Monday, November 11, 2019

Today we hold our own Special Vigil Time in remembrance and as our final day of rest and retreat.





Good Evening Dear Ones!

Happy Monday! I'm so sorry that I didn't blog yesterday. I was recovering from an extreme bout of rapid heartbeats or SVT(Super Ventricular Tachycardia). I ended up going to the ER following church and was there until almost 5:00 p.m. My body was and is recovering from this event. My Reveal LINQ Recorder is working perfectly and I have had over 35 episodes since its implantation. This week I need to follow up with my care team and get used to my new medication. What does that mean? Honor what God and your body is telling you to do when things go awry. So today we honor our bodies and yes our the veterans throughout all the ages.  Our lessons come from today's Eucharistic Lectionary. We are going to keep this basic.  

Here are the final quotes of Dorothy Day:

"Be close enough to people so that you are indifferent to the material. And also have faith." ~ Dorothy Day

"These powerless people at the bottom are the ones with whom we must begin. They must have the insight and the knowledge to work together and recognise that they are on the right track." ~ Dorothy Day

"Just as the birds of the air are fed, we'll continue to be fed." ~ Dorothy Day

"It's Godlike to love man - even in his sin - merely because he's man." ~ Dorothy Day

"The saying of Vatican II is above all, 'Conscience is supreme.'" ~ Dorothy Day

"When we have spiritual reading at meals, when we have the rosary at night, when we have study groups, forums, when we go out to distribute literature at meetings, or sell it on the street corners, Christ is there with us." ~ Dorothy Day


"Words are as strong and powerful as bombs, as napalm." ~ Dorothy Day

++++



Come let us worship.

I lie down in peace and take rest my rest
for it is in God alone that I dwell unafraid.

You Lord are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name. Leave us not. Jeremiah 14:9

Call to Worship

There is nothing in death or life,
in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers,
in the world as it is or the world as it shall be,
in the forces of the universe, in heights or depths-
nothing in all creation
which can separate us from the love of God
which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Love never comes to an end.



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.



Psalm 134 Ecce nunc
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.


Psalm 141:1-3,8ab Domine, clamavi
O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge.

We must remember this day always! Don't forget to read up on the back story of World War I and light a candle in memory of those who served.  We light our candles and turn on our porch lights as we pray for all veterans living and departed. This year we pray for all homeless veterans and those who are suffering from PTSD. 



As we remember our family of veterans and their loved ones let us take time out to remember what matters most and reflect upon this.


What Matters Most:

Loving God
Loving our Family Members
Loving ourselves
Caring for the least of these
Clothing the naked
Welcoming the stranger
Feeding the hungry.
Housing the homeless.
Sheltering those who live on the streets with warm and safe places to spend the night.
Giving water to those who are thirsty
Treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Handling everyone's tender selves with care.
Treading upon God's Cathedral of life with reverence and awe.
Making each day and moment we live holy.
Seeing God in each other.
Following in Jesus' footsteps where ever he leads us.
Loving our enemies.
Making peace in our hearts and in ourselves.  Becoming peacemakers at home and throughout our worldwide neighborhood.
Accepting and including everyone even if they rub you the wrong way 
Being a voice for the voiceless
Speaking truth to power
Respecting the dignity of every human being.
Comforting the widow and orphan
Comforting those who mourn.
Vigiling at the bedside of someone who is dying.
Respite and loving care for the care giver!
Learning to love and accept each other's differences with Love Energy!
Relaxing and renewing our bodies, minds, and spirits so that we may serve God and each other in God's Kindom and Kingdom.
The list is endless!

What Matters Most to you?
How do we make changes happen in our lives and what must we do?

How do we do this?

We rid ourselves of unnecessary labels.
We rid ourselves of or potential divisiveness 
We rid ourselves of hate
We rid ourselves of the need to one up each other
We rid ourselves of  unjust thoughts and actions
We rid ourselves of all harmful thoughts and prejudices
We rid ourselves of misconceptions.
We rid  ourselves of the many ways in which we seek to destroy each other 

Then what must we do?

