MONDAY
Arrows of Light, come, pierce my soul!
Breath of the Bright Wind, make us one!
Invocation
O Holy Light, O Wisdom, O Christ:
Lift our spirits now, raise your servant church to life.
As night turns to day, and dark welcomes dawn,
Open our eyes that we may see your face
In the joys, in the wonders, in the strange struggles
(Arrows of Light, Arrows of Light, Arrows of Light)
Peace to you, dear friends! When we pray together -- as we do here -- we lean into the grace of God, the mercy of God, and the beloved community that is our true hope and calling. So welcome! You'll find the text of these morning prayers on my blog, "Valley Rise Up." In the gentle pauses that follow, I hope you'll add your own prayers, your own praise to our community's lauds. We pray together.
Praise
Creek Alleluya
I praise You, God, for light and for dark, for seasons and for cycles. [ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the body's strength and for the body's frailty. [ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the trails that make sense,
and for the paths that go nowhere. [ALLELUIA]
With our own words we praise You, God,
for the gifts and graces in our particular lives...
(You're invited to offer your own praise, for all that is and all that you are.)
Creek Alleluya
Devotion
Let the mind of Jesus be in us and with us:
That we might receive today's gifts with joy,
That we might bear today's sorrow in faith,
And that we might keep our eyes on the prize
Of liberation, celebration and the beloved community
Of all beings, all peoples, and all souls.
Amen and amen.
Five Minutes of Silence & Meditation
You’re invited to experience the active, generous presence of God—in your body, in your soul, in our ruah. Remember that the Bible uses this one Hebrew word (ruah) for “spirit” and for “wind” and for “breath.” As we sit quietly and breath mindfully, we are aware of the Spirit’s tender and resilient movement in our lives.
If your mind wanders, do not be harsh or judgmental. Simply notice the wandering mind, and then return to your breath. Return to the Spirit who is your companion in prayer.
The Bell Rings
In our breathing, we rest in You.
In our resting, we rejoice in You.
In our rejoicing, we are one with You.
Prayers of the People
We are called to community and communion.
We are called to witness and resistance.
And we are called to compassion and prayer.
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison
Holy One, have mercy on us
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us
Kyri-Kyrie eleison.
For those who are sick and ailing today, for those who are anxious and frightened today, and for their caregivers--that all may know the generous spirit of grace and peace:
God, have mercy.
For all who seek racial justice, and for those committed to systemic and consequential change on the path to nonviolent and just national renewal:
God, have mercy.
For immigrants and refugees so far from home, that their hearts may be strengthened by faith and that their journeys to freedom be hastened by grace:
God, have mercy.
For our friends incarcerated in institutions and jails, and for prisoners of conscience living for freedom, that holy hope rise in their hearts and mercy make them wise:
God, have mercy.
And for so many others, friends, partners and antagonists,
that they too may know comfort and companionship among friends;
we pray for them by name:
(You're invited to offer into prayer the names of those you hold in love or gratitude today.)
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison
Holy One, have mercy on us
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us
Kyri-Kyrie eleison.
Our Intention
I invite you now to consider your own intention for the day to come: how you might face the opportunities, responsibilities and mysteries that stretch out across morning, afternoon and nightime. How do you intend to live this day, the day you're given, on planet earth? And in a quiet moment, offer this intention to God, and receive God's promise of companionship and blessing.
I invite you now to consider your own intention for the day to come: how you might face the opportunities, responsibilities and mysteries that stretch out across morning, afternoon and nightime. How do you intend to live this day, the day you're given, on planet earth? And in a quiet moment, offer this intention to God, and receive God's promise of companionship and blessing.
Jesus' Prayer
Earth-maker, life-giver, pain-bearer,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God in whom is heaven:
May the hallowing of your name
May the hallowing of your name
echo through the universe!
May your heavenly will be done
by all creatures great and small!
And may your commonwealth
of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth!
With the bread we need this day, feed us.
For the hurt we inflict on one another, forgive us.
By your grace and mercy,
strengthen us through seasons of temptation,
and spare us from trials too great to endure.
Free us from bigotry and evil, for service and truth.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is Love. Amen.
People's Response
“Jesu Tawapano” (Jesus, we are here for you.)
Blessing:
May the Grace of God --
Whose voice calls the mountains to laughter
and the oceans to song;
And the Love of Jesus –
Whose hands heal the broken and welcome the lost;
And the Great Spirit of Life –
Whose freedom is beyond all knowing and control;
May this One Holy God
Speak your name and awaken your courage today;
That by your breath, by your life, by your very being,
The world might know the blessing
And the power and the peace of God’s Love.
May it be so. With you. And with us all.
Amen.
Until next time, my friends, in all things and in all ways, BE WELL AND LIVE INTO THE BLESSING OF YOUR LIFE!
