Good Evening Dear Ones!
Happy Wisdom Wednesday! We are going to meditate and pray on the #AdventWord #Wash. Our homework for tonight is to write down all the chores we need to do to prepare for next week. Do two a day. Keep it simple! Also let us take time to rest and renew when we need to. So let us begin!

Let us engage in the "Be Stills" and do gentle inhalations and exhalations.

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

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

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

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

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

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Our pondering quotes for the day!

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2

"Baptism is rich in meaning. It suggests cleansing. When you are a disciple, you understand that you are cleansed by Christ. You understand that Christ died in your place on the cross, paying for your sins, fully forgiving you for all your wrongs. You are cleansed from guilt, and you are becoming a cleaner, healthier, more whole person." ~ Brian D. McLaren

'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name."Acts 22:16

"While washing dishes one should be washing the dishes, which means that while washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing dishes." ~ Nhat Hanh

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5

"Put your sins in the chalice for the precious blood to wash away. One drop is capable of washing away the sins of the world." ~ Mother Teresa

I shall wash my hands in innocence, And I will go about Your altar, O LORD, Psalm 26:6

"Does God ask us to do what is beneath us? This question will never trouble us again if we consider the Lord of heaven taking a towel and washing feet." ~ Elisabeth Elliot

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

"It is said that the Christian mystic Theresa of Avila found difficulty at first in reconciling the vastness of the life of the spirit with the mundane tasks of her Carmelite convent: the washing of pots, the sweeping of floors, the folding of laundry. At some point of grace, the mundane became for her a sort of prayer, a way she could experience her ever-present connection to the divine pattern which is the source of life. She began then to see the face of God in the folded sheets." ~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

"I can say a prayer while washing my teeth, but that does not mean I should wash my teeth in church." ~ C. S. Lewis

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

"O, You who are ever giving life to all life, moving all creatures, root of all things, washing them clean, wiping out their mistakes, healing their wounds, You are our true life, luminous, wonderful, awakening the heart from its ancient sleep." ~ Hildegard of Bingen

"The fact that I am standing there and washing bowls is a wondrous reality. I'm being completely myself, following my breath, conscious of my presence, and conscious of my thoughts and actions." ~ Nhat Hanh

"Sage is cleansing and sacred." ~ Pink

"People talk about imitating Christ, and imitate Him in the little trifling formal things, such as washing the feet, saying His prayer, and so on; but if anyone attempts the real imitation of Him, there are no bounds to the outcry with which the presumption of that person is condemned." ~ Florence Nightingale

"Lord of all pots and pans and things make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates!" ~ Brother Lawrence

"And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins and to regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined." ~ Justin Martyr

Psalm 23
Dear God, you sustain me and feed me:
like a shepherd you guide me.

You lead me to an oasis of green,
to lie down by restful waters.

You refresh my soul for the journey,
and guide me along trusted roads.

The God of justice is your name.
Though I must enter the darkness of death,
I will fear no evil.

For you are with me,
your rod and staff comfort me.

You prepare a table before my very eyes,
in the presence of those who trouble me.

You anoint my head with oil,
and you fill my cup to the brim.

Your loving kindness and mercy will meet me
every day of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of my God for ever.

Do not ask anxiously, What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What shall we wear? The whole world runs after such things. Set your heart and mind on God’s commonwealth and justice first, and all the rest will come to you as well. So do not be anxious about tomorrow. Today has enough problems of its own; tomorrow can look after itself. Matthew 6:31-34

Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.

Silence

Compassionate God,

we confess our weaknesses and our need for your

strengthening touch.

We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,

while others are beyond our control.

We turn to you, source of life,

and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ

for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.

May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,

and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the

power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Great O Antiphon of the day

O Radix Jesse

Tree of Jesse
Latin:

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
English:

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

O Radix Jesse

Veni, veni, Emmanuel -Taize

Officiant O God, be not far from us.
People Come quickly to help us, O God.

Our God and Savior now draws near: O come let us worship.

Come and save us, * O Lord God of hosts.

Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.

Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:

O Lord God of hosts.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.

V. Show us your mercy, O Lord:

R. And grant us your salvation.

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.

