Good Evening Beloved Community!
Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a good day! I took Sabbath today and am feeling much better. As many of you know, I was a history major at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Today I kept going round and round and round trying to discern what our blog topic was going to be tonight. I discovered words of wisdom from 3 19th century men. Sometimes old wisdom is the best, and resonates into the future. So this evening we are going to spend time meditating upon the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harry Emerson Fosdick along with celebrating the feast day of Jackson Kemper who also lived in the 19th century. So let us begin. But first let us do our Worry Free Sabbath - Journal, Jar, or Box work.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"God is not a cosmic bellboy for whom we can press a button to get things." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Enslave the liberty of but one human being and the liberties of the world are put in peril." ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it. Bitterness paralyzes life; love empowers it. Bitterness sours life; love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life; love heals it. Bitterness blinds life; love anoints its eyes. Harry Emerson Fosdick
"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Hating someone is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat.”
― Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Everyone should be treated fairly no matter what they look like." ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“He who chooses the beginning of the road chooses the place it leads to.”
― Harry Emerson Fosdick
― Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind. We love the land of our nativity, only as we love all other lands. The interests, rights, and liberties of American citizens are no more dear to us than are those of the whole human race. Hence we can allow no appeal to patriotism, to revenge any national insult or injury." ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." ~ Isaiah
"Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free. Come what may - cost what it may - inscribe on the banner which you unfurl to the breeze, as your religious and political motto - "NO COMPROMISE WITH SLAVERY! NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS" ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"And now let me give the sentiment which has been, and ever will be, the governing passion of my soul: 'Liberty for each, for all, and forever!'" ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Prayer opens our lives for God so his will can be done in and through us, because in true prayer we habitually put ourselves into the attitude of willingness to do whatever God wills." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"The highest revelation is that God is in every man." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people's places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Fear always springs from ignorance." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it, by vigorously willing to have it ... Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep for earthly droughts to dry up. Peace is the gift not of volitional struggle but of spiritual hospitality." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Lose yourself in nature and find peace" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Come let us worship.
This week’s Rule reflection
Take me often from the tumult of things into Thy presence. There show me what I am, and what Thou hast purposed me to be. Then hide me from Thy tears. Hebridean Altars
“There are many prayers that God must not answer, but there are no good prayers which God cannot answer.”
― Harry Emerson Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer
Harry Emerson Fosdick: God of Grace and God of Glory
God of grace and God of glory,
On Your people pour Your power;
Crown Your ancient church’s story;
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour.
Lo, the clouds of evil ‘round us
Hide Your brightness from our gaze;
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to trust and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days.
Cure Your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to Your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
In our seeking to be whole.
Fill us with a living vision;
Heal our wounds that we may be
Bound as one beyond division
In the struggle to be free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage;
Ears to hear and eyes to see.
+++
O God, you have built your church
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
Save the community of your people
from cowardly surrender to the world,
from rendering to Caesar what belongs to you,
and from forgetting the eternal gospel
amid the temporal pressures of our troubled days.
For the unity of the church we pray,
and for fellowship across the embittered lines
of race and nation;
to growth in grace, building in love, enlargement in service
increase in wisdom, faith, charity, and power,
we dedicate our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
(Harry Emerson Fosdick, from UMC Book of Worship)
++++
Prayer of Thanks
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Father in heaven,
We thank thee.
++++
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face
in the light of the moon and patterns of stars,
in sacred mountain rifts and ancient groves,
in mighty seas and creatures of the deep.
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face
in the light of eyes we love,
in the salt of tears we have tasted,
in weathered countenances east and west,
in the soft skin glow of the child everywhere.
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face,
there is Your face
among us.
John Philip Newell
"Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." ~ Isaiah
"Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free. Come what may - cost what it may - inscribe on the banner which you unfurl to the breeze, as your religious and political motto - "NO COMPROMISE WITH SLAVERY! NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS" ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"And now let me give the sentiment which has been, and ever will be, the governing passion of my soul: 'Liberty for each, for all, and forever!'" ~ William Lloyd Garrison
"Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Prayer opens our lives for God so his will can be done in and through us, because in true prayer we habitually put ourselves into the attitude of willingness to do whatever God wills." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"The highest revelation is that God is in every man." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To keep the Golden Rule we must put ourselves in other people's places, but to do that consists in and depends upon picturing ourselves in their places." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Fear always springs from ignorance." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it, by vigorously willing to have it ... Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep for earthly droughts to dry up. Peace is the gift not of volitional struggle but of spiritual hospitality." ~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
"Lose yourself in nature and find peace" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Come let us worship.
