Good Evening Dear Family of God!
How many of you feel excluded, unwelcome, outcast to the furthest extent of the margins? How many of you can identify the least of these? Did you know that just may be us? It is true! We are all the least of these. No one is to be excluded, all are welcome. As human beings God expects us to come to reality that we must boldly love and support all of our brothers and sisters. All of our brothers and sisters. Not just some of them. To do this we must empty ourselves and get rid of the petty agendas we ourselves and others have cooked up. God wants this void to be filled with God/Love. This is not easy but it must be done. We must call our brothers and sisters out on being divisive. We are called to love one another, share our possessions, and see and come to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread and in the prayers. We are not called to go to church but be church. Or better yet be family and be unified in love. I hope this makes sense? God's kindom is a kindom of love not division. Just a heads up our lessons do not match tonight's blog.
Let us take time to be as one as we pray We will be using the lessons for Labor Day since many of you will not have read this blog until tomorrow or today!
Opening Hymn:
Come Labor On
Come, labor on
Author: Jane Borthwick (1859, 1863)
Tune: ORA LABORA (Noble)
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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.
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another
that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide
us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but
for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for
our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of
other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out
of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Psalm 107:1-9
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
5 They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty *
and fills the hungry with good things.
Ecclesiasticus 38:27-32
So too is every artisan and master artisan who labors by night as well as by day; those who cut the signets of seals, each is diligent in making a great variety; they set their heart on painting a lifelike image, and they are careful to finish their work. So too is the smith, sitting by the anvil, intent on his iron-work; the breath of the fire melts his flesh, and he struggles with the heat of the furnace; the sound of the hammer deafens his ears, and his eyes are on the pattern of the object. He sets his heart on finishing his handiwork, and he is careful to complete its decoration. So too is the potter sitting at his work and turning the wheel with his feet; he is always deeply concerned over his products, and he produces them in quantity. He molds the clay with his arm and makes it pliable with his feet; he sets his heart to finish the glazing, and he takes care in firing the kiln. All these rely on their hands, and all are skillful in their own work. Without them no city can be inhabited, and wherever they live, they will not go hungry.
Psalm 90:1-2, 16-17
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.
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.
1 Corinthians 3:10-14
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward
Christ Has No Body. by Teresa of Avila.
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.
Matthew 6:19-24
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
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.
Morning Song
From the Episcopal Peace Fellowship! (Epfnational)
A Litany for Economic Justice
Leader: We stand before this Wall of Injustice remembering immigrants, refugees and sojourners in our Bible story. From Eden, all have traveled to the lands of the Earth. The People of Israel crossed the Red Sea in search of freedom, answering the call of God. God of Noah, Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, open our hearts to refugees and sojourners around us. Will you remember our shared history as a refugee people?
People: We will, with God’s help.
Leader: We stand at the Wall of Injustices remembering Joseph, sold into slavery, First Nations Peoples forced from their lands, Africans captured, separated and sold for profit, the dispossession of Palestinians in the ongoing Nakba. We recognize that there are more displaced people on our planet today than at any time since World War II. Will you pray that the example of Jesus’ open table fellowship will inspire us to offer hospitality to strangers in our midst?
People: We will, with God’s help.
Leader: We stand before the Wall of Injustices praying for a spirit of abundance, to replace our fear of scarcity and our suspicion of the stranger. As Jesus stood with the workers in the vineyards calling for just wages, God calls us to stand with workers today, calling for living wages and just working conditions. Will you work and pray for abundant life to be shared among all members of the One Human Family?
People: We will, with God’s help.
For all Christians in their vocationAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:
Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before
you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation
and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
For commerce and industry
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life
shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your
people where they work; make those who carry on the industries
and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give
to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor;
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.
For Vocation in Daily Work
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory
and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the
earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service
of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in
truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of
him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the Unemployed
Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer
want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this
land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find
suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment
for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Labor Day
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another
that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide
us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but
for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for
our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of
other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out
of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Dear God as we begin another month help us to do better in our lives and when we fail not to give up. We pray for courage and resilience to try again and again until we get it right.
God, we pray for an end to all violence and terror that makes our minds succumb to hatred, bitterness, fear, and mistrust. We pray that we may use our minds and hearts to set them on things and situations that unite and not divide.
God we pray for all our loved ones who are sitting vigil at the bedside of loved ones who are transitioning into the Thin Places. Help us to pray for all who are pre-grieving and who have entered the long journey into grief.
God we pray for our brothers and sisters who have returned to school an those who haven't begun their new educational journey. We pray for all who teach and all who learn.
God we pray for all those who work in the ministries of social work, social justice, and advocacy of any kind.
God we pray for loving minds, hearts, and spirits in which to serve the least of these.
God we pray for all who are living with a chronic illness. We pray especially for those who are ill and in the hospital remembering _____________________
God we pray for_______________________________
God accept these our prayers in the Holy Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Here are the prayers from last year. Please take notice, sadly there isn't anything new under the Sun.
Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering us to serve God and one another in God's kingdom.
Holy Spirit, we give thanks for those who are discerning calls to any vocation and ministry. May they discern rightly, and say "Yes" to God.
