Two Vigils for the Price of One! One for New Year's Eve and One in Remembrance of Archbishop Desmond Tutu!

 

Good Evening Beloved Ones

It us 4:15  Pacific Standard Time on New Years Eve on the land of the Chumash! Welcome to our time of making holy vigil and reflecting on the year past. My reflection will be at the end of this blog as I believe it is time to light our candles, turn on our porch lights, and be at prayer. Our prayer format comes from the BOOK OF OCCASIONAL SERVICES 2018. It follows a similar pattern to what we do here on a regular basis. So dear family let us begin.

Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a 

hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp to put it under a 

bucket, but on a lamp-stand where it gives light for everyone 

in the house. And you, like the lamp, must shed light among 

your fellow men, so that they may see the deed you do, and 

give glory to your Father in heaven."    Matthew 5:14-16

It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ 

Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake. 

For the same God who said, "Out of darkness let light shine," 

has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of

 revelation—the revelation of the glory of God in the face of 

Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:5-6

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light 

around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O 

Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to 

you are both alike.    Psalm 139:10-11

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of

your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our

hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

O Gracious Light    Phos hilaron

O gracious light, 

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, 

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, 

and our eyes behold the vesper light, 

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of Life, 

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

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.

"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

We continue to hold sacred space for all who mourn and remember in this healing circle of love: We continue to remember and as in the African Proverb:
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."

We speak these names before you this night: 

Jakelin Caal Maquin, Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, Adrian Alvarez:

Help us to remember this as we pray and make vigil tonight:

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

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.

"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

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

Silence

Compassionate God,

we confess our weaknesses and our need for your

strengthening touch.

We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,

while others are beyond our control.

We turn to you, source of life,

and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ

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

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

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

power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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.

A Season for all Things

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Everything Has Its Time

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

The God-Given Task

9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. 14 I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.[a]

90    Domine, refugium

 

1 Lord, you have been our refuge *

    from one generation to another.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

or the land and the earth were born, *

    from age to age you are God.

 

3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *

    "Go back, O child of earth."

 

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday

                             when it is past *

    and like a watch in the night.

 

5 You sweep us away like a dream; *

    we fade away suddenly like the grass.

 

6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *

    in the evening it is dried up and withered.

 

7 For we consume away in your displeasure; *

    we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.

 

8 Our iniquities you have set before you, *

    and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

 

9 When you are angry, all our days are gone; *

    we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

 

10 The span of our life is seventy years,

perhaps in strength even eighty; *

    yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow,

    for they pass away quickly and we are gone.

 

11 Who regards the power of your wrath? *

    who rightly fears your indignation?

 

12 So teach us to number our days *

    that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

 

13 Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *

    be gracious to your servants.

14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *

    so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

 

15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *

    and the years in which we suffered adversity.

 

16 Show your servants your works *

    and your splendor to their children.

 

17 May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *

    prosper the work of our hands;

    prosper our handiwork.

Let us pray. (Silence)

In your wisdom, O Lord our God, you have made all things,

and have allotted to each of us the days of our life: Grant that

we may live in your presence, be guided by your Holy Spirit,

and offer all our works to your honor and glory; through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remember your Creator

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

12 Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with[a] the rain; 3 in the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the women who grind cease working because they are few, and those who look through the windows see dimly; 4 when the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; 5 when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along[b] and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home, and the mourners will go about the streets; 6 before the silver cord is snapped,[c] and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath[d] returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher;[e] all is vanity.

130    De profundis

 

1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;

LORD, hear my voice; *

    let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

 

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *

    O LORD, who could stand?

 

3 For there is forgiveness with you; *

    therefore you shall be feared.

4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *

    in his word is my hope.

 

5 My soul waits for the LORD,

more than watchmen for the morning, *

    more than watchmen for the morning.

 

6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *

    for with the LORD there is mercy;

 

7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *

    and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Immortal Lord God, you inhabit eternity, and have brought us

your unworthy servants to the close of another year: Pardon,

we entreat you, our transgressions of the past, and graciously

abide with us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen.

Marking the Times, and Winter

Sirach 43:1-22

The Splendour of the Sun

43The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky,

   as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens. 

2 The sun, when it appears, proclaims as it rises

   what a marvellous instrument it is, the work of the Most High. 

3 At noon it parches the land,

   and who can withstand its burning heat? 

4 A man tending* a furnace works in burning heat,

   but three times as hot is the sun scorching the mountains;

it breathes out fiery vapours,

   and its bright rays blind the eyes. 

5 Great is the Lord who made it;

   at his orders it hurries on its course. 

The Splendour of the Moon

6 It is the moon that marks the changing seasons,*

   governing the times, their everlasting sign. 

7 From the moon comes the sign for festal days,

   a light that wanes when it completes its course. 

8 The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself;*

   how marvellous it is in this change,

a beacon to the hosts on high,

   shining in the vault of the heavens! 

The Glory of the Stars and the Rainbow

9 The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven,

   a glittering array in the heights of the Lord. 

