Our daily vigil for peace continues!

Good Evening Dear Family!

I hope everyone is taking time our for our first weekend of self-care of the new year. We are going to need it. Tonight we light our candles and turn on our porch lights as we continue to make vigil and pray for peace. We have two sets of lessons from which to choose and our Saturday evening canticle selection.

Let us engage in our "Peace be Stills" and breathing exercises:

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace.

Inhale gently.

Exhale gently.

Pause.

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace.

Inhale gently.

Exhale gently.

Pause.

Peace be still.

Peace be.

Peace .

Inhale gently.

Exhale gently.

Pause.

As they say on shampoo bottles "Lather, rinse, repeat"

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. -Matthew 15:18-19

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together

with the saints and members of the household of God.

Ephesians 2:19

God is Spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and

in truth. John 4:24

O God, be not far from us.

Come quickly to help us, O God.

Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the

beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Alleluia

"I will light candles this Christmas, Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage where fear is ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long." ~ Howard Thurman

Let us light our candles of love and unity as we enter into this time of sacred prayer and make vigil.

God of all love we come together tonight to accept your call to light our candles and pray. We pray this night to be loving towards one another. We pray this night for guidance in how we can best serve you in the world. We pray that we may be more giving of ourselves to others. We pray that we may be able to be hopeful and hope-filled to this fragile and broken world. We pray that we may shine your light and help people out of the dark places they find themselves in. We pray that we may be supportive in what ever decisions people make,  We pray for the least of these who struggle with the day to day issues of living. We pray that everyone will be lovingly included and not excluded and invisible. We pray that we may be peacemakers and children of God. We pray that we may "Strive for justice, and respect the dignity of every human being"* We pray that we may build bridges and tear down walls. We pray for the courage to speak truth to power. We pray for an end to hatred, violence and terror. We pray that we may use our voices not to hurt but to heal. We pray this night that we all may be one and that we may continue to pray for ___________ and all places where terror and violence have occurred even when the media fails to report it. May we all be one with those who mourn and stand vigil for the peace of the world and in the places where there is danger. God we lift up these prayers to you with hurting hearts, open hands up lifted, with loving care and voices. Amen.


How good and pleasant a thing it is when God’s people live together in unity. Psalm 133:1

"We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better." ~ Thurgood Marshall


"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?' These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will be many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." - Henri Nouwen

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.

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.

CANTICLE A SONG OF GOD’S STRENGTH IN MERCY

Wisdom 12:13,16-19

Your care, O God, encompasses all creation! *

Nor is there any god besides you.

To whom do you need to prove *

that your judgments are just?

For your righteousness comes from your strength, *

and your dominion makes way for your mercy;

for you show your might when mortals doubt your sovereignty; *

you rebuke those who treat it with contempt.

Although you rule in boundless power, *

you administer justice with mildness;

you govern us with great forbearance *

though you are free to act without constraint.

You have taught your people by such deeds *

that all who would be righteous must be kind.

You have filled your children with good hope *

by stirring them to repent for their sins.

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.

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

The Beatitudes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

+++

Great God, who has told us
“Vengeance is mine,”
save us from ourselves,
save us from the vengeance in our hearts
and the acid in our souls.

Save us from our desire to hurt as we have been hurt,
to punish as we have been punished,
to terrorize as we have been terrorized.

Give us the strength it takes
to listen rather than to judge,
to trust rather than to fear,
to try again and again to make peace even when peace eludes us.

We ask, O God, for the grace
to be our best selves.

We ask for the vision
to be builders of the human community
rather than its destroyers.

We ask for the humility as a people
to understand the fears and hopes of other peoples.

We ask for the love it takes
to bequeath to the children of the world to come
more than the failures of our own making.

We ask for the heart it takes to care for all people
as well as for ourselves.

Give us the depth of soul, O God,
to constrain our might,
to resist the temptations of power
to refuse to attack the attackable,
to understand that vengeance begets violence,
and to bring peace–not war–wherever we go…

And so may we be merciful
and patient
and gracious
and trusting
with these others whom you also love.

This we ask through Jesus,
the one without vengeance in his heart.

This we ask forever and ever. Amen

— Sister Joan Chittister

Saturday Canticles:

A Song of Pilgrimage Priusquam errarem

Ecclesiasticus 51:13-16,20b-22

Before I ventured forth,

even while I was very young, *

I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.

In the forecourts of the temple I asked for her, *

and I will seek her to the end.

From first blossom to early fruit, *

she has been the delight of my heart.

My foot has kept firmly to the true path, *

diligently from my youth have I pursued her.

