In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus
And when the world is spinnin' round,
When the world is spinnin' round,
When the world is spinnin' round,
Give me Jesus
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. This morning, our time together will include silence for meditation, intercessions for neighbors near and far, and a blessing for your day. You can find texts of these prayers on my blog: Valley Rise Up. May our Morning Prayers together bring you courage and connect you to the beloved community of spirit that knows you and calls you friend.
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.)
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.
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, for first responders, and for public health servants who are working to provide clear guidance, effective testing and compassionate care:
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 others we name here and now, that they may know the calming touch of your peace and find comfort and companionship among friends:
Kyrie…
John 19
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
Since it was the day of Preparation, the leaders did not want the bodies left
on the cross during the sabbath, especially because the sabbath was a day
of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified
men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the
legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when
they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break
his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at
once blood and water came out. These things occured so that the scripture
might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another
passage of scripture, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced."
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though
a secret one because of his fear of other leaders, asked Pilate to let him
take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave Joseph permission; so he came
and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night,
also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred
pounds.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths,
according to the burial custom of the Jewish people. Now there was a
garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was
a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was
the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus
there.
on the cross during the sabbath, especially because the sabbath was a day
of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified
men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the
legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when
they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break
his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at
once blood and water came out. These things occured so that the scripture
might be fulfilled, "None of his bones shall be broken." And again another
passage of scripture, "They will look on the one whom they have pierced."
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though
a secret one because of his fear of other leaders, asked Pilate to let him
take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave Joseph permission; so he came
and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night,
also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred
pounds.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths,
according to the burial custom of the Jewish people. Now there was a
garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was
a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was
the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus
there.
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
Response
Guide my feet / while I run this race...
Guide my feet / while I run this race...
For I don't want / to run this race in vain.
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.
As tomorrow is Sunday, and Easter Sunday at that, I will not be streaming these morning prayers at 9. I will, however, be live-streaming my Sunrise Prayers at 7 am. Those prayers will include much of the Easter weekend gospel story, and our shared prayers for new life, deep mercy and justice for the earth. If you're up at that hour, I hope you'll join me at 7.
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!