Prayer Over The Advent Candle

O God, as light comes from this candle,

May the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,

Warming our hearts and brightening our way.

May Christ our Savior

Bring life into the darkness of this world,

And to us, as we wait for his coming.

Amen.

(www.catholicnewsagency.com)

Torah Ora

Refrain.

God has spoken to His people,

Alleluia!

And His words are words of wisdom,

Alleluia!

God has spoken to His people,

Alleluia!

And His words are words of wisdom,

Alleluia!

Open your ears, O Christian (Faithful) people,

Open your ears, and hear good news.

Open your ears, O royal priesthood,

God has come to you,

God has come to you.

God has spoken to His people,

Alleluia!

And His words are words of wisdom,

Alleluia!

He who has ears to hear His message,

He who has ears then let him hear.

He who would learn

the way of wisdom,

Let him hear God’s word,

Let him hear God’s word.

God has spoken to His people,

Alleluia!

And His words are words of wisdom,

Alleluia!

Israel comes to greet the Saviour,

Judah is glad to see His day.

From East and West the peoples travel,

He will show the way,

He will show the way.

God has spoken to His people,

Alleluia!

And His words are words of wisdom,

Alleluia!

Willard Francis Jabusch

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.

God and Creator of us all we pray and light our candles this night at a time where we are finding ourselves sorely divided one from another by a myriad of circumstances. We pray that we may start to learn from each other and place our egos and the need to be right at the door. We pray that we may use gentle speech and kind actions when we meet someone who differs from us. We pray that we may lovingly enfold them in our arms and extend to them radical hospitality and welcome. We pray that we may continually beat the weaponry of hate into ploughshares and turn the spears of division into pruning hooks and that we may grow into a peace-filled and loving world. We pray this night for all who are enduring any kind of pain that they may be comforted and that we may lovingly respond to their needs. We pray and ask this night for forgiveness of any action or word we have done or spoken this day and that we may turn away and repent of the wrongs we have done. We pray that we may spread God's light of love, peace, and learning to this world and that we may be beacons of hope, joy, love, and peace. We pray that we may follow Jesus and imitate him by being CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) and show the world that we are carried aloft by the Holy Spirit's Love Energy and that our Hearts and heart homes may be enlarged and that truly we may become one family of God and Love and brothers and sisters one to another. Amen.

49 Audite hæc, omnes

1 Hear this, all you peoples;
hearken, all you who dwell in the world, *
you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

2 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

3 I will incline my ear to a proverb *
and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

4 Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

5 The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast of their great riches?

6 We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;

7 For the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,

8 In order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.

9 For we see that the wise die also;
like the dull and stupid they perish *
and leave their wealth to those who come after them.

10 Their graves shall be their homes for ever,
their dwelling places from generation to generation, *
though they call the lands after their own names.

11 Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; *
they are like the beasts that perish.

12 Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, *
and the end of those who delight in their own words.

13 Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die;
Death is their shepherd; *
they go down straightway to the grave.

14 Their form shall waste away, *
and the land of the dead shall be their home.

15 But God will ransom my life; *
he will snatch me from the grasp of death.

16 Do not be envious when some become rich, *
or when the grandeur of their house increases;

17 For they will carry nothing away at their death, *
nor will their grandeur follow them.

18 Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, *
and were praised for their success,

19 They shall join the company of their forebears, *
who will never see the light again.

20 Those who are honored, but have no understanding, *
are like the beasts that perish.

Everything Has Its Time

From Ecclesiastes 33 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

53 Dixit insipiens

(1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.

2 God looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.

3 Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon God?

5 See how greatly they tremble,
such trembling as never was; *
for God has scattered the bones of the enemy;
they are put to shame, because God has rejected them.

6 Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when God restores the fortunes of his people
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.)

Isaiah 9:8-17

Judgement on Arrogance and Oppression

8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob,
and it fell on Israel;
9 and all the people knew it—
Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—
but in pride and arrogance of heart they said:
10 ‘The bricks have fallen,
but we will build with dressed stones;
the sycomores have been cut down,
but we will put cedars in their place.’
11 So the Lord raised adversaries* against them,
and stirred up their enemies,
12 the Arameans in the east and the Philistines in the west,
and they devoured Israel with open mouth.
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is stretched out still.