I inclined my ear a little and received her; *

I found for myself much wisdom and became adept in her.

To the one who gives me wisdom will I give glory, *

for I have resolved to live according to her way.

From the beginning I gained courage from her, *

therefore I will not be forsaken.

In my inmost being I have been stirred to seek her, *

therefore have I gained a good possession.

As my reward the Almighty has given me the gift of language,*

and with it will I offer praise to God.

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.

A Song of True Motherhood

Julian of Norwich

God chose to be our mother in all things *

and so made the foundation of his work,

most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.

God, the perfect wisdom of all, *

arrayed himself in this humble place.

Christ came in our poor flesh *

to share a mother’s care.

Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *

our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.

Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *

until the full time of his passion.

And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *

still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.

All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *

for the love of Christ works in us;

Christ is the one whom we love.

136 Confitemini

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

4 Who only does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

5 Who by wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

7 Who created great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

8 The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

10 Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

11 And brought out Israel from among them, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

12 With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

13 Who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

16 Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

17 Who struck down great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

18 And slew mighty kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

20 And Og, the king of Bashan, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

21 And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

22 An inheritance for Israel his servant, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

24 And delivered us from our enemies, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

25 Who gives food to all creatures, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for his mercy endures for ever.



Ephesians 5:1-20


51Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2and live in love, as Christ loved us* and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Renounce Pagan Ways

3 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be associated with them. 8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
‘Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’

15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise,16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 9:1-12,35-38

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

9As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We* must work the works of him who sent me* while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ 9Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ 10But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ 11He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ 12They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’* 36He answered, ‘And who is he, sir?* Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ 37Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ 38He said, ‘Lord,* I believe.’ And he worshipped him.

Lessons from the Feast of Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Here are a few wise sayings of hers:

"We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"Faith lifts the soul, Hope supports it, Experience says it must and Love says...let it be!." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"Live simply, so that all may simply live." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"Cheerfulness prepares a glorious mind for all the noblest acts." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"Be attentive to the voice of grace." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him." ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

"God is everywhere, in the very air I breathe, yes everywhere, but in His Sacrament of the Altar He is as present actually and really as my soul within my body; in His Sacrifice daily offered as really as once offered on the Cross" ~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

Psalm 119

Nun Lucerna pedibus meis

105 Your word is a lantern to my feet *

and a light upon my path.

106 I have sworn and am determined *

to keep your righteous judgments.

107 I am deeply troubled; *

preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *

and teach me your judgments.

109 My life is always in my hand, *

yet I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a trap for me, *

but I have not strayed from your commandments.

111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *

truly, they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *

for ever and to the end.

2 Esdras 2:15-24

Exhortation to Good Works

15 ‘Mother, embrace your children; bring them up with gladness, as does a dove; strengthen their feet, because I have chosen you, says the Lord. 16And I will raise up the dead from their places, and bring them out from their tombs, because I recognize my name in them. 17Do not fear, mother of children, for I have chosen you, says the Lord. 18I will send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded with various fruits, 19and the same number of springs flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains on which roses and lilies grow; by these I will fill your children with joy.

20 ‘Guard the rights of the widow, secure justice for the ward, give to the needy, defend the orphan, clothe the naked, 21care for the injured and the weak, do not ridicule the lame, protect the maimed, and let the blind have a vision of my splendour. 22Protect the old and the young within your walls. 23When you find any who are dead, commit them to the grave and mark it,* and I will give you the first place in my resurrection. 24Pause and be quiet, my people, because your rest will come.

Luke 14:15-23

The Parable of the Great Dinner

15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ 16Then Jesus* said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” 19Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” 20Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” 21So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” 22And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” 23Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.

Give us grace, O God, to love you in all things and above all things, that following the example of your servant Elizabeth Ann Seton we might express our love for you in the service of others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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.

In your presence O God, we come together as one family of love. Give us courage to lay down the weaponry of hate and find common ground. 

In your presence O God, take all the gunk in our lives that prevent us from truly serving you and the least of these. 

In your presence O God, give us courage to discern where you are sending us and help us to respond accordingly with "Here I am send me"! 

In your presence  O God, make us truly the Beloved Community intent upon serving you and our family members with CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) 

In your presence O God, help us to stand fast and ready to speak truth to power and seek out ways to be the change you want to see in the world. 

In your presence O God, may we feel and know your love for us so that we may serve others.  In your presence O God, we offer these our prayers________________________________ 

In your presence O God we lift up these our prayers to you in the name of your only begotten Son Jesus. Amen.

