THURSDAY LAUDS: "Morning Prayers"

I hope you'll freely join me for Lauds, our morning prayers, as the Beloved Community greets each new day in peace and faith.  Let our hearts be opened wide to the invitation of Jesus: to love abundantly, to do justice bravely and to seek the peace of our cities, towns and nations.  All are most welcome to pray with us!  These prayers will most often be streamed on Facebook Live...and posted here after that.

Lauds: Thursday, May 14, 2020

Opening Verse
         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...

     

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.

Beatitudes of Jesus:
    Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,

    And a strong cord of courage for your many peoples.

     Blessed are you poor in spirit, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.
     Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.
     Blessed are you who are meek, for the earth will be yours.
     Blessed are you who hunger and thirst for justice, for justice will be yours.
     Blessed are you merciful ones, for you will receive mercy upon mercy.   
     Blessed are you who are pure of heart, for you will perceive God in all things.
     Blessed are you who make peace and seek peace everyday, for indeed you are the   
                children of God.     
     Turn to God's grace in the flowers of the field.
     Seek God's face among the birds of the air.
     Be not anxious for fancy clothes or rich foods.
     But seek first the path of justice and love.
     And let your light shine bright!  And let your witness be bold! 
     For yours is the kingdom of heaven!

     Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,

     And a strong cord of courage 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

   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 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:

         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: Psalm 89

         Olam chesed yibaneh...
     
         (Hebrew: A world shall be built from compassion.)

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.

        Amen.

Friend, you are a gift: to me, to God, to the great cosmos that lives and breathes around us!  May you live by the light and wonder of that faith.  And know that the God of our ancestors, the God of all the prophets and all the saints, goes with you.  Have a holy, blessed and good day!

ARROWS OF LIGHT, COME, PIERCE MY SOUL!
ARROWS OF LIGHT, COME, PIERCE MY SOUL!
PIERCE MY SOUL, PIERCE MY SOUL, 
MY SOUL, MY SOUL!