Commemorations and Celebrations all on a May Evening remembering Harvey Milk and the need to continue to walk in the way of peace and love!

Good Evening Beloved Community!

We have much to celebrate ! Walk With Me On Our Journey has reached 425,000+ page views all time  history! This is a time of rejoicing! In the blog's almost 5 years I would never have expected this. God is Good and God is Love. I want to thank everyone who has read, prayed, and journeyed with me. These are exciting times we are back to prayer walking. Today my body is a tad bit tired but I did walk and do my shift at the Faith Factory today.  Here are the stats from Yesterday! 

Normally I wouldn't share this but I would like all of us to get fit and track our steps. I read an article today that encourages us to walk as much as we can for heart fitness. I'm going one or many steps further and make this necessary for soul, heart home, and spiritual fitness. Connecting with the holy and walking on holy ground gives us spiritual stamina. Praying and walking is a way of infusing ourselves with God's love energy. Do you know your town well enough to know how to get to places without your phone, map, GPS? If you don't start walking, praying, and trusting in God to Lead you on the Way. God's Love Energy will flow through you even if you have stiff joints and achy muscles.  So lets get our holy footsteps in gear and walk and pray as part of our fitness routine, not to mention saving the planet by reducing our carbon footprint one step at a time. Today we are going to reprise the commemoration of Harvey Milk by using bits and pieces of last year's blog. 

Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace to follow the example of our brother Harvey Milk, that we might fearlessly contend against evil and make no peace with oppression; and, that we may employ our freedom and our privilege in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations. Ground us in your love and in your compassion to be agents of change and proclaimers of the hope that will never be silent. All this we ask in the name of the One who created us in love and called us to walk in love together. Amen.
(From All Saints Church Pasadena)

Let us continue to our nightly prayer vigil where we will light up the world with God's light.


Tonight we light our candles and pray for an end to hatred an fear that keep us from being reconciled to each other and ourselves.  We light these candles for all of our family members who live in fear because they are afraid to be who they are. We pray and light candles for reconciliation between all family members who have sought to be divided and not united. We pray and light our candles in memory of all indigenous peoples of the world and that we may respect their history, their persons, and their gifts to the world. We pray and light our candles this night so that we may light up the world with God's light as a message of Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy to all who have been affected by hatred, bigotry, racism, phobias, discrimination, violence, abuse, and terror. We pray that we may shine the light of God by authentically showing to others our true selves that God has made in God's image and likeness. We light our candles and celebrate each other's diversity and the gifts we bring to this beautiful world that God created. We lift up our prayers each day for the Orlando 49 and all who have been victimized by terror. We pray for_____________________. The Light of Christ in Me, Recognizes the light of Christ in you!

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.

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“If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.” 
― Harvey Milk

5 Verba mea auribus

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; *
consider my meditation.

2 Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.

3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; *
early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.

4 For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *
and evil cannot dwell with you.

5 Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *
you hate all those who work wickedness.

6 You destroy those who speak lies; *
the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O Lord, you abhor.

7 But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will
go into your house; *
I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness,
because of those who lie in wait for me; *
make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth; *
there is destruction in their heart;

10 Their throat is an open grave; *
they flatter with their tongue.

11 Declare them guilty, O God; *
let them fall, because of their schemes.

12 Because of their many transgressions cast them out, *
for they have rebelled against you.

13 But all who take refuge in you will be glad; *
they will sing out their joy for ever.

14 You will shelter them, *
so that those who love your Name may exult in you.

15 For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; *
you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.

“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.” 
― Harvey Milk

6 Domine, ne in furore

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.

2 Have pity on me, Lord, for I am weak; *
heal me, Lord, for my bones are racked.

3 My spirit shakes with terror; *
how long, O Lord, how long?

4 Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; *
save me for your mercy's sake.

5 For in death no one remembers you; *
and who will give you thanks in the grave?

6 I grow weary because of my groaning; *
every night I drench my bed
and flood my couch with tears.

7 My eyes are wasted with grief *
and worn away because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all evildoers, *
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.