10 On the orders of the Holy One they stand in their appointed places;

   they never relax in their watches. 

11 Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it;

   it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness. 

12 It encircles the sky with its glorious arc;

   the hands of the Most High have stretched it out. 

The Marvels of Nature

13 By his command he sends the driving snow

   and speeds the lightnings of his judgement. 

14 Therefore the storehouses are opened,

   and the clouds fly out like birds. 

15 In his majesty he gives the clouds their strength,

   and the hailstones are broken in pieces.

17a The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth; 

16   when he appears, the mountains shake.

At his will the south wind blows;

17b   so do the storm from the north and the whirlwind.

He scatters the snow like birds flying down,

   and its descent is like locusts alighting. 

18 The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness,

   and the mind is amazed as it falls. 

19 He pours frost over the earth like salt,

   and icicles form like pointed thorns. 

20 The cold north wind blows,

   and ice freezes on the water;

it settles on every pool of water,

   and the water puts it on like a breastplate. 

21 He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness,

   and withers the tender grass like fire. 

22 A mist quickly heals all things;

   the falling dew gives refreshment from the heat.

148    Laudate Dominum

 

1 Hallelujah!

Praise the LORD from the heavens; *

    praise him in the heights.

 

2 Praise him, all you angels of his; *

    praise him, all his host.

 

3 Praise him, sun and moon; *

    praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, heaven of heavens, *

    and you waters above the heavens.

 

5 Let them praise the Name of the LORD; *

    for he commanded, and they were created.

 

6 He made them stand fast for ever and ever; *

    he gave them a law which shall not pass away.

 

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, *

    you sea-monsters and all deeps;

 

8 Fire and hail, snow and fog, *

    tempestuous wind, doing his will;

 

9 Mountains and all hills, *

    fruit trees and all cedars;

 

10 Wild beasts and all cattle, *

    creeping things and wingèd birds;

 

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, *

    princes and all rulers of the world;

 

12 Young men and maidens, *

    old and young together.

 

13 Let them praise the Name of the LORD, *

    for his Name only is exalted,

    his splendor is over earth and heaven.

 

14 He has raised up strength for his people

and praise for all his loyal servants, *

    the children of Israel, a people who are near him.

    Hallelujah

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty Father, you give the sun for a light by day, and the

moon and the stars by night: Graciously receive us, this night

and always, into your favor and protection, defending us from

all harm and governing us with your Holy Spirit, that every

shadow of ignorance, every failure of faith or weakness of

heart, every evil or wrong desire may be removed far from us;

so that we, being justified in our Lord Jesus Christ, may be

sanctified by your Spirit, and glorified by your infinite mercies

in the day of the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Acceptable Time

2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,[a] not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6 As we work together with him,[b] we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,

    and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

63    Deus, Deus meus

 

1 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *

    my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,

    as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

 

2 Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *

    that I might behold your power and your glory.

 

3 For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *

    my lips shall give you praise.

 

4 So will I bless you as long as I live *

    and lift up my hands in your Name.

 

5 My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *

    and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,

 

6 When I remember you upon my bed, *

    and meditate on you in the night watches.

 

7 For you have been my helper, *

    and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul clings to you; *

    your right hand holds me fast.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Most gracious and merciful God, you have reconciled us to

yourself through Jesus Christ your Son, and called us to new life

in him: Grant that we, who begin this year in his Name, may

complete it to his honor and glory; who lives and reigns now and

for ever. Amen.

New Heavens and New Earth

Revelation 21:1-22:5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home[a] of God is among mortals.

He will dwell[b] with them;

they will be his peoples,[c]

and God himself will be with them;[d]

4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.”

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless,[e] the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Vision of the New Jerusalem

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And in the spirit[f] he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel[g] who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles;[h] its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits[i] by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The River of Life

22 Then the angel[j] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life[k] with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants[l] will worship him; 4 they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

19    The Song of the Redeemed    Magna et mirabilia 

          Revelation 15:3-4

O ruler of the universe, Lord God, 

great deeds are they that you have done, * 

    surpassing human understanding. 

Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, * 

O King of all the ages.

Who can fail to do you homage, Lord, 

and sing the praises of your Name? * 

    for you only are the Holy One. 

All nations will draw near and fall down before you, * 

    because your just and holy works have been revealed.

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.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty and merciful God, through your well beloved Son

Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, you have

willed to make all things new: Grant that we may be renewed by

your Holy Spirit, and may come at last to that heavenly country

where your people hunger and thirst no more, and the tears are

wiped away from every eye; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us tonight pray for this new year to come with lots of love, hope, peace, and joy!

