Thursday, September 29, 2022

Today We Celebrate St. Michael and All Angels:Who are your trusted messengers?

 







Good Afternoon Beloved Ones!

Wow lots of things to do this week. It is good to be with you as we close out the month of September. Today is a beautiful Autumn day on the Central Coast of California and on the ancestral land of the Chumash people. Happy Feast of St. Michael and All Angels!  Today we celebrate holy messengers. I believe that we all are called to be messengers of the God News a.k.a. Good News with love energy, compassion, and a gentle but firm spirit.Today we add an article on Finding the Right Messenger  For Your Message. We all need to know who our living trusted messengers are in our work and in our organizing. We begin our time together with this hymn, followed by quotes on angels.

 Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels

1 Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels,

thou who hast made us, thou who o'er us rules,

grant of thy mercy, unto us thy servants,

steps up to heaven.

2 Send thy archangel, Michael, to our succour;

peacemaker blessèd, may he banish from us

striving and hatred, so that for the peaceful

all things may prosper.

3 Send thine archangel, Gabriel, the mighty;

herald of heaven, may he from us mortals,

spurn the old serpent, watching o'er the temples

where thou art worshiped.

4 Send thy archangel, Raphael, the restorer,

of the misguided ways of those who wander,

who at thy bidding strengthens soul and body

with thine anointing.

5 May the blest Mother of our God and Saviour,

may the assembly of the saints in glory, 

may the celestial companies of angels

ever assist us. 

6 Father almighty, Son and Holy Spirit,

God ever blessèd, be thou our preserver;

thine is the glory which which the angels worship

veiling their faces.

Author: Rabanus Maurus


"Kindness is the touch of an angel's hand." ~ James Leonard Gordon

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~ Luciano De Crescenzo

"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels." ~ Terry Taylor

"Angels appear in many different forms to hold your hand through the difficult times." ~ Doreen Virtue

"All God's angels come to us disguised." ~ James Russell Lowell

"I could not have made it this far had there not been angels along the way." ~ Della Reese

"Angels are intelligent reflections of light, that original light which has no beginning. They can illuminate. They do not need tongues or ears, for they can communicate without speech, in thought." ~ John of Damascus

"What comes from the heart goes to the heart" ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"Angels are spirits, but it is not because they are spirits that they are angels. They become angels when they are sent. For the name angel refers to their office, not their nature. You ask the name of this nature, it is spirit; you ask its office, it is that of an Angel, which is a messenger." ~ Saint Augustine

"Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; shield your joyous ones; and all for your love's sake. Amen." ~ Saint Augustine

"There are choirs singing in your head. If you listen, you will hear the music. It is the song of angels. Pay no attention to the sounds of the world. They are just noises, and even when added up all together they have no value, make no sense. Strain to hear the song of angels. Listen to the melody within your soul." ~ Neale Donald Walsch

"At every instant and from every side, resounds the call of Love:

We are going to sky, who wants to come with us?

We have gone to Heaven, we have been the friends of the angels,

And now we will go back there, for there is our country." ~ Rumi

"the universe is under the control of a loving purpose, and that in the struggle for righteousness man has cosmic companionship (angels). Behind the harsh appearance of the world there is a benign power." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.


"It has passed over mountain ranges and
The waters of the seven seas.
It has shown upon laborers in the fields,
Into the windows of homes,
And shops, and factories.

It has beheld cities with gleaming towers,
And also the hovels of the poor.
It has been witness to both good and evil,
The works of honest men and women and
The conspiracy of knaves.

It has seen marching armies, bomb-blasted villages
And "the destruction that wasteth at noonday."
Now, unsullied from its tireless journey,
It comes to us,
Messenger of the morning.
Harbinger of a new day." ~ Clinton Lee Scott



Come let us worship.