9 The Lord has heard my supplication; *
the Lord accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; *
they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

“All men are created equal. Now matter how hard they try, they can never erase those words. That is what America is about.” 
― Harvey Milk, The Harvey Milk Interviews: In His Own Words


A Song of Wisdom Sapientia liberavit
Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21
Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.
To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.
And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *

and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.

+++

“I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you...And you...And you...Gotta give em hope.” 
― Harvey Milk, The Harvey Milk Interviews: In His Own Words

Proverbs 4:1-27

4Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
   and be attentive, that you may gain^* insight; 
² for I give you good precepts:
   do not forsake my teaching. 
³ When I was a son with my father,
   tender, and my mother’s favourite, 
⁴ he taught me, and said to me,
‘Let your heart hold fast my words;
   keep my commandments, and live. 
⁵ Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away
   from the words of my mouth. 
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
   love her, and she will guard you. 
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
   and whatever else you get, get insight. 
⁸ Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
   she will honour you if you embrace her. 
⁹ She will place on your head a fair garland;
   she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.’ 

¹⁰ Hear, my child, and accept my words,
   that the years of your life may be many. 
¹¹ I have taught you the way of wisdom;
   I have led you in the paths of uprightness. 
¹² When you walk, your step will not be hampered;
   and if you run, you will not stumble. 
¹³ Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
   guard her, for she is your life. 
¹⁴ Do not enter the path of the wicked,
   and do not walk in the way of evildoers. 
¹⁵ Avoid it; do not go on it;
   turn away from it and pass on. 
¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
   they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. 
¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness
   and drink the wine of violence. 
¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
   which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
   they do not know what they stumble over. 
²⁰ My child, be attentive to my words;
   incline your ear to my sayings. 
²¹ Do not let them escape from your sight;
   keep them within your heart. 
²² For they are life to those who find them,
   and healing to all their flesh. 
²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance,
   for from it flow the springs of life. 
²⁴ Put away from you crooked speech,
   and put devious talk far from you. 
²⁵ Let your eyes look directly forwards,
   and your gaze be straight before you. 
²⁶ Keep straight the path of your feet,
   and all your ways will be sure. 
²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
   turn your foot away from evil. 

“Burst down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up and start to fight.” 
― Harvey Milk

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.
++

“Hope will never be silent.” 
― Harvey Milk

1 John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. ¹⁶So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. ¹⁷Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. ¹⁹We love^* because he first loved us. ²⁰Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters,^* are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister^* whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. ²¹The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters^* also.

Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.” 
― Harvey Milk, The Harvey Milk Interviews: In His Own Words



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


“The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone. 
++
So if there is a message I have to give, it is that if I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope....” 
― Harvey Milk

Matthew 11:7-15

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸What then did you go out to see? Someone^* dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. ⁹What then did you go out to see? A prophet?^* Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way before you.” 
¹¹Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,^* and the violent take it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; ¹⁴and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵Let anyone with ears^*listen!

Gay brothers and sisters,... You must come out. Come out... to your parents... I know that it is hard and will hurt them but think about how they will hurt you in the voting booth! Come out to your relatives... come out to your friends... if indeed they are your friends. Come out to your neighbors... to your fellow workers... to the people who work where you eat and shop... come out only to the people you know, and who know you. Not to anyone else. But once and for all, break down the myths, destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake. For their sake. For the sake of the youngsters who are becoming scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene.” 
― Harvey Milk

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.

“Hope is never silent.” 
― Harvey Milk

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We pray for and remember Harvey Milk

We pray for  and remember Matthew Shepherd

We pray for  and remember those who died in the violent acts at Stonewall

We pray for and remember the Martyrs of Orlando

We pray for and remember all transgender persons who have been murdered and who have taken their own lives.

We pray for and remember all people who have died from A.I.D.S. and those who had the courage to ACT- Up.