This week’s Rule reflection
Take me often from the tumult of things into Thy presence. There show me what I am, and what Thou hast purposed me to be. Then hide me from Thy tears. Hebridean Altars
“There are many prayers that God must not answer, but there are no good prayers which God cannot answer.”
― Harry Emerson Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer
Harry Emerson Fosdick: God of Grace and God of Glory
God of grace and God of glory,
On Your people pour Your power;
Crown Your ancient church’s story;
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour.
Lo, the clouds of evil ‘round us
Hide Your brightness from our gaze;
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to trust and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days.
Cure Your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to Your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
In our seeking to be whole.
Fill us with a living vision;
Heal our wounds that we may be
Bound as one beyond division
In the struggle to be free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage;
Ears to hear and eyes to see.
+++
O God, you have built your church
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
Save the community of your people
from cowardly surrender to the world,
from rendering to Caesar what belongs to you,
and from forgetting the eternal gospel
amid the temporal pressures of our troubled days.
For the unity of the church we pray,
and for fellowship across the embittered lines
of race and nation;
to growth in grace, building in love, enlargement in service
increase in wisdom, faith, charity, and power,
we dedicate our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
(Harry Emerson Fosdick, from UMC Book of Worship)
++++
Prayer of Thanks
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
Father in heaven,
We thank thee.
++++
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face
in the light of the moon and patterns of stars,
in sacred mountain rifts and ancient groves,
in mighty seas and creatures of the deep.
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face
in the light of eyes we love,
in the salt of tears we have tasted,
in weathered countenances east and west,
in the soft skin glow of the child everywhere.
Whichever way we turn, O God, there is Your face,
there is Your face
among us.
John Philip Newell
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES - Anonymous
Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:
We light this candle of remembrance.
For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:
We light this candle of consecration.
May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.
Dear family we are called to bind up the brokenhearted by offering ourselves to one another in times of great need and also as part of being in friendly relationship with one another. We are all wounded family members in need of tender loving care by we ourselves being CALM (Compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful). Our shoulders must be soft and strong enough for our family members who wish to lean upon, cry on, and hear a loving heart telling them "It's Ok" " You are loved!', and most of all "You are safe!". We don't need any special bandages just our open and willing hearts to love, pray, sit, and take time when we are called to do so. Sometimes that may be a time where we keep each other company even if it is a mundane task. So dear family Be one of God's holy pillows, shoulders, ears, heart homes, and caregivers who gift one another with your presence.
Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:
We light this candle of remembrance.
For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:
We light this candle of consecration.
May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.
Dear family we are called to bind up the brokenhearted by offering ourselves to one another in times of great need and also as part of being in friendly relationship with one another. We are all wounded family members in need of tender loving care by we ourselves being CALM (Compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful). Our shoulders must be soft and strong enough for our family members who wish to lean upon, cry on, and hear a loving heart telling them "It's Ok" " You are loved!', and most of all "You are safe!". We don't need any special bandages just our open and willing hearts to love, pray, sit, and take time when we are called to do so. Sometimes that may be a time where we keep each other company even if it is a mundane task. So dear family Be one of God's holy pillows, shoulders, ears, heart homes, and caregivers who gift one another with your presence.
God when you called us into being, you made us in your image and likeness and that we were and are to be the Lights of the World help us we pray as we light these our candles tonight to shine our love lights into places where there is darkness. Give us strength we pray that we may have courage to shine those lights where we normally wouldn't see ourselves going. We pray for all of our family members who are in dangerous and terrifying places. We pray for an end to violence, terror, bullying, abuse, and degradation and division. We pray for a world renewed by peace, love, mercy, and clean water and a healthy environment. We pray for all of us who are brokenhearted and who need to have our wounds dressed and tenderly cared for. We pray that we may be the shoulders to lean upon and cry and the soft place in which to fall and feel safe. Give us the courage to be this place even to the least of these, our enemies, and those who hate us. God of all Compassion, Acceptance, Love and Mercy we offer our additional prayers and thanksgivings remembering_________________. God we lay these our prayers, and thanksgivings at the feet and arms of your Son Jesus. We also remember that The light and love of Christ in me recognizes the Light and love of Christ in You. Amen.
It is the God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:6-10
IN LAK’ECH
Tú eres mi otro yo.
You are my other me.
Si te hago daño a ti,
If I do harm to you,
Me hago daño a mi mismo.
I do harm to myself.
Si te amo y respeto,
If I love and respect you,
Me amo y respeto yo.
I love and respect myself.
