Friday, June 12, 2020

Orlando at 4! Speaking Names, Praying, and making Vigil.








Good Evening Beloved Community!

A blessed Friday to you all. This is a somber day of remembrance where we annually speak the names of the Orlando 49 and remember to speak the name of Medgar Evers who was killed on this day too.  We ponder in silence and resolve to take action and speak out against all hatred, bigotry, and violence towards anyone. We hold stock- still as we remember all people in the LGBTQ community and who have been victims of violence since Orlando and resolve never to let their legacies be forgotten. So let us begin.
We begin by ringing a virtual bell 49 times.





We light a candle(s) or turn on our porch lights.


Tonight we light our candles and pray for strength and courage to love one another and fight injustice.


God you have commanded us to love one another and be your children, tonight as we light our candles and pray at whatever time this is read  let us be one. We pray that we may use our prayer muscles  to serve the least of these who haven't any voice. We pray that we may have the courage to love one another and fight the injustices that divide us and put us in harms way. We pray that we may have courage to act and say #NotOneMore, #NoMoreOrlandos , #EndGunViolenceNow. Give us we pray the courage to stand together with our brothers and sisters of the LGBTQIA, Islamic, and Latino communities and seek to learn from each other. We pray that we may rise together and stand against all forms of oppression, discrimination, and isolationism. We pray that we may seek to stand in support for mental health services and that we may be able to get help for those who need it earlier rather than later. We pray this day for each other. Help us to build each other up and not tear each other down. We pray that we may build bridges of love, peace, and understanding and that we may carry your light, your love, and your peace into this world. We pray this in the name of God who sustains,Jesus who heals, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us. Amen. 






We honor the earth and those who have died by a virtual smudging prayer and ceremony if you have access to one.





 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. 
We focus on this picture of our beloved brothers and sisters, the Orlando 49



Now we speak our brother's and sister's names.


"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."

We pray for the victims by Name:

Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
Cory James Connell, 21 years old
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old


We take time to pause, pray, and reflect upon the precious lives lost and affected by the tragedy in Orlando. No additional words necessary only the names, prayers, and lessons.

Let us pause and remember these beloved ones too.



Let us light our candles, turn on our porch lights and say this response after every name aloud! 
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." ...







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


I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though he die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed himself to me in faith,
shall not die for ever.

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. 
After my awaking, he will raise me up;
and in my body I shall see God.
I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him
who is my friend and not a stranger.

For none of us has life in himself,
and none becomes his own master when he dies. 
For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, 
and if we die, we die in the Lord.
So, then, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord's possession.

 Happy from now on
are those who die in the Lord!
So it is, says the Spirit,
for they rest from their labors.
 

We remember the words of St. Francis:  

The Peace Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I 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.


Psalm 42
For the director of music. A maski of the Sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.


Jeremiah 31:15-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

15 Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
    lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted for her children,
    because they are no more.
16 Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping,
    and your eyes from tears;
for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord:
    they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
17 there is hope for your future,
says the Lord:
    your children shall come back to their own country.


Psalm 23
The Divine Shepherd
A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;[a]
3     he restores my soul.[b]
He leads me in right paths[c]
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[d]
    I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely[e] goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

Matthew 5:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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.
 The Song of Mary    Magnificat
          Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
    the Almighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
    to Abraham and his children for ever.


Psalm 142:1-6 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
A Maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A Prayer.

1 With my voice I cry to the Lord;
    with my voice I make supplication to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
    I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit is faint,
    you know my way.
In the path where I walk
    they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look on my right hand and see—
    there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
    no one cares for me.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Give heed to my cry,
    for I am brought very low.
Save me from my persecutors,
    for they are too strong for me.

God we come to you this night still with heavy hearts and we pray as we have been doing for the past four years remembering our brothers and sisters who perished at Pulse in Orlando and every day since. We pray and remember them  again, each by name and this night and respond with "Let light perpetual shine upon them"


Amanda Alvear, 25 years old

"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Cory James Connell, 21 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon her"

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"

Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old
"Let light perpetual shine upon him"



God we lift up these precious ones to you as a reminder that life is precious and that we know that you know us all by name and love us. We pray that we may come together in memory and in honor of all your children to affect positive change in this fragile and broken world that you have made. 