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses set our feet on the path that you have chosen for us  with love in our heart homes and without fear.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses and fixed times and seasons be with all those who are homeless, hungry, and ill clothed who do not have shelter from the cold. We pray that there maybe family members who will lovingly respond to their needs and lead them toward shelter and food.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses and became incarnate as Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem or House of Bread, May we like him bring hope and proclaim the Good News in Jesus name with love and tenderness. Help us we pray to be when necessary the only Bible someone ever reads.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses, we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world of yours. May we proclaim as in the words of the Prophet Isaiah:

The Good News of Deliverance
61 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
    to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
    foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines;
6 but you shall be called priests of the Lord,
    you shall be named ministers of our God;
you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,
    and in their riches you shall glory.
7 Because their[a] shame was double,
    and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot,
therefore they shall possess a double portion;
    everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 For I the Lord love justice,
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing;[b]
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
    and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
    and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
    that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
    my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
    and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to spring up before all the nations.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses we pray for all those who are mourning losses of any kind, Heal their griefs by the softening of time and space.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses we remember especially_____ and those who travel especially on the icy and weather worn roads. and All of our family members who may need our love now more than ever.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses, we pray for all who are going through depression , Seasonal Affective Disorder(Sad), and mental illness that they may receive help in a timely manner. We pray for their caregivers and mental health professionals.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses, we pray for all who are caregivers especially those who are hospice workers at holiday time.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses we pray for all who are dying that they may when it is time they may know your comfort and joy as they enter the Thin Places. We pray for all who have died during this holy season of love, hope, peace, and joy.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses may we as we enter this new year sing and dance for joy with love in our heart homes because of  Your Son Jesus the Christ's coming in the world to love us, heal us, teach us and to redeem us.

God who set the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Stars in their courses we offer our prayers and those who have asked us to pray at this time remembering especially_________________

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

A Prayer of Self-Dedication

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so

guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our

wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto

thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always

to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ. 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.

 You are God   Te Deum laudamus

You are God: we praise you; 

You are the Lord; we acclaim you; 

You are the eternal Father: 

All creation worships you. 

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, 

Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: 

    Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

    heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

The glorious company of apostles praise you. 

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. 

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. 

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; 

    Father, of majesty unbounded, 

    your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

    and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, 

the eternal Son of the Father. 

When you became man to set us free 

you did not shun the Virgin's womb. 

You overcame the sting of death 

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. 

You are seated at God's right hand in glory. 

We believe that you will come and be our judge. 

    Come then, Lord, and help your people, 

    bought with the price of your own blood, 

    and bring us with your saints 

    to glory everlasting.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

     hallowed be thy Name, 

     thy kingdom come, 

     thy will be done, 

         on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

     as we forgive those 

         who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

     but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, 

     and the power, and the glory, 

     for ever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Name    January 1

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name

of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart,

we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our

Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things

earthly and heavenly, fill us  with his joy and peace; and the

blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.

I give thanks for arriving
Safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes
To see the world,
The gift of mind
To feel at home
In my life,
The waves of possibility
Breaking on the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the past
That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings
This new day will bring.
John O'Donohue

To make a creative contribution to this world

O God, we thank you for the lives of great saints and prophets in the past, who have revealed to us that we can stand up amid the problems and difficulties and trials of life and not give in. We thank you for our foreparents, who've given us something in the midst of the darkness of exploitation and oppression to keep going. Grant that we will go on with the proper faith and the proper determination of will, so that we will be able to make a creative contribution to this world. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray.  - Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Let us bless God our Creator, Jesus our Redeemer, and The Holy Spirit the Sanctifier.

Thanks Be To God.

+++++++++

Dear Family of Love!

Happy New Year! Here is a wish and a prayer from me to you!

A Wish for the New Year

I wish for you love filled to the brim to overflowing.

I wish for you Joy that will warm your heart so much that the person next to you will will be able to feel it.

I wish for you peace so that you can be an example of how to be a peacemaker.

I wish for you hope that you never lose faith and have a spirit of optimism and resilience.

I wish for you a big family like ours to enfold you with love, shoulders to cry and lean on and backs to shelter you from the storms of life.

I wish for you a time of daily unplugging and exercise.

I wish for you time with God in God's Cathedral of life.

I wish for you that every time you see a family member, remember a family member is anyone! I hope you remember this phrase "The Light of Christ in Me Recognizes the Light of Christ in You!"

I wish for you time to begin your walking program:

Here are the first steps and prayers:

We prepare ourselves by hydrating with the image of Living Water coursing through our veins, tying our laces securely, wrapping our bodies with God's Warm prayer coat.

We invite God on our walk using these words or your own. God we invite you as you invite us to walk with you on our journey. Enliven our spirits, quicken our steps and open our hearts as we pray and walk.Amen.

*****

A Prayer for the New Year!

Dear God, as we look towards the new year that is upon us help us to remember that you are walking with us on our journey and that we are never alone. Give us nudges from time to time to recognize this and that you have knit us together as family by prayers and that this circle is ever widening and that is because of your love for us and each other. Help us to remember tonight those who are lonely and those who are in new life situations that love is the key. We thank you for the many blessings of the year past and as we look to the year ahead may we remember we walk with you and you walk with us on our journey. Amen.

******

Knit a prayer circle around us Lord

Knit a prayer circle made of love.

