Treasures New and Old!

Good Evening Beloved Ones!

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is ready for the weekend. The title of our time together is Treasures New and Old, because today we celebrate the feast day of St. Matthew the Evangelist. One of the parables of Jesus is called "Treasures New and Old". I don't know about you but sometimes, when we are reading scripture we are always finding new and inspiring nuggets from the God News, Good News, Gospel. Today as I was walking down Broadway I found a nugget  of a different sort. A book that is 161 years old, called Alexander on Mark. The book is a commentary on the Gospel of Mark. It isn't every day one receives a message from the past that reminds us that we are continually called to be spreading the Good News of Jesus. Today we turn our focus to our weekend retreat and begin to set our selves on the pathway of Jesus as we change seasons. Tomorrow we begin Fall and enter a time where we need to conscientiously be engaged in being the light and proclaiming the Good News to everyone. So let us begin.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Tonight we enter this special healing circle in peace, love, and gratitude in hopes of finding ourselves in a special circle of the the utmost CALM (Compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy). We enter this circle in the presence of God and each other. We enter this circle as one holy family made in the image and likeness of God who is love. God is love, We are love, our neighbors are love.

God is Love Let us love God and One another.

God is Love Let us love God and One.

God is Love Let us love God.

God is Love Let us love.

God is Love.

God is.

God.

Peace be still

Peace be.

Peace.

God is Love Let us love God and One another.
God is Love Let us love God and One.
God is Love Let us love God.
God is Love Let us love.
God is Love.
God is.
God.

Peace be still
Peace be.
Peace.

God is Love Let us love God and One another.
God is Love Let us love God and One.
God is Love Let us love God.
God is Love Let us love.
God is Love.
God is.
God.

Peace be still
Peace be.
Peace.

Anthem at the candle lighting.


Let the righteous rejoice * in the presence of God.
Let the righteous rejoice in the presence of God.
Let them be merry and joyful:
In the presence of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Let the righteous rejoice in the presence of God.
V. Their sound has gone out into all lands:
R. And their message to the ends of the world



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.

We must start practicing every day the CALM principle; Be Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful.

Tonight's virtual candlelight vigil is this :

Let us light our candles and be at prayer. This night let us pray that we may love and be kind to one another. Let us pray that peace, love, and gratitude may prevail upon earth and each other. 

Ponderings:

Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax collector by calling him to be an apostle. He left behind his life of selfishness and greed to learn a life of trust and sharing. Following his example, and supported by Your Spirit, may we always answer Your call, live in close union with You, and serve this world in the name of Christ. Amen.


Our suggested prayer for today is based on words of Henri Nouwen:

Lord Jesus, my Saviour, Your hands and feet are marked with the wounds of Your crucifixion. In Your risen body, Your wounds have not been taken away, but are part of Your glory. May they remind me that my own wounds are not roadblocks on the way to the Father, but are there to show me my own unique way to follow You, the suffering Christ. Assure me that my wounds, too, will be glorified in my own resurrected life. Amen.

"Those who have loved are those that have found God" ~ Guru Nanak


19 Cœli enarrant

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.

2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.

3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,

4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.

5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.

8 The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.

11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.

13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

112 Beatus vir

1 Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!

2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5 It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.

6 For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.

8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.

9 They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be angry;
they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *
the desires of the wicked will perish.

Job 28:12-28

¹² ‘But where shall wisdom be found?
   And where is the place of understanding? 
¹³ Mortals do not know the way to it,^*
   and it is not found in the land of the living. 
¹⁴ The deep says, “It is not in me”,
   and the sea says, “It is not with me.” 
¹⁵ It cannot be bought for gold,
   and silver cannot be weighed out as its price. 
¹⁶ It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
   in precious onyx or sapphire.^* 
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,
   nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 
¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;
   the price of wisdom is above pearls. 
¹⁹ The chrysolite of Ethiopia^* cannot compare with it,
   nor can it be valued in pure gold. 

²⁰ ‘Where then does wisdom come from?
   And where is the place of understanding? 
²¹ It is hidden from the eyes of all living,
   and concealed from the birds of the air. 
²² Abaddon and Death say,
   “We have heard a rumour of it with our ears.” 

²³ ‘God understands the way to it,
   and he knows its place. 
²⁴ For he looks to the ends of the earth,
   and sees everything under the heavens. 
²⁵ When he gave to the wind its weight,
   and apportioned out the waters by measure; 
²⁶ when he made a decree for the rain,
   and a way for the thunderbolt; 
²⁷ then he saw it and declared it;
   he established it, and searched it out. 
²⁸ And he said to humankind,
“Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
   and to depart from evil is understanding.” ’ 

A Song of Ezekiel

Ezekiel 36:24-28

I will take you from among all nations; *

and gather you from all lands to bring you home.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *

and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.

A new heart I will give you *

and a new spirit put within you.

I will take the stone heart from your chest *

and give you a heart of flesh.

I will help you walk in my laws *

and cherish my commandments and do them.

You shall be my people, *

and I will be your God.

Matthew 13:44-52

Three Parables

44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; ⁴⁸when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. ⁴⁹So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous ⁵⁰and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Treasures New and Old

51 ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ ⁵²And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

Anselm of Canterbury

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; *

you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride, *

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *

in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *

by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; *

through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead, *

your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *

in your love and tenderness, remake us.