We pray this night for all children of the world who are in need of families, homes, people who love them. We pray that they may be placed in forever homes with loving families.
We pray this night for an end to all violence, terror, and abuse of any kind.
We pray for all refugees and for compassionate immigration reform.
We pray that we may become good stewards of the God's Cathedral of life.
We pray for rain and seasonable weather.
We pray that peace may prevail in this broken world of ours. May we become peacemakers to all and not be afraid to step out courageously and speak truth to power.
We pray for all those who labor and especially for our family members who labor in the fields.
We pray for all those who are hospitalized and who are living with chronic illnesses and who are suffering from brief health problems. Lord Jesus heal them and us and make us whole.
We pray for all who are dying and have died today. Bring your comfort to those who mourn and grieve losses of any kind.
We pray that we may be more loving, compassionate, merciful, and accepting to all. May we remember that all means all and not some.
God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit we add our evening prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances now and on on behalf of others who have requested our prayers. We lift these our prayers to you Lord Jesus, and lay them in your gentle and healing arms. Amen.
God, we pray for an end to all violence and terror that makes our minds succumb to hatred, bitterness, fear, and mistrust. We pray that we may use our minds and hearts to set them on things and situations that unite and not divide.
God we pray for all our loved ones who are sitting vigil at the bedside of loved ones who are transitioning into the Thin Places. Help us to pray for all who are pre-grieving and who have entered the long journey into grief.
God we pray for our brothers and sisters who have returned to school an those who haven't begun their new educational journey. We pray for all who teach and all who learn.
God we pray for all those who work in the ministries of social work, social justice, and advocacy of any kind.
God we pray for loving minds, hearts, and spirits in which to serve the least of these.
God we pray for all who are living with a chronic illness. We pray especially for those who are ill and in the hospital remembering _____________________
God we pray for_______________________________
God accept these our prayers in the Holy Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Here are the prayers from last year. Please take notice, sadly there isn't anything new under the Sun.
Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering us to serve God and one another in God's kingdom.
Holy Spirit, we give thanks for those who are discerning calls to any vocation and ministry. May they discern rightly, and say "Yes" to God.
We pray this night for all children of the world who are in need of families, homes, people who love them. We pray that they may be placed in forever homes with loving families.
We pray this night for an end to all violence, terror, and abuse of any kind.
We pray for all refugees and for compassionate immigration reform.
We pray that we may become good stewards of the God's Cathedral of life.
We pray for rain and seasonable weather.
We pray that peace may prevail in this broken world of ours. May we become peacemakers to all and not be afraid to step out courageously and speak truth to power.
We pray for all those who labor and especially for our family members who labor in the fields.
We pray for all those who are hospitalized and who are living with chronic illnesses and who are suffering from brief health problems. Lord Jesus heal them and us and make us whole.
We pray for all who are dying and have died today. Bring your comfort to those who mourn and grieve losses of any kind.
We pray that we may be more loving, compassionate, merciful, and accepting to all. May we remember that all means all and not some.
God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit we add our evening prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances now and on on behalf of others who have requested our prayers. We lift these our prayers to you Lord Jesus, and lay them in your gentle and healing arms. Amen.
The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your 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.
Expanded Meditation on Using our Mad Muscles for good.
Feeling like gritting your teeth? Smile and put on happy and loving eyes to reflect God and God's light.
Feeling like wanting to punch someone out? Use our mindfulness exercises and count to ten.
Feeling like saying, posting, and tweeting something unkind and taking the road down to trolldom?
Think of using these muscles to fight injustice, be a social justice fighter, and also don't be tricked into playing the games of negative haters.
Feeling like wanting to hate someone just because you can? Don't !!!!!!! Do good to those who hate you ! LOVE THEM! LOVE YOURSELF!!! LOVE GOD!!!!!! No excuses!
Feeling like using your Mad Muscles? When you do switch them to the Kind and Loving Muscles and turn on the Light Shining, God Reflecting, and Peace Making ingredients of Love and Love Energy.
How can you use your Mad Muscles for Good?
Feeling like wanting to punch someone out? Use our mindfulness exercises and count to ten.
Feeling like saying, posting, and tweeting something unkind and taking the road down to trolldom?
Think of using these muscles to fight injustice, be a social justice fighter, and also don't be tricked into playing the games of negative haters.
Feeling like wanting to hate someone just because you can? Don't !!!!!!! Do good to those who hate you ! LOVE THEM! LOVE YOURSELF!!! LOVE GOD!!!!!! No excuses!
Feeling like using your Mad Muscles? When you do switch them to the Kind and Loving Muscles and turn on the Light Shining, God Reflecting, and Peace Making ingredients of Love and Love Energy.
How can you use your Mad Muscles for Good?
Now let s turn our focus to our Walk With Me On Our Journey Self-Care Guide Sunday and for Wednesday ! This blog was written on a Wednesday.
Sunday: Sabbath Care Day;
Worship God.
Rest with God.
Don't do any measurable work.
Enact your own set of Blue Laws.
Go on over to the other side of the lake to rest and pray.