13 The people did not turn to him who struck them,
or seek the Lord of hosts.
14 So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,
palm branch and reed in one day—
15 elders and dignitaries are the head,
and prophets who teach lies are the tail;
16 for those who led this people led them astray,
and those who were led by them were left in confusion.
17 That is why the Lord did not have pity on* their young people,
or compassion on their orphans and widows;
for everyone was godless and an evildoer,
and every mouth spoke folly.
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is stretched out still.

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.

2 Peter 2:1-10

False Prophets and Their Punishment

2But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers* the way of truth will be maligned. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell* and committed them to chains* of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgement; 5and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly; 6and if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction* and made them an example of what is coming to the ungodly;* 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), 9then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement 10—especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority.

Bold and wilful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones,*
A Song of Our True Nature
Julian of Norwich
Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *
our trespasses and our humiliations.
Christ also revealed his blessed power, *
his blessed wisdom and love.
He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *
he raises us in spirit
and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.
God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature;
*
God is the true father and mother of natures.
We are all bound to God by nature, *
and we are all bound to God by grace.
And this grace is for all the world, *
because it is our precious mother, Christ.
For this fair nature was prepared by Christ
for the honor and nobility of all, *
and for the joy and bliss of salvation.

Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel According to
Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

1The beginning of the good news* of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.*

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,*
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,*
who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,
4John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with* water; but he will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit.’

A Song of Judith
Judith 16:13-16
I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came into being.
You sent your breath and it formed them, *
no one is able to resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *
rocks melt like wax at your presence.
But to those who fear you, *
you continue to show mercy
No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *
but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and
the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Loving Jesus: Protect and sustain us with your hand. Open the
door of your love that, sealed with your wisdom, we may be free
to serve you with joy. Amen.
(a prayer of St. Gertrude)

Jesus, you are the way through the wilderness: show us your truth
in which we journey, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit be in us
the life that draws us to God. Amen.
(source: F.B. McNutt, The Prayer Manual [London: Mowbray, 1961], p. 29,
adapted)

O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the
angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in
danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and
grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and
serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.

Christ has no Body

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. - Teresa of Avila

Let us pray the Alternative form of the Lord's Prayer as found in the New Zealand Prayer Book

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.

We pray these #HashtagsWithMeaning our #AdventWords2018!

God we give thanks for our yearly #journey to seek Jesus in the manger and celebrate His birth.

God help us to keep #Watch over our family members who need us the most and take the Matthew 25 Pledge daily: I pledge to protect and defend vulnerable people in the name of Jesus.

God, help us to #Focus on what matters most during this season of watchful waiting and joyful expectation.

God, we pray for all of our family members who are homeless, hungry and ill-clad during the cold winter #nights. May we remember that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were in similar situations.

God, we pray that we may become your #Light shiners to this fragile and broken world. May we carry your #light with love, joy, hope, peace, and be the change you want us to be in the world.

God,we pray that we may lead lives rooted in the fruits of the spirit and may#Sprout healthy branches that will be able to foster goodness and love and serve all of your family members throughout the world.

God, we pray that we may be #Alert to your voice and what you are calling us to do and to be.

God, we pray and give thanks for times of going into the #wild just to be with you and in your time come out refreshed, renewed, and empowered to do your will and work for you and with you.

God, we #Cry out in prayer and as voices for all who are in need or in trouble. We remember all refugees, homeless, persecuted, racially profiled, bullied and abused and we remember especially those who are seeking asylum. We add our own petitions here_______________.

God, we pray that we may #Go out in to the world and serve you and #Grow in the way of Jesus.

God, we pray and give thanks for #Rough times when we need to acknowledge our dependence upon you and each other.

God, we pray for ways in which to #smooth things over with our family members when situations become #Rough and rocky especially during this time of year.

God, help us we pray to #prune all of the dead gunk in our heart homes so that we may make room for Jesus in our hearts this season and year to come.

God we lift up these our prayers as we #prepare to worship you on the morrow, in the name of Jesus your Son. Amen.

God help us to learn how to #Rejoice during times of dis-ease. God give us strength to see and feel joy in times of sorrow.

God we #Sing praises to you and give thanks for all that you are doing in the lives of your children.

