Lauds: Friday, May 15, 2020
Greeting
A salaam aleikum, a salaam aleikum
Salaam, salaam, a salaam aleikum
(Arabic: God's peace be yours!)
Peace, Salaam and Shalom to you, dear friends, as light dawns a new day, a day that is both sacred and strange, a day that is both gift and opportunity. Our Morning Prayers include five minutes of silence and meditation; prayers of compassion and intercession, and a blessing for your day. In this discipline, our Easter Faith becomes an Easter practice. So may our Morning Prayers together bring you courage and connect you to the beloved community of spirit that knows you and calls you friend.
Psalm 46
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
Psalm 46
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
God is for us a refuge and strength,
a helper close at hand, in time of distress,
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea;
even though its waters rage and foam,
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Sarah and Isaac is our stronghold.
The waters of a river give joy to God's city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken;
God will help it at the dawning of the day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken;
God's voice roars forth, the earth shrinks away.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Hagar and Ishmael is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord,
the redoubtable deeds God has done on the earth;
putting an end to wars across the earth;
breaking the bow, snapping the spear;
burning the warrior's shields with fire.
"Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earht!"
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of our many ancestors is our stronghold.
a helper close at hand, in time of distress,
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea;
even though its waters rage and foam,
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Sarah and Isaac is our stronghold.
The waters of a river give joy to God's city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken;
God will help it at the dawning of the day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken;
God's voice roars forth, the earth shrinks away.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Hagar and Ishmael is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord,
the redoubtable deeds God has done on the earth;
putting an end to wars across the earth;
breaking the bow, snapping the spear;
burning the warrior's shields with fire.
"Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earht!"
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of our many ancestors is our stronghold.
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
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 / Tawapano Muzi-ta-Rey-nu
(Zimbabwe: Jesus, we are here for you.)
(Zimbabwe: Jesus, we are here for you.)
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.
Prayers of the People
With gratitude for the bonds of friendship, in faithfulness to our calling as the beloved community, we pray now, for one another, for all our neighbors, and for sisters, brothers and friends near and far.
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.
I will live one day at a time,
For those who are sick and ailing, for those who are anxious and frightened, that they may know the generous spirit of grace and have access to the best of care and counsel:
Kyrie…
For health professionals around the world and for public health servants who are working to provide clear guidance, effective testing and compassionate care:
Kyrie…
For immigrants, refugees and prisoners of conscience, that their hearts may be strengthened by faith and that their journeys to freedom be hastened by grace:
Kyrie...
For others we name here and now, that they may know the calming touch of your peace and find comfort and companionship among friends:
For immigrants, refugees and prisoners of conscience, that their hearts may be strengthened by faith and that their journeys to freedom be hastened by grace:
Kyrie...
For others we name here and now, that they may know the calming touch of your peace and find comfort and companionship among friends:
Kyrie…
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.
Response
Lo, I am with you to the end of the world...
Lo, I am with you in the Way of the cross...
Blessing
Lo, I am with you in the Way of the cross...
Blessing
May the Light of God’s Grace fall bright upon your face.
May the Hand of God’s Love be upon you, like a friend.
and
May the Communion of Friends and Church be a constant
presence in your heart, a source of courage today,
and a reminder of the joy and promise of everlasting life.
You are a blessing to the world, my friend, and beloved and cherished by God. Live in the light and walk by faith. The God of our ancestors, the God of all the prophets and saints, goes with you! Go in peace and live well on planet earth.
My sense is this: that disciplined, daily practice transforms Easter speculation into Easter faith; that this kind of prayer (alongside our witness for justice, alongside our commitment to mercy) nurtures our prophetic imagination and partnership with Christ. Thanks for joining me, and for encouraging me, on that journey!
