MORNING PRAYERS 2021
Refrain
Bright morning stars are rising (3x)
Day is breaking in my soul.
O where are our dear mothers?
O where are our dear fathers?
They're down in the the valley praying.
Day is breaking in my soul.O where are our dear fathers?
They're down in the the valley praying.
Invocation (Lighting Candle)
Peace to you, dear friends!
You are a beloved community, called together in praise and purpose.
O Holy Sophia,
O Christ of All Mornings:
Lift every spirit
who calls on you now,
and raise your
beloved community in peace.
As night turns to day, and dark welcomes dawn,
speak to us in the wind,
sing to us in the passing of time,
that we may know you and love you
in all we see, in all we do
this new and blessed day.
Peace to you, dear friends!
You are a beloved community, called together in praise and purpose.
May the Light of Heaven shine in your hearts, as we pray together,
one people, one body, one in spirit and service.
In the spaces and silences of our shared prayer this morning,
I hope you'll freely offer your own words of praise, concern and commitment.
Our Praise
Creek Alleluya
I praise You, God, for light and for dark, for seasons and for cycles. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the body's strength and for the body's frailty. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the trails that make sense to me,
and for the paths that go nowhere at all. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
With words of gladness now, or silent sighs,
Creek Alleluya
I praise You, God, for light and for dark, for seasons and for cycles. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the body's strength and for the body's frailty. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
I praise You, God, for the trails that make sense to me,
and for the paths that go nowhere at all. [ALLELUIA/ALLELUIA]
With words of gladness now, or silent sighs,
we praise You for the gifts and graces in our lives.
(You're invited to offer your own praise, for all that is and all that you are.)
Creek Alleluya
Devotion
By your gentle grace, break open our hearts
And illuminate in us your own dreams for justice and jubilee.
By your mighty mercy, gather into your arms
All that is weary of the world, and our many fears.
By Jesus' steps, we walk now into daylight's promise,
Awakened by the songs of birds and angels.
Amen and ashe.
(You're invited to offer your own praise, for all that is and all that you are.)
Creek Alleluya
Devotion
By your gentle grace, break open our hearts
And illuminate in us your own dreams for justice and jubilee.
By your mighty mercy, gather into your arms
All that is weary of the world, and our many fears.
By Jesus' steps, we walk now into daylight's promise,
Awakened by the songs of birds and angels.
Amen and ashe.
The Bell Rings
Ruach: every breath I take was first drawn by You on the face of the deep.
Ruach: every breath I take will forever be Yours.Ruach: every breath I take was first drawn by You on the face of the deep.
Let us be still together. Let us keep watch together.
Let God's breath bring us grace and peace in our stillness and prayer.
Seven 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
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 service.
And we are called to compassion and prayer.
Peace, Sallam, Shalom
We are called to community and communion.
We are called to witness and service.
And we are called to compassion and prayer.
Peace, Sallam, Shalom
For those who are sick and ailing today, for those who are anxious and frightened today, and for their many 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.
God, have mercy.
God, have mercy.
For those in the midst of significant change and discernment, that deep wisdom and courage may illuminate a pathway to newness and joy.
And for so many others, our friends, partners and antagonists,
that they too may know comfort and companionship in the daily round;
we pray for them now by name:
(You're invited to offer into prayer the names of those you hold in love or gratitude today.)
Peace, Sallam, Shalom
Our Intention
that they too may know comfort and companionship in the daily round;
we pray for them now by name:
(You're invited to offer into prayer the names of those you hold in love or gratitude today.)
Peace, Sallam, Shalom
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 nighttime. 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.
Prayer for Serenity
Prayer for Serenity
(as originally composed by Reinhold Niebuhr)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed;
Give us courage to change the things
which should be changed;
and give us the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
I will live one day at a time,
I will enjoy one moment at a time,
And I will accept hardship as a pathway to peace:
Taking, as Jesus did,
This broken world as it is,
And not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things whole and right,
If I surrender to Your will,
And that I can be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You, in the life which knows no end.
Amen and amen.
"Olam Chesed Yibaneh" (Psalm 89)
Blessing:
There is a Love
that meets our deepest need with grace
There is a Grace
that renews every soul and refreshes every thirst
There is a Thirst
that joins us in communion to the
One Holy and Eternal God
whose passion is unity
whose delight is peace
whose light shines in your hearts now and always.
Go with Christ, then: to shine, to love, to thirst.
Amen and amen.
Until next time, my friends, in all things and in all ways, BE WELL AND LIVE INTO THE BLESSING OF YOUR LIFE!