Knit a prayer circle around us that is peaceful

Knit a prayer circle that is made of healing balm

Knit a prayer circle of life and hope and joy.

Knit a prayer circle around all the broken world that they may feel the pieces being put back together and made strong with your loving and gentle hands.

Knit us together as your family of love, peace, joy, hope, and those who show your light to the world by their words, deeds and love.

All this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

++++++

A Reflection and our Annual Pledge.

Wow dear ones what a year this has been! We have journeyed through many ups and downs but we have stayed together. Love and familyhood have been the glue. We have reached over 625,930+ pageviews and 2,324 written posts in just 6 1/2 years(We started in July 2013). We will continue to be proactive as people of the Matthew 25 Pledge: I pledge to protect and defend vulnerable people in the name of Jesus. Prayer walking is still ongoing as is reducing our carbon footprint. I love you all and give thanks for your love, steadfastness in readership, and being my family. I give God thanks for you this day and always.

Here at Walk With Me on Our Journey, we walk into this new year together as one family with our feet set on the holy path of  compassion, acceptance, love, mercy, peace, and justice. We never walk or are alone. As we do every year on this date I make this solemn pledge to you as your blogger and we pledge ourselves as the Beloved Community to do the following:

As we begin another year let us make a pledge one to another this day as we prepare to begin anew:

A pledge as we enter a new year!

Dear Family of love,

I promise to myself and you my family members in 2022 to do these things for the benefit of all.
Love God,My Neighbor who is also my family member who may be nearby, far away and yes even my enemy, and myself without fear but with love.
Forgive and let go so that I may experience the healing of my heart home.
Love my enemies and those who have wished and caused me harm so that I may be at peace.
Practice random acts of kindness without accepting anything in return.
To be more giving, more of a listener, more patient when needed, more, more, more.
Be a peacemaker who carries the light of Christ in to God's Fragile and Broken World.
Be a conservationist for the good of God's Cathedral of life.
Care for all our family members with love, empathy, and compassion.
Continue to work towards the unity and peace of all our brothers and sisters.
Additional promises may be made as we go through the year.
This is my promise made with love, joy, hope, and peace this day December 31, 2019
Signed
Sara

So let us spend time in silence meditate upon the following: Letting  go of the old and inviting the new in with radical love, acceptance, and courage. 

But wait we still have other action items from our Celtic Advent Calendar to Consider!

Today:

Psalm 43:3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
3 O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.

Tomorrow:

January 1

Matthew 5:14-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

With love and blessings!

Sara

A reminder:

We are beginning our additional study with The Good Book Club and studying the Gospel of Mark. Here is Presiding Bishop Curry's Invitation into studying The Gospel of Mark. Here is the Reading Schedule you may download. Here is a PDF Reading Schedule you can print up or save to your computer. Our first reading for tomorrow begins here:

Mark 1:1-11

The Gospel According to

Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

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

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

   who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

   “Prepare the way of the Lord,

   make his paths straight” ’,

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Resources:

A to Z Quotes

Book of Occasional Services (A Service for New Year's Eve) 

Satucket Lectionary Page  

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching our Worship 1 

Northumbria Community

Metis Aboriginal Ministries

A New Zealand Prayer Book

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Contemplative Cottage

Bonus Vigil in honor and tribute of  Archbishop Desmond Tutu From his birthday!

[Good Evening Dear Ones!

Thank you for your patience. I was under the weather yesterday due to preparation for a stress echocardiogram. Going off of one's medication can really make things interesting. I had my stress test today and passed it. Today we celebrate the birthday of Desmond Tutu. He is our honoree. We give thanks to God for former Archbishop Tutu on this Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday. We will spend time meditating on his quotes and on the word Ubuntu! So let us begin.]

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another." ~ Desmond Tutu

"If you want peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." ~ Desmond Tutu

"We are made for goodness. We are made for love. We are made for friendliness. We are made for togetherness. We are made for all of the beautiful things that you and I know. We are made to tell the world that there are no outsiders. All are welcome: black, white, red, yellow, rich, poor, educated, not educated, male, female, gay, straight, all, all, all. We all belong to this family, this human family, God's family." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Love your enemy; it will ruin his reputation." ~ Desmond Tutu

"One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity." ~ Desmond Tutu

"We are made for loving. If we don’t love, we will be like plants without water." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Goodness is stronger than evil.

Love is stronger than hate.

Light is stronger than darkness.

Life is stronger than death.