We close our vigil with these prayers: 

The Woke Prayers of St. Francis 

Help us O God to be woke! Woke as your peacemakers, change makers, heart changers, and love energy bringers! 

Woke to the hatred so that we may sow seeds of love. Woke to the injury so that we may heal the hurt and cease the harm. 

Woke to the divisiveness that we may be eager to heal and unite as one neighborhood and family. 

Woke to uncertainty that will lead us to be renewed in faith.

Woke to the despair of all our neighbors so that we may sow seeds of radical hope, love, hospitality, and inclusion. 

Woke to the knowledge that we are God's beloved children. 

Woke to sing the words of We are One in The Spirit Peter Scholte

1- 

We are One in The Spirit, 

We are One in The Lord. 

We are One in The Spirit, 

We are One in The Lord. 

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Chorus 

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, 

By our Love, 

Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

-2- 

We will work with each other, 

We will work side by side. 

We will work with each other, 

We will work side by side. 

And we'll guard each man's dignity 

And save each man's pride.

Chorus

-3- 

We will work with each other, 

We will work side by side. 

We will work with each other, 

We will work side by side. 

And we'll guard each man's dignity 

And save each man's pride.

Chorus

-3- 

We will walk with each other, 

We will walk hand in hand. 

We will walk with each other, 

We will walk hand in hand. 

And together we'll spread the News 

that God is in our land.

Help us to be woke enough not to think of ourselves being the comforted, help us be the comforters and wounded healers. 

Help not to be know it alls and be woke to understand what is plaguing our inner beings, neighbors, neighborhoods, the least of these, our family members.

God wake us up to be Woke to your agape love so that we may love everything that you have made.

 Wake us to be Woke to Radical Love, Hospitality, and inclusion.

Help us to know that being truly woke means being open to radical and random acts of kindness and giving. Where the giver is given and receives much by acts of giving. 

Help us to be woke enough to forgive and then find ourselves being actually forgiven  

God Wake us Up to Be Woke to know that death isn't the end but only the beginning of a new birth in your heavenly Kindom. Amen and let it be so! 

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.  