We see each other as God's beautifully and unique child of  God made in God's image and likeness.
We see to strive to be united with God and each other.
We put on the garment of love and love one another 
We level the playing field and see each other as equals.
We sew seeds of justice, love, mercy, and peace.
We place in our minds thoughts of hope, joy, love, peace, and compassion.
We learn about one another and draw upon each other's strengths and courage.
We sew seeds of love and rely upon each other as family members and neighbors.
We must seek to love all humanity, living things, and care for God's Cathedral of  living, loving, moving, and being.


Let us be at prayer!

God we pray that we may lean upon one another and find perfect love and solace with all of our family members.

God we pray that we may finally take away all labels that divide us. 

God we pray that we may sew seeds of love not hate.

God we pray that we may see each other as equals and know that in your Kingdom we all get in and know this because of Jesus' saving action upon the cross.

God we pray that we may help promote peace and respect everyone's dignity.

God may we place our minds in the paths of right thinking .

God may we learn and lean on one another so that we may see our similarities not differences.

God may we draw upon each other's strengths and courage and be a soft place in which to fall.

God may we rely upon one another and not treat each other as invisible.

God  may we  strive to love one another and all of your animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.

God may we with you sew seeds of love, mercy , and justice.

God we pray for ourselves and all of our family members who have requested our prayers, thanksgivings, remembrances, and celebrations especially__________________


Jesus who called us to be friends ,may we be united one to another and lay these our prayers at your feet and loving arms and in your most Holy Name. Amen



Praise the Lord all you nations, acclaim the Most High all you peoples; for great is God’s love for us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.Psalm 117:1,2












Hymn

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at my end, and at my departing.

From The Resistance Prays

Holy God, 

We give thanks that you have made us all in your image and you love us all equally and endlessly. Forgive us for when we refuse to see you in other people, for when we choose isolation, disconnection, and dehumanization or else a vague hollow unity that denies full justice. Help us to be faithful to our calling to love one another in messy, hard, authentic relationship. Amen.

From the Industrial Christian Fellowship

This week's prayer Focus
Those involved in publishing and the printed word
Ever present God, Your Word is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path, and it is through the printed page that we are able to encounter your living word in Scripture. You give us intellect and reason that can be stretched and shared though the printed word, imagination and emotion so often engaged through poem and novel. Printed words are so much a part of our daily lives, so vital to who we are, yet so easily taken for granted. So we give you thanks for all those whose labours and endeavours place books and publications into our hands, and pray that you will help us to use this powerful vehicle of communication with care and responsibility. Through Jesus Christ, the Word become Flesh we pray. AMEN


139 Domine, probasti

1 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.

3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

4 You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.

5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

6 Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
where can I flee from your presence?

7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8 If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9 Even there your hand will lead me *
and your right hand hold me fast.





Wisdom 1:1-7

THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON

Exhortation to Uprightness

1Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth,
think of the Lord in goodness
and seek him with sincerity of heart; 
2 because he is found by those who do not put him to the test,
and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him. 
3 For perverse thoughts separate people from God,
and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish; 
4 because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul,
or dwell in a body enslaved to sin. 
5 For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit,
and will leave foolish thoughts behind,
and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness. 


6 For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words;
because God is witness of their inmost feelings,
and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues. 
7 Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world,
and that which holds all things together knows what is said,


A Song of Wisdom Sapientia liberavit
Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21

Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.

To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.

She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.

And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *
and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.


Luke 17:1-6

17Jesus* said to his disciples, ‘Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3Be on your guard! If another disciple* sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, “I repent”, you must forgive.’

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a* mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.


The Song of Mary Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

The Lord's prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book.

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.

or the alternative form.

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.


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.


By Your grace, O Lord, may I be a person of peace, a helper of the needy and an encourager of all who desire to seek and serve You; to the glory of Your name. Amen.

The Christ in me loves the Christ in you!

God we thank you for the gift of peace that dwells with each and every one of us if we allow ourselves to let you and the "peace that passes all understanding" in and your still small voice in. Help us to be still and know that you are always a Loving and Merciful God. 