Victory is ours through Him who loved us." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes." ~ Desmond Tutu

"To remain neutral in situations of injustice is to be complicit in that injustice." ~ Desmond Tutu

"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Africans believe in something that is difficult to render in English. We call it ubuntu, botho. It means the essence of being human. You know when it is there and when it is absent. It speaks about humaneness, gentleness, hospitality, putting yourself out on behalf of others, being vulnerable. It embraces compassion and toughness. It recognizes that my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." ~ Desmond Tutu

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~ Desmond Tutu

"We need other human beings in order to be human." ~ Desmond Tutu

"A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed." ~ Desmond Tutu

"A person is a person through other persons. None of us comes into the world fully formed. We would not know how to think, or walk, or speak, or behave as human beings unless we learned it from other human beings. We need other human beings in order to be human. I am because other people are. A person is entitled to a stable community life, and the first of these communities is the family." ~ Desmond Tutu

"The abolition of the death penalty is making us a civilized society. It shows we actually do mean business when we say we have reverence for life." ~ Desmond Tutu

"People often speak of God being even-handed. God is not even-handed. God is biased, in favor of the weak, of the despised." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Dream of a world where poverty is history, dream of a world where we don't spend those obscene billions on arms, knowing full well that a tiny fraction of those budgets of death would ensure that children everywhere had clean water to drink, could afford the cheap inoculations against preventable diseases, would have good schools, adequate healthcare and decent homes." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Dream of a world where poverty is history, dream of a world where we don't spend those obscene billions on arms, knowing full well that a tiny fraction of those budgets of death would ensure that children everywhere had clean water to drink, could afford the cheap inoculations against preventable diseases, would have good schools, adequate healthcare and decent homes." ~ Desmond Tutu

"All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others" ~ Desmond Tutu

"We are living in an historic moment. We are each called to take part in a great transformation. Our survival as a species is threatened by global warming, economic meltdown, and an ever-increasing gap between rich and poor. Yet these threats offer an opportunity to awaken as an interconnected and beloved community." ~ Desmond Tutu

"You know when ubuntu is there, and it is obvious when it is absent. It has to do with what it means to be truly human, to know that you are bound up with others in the bundle of life." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Peace without justice is an impossibility." ~ Desmond Tutu

Come let us worship:


We turn on our porch lights and light our candles as one human family!

I/We call the names of prophetic witnesses who have and are making a difference in our lives and the world. You may add your own list and remember they may be friends of yours and members of your communities.

I call the name of Matthew Shepard
I call the name of Harvey Milk
I call the name of Greta Thunberg
I call the name of John Muir
I call the name of Desmond Tutu
I call the name of Nelson Mandela
I call the name of Mahatma Gandhi
I call the name of Dorothy Day
I call the name of Mike Kinman
I call the name of Ruby Sales
I call the name of Nancy Alexander
I call the name of John McReynolds
I call the name of William J. Barber
I call the name of Jim Wallis
I call the name of Katherine Magdalene Rose Yarian
I call the name of Jazz Jennings
I call the name of Rob Bell
I call the name of Rob Lee
I call the name of Eunice Shriver
I call the name of Duncan Macdonald
I call the name of Sam and Nancy Johnson
I call the name of Wil Gafney
I call the name of Alexis Salvatierra
I call the name of Dolores Huerta
I call the name of Cesar Chavez
I call the name of Thurgood Marshall
I call the name of Dag Hammarskjold 
I call the name of Martin Luther King Jr.
I call the name of Rachel Held Evans
I call the name of Temple Grandin
I call the name of Stephen Hawking
I call the name of Albert Scheweitzer
I call the name of Sojourner Truth
I call the name of the Dalai Lama
I call the name of George Regas
I call the name of Ed Bacon
I call the name of Peace Pilgrim
I call the name of Rabbi Heschel
I call the name of Elie Weisel
I call the name of Salam al Maryati
I call the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I call the name of Eleanor Roosevelt
I call the name of Maria Moreno
I call the name of Harriet Tubman
I call the name of Oscar Romero
I call the name of Deborah Dunn
I call the name of C.T. Vivian
I call the name of John Lewis
I call the name of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
I call the name of Dorothea Lange
I call the name of Pauli Murray
I call the name of Fannie Lou Hamer
I call the name of Virginia Ramey Mollenkott
I call the name of Catherine Meeks
I call the name of Thich Nhat Hanh
I call the name of ______
I call the names of organizations that model prophetic witnessing____________

From the Resistance Prays

O God,  We offer ourselves, our lives, our resources,
To be your hands reaching into the world
With your unfathomable compassion.
Fill us like breath fills flutes
To be instruments of your peace.
Where there is lack of regard for your creation
Prod us to speak up.
Where people fail to see the dignity of all persons,
Open blind eyes.
Where there is silence about others being hurt,
Impassion us with a desire for justice.
Lord, your creation groans under abuse.
Renew the earth with goodness.
Your children are starving across this globe.
To those who hunger
Give bread.
And to those who have bread
Give hunger for justice. 
O God, our Sovereign, leaders in all lands
take bribes and afflict their peoples.
Topple oppressive powers with your rule
and send the rich empty away.
Your church luxuriates in the comfort of faith;
Send us to be your servants in service to the world.
The sick suffer forgotten in pain
Heal their hurts in body, mind, and spirit.  Amen 

[Source: Presbyterian Mission Agency World Communion Sunday Resources]

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.2 Timothy 1:7
Who is the greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27

Let us set our feet upon holy ground and march together in solidarity for the good of all humanity and live together peaceably in the Kindom of God. 

From Catholic Relief Services we open our worship with this prayer.