Luis Valdez
A Smudging Prayer - Metis Aboriginal Ministries
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.
Christ our Passover Pascha nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
67 Deus misereatur
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
7 May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
1 Corinthians 3:8-11
8The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. 9For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.
“O God, in restless living
We lose our spirits peace.
Calm our unwise confusion,
Bid Thou our calmer cease.
Let anxious hearts grow quiet
Like pools at evening still,
Till Thy reflected heavens
All our spirits fill.
Teach us, beyond our striving,
The rich rewards of rest,
Who does not live serenely
Is never deeply blest.
O tranquil, radiant Sunlight,
Bring Thou our lives to flower,
Less wearied with our effort,
More aware of Your power.
Receptive make our spirits,
Our need is to be still;
As dawn fades flickering candle
So dim our anxious will.
Reveal Thy radiance through us,
Thine ample strength release.
Nor our but Thine the triumph
In the power of peace.
We grow not wise by struggling,
We gain not things by strain.
We cease to water gardens,
When comes Thy plenteous rain.
O, beautify our spirits
In restfulness from strife;
Enrich our souls in secret
With abundant life.”
― Harry Emerson Fosdick
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 28:16-20
The Commissioning of the Disciples
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
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.
John Oxenham: No East or West
In God there is no East or West,
In You no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In You do true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
Your service is the golden chord
Close-binding humankind.
Join hands, then, comrades of the faith,
Whate’er your race may be:
Who serves our Maker faithfully
Is surely kin to me.
In You now meet both East and West,
In You meet South and North;
All human souls are one in You
Throughout the whole wide earth.
O God, who send your son Jesus Christ to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near, Grant that we, like your servant Jackson Kemper, may proclaim the Gospel in our own day, with courage, vision, and perseverance; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
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.
God we come to you in prayer with spirits that are hungry for a deeper relationship with you and all of our family members.
We pray for our family members who are hungry for nourishing and life giving food. May their bodies be filled. We pray for all soup kitchens feeding programs food banks, and pantries.
We pray for our family members who are in need of clothing. May we take time to give our old and usable clothing away for those that need it.
We pray for our family members who are in need of shelter this evening and if they need to be out in the cold that they may be safely protected.
We pray for our family members who are in need of affection we pray that our prayers may encircle them with a virtual prayer quilt of love and compassion. May they feel our prayers as a holy hug and embrace.
We pray for our family members who are seeking relationships and that they may come to know that the most important relationships are with God and themselves.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for knowledge that education may be made affordable and that everyone will have places in which to learn and grow.
We pray for our family members who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for justice,equality human rights, dignity, and respect.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for CALM (Compassion Acceptance Love and Mercy)
We pray for our family members who are hungering for peace and Peace of Mind.
We pray for our family members who have come to us with their prayer requests remembering especially__________________.
Or these
Let us all remember that we all need to be like the little children who approached Jesus and he accepted them with open arms. May we all welcome all of our family and friends who are also family with loving, compassionate, and warm loving arms. I wish that I could give each of you a warm and loving embrace of welcome!
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for unity this night and may we never forget that we are to love our friends just as we love you.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all who haven't felt the strong and loving bond of friendship.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all who are in danger, homeless, hungry, the least of these, refugees, prisoners, captives, and all troops who are currently at war. May we learn that we are to lay down our swords and spears so that wars may cease.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all of those who are suffering mental illness and do not have loving and supporting friends to care and comfort them.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, We pray for the healing of all who are ill and are recovering from surgery or are hospitalized, May we find it in our hearts to May we find it in our hearts to step up as good and faithful friends and visit and comfort them. We pray that they may offer help to their friends when they need it.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for unity this night and may we never forget that we are to love our friends just as we love you.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all who haven't felt the strong and loving bond of friendship.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all who are in danger, homeless, hungry, the least of these, refugees, prisoners, captives, and all troops who are currently at war. May we learn that we are to lay down our swords and spears so that wars may cease.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for all of those who are suffering mental illness and do not have loving and supporting friends to care and comfort them.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, We pray for the healing of all who are ill and are recovering from surgery or are hospitalized, May we find it in our hearts to May we find it in our hearts to step up as good and faithful friends and visit and comfort them. We pray that they may offer help to their friends when they need it.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, may we all learn to be accepting and inclusive of all of our family members who may differ from us in any way. May we learn to love with out limits and conditions.
Jesus, our Loving and Compassionate Friend, Help us to make friends with our enemies and the unlovable. Give us the courage to do this and become peacemakers to your broken and fragile world.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, hold our hands and walk with us on our journey of life and where ever God leads us.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend. We give thanks for all the wonderful memories we share with our family and friends. May we all become keepers of the lore.