Joseph Barth: A Grace

We give thanks for Being;

We give thanks for being here;

We give thanks for being here together


Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe.Psalm 96:


I looked, and heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.Revelation 5:11

O praise the Lord all you angels, you mighty ones who do God’s bidding; and heed the command of the Most High.Psalm 103:20

 

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for thse who abuse you. Do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; for God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.
Be merciful as your father is merciful. Judge not and you will not be judged. Condemn not and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and it will be given to you; for the measure you give will be the measure you receive.From Luke 6:27-38


"Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; pity your afflicted ones; shield your joyous ones; and all for your love's sake. Amen." ~ Saint Augustine



Let us spend 10 minutes listening to mindfulness music so that we may find rest for our weary bodies, minds, and spirits. Be conscious of your breathing as you inhale and exhale.

10 minute mindfulness music

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.


Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.





Before we light our candles and make vigil let us listen to this.

Calling All Angels

Their sound has gone out into all lands, * alleluia, alleluia.
Their sound has gone out into all lands, alleluia, alleluia.
And their message to the ends of the world:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Their sound has gone out into all lands, alleluia, alleluia.


V. Let the righteous rejoice, alleluia:
R. In the presence of God, alleluia.


Light of the World Phos hilaron

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

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

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






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

Holy God you sent angels to be messengers of hope, health, healing and good news to all who need it, may we become angels and messengers in human form so that this world may know you, your love, and the gifts you bring to us through the voices and actions of many. Help us we pray as we answer your call to be daily messengers of Good News as we respond in the words of this mini litany.

Will you be an angel in human form to help bring peace to this hurting world?
I will with God's help.

Will you be an angel in human form spreading the Good news daily in both words and deeds?
I will with God's help.

Will you be an angel in human form comforting and loving  our enemies when they need it the most?
I will with God's help.

Will you  be an angel in human form seeking to be peace makers and children of God?
I will with God's help.

Will you seek to be a messenger of hope?
Yes, Loving and hope bearing God, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .


Will you seek to be a messenger of love?
Yes, Loving God who is Love, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .


Will you seek to be a messenger of joy?
Yes, Loving God and bringer of Joy, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .


Will you seek to be a messenger of comfort?
Yes, Loving God and Holy Comforter ,every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .


Will you seek to be a messenger crying out for Justice, mercy and unity?
Yes, Loving God of Justice, mercy, and unity, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .


Will you seek to be a messenger of healing and voice for the voiceless and marginalized?
Yes, Loving God and healer of us all, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you .

Will you strive to do these things for God and our family members?
Yes, Loving God, every day that I live, move, and just be! May my words and deeds be loving reflections of you and to our family members throughout the world. 

I looked, and heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.Revelation 5:11


O praise the Lord all you angels, you mighty ones who do God’s bidding: and heed the command of the Most High. Psalm 103:20



A Song of the Heavenly City
Revelation 21:22-26, 22:1-4

I saw no temple in the city, *
for its temple is the God of surpassing strength and the Lamb.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, *
for the glory of God shines on it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
By its light the nations shall walk, *
and the rulers of the world lay their honor and glory there.
Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; *
into it they will bring the honor and glory of nations.
I saw the clean river of the water of life, bright as crystal, *
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The tree of life spanned the river, giving fruit every month, *
and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.
All curses cease where the throne of God and the Lamb stands,
and all servants give worship there; *
there they will see God’s face, whose Name shall be on their foreheads.


104 Benedic, anima mea

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; *
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.

2 You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.

3 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; *
you make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.

4 You make the winds your messengers *
and flames of fire your servants.

5 You have set the earth upon its foundations, *
so that it never shall move at any time.

6 You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle; *
the waters stood higher than the mountains.

7 At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.

8 They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, *
to the places you had appointed for them.

9 You set the limits that they should not pass; *
they shall not again cover the earth.

10 You send the springs into the valleys; *
they flow between the mountains.

11 All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests *
and sing among the branches.

13 You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; *
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.

14 You make grass grow for flocks and herds *
and plants to serve mankind;

15 That they may bring forth food from the earth, *
and wine to gladden our hearts,

16 Oil to make a cheerful countenance, *
and bread to strengthen the heart.

17 The trees of the Lord are full of sap, *
the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,

18 In which the birds build their nests, *
and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling.

19 The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, *
and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.

20 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows the time of its setting.

21 You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest prowl.

22 The lions roar after their prey *
and seek their food from God.

23 The sun rises, and they slip away *
and lay themselves down in their dens.

24 Man goes forth to his work *
and to his labor until the evening.

25 O Lord, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

26 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.