Lord of All Peoples,



As unworthy as we were

You called us to your side

Into the vineyard to do the work of the Gospel.



Some came early and others came late.

Some sang a song of joy while others grumbled.

Some brought new ideas and others brought the wisdom of years.

Sometimes your work was done, but too often we have failed you.



And yet you have the grace to call again.



Teach us to work side by side—

Appreciating the gifts each brings

Forgiving quickly

Seeing your face in all faces

Your spirit in all spirits

Your wounds in all wounds

Your work in all works.



Then will the world delight in the wonders of your Church.

Then will the world marvel at the glory of God

Amen


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.

So let us light our single candle of unity as we begin to discern how we can become prophetic witnesses and change makers. 


Somebody’s Hurting My Brother                                             by Yara Allen

Somebody’s hurting my brother
and it’s gone on far too long
Yes, it’s gone on far too long
It’s gone on far too long
I said, somebody’s hurting my brother
and it’s gone on far too long
And we won’t be silent anymore

Somebody’s hurting my sister…

Somebody wants to build that wall…

Somebody’s hurting poor people…

Somebody’s hurting our children…

Somebody’s poisoning the water

Somebody’s ignoring the homeless…

Somebody’s closing our borders…

Somebody’s hurting our families…

A Prayer for Our Time and for the Earth

Dear God, Creator of the earth, this sacred home we share;
Give us new eyes to see the beauty all around and to protect the wonders of creation.
Give us new arms to embrace the strangers among us and to know them as family.
Give us new ears to hear and understand those who live off the land
and to hear and understand those who extract its resources.
Give us new hearts to recognize the brokenness in our communities
and to heal the wounds we have inflicted.
Give us new hands to serve the earth and its people
and to shape beloved community.
For you are the One who seeks the lost,
binds our wounds and sets us free,
and it is in the name of Jesus the Christ we pray.
Amen.

- The Rt. Reverend Carol Gallagher, Cherokee

  
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.

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.

From the Resistance Prays.

“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”

- Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, adapted



God, we light our candles tonight and pray that we may become the loving and welcoming family of Love/God. We pray for our family members who haven't received warm welcomes in their lives, families, places of work, and worship. We pray that we may become kind to all of your children at any time of the day or night. We pray that we may encircle all of humanity with a warm prayer quilt of welcome and Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy. We pray for peace in this fragile and broken world. We pray that we may listen with kind and non judgmental ears as we welcome our new family members who have been strangers to us and now becoming friends. God lead and show us how to be kind, loving, and welcoming in all that we do each and everyday. Help us always to remember that The Light of Christ in Me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you. Amen.

Our vigil prayer for the week.

God of All Kindness, we light our candles for all of our family members around the world who do not have access to food, clothing,shelter, clean water, and medical care. We pray for all of our family members who do not have a home to return to either by natural disaster or war and terrorist acts. We pray for all the many aid agencies that are struggling to meet the needs of our family members where resources are scarce. We pray that we may rise up and help them to seek and find solutions to the scarcity of programs and unmet needs. We pray for peace in this fragile and broken world and an end to terror, hatred, bullying and abuse. We pray for each other tonight and as God to heal, help, and console us as we struggle with aspects of daily living. We pray for justice and universal human rights for all. We pray that we may follow Jesus by being CALM(Compassionate, accepting, Loving, and Merciful). May we love one another and shine the light of Christ one to another "The Light of Christ in me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" May we all have a restful and blessed rest this night and always.

Book of Common Prayer: Forgive Us, O God

Forgive, O God, those national sins which so easily beset us: our wanton waste of soil and air and water; our desecration of natural beauty; our heedlessness of those who come after us, if only we be served; our lust for money; our contempt for what is small and worship of what is big. For wrongs done to our land, our people, our heritage, and our future, as well as for things left undone, forgive us, O God.

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

Because in every age you have called brave souls to proclaim righteousness for the transformation of the world, that all may welcome the coming of your holy reign.

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.

Confession of Need (Enriching Our Worship 2)

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

Silence

Minister and People

Compassionate God,

we confess our weaknesses and our need for your

strengthening touch.

We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,

while others are beyond our control.

We turn to you, source of life,

and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ

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

Minister

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

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

power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human." ~ Henri Nouwen

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


A prayer from The Arusha Call to Discipleship


Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life in all its diversity and beauty. Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we praise you that you came to find the lost, to free the oppressed, to heal the sick, and to convert the self-centred. Holy Spirit, we rejoice that you breathe in the life of the world and are poured out into our hearts. As we live in the Spirit, may we also walk in the Spirit. Grant us faith and courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus: becoming pilgrims of justice and peace in our time. For the blessing of your people, the sustaining of the earth, and the glory of your name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Grandfather Great Spirit
All over the world the faces of living ones are alike.
With tenderness they have come up out of the ground
Look upon your children that they may face the winds
And walk the good road to the Day of Quiet.
Grandfather Great Spririt
Fill us with the Light.
Give us the strength to understand, and the eyes to see.
Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives to all that live.
 - Sioux Prayer

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

We come together this night to vigil and pray for the family of God and the world. We make vigil at such a time as this because God's family is in pain need, and need of healing and unity. We pray this night on behalf of all those who are afraid and haven't any voice. We pray this night for peace in our  bodies, minds, spirits, and hearts. We pray that peace may prevail upon earth and that wars and all forms of violence may cease. We pray that as we light our candles we light them in unity and love for all of our family members including our enemies.

