Our annual celebration of the Seneca Falls Convention Day One!

Good Evening Beloved Community!


Happy Sunday!
This week I hope will be like no other. We are to go out and use our voices and speak truth to power to our communities, the nation, and the world and be the change God wants to see in the world. Tonight we celebrate these four remarkable women: ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, AMELIA BLOOMER, SOJOURNER TRUTH, HARRIET ROSS TUBMAN as we remember the Seneca Falls Convention,  and let us pray and give thanks for all these women who fought for women's rights around the world List of Suffragists and Suffragettes.

Let us ponder these quotes on human rights:

"America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense human rights invented America." ~ Jimmy Carter

"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." ~ Robert Green Ingersoll

"I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation." ~ Coretta Scott King

"Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being." ~ Khalil Gibran


"The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all our communities." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." ~ Nelson Mandela

"Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

"Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight." ~ Bob Marley

"We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism." ~ Rigoberta Menchu

"In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace." ~ Wangari Maathai

"When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him." ~ Bayard Rustin


We open our worship together by lighting this candle in unity for the human rights of all God's children of whom we are truly family.

Let us light our candles and remember all who have walked and spoke out for human rights and those of us who are still walking and speaking out.

A New Unsettling Force

We’re a new unsettling force
And we are powerful a new
unsettling force
And we’re here, we’re a new
unsettling force
For liberation and we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
And we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
- Luke Nephew

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

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 we light our candles and pray this night for all who might feel tired, emotionally frayed, and at a loss because of life's tender circumstances. We pray for all who are mentally ill and who may be deciding to end their own lives that they may reach out for help and that the agency may lovingly respond to their needs. We pray for all homeless, hungry, and ill-clad family members who are in need of homes, nourishing food, and warm and decent clothing. We pray for all of our LGBTQ family members who are on edge, afraid, and who would like to feel the loving acceptance of all people and the courage to live authentically. We pray for all of our family members who have chronic illnesses that they may find healing from worry, pain, and anxiety. We pray for all of our family members who have been touched by violence, terror, bullying, and abuse. We ray and remember this day that we may ask You O God for help and each other. We pray that each of us may be soft places in which to fall and that we may lovingly respond to each other's cries for help. We lift up these our prayers to you O God. Amen. 

Jesus we pray for all the hurts in our lives and in God's World.

Lead With Love- Melanie Demore

Chorus:
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love

Don’t give up hope / Don’t give up hope
You’re not alone / You’re not alone
Don’t you give up / Don’t you give up
Keep moving on / Keep moving on

Chorus:
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love

I know you’re scared / I know you’re scared

Cause I’m scared too / Cause I’m scared too

And here I am / And here I am

Right next to you / Right next to you

Chorus:
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love

Lift up your eyes / Lift up your eyes
Don’t you despair / Don’t you despair
Look up ahead / Look up ahead
Your path is there / Your path is there

Chorus:
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love
You gotta put one foot in front of the other
and lead with love (put)
One foot in front of the other and lead with love

Because in every age you have called brave souls to proclaim righteousness for the transformation of the world, that all may welcome the coming of your holy reign.

Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Joseph Barth: A Grace

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

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


God is Spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and
in truth. John 4:24

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



I LAY BEFORE YOU - Howard Thurman

The concern which I lay bare before You today is:

Whatever disaffection there is between me and those who are or have been very close to me— I would seek the root or cause of such disaffection, and with the illumination of Your mind, O God, to understand it.

I give myself to Your scrutiny that, whatever there may be in me that is responsible for what has happened, I will acknowledge.

Where I have wronged or given offense deliberately or without intention, I seek a face-to-face forgiveness.

What I can undo I am willing to try; what I cannot undo, with that I seek to make my peace.

How to do these things, what techniques to use, with what spirit— for these I need and seek Your wisdom and strength, O God.

Whatever disaffection there is between me and those who are or have been very close to me, I lay bare before You.

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

SLOW US DOWN…YET ALSO - Anonymous

Slow us down, O God. Ease the pounding of our hearts by the quieting of our minds;

Yet also, wake us up. Shake the complacency out of our souls by opening our minds to the cry of the wounded, the refugees wandering without homes, the homeless at home, and the children who starve.

Steady our hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time;

Yet also, quicken our steps with a vision of the urgent action now required to cure the causes of stunted growth, premature death, battered women, and abused children.

Give us, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlast ing hills;

Yet also, alert our eyes not to the comforting illusion of constancy divorced from change, but rather to such sharp reality as deep poverty surrounding us at home and abroad.

Break the tensions of our nerves and muscles with the soothing mu sic of the singing streams;

Yet also, give us, amid the calm days of our years, souls which are prepared to cope with the confusion necessarily occurring amidst new creation in the cities, towns, and the countries of the earth.

Help us to know the magical, restoring power of sleep;

Yet also, break the chains of euphoria deluding us to think that we are acting responsibly when we do no more than listen to music which protects our feet from marching.

Remind us of the fable of the hare and the tortoise, that we may know that there is more to life than increasing its speed;

Yet also, remind us of the fable of the astrologer who fell plumb to the bottom of a well, not seeing his feet while reading the sky.

Slow us down, O God, and inspire us to send our roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values, that we may grow more surely toward the stars;

Yet also, wake us up, so our eyes may see the people around us and our arms may be open to embrace the suffering who cry.

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 (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

A prayer 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.