We pray for  and remember all people who still live in the closet with fear. Help them to come out and be accepted authentically for who they are and who God made them to be.

We pray for  and remember all people in the LGBTQIA community who are resisting and persisting at this present time for equality and human rights.

We pray for and remember all the youth who are discovering who they are as people We pray that we may lovingly support them and give them courage to love and be loved.

We pray for  and remember all allies, families, and friends who are standing in solidarity shoulder to shoulder with us.

We pray for  and remember all people who are suffering mental health issues as they strive to live authentically. 

We pray for and remember all the communities and nations of the world where being LGBTQIA is a crime and punishable by death. We pray for universal human rights for all people no matter who they are. We pray for the gay community in Chechnya. 

We pray for and remember all those whom we name now who are precious to you O God,  and us ________.

We pray for and remember our heroes and mentors who gave us courage to speak truth to power and come out

We pray for and remember that You O God Created us in your image and likeness in love, for love, and to be loved. Amen. 

Coming out is the most political thing you can do. Harvey Milk


Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.


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.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace

The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.

An optional Vigil

Well it is Tuesday and we are at a place where we need just to be in prayer for us all. We need to make vigil throughout the days and weeks ahead for ourselves, our nation, the world, and all  of God's children and creation. 


We light our candles and pray this night in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters here and throughout the world. 


We begin  this vigil as we light a single candle in unity and with love for one another.

God we pray that we may love one another as you love us.
God hear the cries of your children as we pray.

Listen to the words and music of  this piece of music as we reflect on God's love and how we are to respond to God's call to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves.

Ubi Caritas - Durufle 

Pause, breathe, and listen

Ubi Caritas -Bob Hurd


We light out next single candle and pray for and end to all division, hatred, bigotry, violence, and any thing that draws us from our love of one another and from God as God's beloved children.

God we pray that we all may be one and that our divisions may cease and that we will carry this light into the world as your beloved children and peacemakers.
God hear the cries of your children as we pray.


Let us reflect on how we can come together as your children and what that  will look like. 


Let us pause, breathe, and listen to the words of  this piece of music. Meditate on the instruction and sing along.

There's Honey in the Rock


God we light the next candle in solidarity with everyone who is a different faith and loves you just the same. 

God we pray that we may learn from each other and be lovingly accepting of everyone's faith.

God hear the cries of your children as we pray.


We reflect upon how we have used religion as a divider, destroyer of our family members throughout the world, and a way to build walls in fear.

Pause, breathe and Listen 

Let us listen to this peace mantra sung by Tina Turner.

Peace Mantra - Tina Turner

Origin: Hindhuism
Language: Sanskrit

Om Om Om
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Mantra's Meaning: 

May there be happiness in all
May there be peace in all
May there be completeness in all
May there be success in all


Let us 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.


We light candles and place them in a circle  and pray for all nations of the world.

God we come to you and pray for all nations of the world where there is division, war, hatred, and daily acts of violence. We pray especially and remember, Santa Fe, Parkland, Gaza, Syria,,  Manchester Chechnya, United States, France, Turkey, Sudan, Iraq, Belgium, and the cities of Orlando, Istanbul, Dhaka, Baghdad, Medina, Jeddhah, Ankara, Dallas, St. Paul, Baton Rouge and all other places known and unknown. 

God hear the cries of your children as we pray.

Pause, breathe, and listen in silence as we reflect upon what peace is supposed to be like.

We light out candles in loving memory of all your children who have lost their lives to any kind of violence. 

The Mourner's Kaddish In English

Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen

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

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.


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.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace

The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.

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Good Night Dear Brothers and Sisters ! I love you! You know the rest. May we pray in peace, harmony, love and togetherness. Be CALM(Compassionate, accepting, Love, and Merciful)


With love and peace,

Sara

Resources:

Satucket Lectionary 

Enriching our Worship

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Book of Common Prayer