The New #AdventWords and #HashTags With Meaning are here! Today's word is #Act

Good Evening Dear Family of Love,

Happy #WisdomWednesday!Yesterday we talked about the #AdventWord #Be and that meant that we needed to be who we are, be still, be the change, etc. Today we find ourselves introduced to the #AdventWord #Act. What dose the word act mean to you? Let us ponder this if we will for  a moment as we meditate. Let us remember that we need to act to effect positive change in the world now more than ever and that when we stay stock still we have made a choice too. Dietrich Bonhoeffer tells us this every time we see this:

So what does that have to do with us during this time of Advent ? Everything. God is calling us to stay awake, be prepared, do not fear, take time to serve the least of these. Acting in he best interest of all is so vitally important because that is what God wants us to do each and every day so that we may be truly knit together as God's children.  Yesterday I told you that I would tell you another story from the window and that is what I am going to do.

A story from the window- The Cold Winter Weather is setting in!

Yesterday on Tuesday as usual, I handed out shelf stable lunches to our homeless family members. The cold Winter Weather is setting in and one could really feel it with the window open. Seeing our family members come to the window for food in the shivering cold made it a time of tears and wondering what we could do to help more. We did have a few blankets and cards with the 211 hotline so that they could access services 24/7. We gave those out until 4:30 p.m. While  I was waiting ,I came up with a list of  items we need to have on hand at our churches, community centers,  and any other place the homeless and hungry gather. 

                           Here is the list of items to help the least of these year round!

Here is a list of items faith communities and organizations need to gather and have on hand for the current and upcoming winter season and beyond:
Blankets Large
Socks
Rain Ponchos
Tarps
Save Cardboard Boxes that are made into mats
Wash Cloths
Tooth Brushes
Coats and jackets
Cloth Tote bags like you get at the grocery store.
Mittens, scarves, and warm caps
Chap stick.
The list will continue to grow.
211 information.
Flashlights

Feminine hygiene products like tampons, wipes, pads, and panty liners. These items are too often overlooked!

Here are our action items that we all should be able to do this season and beyond: 

Continue standing up for Standing Rock and all other places where peaceful non violent protest is needed. "Strive for justice among all people and respect the dignity of every human being!"

Sponsor year round coat and sock drives.

See what kind of things you can do to help at local food distribution centers. 

Volunteer at homeless shelters.

Work with organizations that are involved in social justice.

Work for human rights and especially fight against human trafficking.

Work for the good of all people and on behalf of the least of these.

Prayers for Justice and Peace:

Light One Candle in unity, love, and justice for all of God's Children throughout the world!

Let us pray that our actions may speak louder than words.

God we come to you seeking at the very depths of our being what you would have us do to make this fragile and broken world a better and more humane place in which to live.

God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God we pray that we may reach out to the marginalized wherever they may be with love and not fear.

God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God we pray for our leaders that need to be reminded that they serve us and must be made mindful of the needs of all whom they serve.

God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God we pray that we may help caregivers of any kind and not forget their need for respite and people to listen and give them a soft place in which to fall.
God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God we pray for an end to all violence, hatred, fear, bigotry, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, and all obias and isms. May we speak truth to power  and let justice roll down when necessary.

God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God we pray this night for all those things that are making our heart hurt while we see our family members  struggle.God of all CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) may our actions speak louder than words.

God, we remember this day St. Ambrose of Milan.

O God, you gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Reading

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 2:7–11,16–18

You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;

do not stray, or else you may fall.

You who fear the Lord, trust in him,

and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,

for lasting joy and mercy.

Consider the generations of old and see:

has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?

Or has anyone persevered in the fear of the Lord and been forsaken?

Or has anyone called upon him and been neglected?

For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;

he forgives sins and saves in time of distress.

Those who fear the Lord seek to please him,

and those who love him are filled with his law.

Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts,

and humble themselves before him.

Let us fall into the hands of the Lord,

but not into the hands of mortals;

for equal to his majesty is his mercy,

and equal to his name are his works.

The Response

Psalm 27:5–11

Dominus illuminatio

5 One thing have I asked of the Lord;

one thing I seek; *

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;

6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *

and to seek him in his temple.

7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *

he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling

and set me high upon a rock.

8 Even now he lifts up my head *

above my enemies round about me.

9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation

with sounds of great gladness; *

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *

have mercy on me and answer me.

11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *

Your face, Lord, will I seek.

The New Testament

Acts 4:23–31

After they were released, Peter and John went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers have gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.

.”

The Gospel

Luke 12:35–37,42–44

Jesus said to his disciples, “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.”

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.”

Our final prayers come from The Challenge of the Heart.

Let us pray this night for our family members who reside outdoors remembering Shopping Cart Sally, Buena Vista Vince, Kimberly, and all those who are homeless, hungry, living on the margins of society.
Challenge our hearts O God.

We pray for all peace in the world and especially where there is violence, injustice, cruelty and indifference. 
Challenge our hearts O God to be peacemakers.

We pray for all family members who are caregivers of every stripe. Challenge our hearts and all  persons  to step up and offer loving help without begrudging.

We pray for all of our Family members who are ill, aging, and disabled. Challenge our hearts to pray, help, and not pass by on the side of the road.

We pray this night especially for ___________________________ Challenge our hearts to pray and reach out and have courage to help.

We give thanks to you O God for_________________________ Challenge our hearts to be always grateful and have attitudes of gratitude.

We Remember all those who are dying and have died today  especially ________________ May we be challenged to live life more fully in your service and follow the good example of ________________.

We Celebrate this day especially _________________________Challenge our hearts O God to find healthy balance in our lives and celebrate each day to the fullest.

God we lift these our prayers to you and may we always be challenged to do what is right in your gracious and loving God who makes every nano-second new. Amen.

+++++++
Good Night Dear Family of Love! Have a blessed and lovely night. I love you and give thanks to God for you this Night and always. You Matter! 

With love, peace, and hope for a world united in love, justice, and mercy,

Sara