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend, we pray for_________________________
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate Friend we Give thanks for_________________________
Jesus our Loving and Compassionate we pray these our prayers and thanksgivings to you In Your Most Holy Name Amen.
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every person we should come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching:
not by words, but by our example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you.
Amen.
Blessed Mother Teresa
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every person we should come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus.
Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine;
so to shine as to be a light to others;
the light, Jesus, will be all from you.
None of it will be ours.
It will be you shining on others through us.
Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,
by shining on those around us.
Let us preach you without preaching:
not by words, but by our example,
by the catching force,
the sympathetic influence of what we do,
the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you.
Amen.
Blessed Mother Teresa
We add these classics of faith to make our time of prayer complete. From the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER and other sources and adapted for our time together.
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
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.
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.
God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
+++++
Good Night Beloved Ones! Have a blessed evening! I love you!
Peace, love, prayers, and God's Blessings!
Sara
Memorial Day Weekend Prayers and Vigil
Tonight is the first night of our Memorial or Decoration Day Weekend. This is the night where we are going to keep it simple. We will have a prayer vigil and a time of prayer. This night or if it is Sunday when you read this I ask us all to light a virtual candle in memory of all of our family members who have served our country and lost their lives in battle and their family members who survived them.
Let us light our candles and pray!
God we thank you for all the men and women who have served our country to help preserve and light the torch of freedom in our nation and in nations across the sea. We pray and give thanks especially for those who died in battles in recent times and in times past. We pray for families who survived their loved ones who died on the field of battle and those who are still missing in action. We pray this night that we may wage peace without weaponry but with words, diplomacy, love, and respect. We pray for the leaders of the world that they may seek peace without war and that they may not be so quick to fire a weapon or drop a bomb. We pray that we may seek to help our homeless, mentally ill, and hungry veterans and all who are in need of help. We pray that this night we may take stock and listen and pray as we prepare to vote who we want to have as our Pastor President when national disasters and violent calamity occurs. We pray for all young men and women who are entering military service and give thanks for their willingness to step up and be our protectors of liberty. We pray these our prayers in the name of Jesus our Guardian, Guide, and Example of peacemaking and healing. Amen.
Let us pray this passage from Sirach: Let us now praise famous men.
Let us light our candles and pray!
God we thank you for all the men and women who have served our country to help preserve and light the torch of freedom in our nation and in nations across the sea. We pray and give thanks especially for those who died in battles in recent times and in times past. We pray for families who survived their loved ones who died on the field of battle and those who are still missing in action. We pray this night that we may wage peace without weaponry but with words, diplomacy, love, and respect. We pray for the leaders of the world that they may seek peace without war and that they may not be so quick to fire a weapon or drop a bomb. We pray that we may seek to help our homeless, mentally ill, and hungry veterans and all who are in need of help. We pray that this night we may take stock and listen and pray as we prepare to vote who we want to have as our Pastor President when national disasters and violent calamity occurs. We pray for all young men and women who are entering military service and give thanks for their willingness to step up and be our protectors of liberty. We pray these our prayers in the name of Jesus our Guardian, Guide, and Example of peacemaking and healing. Amen.
Let us pray this passage from Sirach: Let us now praise famous men.
44 Let us now praise famous men,
and our fathers in their generations.
2 The Lord apportioned to them[a] great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
3 There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and were men renowned for their power,
giving counsel by their understanding,
and proclaiming prophecies;
4 leaders of the people in their deliberations
and in understanding of learning for the people,
wise in their words of instruction;
5 those who composed musical tunes,
and set forth verses in writing;
6 rich men furnished with resources,
living peaceably in their habitations—
7 all these were honored in their generations,
and were the glory of their times.
8 There are some of them who have left a name,
so that men declare their praise.
9 And there are some who have no memorial,
who have perished as though they had not lived;
they have become as though they had not been born,
and our fathers in their generations.
2 The Lord apportioned to them[a] great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
3 There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and were men renowned for their power,
giving counsel by their understanding,
and proclaiming prophecies;
4 leaders of the people in their deliberations
and in understanding of learning for the people,
wise in their words of instruction;
5 those who composed musical tunes,
and set forth verses in writing;
6 rich men furnished with resources,
living peaceably in their habitations—
7 all these were honored in their generations,
and were the glory of their times.
8 There are some of them who have left a name,
so that men declare their praise.
