It's all about the gift of presence! This is a very Ubuntu thing to do and to give!

Good Evening Dear Family!

Happy Tuesday! I hope all is well. Today was a busy day with a meeting in the morning, my church shift in the afternoon, and another meeting this evening. This is par for the course on Tuesdays. Each meeting was a meeting where God called me to be present. The gift of presence is key in all that we do. God expects us to be his living presence in the communities in which we live. Everyday we bring our whole selves to the table and to our communities. Don't think that you aren't a valued part of the community. You most definitely are. There is a gift that God has given you that only you possess and God expects you to take it out in the world and use it for the good of all not just some.  I'm finding that being a marginalized person who has SNAP, Medicaid, and a California Lifeline Phone and doesn't have any money gives me insights that help my community in rich and rewarding ways. Today is the feast day of Monnica the mother of Augustine of Hippo .  Here is today's advice from our saint of the day:
"Nothing is far from God." ~ Saint Monica
We need to remember this always as we continue on in this season of Ubuntu!

Tonight let us meditate upon the word presence with these quotes:

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?" ~ Nhat Hanh

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Your children need your presence more than your presents." ~ Jesse Jackson

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Your presence is the most precious gift you can give to another human being." ~ Marshall B. Rosenberg

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"I can sense your presence in my Heart although you belong to all the world." ~ Rumi

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Wherever you are - be all there." ~ Jim Elliot

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Your presence is a miracle." ~ Nhat Hanh

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray


"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people." ~ Mother Teresa

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"In the stillness of your presence, you can feel your own formless and timeless reality as the unmanifested life that animates your physical form. You can then feel the same life deep within every other human and every other creature. You look beyond the veil of form and separation. This is the realization of oneness. This is love." ~ Eckhart Tolle

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray


"Before you do something to help, your presence already can bring some relief." ~ Nhat Hanh

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"You are the light of the world. You are an instrument of the Divine. You are the greatest miracle in the world. Life is graced by your presence." ~ Iyanla Vanzant

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Unless you call attention to your presence who will know you're there? Even a country has to weave and wave a flag as proof of its existence." ~ Rod McKuen

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Give me faith, Lord, to know Your Presence as surely as I know the beating of my own heart. I've felt so far from You." ~ Jan Karon

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"The gospel of God and the love of God are expressed finally and fully in God's gift of himself for our everlasting pleasure. "In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."" ~ John Piper

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence." (Harvard Business School definition of leadership)" ~ Sheryl Sandberg

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Dear Lord...shine through me, and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul...Let me thus praise You in the way You love best, by shining on those around me." ~ John Henry Newman

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"My God, since you are with me and since, by Your will, I must occupy myself with external things, please grant me the grace to remain with You, in Your presence. Work with me, so that my work might be the very best. Receive as an offering of love both my work and all my affections." ~ Brother Lawrence

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

"Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, 'Come Lord Jesus!'" ~ Henri Nouwen

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray


"Practice sharing the fullness of your being, your best self, your enthusiasm, your vitality, your spirit, your trust, your openness, above all, your presence. Share it with yourself, with your family, with the world." ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn


Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray


"Oh, God, give me grace for this day. Not for a lifetime, nor for next week, nor for tomorrow, just for this day. Direct my thoughts and bless them Direct my work and bless it. Direct the things I say and give them blessing, too. Direct and bless everything that I think and speak and do. So that for this one day, just this one day, I have the gift of grace that comes from your presence. . . ." ~ Marjorie Holmes

Read
Pause
Reflect
Pray

Let us come together in God's presence and in the presence of one another to make vigil and pray.

Joseph Barth: A Grace

We give thanks for Being;
We give thanks for being here;
We give thanks for being here together.


We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, calling upon
your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but citizens together
with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19

"How very good and pleasant it is
    when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
    life forevermore."
Ps. 133

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



O Holy Spirit,
Give me faith that will protect me
from despair, from passions, and from vice;
Give me such love for God and men
as will blot out all hatred and bitterness;
Give me the hope that will deliver me
from fear and faint-heartedness.
Amen.

- from a prayer written in prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Anselm: We Bring Our Troubles

We bring before You, O God:
The troubles and perils of people and nations,
The sighings of the sick,
The sorrows of the bereaved,
The necessities of strangers,
The helplessness of the weak,
The despondency of the weary,
The failing powers of any age.
May each of us draw as near to You
As You are near to each of us.


Alcuin: Eternal One

Eternal Light, shine into our hearts;
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil;
Eternal Power, be our support;
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance:
That we may seek Your face
With all our heart and mind and soul and strength.

A PERSONAL INVOCATION -Augustine

O Love of God, descend into my heart;
Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,
And scatter there Your cheerful beams.
Dwell in the soul that longs to be Your temple;
Water that barren soil overrun with weeds and briars
And lost for lack of cultivating.
Make it fruitful with Your dew.
Come, dear Refreshment of those who languish;
Come, Star and Guide of those who sail amidst tempests.
You are the Haven of the tossed and shipwrecked.
Come now, Glory and Crown of the living,
As well as the Safeguard of the dying.
Come, Sacred Spirit;
Come, and fit me to receive You.