God we give thanks for all the men and women of the armed forces throughout the world. We remember those who lost there lives in all wars especially in World War I on the Eleventh hour of the eleventh day or the the Eleventh year in the Twentieth Century.

God we pray that peace may prevail upon this your fragile and broken world.  May we seek to be peacemakers and give love to all of our family members even those who may wish us harm.

God we pray for all those who are near and dear to us who are dying and those who have entered into the Thin Places. We pray for all who mourn their losses. May we step up and give them loving and compassionate comfort.

God we pray for all of our most vulnerable family members and living things that are in danger and who do not have anyone to advocate on their behalf. God give us courage to speak truth to power and be a voice for the voiceless. 

God we pray for the healing of our bodies, minds, and spirits. We offer our prayers for those whom we have been asked to pray remembering__________________

God give us grace to be mindful of others and that we may not lose our manners, graciousness, and kindness. May we return to a common civility towards one another.

God take from us anything that separates us by our words and deeds. May we be truly united as your family O God.

God we pray for a restful and peaceful night. We pray that we may find rest and renewal for our bodies, minds, and spirits. May we awaken  rested, refreshed, renewed, and relaxed to serve you and others.

God may we be transfixed, transformed, and transfigured so that we may accept your call to serve you in your kingdom daily in our own lives and in the lives of others.

God we add our additional prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances now __________ .


God we pray these prayers in the name of  your Son Jesus The Christ our Redeemer, Brother, and Friend. Amen.

The Light of Christ in me recognizes the Christ in you!

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
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.



For the Human Family

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

 For the Future of the Human Race

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us
dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before
the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes
for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in
making provision for its future in accordance with your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.



For the Nation

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the
earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace:
Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the
strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in
accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For those in the Armed Forces of our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Heroic Service

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful
hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of
decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant
that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the
benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This
we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


 For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he
was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer
for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them
from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them
from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from
despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their
witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be
cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus
Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. 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 on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

For the Diversity of Races and Cultures

O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you
for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and
show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until
our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all
your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.




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.


You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground they spit upon themselves.

This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected.
 - Chief Seattle

Celtic Peace Prayer from Antiquity

Deep Peace of the running wave to you
Deep Peace of the flowing air to you
Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep Peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the shades of night to you
Moon and stars always giving Light to you.
 - Celtic Peace Prayer

A Prayer for Healing

We join with the earth and with each other
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air
We join with the earth and with each other
To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures
We join with the earth and with each other
To celebrate the seas
To rejoice the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars
We join with the earth and with each other
To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children
We join with the earth and with each other
We join together as many and diverse expressions
Of one loving mystery, for the healing of earth and the renewal of all life
- National Institute of Open Schooling, India 4

In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the inter-related structure of reality.
 - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Prayer For Peace

I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. 
I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. 
My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. 
Let us work together for unity and love.
 - Mahatma Gandhi

Sufi Prayer for Peace

Send Thy peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting,
that our souls may radiate peace.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may think, act,
and speak harmoniously.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may be contented
and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife
we may enjoy thy bliss.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may endure all,
tolerate all in the thought of thy grace and mercy.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a
divine vision, and in Thy light all darkness may vanish. 
Send Thy peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we
Thy children on earth may all unite in one family.
 - Sufi Prayer 


 For our Country - BCP

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our
heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and
pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend
our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes
brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue
with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust
the authority of government, that there may be justice and
peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we
may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



The Song of Simeon    Nunc Dimittis
          Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
    to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
    whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
    and the glory of your people Israel.



May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus
Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods
over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and
remain with you always. Amen


Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the
enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in
peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. 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)



God bless us and keep us,
God’s face shine on us and be gracious to us,
and give us light and peace.


Good Night Beloved Ones! I love you and may we all be one! I give thanks to God for you this day and always! We are on the count down towards Celtic Advent! Stay tuned!




Blessings, and CALM(Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy),

Sara



Resources:
Enriching Our Worship 1
Book of Common Prayer
Northumbria Community
A to Z Quotes
Walk With Me On Our Journey
YouTube
Metis Aboriginal Ministries for Smudging prayer
A New Zealand Prayer Book

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