Help us we pray to build bridges and tear down walls. Give us strength to truly to become peacemakers and your children.

God we pray for the least of these who are homeless, hungry, without sufficient clothing and we remember especially that these are our family members who need our compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy. 

God we pray for compassionate immigration reform as we remember all refugees . We pray that all families may be kept together and remember the children who were born here are beloved citizens.

We pray for freedom to practice our faiths with out fear and the need to divide and profile us by the faith(s) we practice.

We pray for an end to all forms of violence, terror, bullying and abuse both in action and in words.


We pray for peace, unity, and justice, and remember as in the baptismal covenant  in the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER as one of the questions " Will you strive for justice and peace among all
people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Help us we pray that we may lay down all weaponry of hate and division and be united in heart, mind, and spirit. 

We pray for seasonable weather and a respect and conservation of God's Cathedral of Life. We pray for help reducing our carbon footprints and solutions to global warming and climate change. We pray for the care of all of our animal kingdom and all endangered species. We pray for laws banning imported ivory and all wild game hunts.

We pray  for all victims of hate, bullying, abuse, human trafficking, and all who have died because of their sexual orientation and gender. 

We pray and give thanks this day for_________________________________

We lift up these our prayers in the name of  (Place your own deity of choice here) Amen. 

or these
Let us pray!

Dear God we sometimes cannot explain the unexplainable but that is when we must and need to have faith in you.  As we continue to walk with you on our journey may we have faith to put our feet on your holy ground and walk with love and purpose and  be your hands, feet, love, voice, arms and bodies in your world. Amen.
                                                   
           In Perfect Harmony a Prayer in the Key of Jesus- The Key of Jesus is  love!

Help us to walk, pray, think and love in the key of Jesus.

Help us to bring hope, make peace, give joy, and show love in the key of Jesus.

Lord help us to shine the light of Christ's love to the world in the key of Jesus.

Help us to be your grace and spirit filled  ministers and  tender and loving caregivers in the key of Jesus.

Help us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you and in the key Jesus.

Help us to have compassion, be a comfort to those who are lonely, ill, hungry, and homeless in the key of Jesus.

Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus and your Cathedral of Life in which we live. Amen!


 Settings of the Lord's Prayer as found in 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.

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind, in the waves, and in our hearts
Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind,in  the waves.
Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind.
Be still and hear the whisper of God.
Be still and hear the whisper.
Be still and hear.
Be still.
Be.

God is Love and where true love is,God himself is there!
God is Love and where true love is God himself is.
God is Love and where true love is God
God is Love and where true love is.
God is Love

We remember these words
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 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)

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the eternal covenant: Make you perfect in
every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 ++++++

Good Night Dear Ones, I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. Let us take time to tell our family members that we love them.  May we practice love, random acts of kindness, and radical hospitality.

With love prayers, and blessings,

Sara

Optional prayers from Enriching Our Worship 2

For Survivors of Abuse and Violence
Holy One, you do not distance yourself from the pain of your
people, but in Jesus bear that pain with us and bless all who suffer
at others’ hands. Hallow our flesh and all creation; with your
cleansing love bring healing and strength to N.; and by your
justice, lift her/him up, that in the body you have given her/him,
she/he may again rejoice. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In Times of Personal Distress
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered
as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize
that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have
no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for
eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen.

For a Child Who Dies by Violence

Loving God, Jesus gathered your little ones in his arms and
blessed them. Have pity on those who mourn for N., an innocent
slaughtered by the violence of our fallen world. Be with us as we
struggle with the mysteries of life and death; in our pain, bring
your comfort, and in our sorrow, bring your hope and your
promise of new life, in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
or this


God our deliverer, gather our horror and pity for the death of
your child N. into the compass of your wisdom and strength, that
through the night we may seek and do what is right, and when
morning comes trust ourselves to your cleansing justice and new
life; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
or this

God, do not hide your face from us in our anger and grief for the
death of N. Renew us in hope that your justice will roll down
like mighty waters and joy spring up from the broken ground in a
living stream; through Jesus our Savior. Amen.