9 And there are some who have no memorial,
who have perished as though they had not lived;
they have become as though they had not been born,
and so have their children after them.
10 But these were men of mercy,
whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
11 their prosperity will remain with their descendants,
and their inheritance to their children’s children.[b]
12 Their descendants stand by the covenants;
their children also, for their sake.
13 Their posterity will continue for ever,
and their glory will not be blotted out.
14 Their bodies were buried in peace,
and their name lives to all generations.
15 Peoples will declare their wisdom,
and the congregation proclaims their praise.
As we remember Those who lost their lives in service to our country and nations throughout the world,let us remember especially all of our family members and us who are grieving their loss. Tonight's prayers come from: To Comfort all those of us who mourn especially during the holidays ( Good For any time)
Let us be at prayer.
God of all comfort be with us who mourn that we may feel your loving arms around us.
God of all comfort help us to serve and come to the aid of the least of these.
God of all comfort heal all those who are ill and infirm.
God of all comfort help us us to reach out to the lonely and the lost
God of all comfort help us to be kind and loving to all children who are having a rough time this time of year. May we show them that we understand and care and are willing to listen to them without judgement.
God of all comfort help us to listen with ears of the heart, mind, and spirit.
God of all comfort we pray for peace in your fragile and broken world.
God of all comfort we pray for everyone who has been a victim of violence and abuse of any kind.
God of all comfort help families who need to learn to be loving, compassionate , show loving kindness and warmth.
God of all comfort help us to lovingly respond to all of our family members.
God of all comfort we add our prayers for ourselves and those on behalf of others especially____________
We pray these prayers and offer them in the Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Optional Prayers
Now as we turn our hearts towards our time of prayer we ask that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit be in our midst. We give thanks for their loving and sustaining presence in our hearts, bodies, minds, and spirits and most especially in our lives.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray especially this night for all those who have been affected by gun violence of any kind. We pray for the families, victims, and the communities. We also lift up the city of Roseburg that as they continue to mourn they may find comfort in each other.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for peace in God's fragile and broken world. May we as Children of God become blessed peacemakers and help soothe and care for the tenderhearted who are living in fear, terror, and adversity.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for all those who are in need of healing of body, mind, and spirit. We pray for the healing of those who are living with chronic and mental illnesses. May we as their caregivers and friends offer them solace and a soft place in which to fall. We remember them now by name____________.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for all those who are the least of these that they may find shelter, food, and clothing. Give us courage to step up and help .
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray for all agencies and organizations that help minister to the needs of children, women, those who have been abused, chronic disease research and patient care. We remember especially this month: All Breast Cancer foundations, A.I.D.S. foundations, and Alzheimer's foundations.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray for all faith communities and the cclergy who minister to them . We pray for a climate of love, dignity, and respect for all our family members who differ from us and that we may grow in love and unity towards and with them.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray especially this night for all those who have been affected by gun violence of any kind. We pray for the families, victims, and the communities. We also lift up the city of Roseburg that as they continue to mourn they may find comfort in each other.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for peace in God's fragile and broken world. May we as Children of God become blessed peacemakers and help soothe and care for the tenderhearted who are living in fear, terror, and adversity.
Silence and reflection for a space.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for all those who are the least of these that they may find shelter, food, and clothing. Give us courage to step up and help .
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray for all agencies and organizations that help minister to the needs of children, women, those who have been abused, chronic disease research and patient care. We remember especially this month: All Breast Cancer foundations, A.I.D.S. foundations, and Alzheimer's foundations.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray for all faith communities and the cclergy who minister to them . We pray for a climate of love, dignity, and respect for all our family members who differ from us and that we may grow in love and unity towards and with them.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray and give thanks for all Caregivers: Remembering : Family members, Clergy, home health, hospice workers, mortuary ministries, EMTs., Police, Firefighters, Troops, day care workers, teachers and anyone else who provides care and protection for us.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We pray this night for all refugees,immigrants, captives, political prisoners, prisoners, those who are victims of human trafficking and slavery. and all who are in danger and have been victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We especially pray for all the leaders of the nations of the world and especially our President that they may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God and that they may have the courage to lead in times of trouble and in times of plenty.
Silence and reflection for a space.
We add our additional prayers, thanksgivings, remembrances, and celebrations to you Lord Jesus as we pray lovingly in their names and ours ________________ We pray these our prayers in Jesus most holy and life giving name. Am
Resources:
A to Z Quotes
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Beliefnet- Prayer of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship 1
Prayers of Power
Satucket Lectionary
Walk With Me On Our Journey
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