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, *

for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.

We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We must start practicing every day the CALM principle; Be Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful..

Let us now pray  to God who is Love.

God of Love we pray that in this year to come we may practice random acts of kindness and love radically and more fully than we ever have before.

God of  Love we pray that we may not hate, troll, bully, snipe, or be mean in social media and elsewhere.

God of Love we pray that we may practice being CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful)

God of Love help us to use right behavior and manners with one another keeping kindness and love uppermost in our minds.

God of Love we pray that we may love one another not half-heartedly but fully and with out  fear.

God of Love we  pray for the healing of divisions throughout our land in war-torn nations. May love and peace prevail in this your fragile and broken world.

God of Love we pray for the healing of those who are ill in body, mind, and spirit. We remember ______________________ and all of our family members and those who have asked us to pray for.

God of Love we pray for all those who are homeless, hungry, and have nowhere to lay their heads in this cold weather. May they have courage to seek shelter and the many warming centers that are available. Protect them and keep them safe from harm.

God of Love we pray for all pets and all animals who aren't being protected from the all kinds of weather. May the owners of their pets show loving concern for their fluffy family members.

God of Love we pray for justice, universal human rights and the courage to lovingly respond to those who are voiceless and need us to speak truth to power.

God of Love be with our family members who grieve losses that are new and those that are ongoing.
Give us compassionate hearts to love them through dark times and show them the light of your love.

God of Love we pray for all of our family members who live in the Thin Places where eternal joy and light are to be found.

God of Love we pray for all our family members who have children returning to school this week and those who have a little while longer to wait.

God of Love we pray for the protection of our most vulnerable family members remembering children, elderly, differently-abled, those with memory disorders.

God of Love we pray for all our family members who are awaiting surgery and who are hospitalized.

God of Love we pray for ___________________________

God of Love we give thanks for______________________

God of Love we celebrate____________________________

God of Love we remember___________________________

We lay these our prayers at the feet of Jesus who is Love incarnate and in His Most Holy Name. Amen.

We pray the words of the Beatitudes 

The Beatitudes

5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

For Peace

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of

peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel

for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion

may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your

love; 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.

For those who Influence Public Opinion

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many

voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where

many listen and write what many read; that they may do their

part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and

its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so

guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our

wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto

thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always

to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ. 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.

Prayers to God who is the Heart Healer

God you who are the heart healer of us all, make our hearts if they are hurting in any way whole and healed from anxiety, fear, distress, and broken.

God you who are the heart healer of us all,heal the brokeness of  your fragile world and that peace may prevail.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, heal our bodies, minds, and spirits and all of our family members who are ill. Give us courage and strength to meet each day with joy and hope.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, take from us every root of bitterness and division that we may all be one.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, may we have courage to live authentically into our truth as the beautiful children you have made us to be in your image and likeness. 

God you who are the heart healer of us all, may we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you as we become and are the voices for the voiceless and speak truth to power.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, make our bodies strong so that we may serve you and follow where you lead.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we  pray for _______________ and give thanks for____________ for ourselves and on behalf of others.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we pray for those who are in mourning and pre-grieving  may we lovingly respond with compassion.

God you who are the heart healer of us all, we pray for all who are dying and who have died today that they may have a gentle transition into the Thin Places.

Jesus, accept these our prayers in your most Holy 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.

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)

Friday – The Boisil Compline (Northumbria Community)

Boisil, Prior of Melrose Abbey, died in 661. Bede described him as a ‘priest of great virtue and prophetic spirit.’ Boisil, on his first meeting with Cuthbert, who was to be his pupil, exclaimed, ‘Behold, the servant of the Lord!’ – recognizing the call of God on the young man’s life.

* O Lord, You will keep us safe

and protect us forever.

I am placing my soul and my body

in Thy safe keeping this night, O God,

in Thy safe keeping, O Jesus Christ,

in Thy safe keeping, O Spirit of perfect truth.

The Three who would defend my cause

be keeping me this night from harm.

* I call on You, O God,

for You will answer me;

give ear to me and hear my prayer.

* Show the wonder of Your great love,

You who save by Your right hand

those who take refuge in You from their foes.

* Keep me as the apple of Your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Lighten my darkness, Lord.

Let the light of Your presence

dispel the shadows of night.

* Christ with me sleeping,

Christ with me waking,

Christ with me watching,

each day and each night.

* Save us, Lord, while we are awake,

guard us while we are asleep;

that, awake, we may watch with Christ,

and, asleep, may rest in His peace.

God with me protecting,

the Lord with me directing,

the Spirit with me strengthening

for ever and for evermore.

* In the name of the Father precious,

and of the Spirit of healing balm.

In the name of the Lord Jesus,

I lay me down to rest.

The peace of all peace

be mine this night

+ in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

+++++

Good Night Family! I love you lots! I give thanks to God for you this day and always. May you find peace, love, and gratitude dwelling within you as you rest. 

With love and blessings,

Sara

Resources:

Enriching Our Worship

Book of Occasional Services

Book of Common Prayer

Satucket Lectionary for Lessons and the Saint of the Day: St. Matthew - Apostle and Evangelist

Walk With Me On Our Journey