Let us light our first vigil candle in love and unity and pray for all of God's Family.

We spend time in the stillness and reflect upon what being a member of the family of God means to us.

Be still and know that I am God.


We light our second vigil candle as we pray for an end to all forms of bullying, hatred, abuse, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, division, and name calling.

We pray and reflect and ask God for the forgiveness of all our actions that have divided and are dividing us one from another. We pray that we may use loving words, deeds, and live in CALM (compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy) togetherness as one family.

May we all be one.


We light our third vigil candle for the places where violence and terror have taken place.  We remember______.

Let us pray and reflect upon these many dear ones who have lost lives, family members, livelihoods, and peaceful existence. We pray this night in loving memory of all.

Peace be still.

We light our fourth vigil candle in the spirit of spreading the good news to a fragile and broken world.  We pray that we may spread this light of love to all and especially those who live in darkness and places of violence.

Let us reflect on how we can individually and as a family carry the light of God's Gospel Message of love to all not only by words but by deeds.


Let us love one another.


We light our 5th candle for the nations of the whole world. Let pray that we may work to forge bonds of love, unity, liberty, religious freedom, equality, justice,  and universal human rights for all God's Children. We pray for an end to regimes that seek to hurt their citizenry and nations where terror occurs on an all too regular basis.

We reflect and pray for the nations of the world and this country and seek ways to work together as one people and family of God.


We pray in the words of St. Francis of Assisi:


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.

We light our 6th vigil candle in loving care and as a promise to care for the least of these our family members. We pray that we may never forget that each person we see is to be treated as God and Christ Jesus.

We reflect and pray on what it means to be a family member of God and how we are to treat the least of these, for we are the least of these/

"The light of Christ in me recognizes the Light of Christ in You!"


We light one final candle and pray for all those things that are on our hearts and minds this night! We hold all dear ones who have asked us for prayer in our hearts.  We name these dear ones and concerns be for you now_______________ We also add our prayers of thanksgiving _________________

We continue to pray and remember to pray for our neighbors:

 Our Neighbors are The Family of God  who are in the following prayers and I invite you pray for them daily: 
Jesus help us to remember who our neighbor is by praying for our family members below.

Women
Men
Children
Enemies
Refugees, immigrants of any kind
Caregivers
Those who don't share your political or religious beliefs
LGBTQ family members 
Elderly
Family members with whom we are estranged
Everyone
The sick and the suffering
The mentally ill and memory challenged
Those living with H.I. V./ A.I.D.S
Everyone
Those who have caused you harm or abused you
Those who hate you or you hate ( Not acceptable)
Those who have forgiven you and those whom you have forgiven
Everyone
Those who do not share the same ethnicity or race as you
Political prisoners
Prisoners of war
Those who cause terror, violence, bullying, and do unspeakable things. 
Everyone
Jews
Christians
Muslims
Buddhists
Hindus
All faith communities 
Everyone
Indigenous peoples
Victims of Human Trafficking
Everyone
Cancer patients, 
Chronically ill
The disabled 
The poor
The homeless
The hungry
 The lonely,

The lost,
The unemployed
The farm worker
Everyone
The misunderstood
The learning disabled
The marginalized
The invisible ones
The least of these
Everyone
The family of nations and all the peoples God's world

Jesus we pray for all of our family members nearby,stranger, and enemy and in particular those mentioned about that we may love one another as you have loved us . May we strive to be better at loving, accepting, and including everyone. We know that in  Your world all means all and not some. May we continue to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you to the end of our days and beyond. Amen.

Or this vigil prayer:

Tonight we light our candles and pray for an end to hatred an fear that keep us from being reconciled to each other and ourselves.  We light these candles for all of our family members who live in fear because they are afraid to be who they are. We pray and light candles for reconciliation between all family members who have sought to be divided and not united. We pray and light our candles in memory of all indigenous peoples of the world and that we may respect their history, their persons, and their gifts to the world. We pray and light our candles this night so that we may light up the world with God's light as a message of Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy to all who have been affected by hatred, bigotry, racism, phobias, discrimination, violence, abuse, and terror. We pray that we may shine the light of God by authentically showing to others our true selves that God has made in God's image and likeness. We light our candles and celebrate each other's diversity and the gifts we bring to this beautiful world that God created. We lift up our prayers each day for the 
all who have been victimized by terror. We pray for_____________________. The Light of Christ in Me, Recognizes the light of Christ in you

Amen.

This may be added!

Praying with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as Set forth by the United Nations.

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.




Article 1.


All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.


Article 2.


Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 3.


Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 4.


No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.