God we give thanks for our #Ancestors who are our role models and have walked life's #journey before us. May we do the same for generations to come.

God #Wash our hearts and minds from all malicious thoughts and actions, that we may be ever fixed on You and loving and serving our neighbors who are made in your image and likeness.

From A New Zealand Prayer Book-

Lord,
it is night.

The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.

In your name we pray.
Amen.

O God, who opens the eyes of the blind and sets the captives free; Open our eyes that we may ever discern your way and guide our feet that we may walk in it, to your honor and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beside the still waters we pray for _____________________

Beside the still waters we give thanks for _______________

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

or these!

Gracious God, we thank you for all that you have made and that you made everything to be holy and good.

Gracious God, we thank you for your gift of the Psalms that allows us to see the majesty of you Cathedral of Life.

Gracious God. give us peaceful bodies, minds, and spirits wherever we may be and especially out in nature.

Gracious God, we pray that as we are your children may be good stewards of your Cathedral of Life.

Gracious God, we pray that as we see these peaceful vistas we may become peacemakers to Your fragile and broken world.

Gracious God,, give us times for self-care and direct our footsteps to where you would have us go.

Gracious God, we pray for all of your most vulnerable children, our brothers and sisters that the my find peace of mind, body, and spirit and not feel lonely or afraid.

Gracious God, we pray for all who are ill that they may be healed from all of their dis-ease and that we may step up to give comfort. show compassion and most of all be loving.

Gracious God we pray for the Family of God that we are members of that we may be united and not divided. May we spread your light to the world and to each other.

Gracious God, we pray for all who are dying and those who have died. We pray that they may have a peaceful transition into the Thin Places and that they may feel your loving arms of welcome O God.

Gracious God, we pray for all who mourn, give them comfort and may we do the same.

Gracious God we pray for ourselves and on behalf of others remembering_____________

Gracious God guide our steps that we may be led to what we are called to do and be. May we respond with love and an enthusiastic Yes.

Gracious God protect everyone this night as they rest and prepare for your midweek Sabbath day. We pray especially for all of our family members who are clergy and lay who will be leaders and ministers at worship tomorrow. May those who preach, preach the Good News boldly and with grace and if necessary speak truth to power and be a voice for the voiceless.

All this we ask in the name of Jesus the Christ our Redeemer, Brother, and Friend. Amen.

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *

according to thy word;

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *

which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *

and to be the glory of thy 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)

O God,
strengthen your servants with your heavenly grace,
that we may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more,
until we come to your everlasting kingdom.

This Rite of Compline From the Northumbria Community may be added.

Wednesday – The Felgild Compline

Felgild lived in the late seventh century. After Cuthbert died, Ethilwald took his place as hermit on the Inner Farne. Twelve years later, having never left the island, he also died. Felgild was the next hermit to come there, but the rigours of his life in the cell aggravated a swelling on his face. The condition was suddenly healed, allowing him to continue the life of a solitary.

This Compline is dedicated to him because he represents so many whose names we never hear who faithfully follow the example of good men and women of old, continuing their battle against the powers of evil and in their devotion to prayer.

If this Compline is being used in a group setting the * notation indicates a change of reader; words in bold are said all together; words in bold italic are said by each person in turn; and + indicates where you might make the sign of the cross.

+ (silently)

Calm me, O Lord, as You stilled the storm.
Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm.
Let all the tumult within me cease.
Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.

* Father, bless the work that is done,
and the work that is to be.

* Father, bless the servant that I am,
and the servant that I will be.

Thou Lord and God of power,
shield and sustain me this night.

I will lie down this night with God,
and God will lie down with me;
I will lie down this night with Christ,
and Christ will lie down with me;
I will lie down this night with the Spirit,
and the Spirit will lie down with me;
God and Christ and the Spirit,
be lying down with me.

* The peace of God
be over me to shelter me,

* under me to uphold me,

* about me to protect me,

* behind me to direct me,

* ever with me to save me.

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.

Today’s Meditation

If you must be heard, let it be like the babbling brook,
laughing over the rocks.

If you must be seen, let it be like sunlight
giving warmth and comfort to all.

If you must be acknowledged, let it be as the eyes
behold the skies in all their glory.