For One Who has Killed
Holy God, we lift into the light of your justice N. [the one] who
has taken the life of your child N. Where our hearts are stone
return to us hearts of flesh; that grief may not swallow us up, but
new life find us through Jesus the crucified, with whom we are
raised by your power. Amen.


For Those Who Mourn
God of compassion and strength: keep safe the soul of your child
N., whose moment of pain and fear is past. Send your healing to
N. [and N.] and all who mourn, that their suffering may find
peace and resolution within your love, whose Spirit gives life in
Christ our Savior. Amen.

or this

Most loving God: the death of your Son has opened to us a new
and living way. Give us hope to overcome our despair; help us to
surrender N. to your keeping, and let our sorrow find comfort in
your care; through the name and presence of Jesus our Savior.
Amen.
or this

God, as Mary stood at the foot of the cross, we stand before you
with broken hearts and tearful eyes. Keep us mindful that you
know our pain, and free us to see your resurrection power
already at work in N.’s life. In your time, raise us from our grief
as you have raised N. to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our
Savior. Amen.
or this

Merciful God, you grant to children an abundant entrance into
your kingdom. In your compassion, comfort those who mourn
for N., and grant us grace to conform our lives to her/his innocence
and faith, that at length, united with her/him, we may
stand in your presence in the fullness of joy; for the sake of Jesus
Christ. Amen.

Resources

Book of Common Prayer
Satucket Lectionary
Oremus Bible Browser
Walk With Me On Our Journey
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Other Sources as Noted


Posted 20 June 2016 on Facebook

I have a dream that we will wake up and be the country our fore-fathers and fore-mothers dreamed it would be. A country where Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy are not only talked about but practiced every nano second of the day.
A country where our elected officials wake up and understand that they work for us not big corporations, lobbies, and organizations that truly do not care about our citizenry. A country where we can feel safe without weapons and know that we don't have to fear people who are different from us. A country where freedom of religion is inclusive and not exclusive. A country where we can live authentically and not be forced back into the closet. A country where we listen with open minds and hearts. A country that really cares about the least of these. A country where each person is educated and knows the history of all the people in our country and especially the histories of the Native Americans, LGBTQIA, African Americans, Latin Americans, Slavery, Muslims, and every diverse group of people who came to this country. A country where our succeeding generations have a place to call home, a place where they don't have to fear, a place where they can live in peace, love and diversity. A country where we are building bridges of understanding and not putting up walls that divide. Just a few rambling thoughts. I love you!

+++

Bonus readings for our study on The Sermon on the Mount! Today is the feast of Enmegahbowh 




129 SÅ“pe expugnaverunt

1 "Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth," *
let Israel now say;

2 "Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth, *
but they have not prevailed against me."

3 The plowmen plowed upon my back *
and made their furrows long.

4 The Lord, the Righteous One, *
has cut the cords of the wicked.

5 Let them be put to shame and thrown back, *
all those who are enemies of Zion.

6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops, *
which withers before it can be plucked;

7 Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, *
nor the bosom of him who binds the sheaves;

8 So that those who go by say not so much as,
"The Lord prosper you. *
We wish you well in the Name of the Lord."

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’ 
8 Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion. 
9 Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem. 
10 The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God. 


A Different Look at the Sermon on the Mount from The Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:17-23

Jesus Teaches and Heals

17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Blessings and Woes

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God. 
21 ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
   for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.

22 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you* on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.


Almighty God, who led your pilgrim people of old by fire and cloud: Grant that the ministers of your Church, following the example of your servant Enmegahbowh, may lead your people with fiery zeal and gentle humility. This we ask through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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