Article 5.


No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 6.


Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.


Article 7.


All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 8.


Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 9.


No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 10.


Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 11.


(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 12.


No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.


Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 13.


(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.


Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 14.


(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.



Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 15.


(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.




Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 16.


(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.


Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 17.


(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.


Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 18.


Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 19.


Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 20.


(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 21.


(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 22.


Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 23.


1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 24.


Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 25.


(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 26.


(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.


Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 27.


(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.


Article 28.


Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.


Article 29.


(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Article 30.


Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.

Give me a candle of the Spirit, O God, as I go down into the deeps of my being. Show me the hidden things, the creatures of my dreams, the storehouse of forgotten memories and hurts. Take me down to the spring of my life, and tell me my nature and my name. Give me freedom to grow, so that I may become that self, the seed of which You planted in me at my making.

Out of the depths I cry to You…

George Appleton

A Song of God’s Love

1 John 4:7-11

Beloved, let us love one another, *

for love is of God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, *

for God is Love.

In this the love of God was revealed among us, *

that God sent his only Son into the world,

so that we might live through Jesus Christ.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *

and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, *

we ought also to love one another.

For if we love one another, God abides in us, *

and God’s love will be perfected in us.

Psalm 1

1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.

3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

A Song of Judith

Judith 16:13-16

I will sing a new song to my God, *

for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.

Let the whole creation serve you, *

for you spoke and all things came into being.

You sent your breath and it formed them, *

no one is able to resist your voice.

Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *

rocks melt like wax at your presence.

But to those who fear you, *

you continue to show mercy.

No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *

but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

Malachi 3:13-4:2

13 You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? 15Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.’

The Reward of the Faithful

16 Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. 17They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. 18Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

The Great Day of the Lord

4*See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

A Song of Christ’s Humility

Philippians 2:6-11

Though in the form of God, *

Christ Jesus did not cling to equality with God,

But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *

and was born in human likeness.

Being found in human form, he humbled himself *

and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Therefore, God has highly exalted him *

and given him the name above every name,

That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, *

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *

to the glory of God the Father

Luke 11:5-13

Perseverance in Prayer

5 And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” 7And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9 ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for* a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit* to those who ask him!’

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 Our True Nature

Julian of Norwich

Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *

our trespasses and our humiliations.

Christ also revealed his blessed power, *

his blessed wisdom and love.

He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *

he raises us in spirit

and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.

God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature;

*

God is the true father and mother of natures.

We are all bound to God by nature, *

and we are all bound to God by grace.

And this grace is for all the world, *

because it is our precious mother, Christ.

For this fair nature was prepared by Christ

for the honor and nobility of all, *

and for the joy and bliss of salvation.

The Lord’s Prayer or the alternative is said. 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

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.

 Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Tonight we pray for peace in this upsetting world.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for love and peace to prevail in all areas where there is dis-ease.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all our family members who are being persecuted and made to feel invisible.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are in Sabbath mode and who are preparing for a time of renewal in faith.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill in body, mind, and spirit may they be healed.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are mourning and pre-grieving may they be lovingly comforted.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are lonely and in need of companionship.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are dying and who have died remembering this night.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are in danger that they may be protected.
God hear our prayer.

We pray for____________________________
God hear our prayer.

We pray that we may find each nano-second of the day holiness and in the sacredness of all things living.
God hear our prayer.

We pray these our prayers in the Name of Jesus. Amen.



The  Beatitudes  Matthew 5:3–12 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10

 A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

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

For our Enemies  (From the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER)
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)
Christ Has No Body

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

“Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.

Whoever has God lacks nothing;

God alone suffices.” 

― Teresa of Ávila

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

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

according to thy word;

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *

which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *

and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Wisdom of God

the Love of God

and the Grace of God

strengthen you

to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,

in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

(source: Celtic)

Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always

protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow

the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.

(source: from Saint Clare)

The Light of Christ in me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" 

I hold holy space for you during this time of prayer, vigil, and meditation. 

O God,

strengthen your servants with your heavenly grace,

that we may continue yours for ever,

and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more,

until we come to your everlasting kingdom.

Good Night Blessed and Dear Ones. I am sending Light to heal you to hold you: I am sending you Light to hold you in Love.*  Have a blessed and restful night! I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. 

Peace, love, prayers, and God's blessings!

Sara

Resources:

Satucket for Lessons 

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching Our Worship

John Phillip Newell *

Quote sites for prayers

Metis Aboriginal Ministries.

Walk With Me On Our Journey

In Lak' Ech Luis Valdez

A New Zealand Prayer Book

A to Z quotes 

Merciful God, who raised up your servant Frances Joseph Gaudet to be a champion of the oppressed: Grant that we, encouraged by her example, may advocate for all who are denied the fullness of life to which you have called all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty God, you rescued Samuel Ajayi Crowther from slavery, sent him to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to his people in Nigeria, and made him the first bishop from the people of West Africa: Grant that those who follow in his steps may reap what he has sown and find abundant help for the harvest; through him who took upon himself the form of a slave that we might be free, the same Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.