27 There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.

28 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.

29 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.

30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.

31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.

32 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; *
may the Lord rejoice in all his works.

33 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
he touches the mountains and they smoke.

34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.

35 May these words of mine please him; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.

36 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, *
and the wicked be no more.

37 Bless the Lord, O my soul. *
Hallelujah!

Daniel 7:9–14 (NLT)

9I watched as thrones were put in place

and the Ancient One  sat down to judge.

His clothing was as white as snow,

his hair like purest wool.

He sat on a fiery throne

with wheels of blazing fire,

10and a river of fire was pouring out,

flowing from his presence.

Millions of angels ministered to him;

many millions stood to attend him.

Then the court began its session,

and the books were opened.

11I continued to watch because I could hear the little horn’s boastful speech. I kept watching until the fourth beast was killed and its body was destroyed by fire. 12The other three beasts had their authority taken from them, but they were allowed to live a while longer. 

13As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man  coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14He was given authority, honour, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

A Song of the Spirit
Revelation 22:12-17

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.


The Lord Answers Job

Job 38:1-7

38Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

2 ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up your loins like a man,

   I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

4 ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

   Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

   Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk,

   or who laid its cornerstone

7 when the morning stars sang together

   and all the heavenly beings* shouted for joy?


A Song of Creation Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

Song of the Three, 35–65

Invocation
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.

I. The Cosmic Order
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *
O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *
all winds and fire and heat
Winter and summer, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *
drops of dew and flakes of snow.
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *
O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.


Revelation 5:1-14

The Scroll and the Lamb

5Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed* with seven seals; 2and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ 3And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’


6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9They sing a new song:

‘You are worthy to take the scroll

   and to open its seals,

for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God

   saints from* every tribe and language and people and nation;

10 you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving* our God,

   and they will reign on earth.’


11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12singing with full voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honour and glory and blessing!’

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honour and glory and might

for ever and ever!’

14And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the elders fell down and worshipped.

II. The Earth and Its Creatures
Let the earth glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains
and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *
O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *
and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
III. The People of God
Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Doxology
Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; *
sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *
sing praise and give honor for ever.

Michael Defeats the Dragon

Revelation 12:7-12

7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.


10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

‘Now have come the salvation and the power

   and the kingdom of our God

   and the authority of his Messiah,*

for the accuser of our comrades* has been thrown down,

   who accuses them day and night before our God.

11 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb

   and by the word of their testimony,

for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

12 Rejoice then, you heavens

   and those who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

   for the devil has come down to you

with great wrath,

   because he knows that his time is short!’


Mark 13:21-27

21And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!”* or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. 22False messiahs* and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But be alert; I have already told you everything.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24 ‘But in those days, after that suffering,

the sun will be darkened,

   and the moon will not give its light,

25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,

   and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

26Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

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.

We Praise You, O God Te Deum laudamus
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
the 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 took our flesh to set us free
you humbly chose 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 to 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 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.



Make us your messengers, Jesus,
make us the guardians of your faith,
and grant us also that great and ancient vision
Michael,
numberless angels
the dazzling host of heaven
to accompany and inspire us for all time;
to the glory of your holy name.
Amen. (ANZPB)

Everlasting God, who has ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God,
whom we adore with all the angelic host,
may we always rejoice in your heavenly protection
and serve you faithfully in this present life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (ANZPB)

Holy Michael, archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Northumbria Community

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through 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 on earth but yours.”


― Teresa of Ávila

Francis of Assisi

Tonight let us meditate what it means to be a messenger of peace, love, hope, and inclusion of all. Remember God means all and not some! We do not get to play pick and choose. Everyone gets to play and be a part of God's Family and is Forgiven all their Sins, Let us take time to go to the center and find peace and learn from the peacemaker of all God and hear what God is saying to us this night.

Tonight's meditative music is this:Johann Pachelbel Chamber Works, London Baroque or this Pachelbel Canon in D one hour version

Holy and merciful God our hearts continue to be heavy with all the saddening and troubling  events around your broken and fragile world. May we lean on you and seek your encircling and  comforting mercy, peace, and love.