If you must lead, let it be like the wind and all its unshackled direction.

If you must learn, let it be like breathing,
the natural flow of in and out,
and done without thinking.

If you must teach, let it be like the water,
deep and flowing,
for your words are like pebbles in a pond,
the ripples they cause spread out in all directions,
and what you give out eventually returns.

If you must know, let it be flowing and growing.

And above all, if you must:
shine!

Kerry Hillcoat

++++

Good Night Beloved Ones! Here are your action items for today and tomorrow:Today- Root of Jesse (Isa 11:10) Write memories of God’s faithfulness in your life on paper ornaments & hang them on the tree. Tomorrow:Key of David (Rev. 3:7) What door of your life do you need God to open & bring grace? God has the key to every door.Our continual additional tasks are this: to pay it forward and practice radical love, hospitality, and random acts of kindness! I love you and give God thanks for you this day and always

With Joy,Hope, Peace, and Love,

Sara

Resources

A to Z Quotes

Satucket Lectionary Page -

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching our Worship 1 and 2

Quote sites for prayers

Northumbria Community

Metis Aboriginal Ministries

A New Zealand Prayer Book

Walk With Me On Our Journey

YouTube

Contemplative Cottage

Here is a helpful calendar that will lead us through the season: Celtic Advent Calendar 2018.

Bonus Prayers

Now let's take time to mediate on what Martin Luther King Jr. and all those who have fought for justice throughout the world. Who are your favorite Ancestors of Social Justice?

Let us pray in the Key of Jesus and Ring the Bells of El Camino Real (King's Highway)for those who fought for justice, peace, and equality. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for Martin Luther King Jr. and his witness to all of our family members who were longing for justice in this their distant home and land that we take for granted. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for Mahatma Gandhi who taught us how to protest non-violently Help us to follow Your and His Model and use our words to make peace and cry out for the voiceless.
We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for all who gave their lives in the Stonewall riots to help pave the way for LGBTQ rights and the rights of those who are afraid to live authentically. May we see God in each of us who are in the LGBTQ community, who are family, allies, and friends , be enfolded into the mainstream community with out fear and labeling. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all of our sisters who fought for the rights of women so that they would no longer be property but full and perfect members of society and examples of citizenry to their sons and daughters. We pray that all of our sisters may have full protection and rights securely given them. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for all of our family members who were interned in the Japanese internment camps at Manzanar and Santa Anita. We pray for their contributions to our society and ask for their forgiveness for the wrongs we may have done out of fear and mistrust. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for the witness of all our Native and Indigenous Martyrs who were here in their homelands of origin in this country We pray for forgiveness for the wrongs we have done to them and remember the trail of tears that took them away from places they call home and became refugees in strange and distant lands. We remember this night all of our family members who are refugees. We pray that the y may one day return home as You , Mary, and Joseph left Egypt for Nazareth. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for Malala and all children who speak truth to power. We pray for all our children that they may be protected from harm. May all of our youth look to Malala for hope and a role model of what one child can do. We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for Cesar Chavez and all those who fought for the farm worker and for the rights and protection of those who put food on our tables We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for those who have died in the struggle for justice, equality, inclusion, and universal human rights.We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for all the many witnesses that we have not named but you know them all may we remember them now_____________________________We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for this night especially for ________________________

We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Justice for all of our family members now.

We pray this in the Key of Jesus! Ring out the Bells of Forgiveness,Justice, Peace, Human kindness, and most especially love, for all of our family members now. We pray this in the name of Jesus who came to unite us in love, forgiveness, and serve to and speak for the least of these. Amen.

God we pray the words of the Ancient Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel! May Emmanuel come soon.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call. Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid thou our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear. Refrain

God we pray these our prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.

We light this final candle for our peace, hope, love, and joy in the world and within ourselves:

God of Love help us to be loving to all of our family of love. We pray that we may lovingly respond to each other's needs and concerns.

O Come Emmanuel, Come Soon and enliven our spirits with your compassion, acceptance, love and mercy! May we always show love, bring joy, give hope, and make peace to all of our family members and living things.

God of Love we pray for all who are traveling the next few days to visit loved ones. We pray for all of our loved ones whom we haven't seen for awhile.