Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,
I hope everyone had a Wonderful and Wonder-filled Wednesday. How many of you had a childlike sense of wonder today? I hope many of you did. Today on our church calendar we celebrated the feast day of Mary and Martha of Bethany! What an amazing pair of sisters who taught us many things about striving for balance in our lives. Today in the Episcopal Church 41 years ago 11 women became pioneers of our faith and were ordained to the priesthood although it these were irregular ordinations they planted the seeds for women to become full participants in ministry. Here at Walk With Me On Our Journey we are celebrating too and that is our second anniversary. When God called me to write this blog two years ago little did I know what kind of traction it would get and certainly not have 66,138 page views and 764 posts! Yesterday we had our period of reflection! Today we celebrate and make merry and give thanks to God for Walk With Me On Our Journey. Yes we continue to give thanks and yes we continue to pray. This is what we family members do here at Walk With Me On Our Journey. First let's celebrate by lighting our virtual candle:
Now repeat after me: "The Light of Christ in Me, Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" Imagine that you are passing this candle to the person next to you and passing the candle from family member to family member. Lovingly look into their eyes and with tender and compassionate tone of voice repeat the above. Don't forget the smile!
Now as we begin our celebration let us remember how it felt to be with out Walk With Me On Our Journey and learning to Prayer Walk. Think of this time as holy and special. Now let us put on some music. For this evening I have chosen two pieces by the composer Aaron Copeland:
The Promise of Living and Appalachian Spring . they aren't jazzy but introspective to help us calm our bodies,minds, and spirits. Not that they don't have lilting musical themes they do. They are almost what I feel like on our nightly Whole Holy #3. Imagine all of us walking together and seeing the world that God has set before us as we prayer walk. Imagine all of our family members we see on the path, who do you see? What do you see? Look not only with your eyes but see with your hearts and souls. Don't forget to smile and walk with a spring in our steps. If you have your own special music with you are you lifting up your voice in prayer and praise? I hope so! Every day is holy and a cause for celebration.
Let us pray and give thanks!
God we thank you for times of celebration that remind us to live life lightly with joy.
God we thank you and pray for you who made us. Sometimes we forget to offer our prayers for and we shouldn't because you are God and Father of us all, The Creator of Heaven and Earth, and Who lovingly made us in Your image and likeness.
God we thank you and pray for the many lives we touch daily by our words, deeds, and loving touches.
God we thank you and pray for all of our family members who are our support systems.
God we pray for all of our family members and especially for those who are ill and have asked us to pray for them remembering______________
God we pray for peace, love, justice, and mercy in this your fragile and broken world.
God we pray for an end to violence, terror, and abuse.
God we pray for all who are mourning during grief's long season. Help us not to skip steps.
God we pray for all who are dying and who have died today Remembering. We pray that they may enter the Thin Places with Joy and warmth.
God we pray for the environment and the preservation and the conservation of God's Cathedral of Life.
God we lift up any additional prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances before you and in the Holy Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
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Good Night Dear Ones! I love you! I give God thanks for you this day and always. Remember tomorrow is Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday.
With love, gratitude, and a tender heart,
Sara
The Summons
Gather Us in Mix
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