family members.

Risen' Lord we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Risen Lord come into the hearts of those who are seeking do divide and not unite. We pray for peace  and  that hearts may be turned towards God.

Risen Lord guide all those who are transitioning into the Thin Places may they have a pain free and joyful journey into eternal joy.

Risen Lord help us to comfort all who mourn and give them love and compassion.

Risen Lord we pray for all those in ministry that they are getting rest after Holy Week and Easter Day.

Risen Lord we pray for an end to violence, abuse, and terror. 

Risen Lord may we always meet you in the fellowship of breaking bread.

Risen Lord we pray for________________

Risen Lord we give  thanks for________________

Risen Lord we pray these our prayers and thanksgivings in your Name. 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. 


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.


Let us continue to be at prayer:

Gracious and loving God we give thanks to you for allowing us to have minds to think and the courage to ask questions. We pray that our family members around the world may be able to speak freely and and question authority without fear or retribution. 
Gracious and loving God we pray for all of our family members who are living in times of doubt and uncertainty. Give them calm hearts, minds, and spirits. Help us O God to lovingly respond to their needs and concerns.
Gracious and loving God we pray for an end to all forms of violence and hate. We pray that we may use our words, thoughts, and deeds, as you would have us to. 
Gracious and loving God, we pray for all victims of terror, human trafficking, bullying, abuse, and degradation. We pray for all refugees that would like to return home and if that isn't possible they may find a forever country where they will be loved and accepted with out fear and judgement. 
Gracious and loving God we pray for all of our family members who are ill that they may find comfort and healing. We pray especially for those who are in ER waiting for treatment on the weekends. 
Gracious and loving God we pray for all who have died this week and those who are transitioning into the Thin Places. We remember and pray for_____________________.
Gracious and loving God we pray for the week to come and that we may pick up and lay down what ever we need to, to be closer to you. 
Gracious and loving God we pray that we may continue to walk with you as we journey on and carry the banner Love and carry the Light of Christ into the world. 
Gracious and loving God help us always to remember this "The light of Christ in me, Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!'
Gracious and loving God we lay these our prayers and thanksgivings before you_______________and pray them in the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Or these:
Jesus banish our doubts so that we may believe and know that you not only rose from the dead but entered into our forgiven hearts with love. May our hearts and heart homes be ever widened to include the ability to love more and more fully.

Jesus take away our fears that bind us so that we may be ever drawn more closely to you.

Jesus, give us the strength and courage to speak for the voiceless and invisible.

Jesus, we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing. We pray especially for_____

Jesus, we pray for those who are facing many struggles this week that they may find peace, joy, hope,love, and a spirit of calm. 

Jesus, we pray for our family members who are in need of prayer  especially for ____________

Jesus, keep our hearts open to new possibilities and new lives and new loves.

Jesus, banish all those who have hardness of heart and who do not know how to love family members who differ from themselves.

Jesus help us when we need to be focused and not distracted this week. Give us energy and banish fatigue. 

Jesus we pray for all those who have chronic illnesses of body, mind, and spirit.
Jesus we lift up these our prayers to you in your most holy 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 Dear Ones! I love you! Take time for more self and Sabbath Care tonight as we approach our Prayer Walking Launch tomorrow! I love you give thanks to God for you this night and always!
Remember last evening's closing!
Good Night Dearly Beloved Community and Pilgrims on the Way!  I love you! I encourage you to lace up your shoes tomorrow and enjoy hearing God's voice not only in church but in the sound of bird song, the leaves calling out in the breezes, and in the sounds of your breathing, heart beat, footsteps, and stirring in your heart homes. May our heart homes become nourished as we plant love energy in our heart root system. May our smiles become living Bibles to our family members who we see as we walk,  each and every nano second of the day.


Love, peace and blessings!

Sara





Resources.

Enriching Our Worship 1 - 1997
Book of Common Prayer
The Good Book Club
Satucket Lectionary
YouTube
Oremus Bible Browser
Walk With Me On Our Journey
In Lak 'Ech - Luis Valdez
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
Hymnary



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