Visit a quiet and restful setting that will refresh you.
Don't forget to spend time with your family members.
Wednesday : Wonderful and Wonder-Filled Wednesday.
This day is to get ourselves out into God's Cathedral of Life and seek out the wonder and mystery of creation, the environment.
Take your children and grand children to the park, beach, or zoo to see these places of wonder and amazement. Hint you can take yourselves there by yourselves too. If your soul and mind likes art, music, and theater these can be places of wonder too.
Go outside and breathe and pray. Prayer walking can help you find wonder too.
Tonight and every night let us also add our basics from You Matter Monday:
Take time to start the week out right by being kind to yourselves.
Practice loving yourself.
Do a mediation of your choice.
Go for a walk if your body is telling you to do so.
Exercise your mind.
Practice our Mindfulness exercises and breathing:
It is simply this we start with our breathing exercises using this format:
Inhale the Holy Spirit.
Exhale Love.
Inhale the Holy Spirit
Exhale Love
Inhale the Holy Spirit
Exhale Love
Now repeat the following 3 times;
Be Still and Know That I am God.
Be Still and Know
Be Still
Be
Now get out some kind of timer, mindfulness app, or music and set them for 5 minutes when you begin. Then close your eyes and be silent. If the music goes long don't worry that will lead you into our time of prayer and thanksgiving.
Tonight's Musical Selection is this: Be Thou My Vision-Sacred Music of John Rutter
++++
God we pray that when we find our self in those moments where our mad muscles are being flexed that we may draw ever near to you and come to you for help that we may find positive ways to use these energies.
God we pray that each time we see, hear, and read about acts of terror and violence we will immediately pray and not all these grating emotions take hold.
God we pray this night for an end to all kinds of violence and hatred. We pray that love and love energy will replace all these terrible and gut wrenching acts that serve no one.
God we pray for peace int this world. We pray that we may courageously be agents of change and speak truth to power and be a voice for the voiceless.
God we know that throughout all ages there hasn't been anything new under the sun in the infighting of division tribes, races, clans, and all peoples we pray that divisions may cease and that we may be truly one and that we will learn to love one another.
God we pray for all of our family members who are ill in body, mind, and spirit. We pray that we may lovingly attend to their needs.
God we pray for the conservation of your Cathedral of life.
God we pray and give thanks for____________________________
We lift up these our prayers in the Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Worship God.
Rest with God.
Don't do any measurable work.
Enact your own set of Blue Laws.
Go on over to the other side of the lake to rest and pray.
Visit a quiet and restful setting that will refresh you.
Don't forget to spend time with your family members.
Wednesday : Wonderful and Wonder-Filled Wednesday.
This day is to get ourselves out into God's Cathedral of Life and seek out the wonder and mystery of creation, the environment.
Take your children and grand children to the park, beach, or zoo to see these places of wonder and amazement. Hint you can take yourselves there by yourselves too. If your soul and mind likes art, music, and theater these can be places of wonder too.
Go outside and breathe and pray. Prayer walking can help you find wonder too.
Tonight and every night let us also add our basics from You Matter Monday:
Take time to start the week out right by being kind to yourselves.
Practice loving yourself.
Do a mediation of your choice.
Go for a walk if your body is telling you to do so.
Exercise your mind.
It is simply this we start with our breathing exercises using this format:
Inhale the Holy Spirit.
Exhale Love.
Inhale the Holy Spirit
Exhale Love
Inhale the Holy Spirit
Exhale Love
Now repeat the following 3 times;
Be Still and Know That I am God.
Be Still and Know
Be Still
Be
Now get out some kind of timer, mindfulness app, or music and set them for 5 minutes when you begin. Then close your eyes and be silent. If the music goes long don't worry that will lead you into our time of prayer and thanksgiving.
Tonight's Musical Selection is this: Be Thou My Vision-Sacred Music of John Rutter
++++
God we pray that when we find our self in those moments where our mad muscles are being flexed that we may draw ever near to you and come to you for help that we may find positive ways to use these energies.
God we pray that each time we see, hear, and read about acts of terror and violence we will immediately pray and not all these grating emotions take hold.
God we pray this night for an end to all kinds of violence and hatred. We pray that love and love energy will replace all these terrible and gut wrenching acts that serve no one.
God we pray for peace int this world. We pray that we may courageously be agents of change and speak truth to power and be a voice for the voiceless.
God we know that throughout all ages there hasn't been anything new under the sun in the infighting of division tribes, races, clans, and all peoples we pray that divisions may cease and that we may be truly one and that we will learn to love one another.
God we pray for all of our family members who are ill in body, mind, and spirit. We pray that we may lovingly attend to their needs.
God we pray for the conservation of your Cathedral of life.
God we pray and give thanks for____________________________
We lift up these our prayers in the Name of your Son Jesus. Amen.
+++++
Good Night Dear Ones I love you! May you be blessed this day and always.
With Love and blessings!
Sara
Resources:
Various Occasions
Book of Common Prayer
Resources from Episcopal Peace Fellowship
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Quote site for : Christ Has No Body
YouTube for Hymns
Hymnary: for Lyrics for Come Labor On
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