Halloween isn't just about trick or treating!

Good Evening Dear Family!

Happy Wednesday and Happy All Hallow's Eve. Tonight we begin our second triduum (3 days) of the liturgical year. We take time to remember All Saints and All Souls. We begin tonight with the Service for All Hallow's Eve from the Book of Occasional Services as we set our minds on what and who really matters. Nothing fancy, just a time of meditation and prayer. You see Halloween isn't just about getting into costumes and trick or treating. I use this time to remember my family, friends, and neighbors who have departed this life. 




Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a 

hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp to put it under a 

bucket, but on a lamp-stand where it gives light for everyone 

in the house. And you, like the lamp, must shed light among 

your fellow men, so that they may see the deed you do, and 

give glory to your Father in heaven."    Matthew 5:14-16

It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ 

Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake. 

For the same God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," 

has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of r

evelation—the revelation of the glory of God in the face of 

Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:5-6

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light 

around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O 

Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to 

you are both alike.    Psalm 139:10-11

Festivals of Saints
Lord Christ, your saints have been the lights of the world
in every generation: Grant that we who follow in their 
footsteps may be made worthy to enter with them into that 
heavenly country where you live and reign for ever and ever. 
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.

The Witch of Endor

1 Samuel 28:3-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Saul Consults a Medium

3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled the mediums and the wizards from the land. 4 The Philistines assembled, and came and encamped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “There is a medium at Endor.”

8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went there, he and two men with him. They came to the woman by night. And he said, “Consult a spirit for me, and bring up for me the one whom I name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the wizards from the land. Why then are you laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Have no fear; what do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being[a] coming up out of the ground.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” She said, “An old man is coming up; he is wrapped in a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; so I have summoned you to tell me what I should do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you just as he spoke by me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, David.18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord, and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you today.19 Moreover the Lord will give Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me; the Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

²⁰ Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. ²¹ The woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Your servant has listened to you; I have taken my life in my hand, and have listened to what you have said to me. ²² Now therefore, you also listen to your servant; let me set a morsel of bread before you. Eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” ²³ He refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he listened to their words. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed. ²⁴ Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house. She quickly slaughtered it, and she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened cakes. ²⁵ She put them before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

130    De profundis

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice; *

    let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *

    O LORD, who could stand?

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *

    therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *

    in his word is my hope.

5 My soul waits for the LORD,

more than watchmen for the morning, *

    more than watchmen for the morning.

6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *

    for with the LORD there is mercy;

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *

    and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Let us pray. (Silence) 

Almighty and everliving God, you have made all things in your wisdom and established the boundaries of life and death: Grant that we may obey your voice in this world, and in the world to come may enjoy that rest and peace which you have appointed for your people; through Jesus Christ who is Resurrection and Life, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

The Vision of Eliphaz the Temanite

Job 4:12-21 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12 “Now a word came stealing to me,

    my ear received the whisper of it.

13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night,

    when deep sleep falls on mortals,

14 dread came upon me, and trembling,

    which made all my bones shake.

15 A spirit glided past my face;

    the hair of my flesh bristled.

16 It stood still,

    but I could not discern its appearance.

A form was before my eyes;

    there was silence, then I heard a voice:

17 ‘Can mortals be righteous before[a] God?

    Can human beings be pure before[b] their Maker?

18 Even in his servants he puts no trust,

    and his angels he charges with error;

19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,

    whose foundation is in the dust,

    who are crushed like a moth.

20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed;

    they perish forever without any regarding it.

21 Their tent-cord is plucked up within them,

    and they die devoid of wisdom.’

13    Usquequo, Domine?

 

 

1 How long, O LORD?

will you forget me for ever? *

    how long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,

and grief in my heart, day after day? *

    how long shall my enemy triumph over me?

 

3 Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *

    give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

 

4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," *

    and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.

 

5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *

    my heart is joyful because of your saving help.

 

6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *

    I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.

Let us pray. (Silence) 

You, O Lord, have made us from the dust of the earth and to dust our bodies shall return; yet you have also breathed your Spirit upon us and called us to new life in you: Have mercy upon us, now and at the hour of our death; through Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate. Amen.

The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Valley of Dry Bones

37 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath[a] to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath[b] in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath:[c] Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath,[d] and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

11 Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”

143    Domine, exaudi

 

1 LORD, hear my prayer,

and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; *

    answer me in your righteousness.

 

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, *

    for in your sight shall no one living be justified.

3 For my enemy has sought my life;

he has crushed me to the ground; *

    he has made me live in dark places like those who

                             are long dead.

 

4 My spirit faints within me; *

    my heart within me is desolate.

 

5 I remember the time past;

I muse upon all your deeds; *

    I consider the works of your hands.

 

6 I spread out my hands to you; *

    my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.

 

7 O LORD, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; *

    do not hide your face from me

    or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.

 

8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,

for I put my trust in you; *

    show me the road that I must walk,

    for I lift up my soul to you.

 

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD, *

    for I flee to you for refuge.