Let us now pray to God who is Love. God of Love we pray that in this year to come we may practice random acts of kindness and love radically and more fully than we ever have before. God of Love we pray that we may love one another not half-heartedly but fully and with out  fear. God of Love we  pray for the healing of divisions throughout our land in war-torn nations. May love and peace prevail in this your fragile and broken world. God of Love we pray for the healing of those who are ill in body, mind, and spirit. We remember Baby Sophia and Mallorie and all of our family members and those who have asked us to pray for. God of Love we pray for all those who are homeless, hungry, and have nowhere to lay their heads in this cold weather. May they have courage to seek shelter and the many warming centers that are available. Protect them and keep them safe from harm. God of Love we pray for all pets and all animals who aren't being protected from the cold weather. May the owners of their pets show loving concern for their fluffy family members. God of Love we pray for justice, universal human rights and the courage to lovingly respond to those who are voiceless and need us to speak truth to power. God of Love be with our family members who grieve losses that are new and those that are ongoing. Give us compassionate hearts to love them through dark times and show them the light of your love. God of Love we pray for all of our family members who live in the Thin Places where eternal joy and light are to be found. God of Love we pray for all our family members who have children returning to school this week and those who have a little while longer to wait. God of Love we pray for the protection of our most vulnerable family members remembering children, elderly, differently-abled, those with memory disorders. God of Love we pray for all our family members who are awaiting surgery and who are hospitalized. God of Love we pray for ___________________________ God of Love we give thanks for______________________ God of Love we celebrate____________________________ God of Love we remember___________________________ We lay these our prayers at the feet of Jesus who is Love incarnate and in His Most Holy Name. Amen. And these prayers for good Measure: Let us pray that we all may be well and healthy in body, mind and spirit! God and giver of life and health return our bodies, minds, and spirits to wholeness and may we be healed of any and all illness. May we all be well and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. God and giver of life and health return our country and the nations of the world to the state of peace and unity so that we all may be one with you O God. May we all be well and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. God and giver of life and health we pray for all who are our most vulnerable family members who are homeless, hungry, and ill-clad. We pray that they may be safe from the elements tonight. May we all be all be well and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. God and giver of life and health we pray for all who are dying and who have died this day that they leave this world in joy, warmth, and in your loving and sustaining arms. May we all see death as the return to our souls to the stars and Thin Places. and be truly well and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. God and giver of life and health we pray especially for_________________________ Mat we all be well and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. God and giver of life and health we pray and give thanks for your Love and mercy that sustains us each nano-second that we live, move, and just be. God and give of life and health sustain and give respite to all caregivers that they may not be afflicted with great stress and illness. May we all be well and healthy, in body, mind, and spirit. Jesus as you are the Great and Glorious Physician we offer these our prayers in your most holy name. Amen. 6  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. CANTICLE 17 The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis Luke 2:29-32 Lord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Intercessions  for the 12 Days of Christmas 1. Gracious and loving God be with us tonight as the 12 days of Christmas come to a close and await the Epiphany of our Lord tomorrow. Help us to bring to Jesus in the manger and our mangers in our heart homes love, mercy, peace, hope, and joy. 2. Gracious and loving God we pray that we may be your agents of love,hope, joy, and peace and carry the light that was in the star of  Bethlehem to all the four corners of the world so that all of our family members may come to know you as the God of Love not war. 3. Gracious and loving God We pray for all those who are in the dark places of mental illness.  Give them the light of proper help so that they may live manageable lives. 4. Gracious and loving God we pray for all refugees remembering the Holy Family, Abraham and Sarah, and Hagar who made journeys into other lands to escape violence, danger, and oppression.  5. Gracious and loving God we pray for all who are ill and those who have are in the hospital. We pray for your gracious gift of healing.  We remember___________ and all others who are on our hearts. 6. Gracious and loving God we pray for all of our family members who are without proper shelter, food, and clothing in the winter time. May we be mindful of the least of these and that warming centers may be made available for help. 7. Gracious and loving God may we become the voices for the voiceless,  speak truth to power. and let justice roll down.  8. Gracious and loving God we pray that we all may be one as you, Jesus, and and the Holy Spirit are one. 10. Gracious and loving God we pray and give thanks for all those who are fervent in prayer and steadfast in the service of your kingdom here on Earth. We pray that peace may prevail upon this your fragile and broken world. 11. Gracious and loving God we pray for all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones especially those who are grieving sudden losses. 12. Gracious and loving God we pray that we may walk with you on your journey and remember the wise men from the East who came to seek your son. May we always be seeking and finding Jesus abiding in our heart homes and that we may know Him as Love in human and divine form.  May we continue to make our heart homes a place of love, joy, hope,and peace. Accept these our prayers in the name of your Son Jesus the Christ. Amen. Cetlic Tidbits from The Northumbria Community Saturday – The Patrick Compline Patrick (389-461) was a Briton and a former slave in Ireland. He became the ‘Apostle to Ireland’, travelling widely, evangelizing tirelessly and organizing churches and monasteries. He established his episcopal seat in Armagh, which became the centre of Christianity in the whole of Ireland. Patrick was fearless in the pursuit of his aim: to destroy paganism and to exalt the name of the Triune God. 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) In the name of the King of life; in the name of the Christ of love; in the name of the Holy Spirit: the Triune of my strength. * I love you, O Lord my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge. * I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. * I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. I am placing my soul and my body under Thy guarding this night, O Christ. May Thy cross this night be shielding me. * Into Your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of Truth. * The God of life with guarding hold you; the loving Christ with guarding fold you; the Holy Spirit, guarding, mould you; each night of life to aid, enfold you; each day and night of life uphold you. May God shield me; may God fill me; may God keep me; may God watch me; may God bring me this night to the nearness of His love. * The peace of the Father of joy, the peace of the Christ of hope, the peace of the Spirit of grace, 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 When I look at the blood all I see is love, love, love. When I stop at the cross I can see the love of God. But I can’t see competition. I can’t see hierarchy. I can’t see pride or prejudice or the abuse of authority. I can’t see lust for power. I can’t see manipulation. I can’t see rage or anger or selfish ambition. I can’t see unforgiveness. I can’t see hate or envy. I can’t see stupid fighting or bitterness, or jealousy. I can’t see empire building. I can’t see self-importance. I can’t see back-stabbing or vanity or arrogance. I see surrender, sacrifice, salvation, humility, righteousness, faithfulness, grace, forgiveness, love! Love … love… When I stop! … at the cross I can see the love of God. Godfrey Birtill Good Night Beloved Community ! Sending love and Thanksgivings to you and yours. As we walk this year together let us keep the faith valiantly and seek to serve others with radical love and hospitality! May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another! Mizpah! Blessings and love, Sara Coming up on Monday The Good Book Club Returns! Here is the PDF Go For Gratitude:A REFLECTION GUIDE FOR THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Printer Version Resources Metis Aboriginal Ministries E BCP Prayers of Power A to Z Quotes A New Zealand Prayer Book Satucket Lectionary The Resistance Prays Walk With Me On Our Journey