146 Lauda, anima mea

1 Hallelujah!

Praise the Lord, O my soul! *

I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *

for there is no help in them.

3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *

and in that day their thoughts perish.

4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *

whose hope is in the Lord their God;

5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *

who keeps his promise for ever;

6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *

and food to those who hunger.

7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;

the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8 The Lord loves the righteous;

the Lord cares for the stranger; *

he sustains the orphan and widow,

but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *

your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.

Hallelujah!

Judges 9:50-55

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. 51But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the lords of the city fled to it and shut themselves in; and they went to the roof of the tower. 52Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and came near to the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. 53But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and crushed his skull. 54Immediately he called to the young man who carried his armour and said to him, ‘Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, “A woman killed him.” ’ So the young man thrust him through, and he died. 55When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.

Woke up this morning- Unknown

Woke up this morning with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this morning with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this morning with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.

I’m walking and talking with my mind

stayed on freedom

I’m walking and talking with

my mind

stayed on freedom

I’m walking and talking with

my mind

stayed on freedom

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.

Ain’t nothing wrong with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Oh, there ain’t nothing wrong with

keeping my mind

Stayed on freedom

There ain’t nothing wrong with

keeping your mind

Stayed on freedom

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.

I’m singing and praying with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Yeah, I’m singing and praying with

my mind

Stayed on freedom

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah.

Luke 11:5-10

Perseverance in Prayer

5 And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” 7And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9 ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

A Song of True Motherhood

Julian of Norwich

God chose to be our mother in all things *

and so made the foundation of his work,

most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.

God, the perfect wisdom of all, *

arrayed himself in this humble place.

Christ came in our poor flesh *

to share a mother’s care.

Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *

our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.

Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *

until the full time of his passion.

And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *

still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.

All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *

for the love of Christ works in us;

Christ is the one whom we love.

We are the ones- Sweet Honey in The Rock

(Part 1)

We are the ones, we are the ones

We’ve been waiting

(Part 2)

We are the ones, we are the ones

We’ve been waiting

(Part 3)

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for

We are the ones we’ve been waiting

for

(Part 4)

We are the ones, we are the ones waiting

We are the ones, we are the ones

waiting

Settings of the Lord's Prayer as found in 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 the alternative form.

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.

O God, whose Spirit guides us into all truth and makes us free: Strengthen and sustain us as you did your servants Elizabeth, Amelia, Sojourner, and Harriet. Give us vision and courage to stand against oppression and injustice and all that works against the glorious liberty to which you call all your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind, in the waves, and in our hearts

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind,in  the waves.

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind.

Be still and hear the whisper of God.

Be still and hear the whisper.

Be still and hear.

Be still.

Be.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us

through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole

human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which

infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us

unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and

confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in

your good time, all nations and races may serve you in

harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.(BCP)

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 When I preaches, I has just one text to preach from, an' I always preaches from this one. My text is, 'When I found Jesus.' Sojourner Truth

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.

“Love is the vital essence that pervades and permeates, from the center to the circumference, the graduating circles of all thought and action. Love is the talisman of human weal and woe--the open sesame to every soul.” 

― Elizabeth Cady Stanton

“Paul, in speaking of equality as the very soul and essence of Christianity, said, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

― Elizabeth Cady Stanton, The Woman's Bible

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us

through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole

human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which

infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us

unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and

confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in

your good time, all nations and races may serve you in

harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.

 ON LIVING YOUR TRUTH

“The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. Every truth we see is ours to give the world, not to keep for ourselves alone, for in so doing we cheat humanity out of their rights and check our own development.”

— From an 1890 speech to the National American Woman Suffrage Association - Elizabeth Cady Stanton

We pray this night for all the places where there is violence and war. Lord Jesus teach us how to be peacemakers

Jesus we pray protection over the least of these and especially the little children whom you love and accept fully without having a litmus test.

Jesus we pray this night for all those who are ill and are struggling with life threatening illnesses. We pray especially for those who our family members have requested remembering at this time________________

Jesus we pray that you may enfold your loving arms upon us and help us to Let go and Let God.

Jesus we pray for all of our family members who hate, commit violent acts, abuse, and those who bully. We pray that they may have a change of heart and mind and learn to love and practice peace instead.

Jesus we pray for all of our family members who are discerning calls to ministry and seeking new life paths. Direct our paths in the way we should go and listen for your call.

Jesus help us to remember those who have died and those who are dying, remembering especially ____________ We pray that they may reside peacefully in the Thin Places.

Jesus keep watch over us this night and encircle us with your loving protection  and presence.

Jesus we pray that we may remember that we are to Love God, Neighbor, and ourselves. Help us we pray to be kind to ourselves and  this means our bodies, minds, and spirits. 

Jesus we pray for all refugees near and far away that they may receive a loving and compassionate welcome in the countries where they are fleeing for safety.

We ask these our prayers in your most Holy Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Song of Simeon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

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.
All repeat the Antiphon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.


The Wisdom of God the Love of God and the Grace of God strengthen us to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.(source: Celtic)

+++++

Good Night All! I love you and give thanks to God for you this day and always. May God's blessings be upon you! Take time to ponder what action God is calling you to do. Then do it!

With love, prayers, and peace,

Sara

Resources;

Book of Common Prayer

Enriching Our Worship

Prayers of Power

Quote sites for the featured saints of the day

Walk With Me On Our Journey

Poor People's Campaign Songbook