We pray this night for all troubled cities around the world remembering especially ___________. We pray for peace and that all of our family members may be safe and that all this rancor and violence may cease.

We pray for all children who are sick and in the hospital and receiving treatments. We pray also for their parents and the medical teams who care for them.

We pray that we may continue to lay down our burdens, worries, and anxieties and anything else that  prevents us from being at peace in body, mind, and spirit.

We pray for all who are near and dear to us and especially those who are on our prayer hearts tonight and  on the prayer hearts of our extended family members.

We pray that  we may become messengers of  God's Good News and that we may be lights of the Gospel to all those who do not know it and to those who may have forgotten what God's Gospel message means.

We pray that we may find our voices to speak truth to power and of the many injustices in our land and around the world.

We pray today for all who are dying and have entered into Heavenly Joy.

We pray for all who are homeless, hungry, refugees, captives, victims of human trafficking, victims of war in our country and around the world, those who seek equality and inclusion, those who long to be able to seek safety from those who hate,harm, bully, and make them feel invisible and insecure.






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. 
Our closing hymns and music!
Take time to listen to the following songs as part of  our meditation time:  A Reprise

Christ the Fair Glory of the Holy Angels (Lyrics are below the video)

1 Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels,
maker of all things, ruler of all nations,
grant of thy mercy unto us thy servants
steps up to heaven.

2 Send thine archangel Michael to our succour;
peacemaker blessed, may he banish from us
striving and hatred, so that for the peaceful
all things may prosper.

3 Send thine archangel Gabriel, the mighty;
herald of heaven, may he, from us mortals,
drive every evil, watching o'er the temples
where thou art worshiped.

4 Send from the heavens Raphael thine archangel,
health-bringer blessed, aiding every sufferer,
that, in thy service, he may wisely guide us,
healing and blessing.

5 May the blest mother of our God and Saviour,
may the celestial companies of angels, 
may the assembly of the saints in heaven
help us to praise thee.

6 Father Almighty, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God ever blessèd, hear our thankful praises;
thine is the glory which from all creation
ever ascendeth.


Michaelmas Mix


May God whom Jesus called Abba embrace you in love for ever;
may God the Servant bear your burdens with you;
may God the Paraclete grant you life in one another:
so may the blessing of God,
Abba, Servant, Paraclete,
be with you always.
Amen.

Good Night Dear Family and Messengers of Hope, Love, and Peace! I love you! Our retreat theme this weekend will be focusing on how to be God's messengers of the God or Good News. I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always. 
With love and blessings!
Sara

Resources:
YouTube for Music
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Book Of Occasional Services
Enriching Our Worship
Quote sites for prayers
Northumbria Community
In Lak' Ech - Luis Valdez
++++
Bonus Prayers
Let us be at prayer and take our time being in conversation and listening with God. 

God of Love, we pray this night for all who don't feel your loving arms around them. Help us to love the unloving and wrap our loving arms around them. 

God of Creation, we give thanks to you for all that you have made and may we walk tenderly in God's Cathedral of Life.

God of  Love, we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world. Heal all divisions and  lead us to be peacemakers and  hope bearers.

God of Creation, we pray for rain and an awareness that we are called to be conservationists and stewards of this planet that you called into being.

God of Love, we pray that we all may be lead to full inclusion as Your family Members.

God of Healing, we pray for all our family members both great and small who are ill and seek your healing touch . May they receive your healing and loving grace. 

God of Life, may we take time to live as you would have us do. May we respond to your call and follow you wherever you lead us.

God of all Mercy, we pray for all who are transitioning towards a new live with You in the Thin Places and all who have made the heavenly and joyous journey into eternal life.

God  of  all Gentleness comfort those who mourn and may we we be sources of strength and comfort to them.

God we give thanks to you for our many blessings especially_____________________



God of our family, we pray for all our family members and ourselves  remembering especially_____________

Lord Jesus come quickly and heal us and make us whole. We lift these our prayers to you In your most Holy Name. Amen.


Listen to this : God's Love Letter  


Bonus  Quotes!