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.

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. 

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.


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


A Smudging Prayer From Metis Aboriginal Ministries

 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.


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

Psalm 134 Ecce nunc

1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, *
you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.

2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; *
the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

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
+++

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.

Psalm 115:12-18

12 The Lord has been mindful of us, and he will bless us; *
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;

13 He will bless those who fear the Lord, *
both small and great together.

14 May the Lord increase you more and more, *
you and your children after you.

15 May you be blessed by the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

16 The heaven of heavens is the Lord's, *
but he entrusted the earth to its peoples.

17 The dead do not praise the Lord, *
nor all those who go down into silence;

18 But we will bless the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Hallelujah!

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.

1 Samuel 1:10�20

10She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. 11She made this vow: ‘O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite* until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants,* and no razor shall touch his head.’

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14So Eli said to her, ‘How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.’ 15But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.’ 17Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ 18And she said, ‘Let your servant find favour in your sight.’ Then the woman went to her quarters,* ate and drank with her husband,* and her countenance was sad no longer.*

19 They rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked him of the Lord.’

A Song of the Wilderness
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Luke 7:11-17

Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain


11 Soon afterwards* he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, ‘Young man, I say to you, rise!’ 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus* gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us!’ and ‘God has looked favourably on his people!’ 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

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.



Deepen our devotion, O Lord, and use us in accordance with your will, that inspired by the example of your servant Monica, we may bring others to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
  

Prayers for today

Holy Spirit, May we be awakened and be fit to serve you where ever you call us to be. 

Holy Spirit ,we Pray for all who prepared for and Participated in Sabbath observances that they may find rest. 

Holy Spirit, empower us to speak and practice peace in every step that we take on our journey with You, Jesus, and God our Creator and loving Parent.

Holy Spirit, Give us tender hearts to care for all of our family members. We remember that our family members are our enemies too and that we are our enemies keepers ,who are our brothers and sisters as well.

Holy Spirit, channel our energies to help make our local, state, national, and international neighborhoods places of safety,  justice, peace, kindness,mercy, and love.

Holy Spirit, surround all those who are grieving any loss but most especially loved ones, and friends. your Holy Comfort. 

Holy Spirit, enliven us so that we may let go and let loose and have times in which to dance, sing, and be joyful with hearts and hands that are uplifted in praise and in community.

May we offer our prayers, thanksgivings, remembrances, and  celebrations to you Jesus with our voices or in the quietness of our hearts. 

May we rest gentle in your arms and awaken with joyful and loving hearts.

St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

For whom and what shall we pray?

God we pray that we may de-clutter all the junk that is hindering our relationship with you and our families?

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray for an end to all the junk that divides us and fails to unite us.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray that we might find our reliance upon you and not things and earthly possessions. 

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray for an end to all forms of violence that there may be peace on the the Earth.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of bodies, minds, and spirits remembering especially _______________

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray for an end to _________________

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray for the conservation of God's Cathedral of Life.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray and give thanks for __________________

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we pray that the leaders of the nations and especially here at home may realize their duty is to lead and care for the least of these no matter who they are. We pray that they may truly practice and live by the words "Liberty and Justice for all!".

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

God we lift up these our prayers to you O God.

God in your mercy,

Hear our prayer

Matthew 5:1-12The Message (MSG)

You’re Blessed

5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Lord God we thank you for all those who have crossed our paths today help us to see you in them.

We are Family!

Lord we pray for all those who are in need of your extravagant love, mercy, and grace. Give us courage to see those who are suffering not as outcasts but family members!

We are Family!

Lord we pray for all those who travel Help us to share the road safely and be awake to those are around us.

We Are Family.

Lord help us to rejoice when  our family members receive good news and to to be patient when you tell us not yet!

We are Family

Lord help us to plant healthy seeds on fertile ground and in tender hearts so that we may grow and sew love to feed and care for broken and hungry world.

We are family.

Lord help us to be the uniquely connected people of faith and your creation you made  us to be!

We are family!.

Help us O Lord to continue to say yes to you when you ask us to "Walk with me on our Journey!'

We are family.

We are family made in love, knit together by love and grace, and may we show to each other and the world that We Are Family. 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.

O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the

angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in

danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and

grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and

serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen.

Holy Wisdom, in your loving kindness you created and restored

us when we were lost: inspire us with your truth, that we may

love you with our whole minds and run to you with open hearts,

through Christ our Savior. Amen.

(source: Alcuin of York, Mass of Wisdom

Beloved God, as we approach your Presence, guide and stir us

with your Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in

Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Loving Jesus: Protect and sustain us with your hand. Open the

door of your love that, sealed with your wisdom, we may be free

to serve you with joy. Amen.

(a prayer of St. Gertrude)

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.

St. Teresa of Avila

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.

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)

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to

generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.

Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

Good Night Dear Ones! I love you!

Blessings, love, and peace,

Sara

Resources:

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching Our Worship

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Quote Sites for Prayers and Quotes

Satucket Lectionary Page

Prayers of Power

A New Zealand Prayer Book