 

10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *

    let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

 

11 Revive me, O LORD, for your Name's sake; *

    for your righteousness' sake, bring me out of trouble.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, you have called your people to your service from age to

age. Do not give us over to death, but raise us up to serve you,

to praise you, and to glorify your holy Name; through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

The War in Heaven

Revelation 12:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Woman and the Dragon

12 A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule[a] all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.

Michael Defeats the Dragon

7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God
    and the authority of his Messiah,[b]
for the accuser of our comrades[c] has been thrown down,
    who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
12 Rejoice then, you heavens
    and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath,
    because he knows that his time is short!”

1    A Song of Creation     Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

       I    Invocation

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

IV    The People of God

O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord.

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

Let us pray. (Silence)

 O most merciful and mighty God, your son Jesus Christ was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary to bring us salvation and to establish your kingdom on earth: Grant that Michael and all your angels may defend your people against Satan and every evil foe, and that at the last we may come to that heavenly country where your saints for ever sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the present moment

Hurry is an unpleasant thing in itself, but also very unpleasant for whoever is around it. Some people came into my room and rushed in and rushed out and even when they were there they were not there – they were in the moment ahead or the moment behind. Some people who came in just for a moment were all there, completely in that moment.

Live from day to day, just from day to day. If you do so, you worry less and live more richly. If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh


21    You are God   Te Deum laudamus

You are God: we praise you; 
You are the Lord; we acclaim you; 
You are the eternal Father: 
All creation worships you. 
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, 
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: 
    Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
    heaven and earth are full of your glory. 
The glorious company of apostles praise you. 
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. 
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. 
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; 
    Father, of majesty unbounded, 
    your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
    and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, 
the eternal Son of the Father. 
When you became man to set us free 
you did not shun the Virgin's womb. 
You overcame the sting of death 
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. 
You are seated at God's right hand in glory. 
We believe that you will come and be our judge. 
    Come then, Lord, and help your people, 
    bought with the price of your own blood, 
    and bring us with your saints 
    to glory everlasting.

Holy One, our only Home,

hallowed be your name.
May your day dawn,
your will be done,
here as in heaven.
Feed us today,
and forgive us as we forgive each other.
Do not forsake us at the test,
but deliver us from evil.
For the glory, the power,
and the mercy are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
source: Martha Blacklock, Mother Thunder Mission

All Saint's Day    November 1

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those
ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love
you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prayers from A Season of Prayer for an Election Week 2 (Forward Movement)

OCT 31 Pray for discernment 
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

NOV 1 Pray for our hearts to be fixed on true joy 
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lighten our path O God so that we may see clearly the pathway you have set before us.

Lighten our path O God with love and brightness so that we may be united with you as your family.

Lighten our path O God with peace that we may become your peacemakers and that we may spread the Good News of Justice, Love, and Mercy throughout the world.

Lighten our path O God to our hearts and souls that we may be connected to the least of these and tenderly and lovingly care for them.

Lighten our path O God to all of our family members who are ill that we may compassionately care for them and pray for them when we aren't present. We pray this night for_____________

Lighten the path O God for all who are mourning that they may be given holy comfort and may feel your arms gently enfolding them.

Lighten our path O God to you in our bodies, minds, and spirits that we may take time to connect with you with holy listening. May we go deeper and seek your presence and listen with open ears, hearts, and calm and attentive spirits.

Lighten our path O God so that we may raise our voices in prayer and thanksgivings for__________

Accept these our prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus who is "The Light of the World". Amen.

Or these may be added:

Tonight's meditation music is Anoushka Shankar

Gracious God as we await All Saint's Day and All Soul's day let us remember all of our family members who reside in the Thin Places.  May we name those who remain special to us and pray for those whom we didn't get along with.


Gracious and God we give thanks for the rain and may there be more rains to heal and cleanse your drought parched lands throughout the world and in our state.

Gracious God we pray for all of our family members who are in need of healing remembering especially____________

Gracious God we pray for peace in your fragile and broken world.  Give to us the means whereby we may become peacemakers.

Gracious God take away all bitterness, hatred, and  divisiveness that we may be united as your children O God.

Gracious God  give the the leaders of all the nations strength to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.

Gracious God give us the courage to see you in our family members who are the least of these eyes and never forget that when we serve and love them we are serving and loving you.

Gracious God we add our additional prayer requests for ourselves and on behalf of others remembering especially_______________________

Gracious God challenge us to do what is right and be beacons of love, joy, hope, and peace in your holy world.

Gracious God help us to remember wherever we walk, look, taste, touch, or feel  we are living in a place of holiness Help us to lead holy and gracious lives and see the holy in everything.

Gracious God we lift up these our prayers in the name of your son Jesus the Christ. Amen.

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.

Christ Has No Body. by Teresa of Avila.

Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks. Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.

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

May God give us grace to follow his saints in faith and

hope and love; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,

the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with

us always. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in

believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Romans 15:1

Good Night Family of Love, may you have a blessed Triduum (Three Days) of remembrance  for all those who were and are precious to you I love you and you are precious and dear to me. I give God Thanks for you this night and always.

Love, blessings, and peace be always yours,

Sara

Resources:

Bible Gateway for lessons

Enriching Our Worship

Book of Occasional Services for service format

Book of Common Prayer

Walk With Me On Our Journey.