"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~ Luciano De Crescenzo


"Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected." ~ Mahatma Gandhi


"All God's angels come to us disguised." ~ James Russell Lowell


"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." ~ Washington Irving


"Angels are intelligent reflections of light, that original light which has no beginning. They can illuminate. They do not need tongues or ears, for they can communicate without speech, in thought." ~ John of Damascus


"Love is the way messengers 

 from the mystery tell us things" ~ Rumi


"the better angels of our nature" ~ Abraham Lincoln


"Those who keep speaking about the sun while walking under a cloudy sky are messengers of hope, the true saints of our day." ~ Henri Nouwen


"While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love." ~ Phillips Brooks


"Angels are spirits, but it is not because they are spirits that they are angels. They become angels when they are sent. For the name angel refers to their office, not their nature. You ask the name of this nature, it is spirit; you ask its office, it is that of an Angel, which is a messenger." ~ Saint Augustine


"Man is a messenger who forgot the message." ~ Abraham Joshua Heschel


"It has passed over mountain ranges and

The waters of the seven seas.

It has shown upon laborers in the fields,

Into the windows of homes,

And shops, and factories.


It has beheld cities with gleaming towers,

And also the hovels of the poor.

It has been witness to both good and evil,

The works of honest men and women and

The conspiracy of knaves.


It has seen marching armies, bomb-blasted villages

And "the destruction that wasteth at noonday."

Now, unsullied from its tireless journey,

It comes to us,

Messenger of the morning.

Harbinger of a new day." ~ Clinton Lee Scott


"If some day they take the radio station away from us, if they close down our newspaper, if they don’t let us speak, if they kill all the priests and the bishop too, and you are left, a people without priests, each one of you must be God’s microphone, each one of you must be a messenger, a prophet. The church will always exist as long as there is one baptized person. And that one baptized person who is left in the world is responsible before the world for holding aloft the banner of the Lord’s truth and of his divine justice." ~ Oscar Romero


"Angels represent God's personal care for each one of us." ~ Andrew Greeley


"The messengers of Jesus will be hated to the end of time. They will be blamed for all the division which rend cities and homes. Jesus and his disciples will be condemned on all sides for undermining family life, and for leading the nation astray; they will be called crazy fanatics and disturbers of the peace. The disciples will be sorely tempted to desert their Lord. But the end is also near, and they must hold on and persevere until it comes. Only he will be blessed who remains loyal to Jesus and his word until the end." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer



"The hands are the heart's messengers." ~ Marianne Moore


"The young are going to be the messengers of this continued strengthening of the diversity in America." ~ Barack Obama


"There are choirs singing in your head. If you listen, you will hear the music. It is the song of angels. Pay no attention to the sounds of the world. They are just noises, and even when added up all together they have no value, make no sense. Strain to hear the song of angels. Listen to the melody within your soul." ~ Neale Donald Walsch


"There was a time - when I attained inner peace - when I died, utterly died to myself. I have since renounced my previous identity. I can see not reason to dwell upon my past, it is dead and should not be resurrected. Don't inquire of me - ask me about my message. It is not important to remember the messenger, just remember the message." ~ Peace Pilgrim


"the universe is under the control of a loving purpose, and that in the struggle for righteousness man has cosmic companionship (angels). Behind the harsh appearance of the world there is a benign power." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.


"It is my mission as a pilgrim to act as a messenger expressing spiritual truths. It is a task which I accept joyfully, and I desire nothing in return, neither praise or glory, nor the glitter of silver and gold. I simply rejoice to be able to follow the whisperings of a Higher Will." ~ Peace Pilgrim


"True faith, a simple life, a helping hand- the three things prized most in Heaven." ~ Frederick Buechner


"When angels visit earth, the messengers Of God's decree, they come as lightning, wind: Before the throne, they all are living fire." ~ Emma Lazarus


"Lord, with what care hast Thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters deliver us to laws; they send us bound to rules of reason, holy messengers, pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, bibles laid open, millions of surprises, blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, the sound of glory ringing in our ears: without, our shame; within, our consciences; angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array one cunning bosom-sin blows quite away." ~ George Herbert


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