Prayers of the People: Wolves and Lambs Together, 26th Sunday after Pentecost '16 Yr C

For Sunday, November 13, 2016, 26^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

      For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered...Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent - its food shall be dust. [Isaiah 65:17, 24-25a]

       O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things...Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth...He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. [Psalm 98:1a, 4a, 9b]

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work...Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. [2 Thessalonians 3:11,13]

       When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately...By your endurance you will gain your souls. [Luke 21:9,19]

      It is Election Day morning in the U.S. as I write and all the potential narratives of this day's outcomes and events around the world seem to be written into this Gospel. The vitriol, derisiveness, and divisiveness of the electioneering with even families and friends turning against each other. There are earthquakes, famines, and plagues, terrorist acts and random violence, personal tragedies, and somewhere there are lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My, and things that go bump in the night. Let us take a breath and stop living in the fear that terrible things will happen. Yes, of course they will, they ALWAYS HAVE, from the beginning of time not a day goes by on this earth without something terrible happening to someone, or to many, and the instant access to muddied headlines confirms the fear we want to have. But there are just as many wonderful - marvelous - things also, follow the light and see them. If you are living in a terrible time and even if you are not, seek Christ's words: I will give you words and a wisdom...By your endurance you will gain your souls. Whatever your fears the others' fears are the same. Let our enduring work begin with prayer for confidence in God's new heavens and new earth. Let us shake ourselves out of idleness borne of the paralysis of fear that masks as hate and anger. Let us move out of living in grief to finding purpose in our earthly time. Let us find the lambs in wolf guise in ourselves and others, feed on faith together, and never, ever, weary of doing what is right. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen us to begin again within ourselves, to sing a new song of Your marvelous works in our midst. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with joyful noise and never weary of doing all that is right in Your name.

                                                                Great God of All Creation

RESPONSE:                                         Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we offer our prayers for those who lead this World, this Country, or this Community whether by fair election, fiat, or inheritance. Inscribe on their souls a yearning for peace, good will, and justice for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, console those stricken by grief with a foretaste of the joy for all who are alive again in the eternal grandeur of Heaven. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud… add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us to live into Your Holy Purpose while in this earthly life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                                Great God of All Creation

                                                                 Turn earthly worries to enduring generous action

The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our reluctance and embolden our willingness with generosity of spirit, to strive for righteousness and equity for all people. Let us be faithful stewards of the sacred trust You have placed within us to care for our Earth, to restore harmony, and to respect all others, especially in difference and disagreement. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One, Holy and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Our Role as Stewards, 6th Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, November 13, 2016, Our Role as Stewards, Season of Creation** ‘16, Readings: Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*, Psalm 100, James 1:17-18, 21-27; Matthew 6:25-34

       We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth...In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics...

[from: Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations*]

       Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness and come before his presence with a song. [Psalm 100:1]

     But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves...those who look into the perfect law...of liberty, and persevere, being...doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing. [James 1:22,25]

      Jesus said, "I tell you, do not worry about your life...Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing...But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you...So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6:25,33-34]

        I am writing this the night before the 2016 U.S. Presidential official Election Day. These readings were chosen months ago and while their timing was probably lightly thought of in the context of this event, the serendipity of these words could not be more appropriate. Stewardship IS a great deal more than money. We can be financially generous for personal gain but we cannot truly respect another, serve the LORD with gladness, be doers who act or keep  ourselves unstained by the world without a generous heart. Truly generous acts of giving, James tells us, come directly from God. And the more we strive to be generous of spirit, to be good Stewards of Creation in all of its forms, the more God will strengthen us. No truer words were ever more applicable than: So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. I don't know what tomorrow will bring for my community, my country, or this world, but I will pray without ceasing for the energy and mindset to work to be a continuously generous person.

      

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, strengthen us to begin again within ourselves, to be faithful stewards of the sacred trust You have placed within us, to restore harmony and to respect all others, especially in difference and disagreement. Guide our thoughts and empower our hearts to serve You with gladness and keep ourselves unstained by the world.

                                                                O God of Great Peace

RESPONSE:                                         Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we offer our prayers for those who lead this World, this Country, or this Community whether by fair election, fiat, or inheritance. Inscribe on their souls a yearning for peace, good will, justice, and tenderness for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, console those stricken by grief with a foretaste of the joy for all who are alive again in the eternal grandeur of Heaven. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud…  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

~ Lord of Everlasting Mercy, quicken the spirits of those called and ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us to live into Your Holy Purpose while in this earthly life. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                O God of Great Peace

                                                                Turn us from earthly worries to generous action

The Celebrant adds: O LORD our God, dissolve our reluctance and embolden our willingness to move beyond faithful hearing of Your Word into conscientious doers, with generosity of spirit, striving first and always for Your Kingdom and righteousness. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate, who together with You are our One, Holy and Mighty God, now and forever. Amen.

*A reading from Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations [from Wisdomkeepers by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden]

Brothers, listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations, the Haudenosaunee, over one thousand years ago. The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans; which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation. In every Nation there are wise and good men. These should be appointed Chiefs. They should be the advisers of their people and work for the good of all people, and all their power comes from the “Great Peace”. A chief must never forget the Creator of mankind, never forget to ask Him for help. The Creator will guide our thoughts and strengthen us as we work to be faithful to our sacred trust and restore harmony among all peoples, all living creatures, and Mother Earth…We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all beings of this earth…In our ways, spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics…When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will be destroyed, and human life on this planet will come to an end These are our times and our responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect the welfare of our Mother Earth from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must recognize the enemy – the one within us. We must begin with ourselves.

**for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see:  http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Seven Brothers for One Bride, 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Yr C

For Sunday, November 6, 2016,  25^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Job 19:23-27, Psalm 17:1-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, Luke 27-38

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry;

give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit...

My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped. 

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God...

Guard me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.  [Psalm 17:1, 5-6a, 8]

...God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit...For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ... 

[2 Thessalonians 2:13b-14] 

...they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection...Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive. [Luke 20:36, 28]

       Seven Brothers for One Bride - not quite how the Broadway musical and movie title went. [Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in case you're not up on your 1950's musical theater/film history] The Sadducees, who didn't believe in life after death [that's why they were "sad u cee", I know it's terrible, but it's a mnemonic that keeps me remembering one difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees] always interested in baiting Jesus with a trick question, asked about the practice of a woman/widow with no children marrying the brother of her deceased spouse. In this case the woman was widowed and childless seven times by seven brothers. They wanted to know - if there's this resurrection thing - whose wife would she be in the after life? It is a reasonable question when you think about it. Some jealousy may attach if the more recent spouse is concerned that the widow/er thinks too much of the one who has died, or, the family is upset that the widow/er thinks too much of the new edition. Perhaps the spouses - whether fully churched or less so - wonder themselves - what do Harry or Sally think and how will it be when....? But Jesus answers - those who belong to this age marry...but...those...in the resurrection of the dead do not marry. Indeed they cannot die anymore...God is not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive... To put it simply, in our human existence we marry, some more than once or twice. Now and after human death we are alive in God's eyes, there is no death, merely a transition from the temporary state of humanness, to the eternal life in the salvation of Christ. Can we fully understand - sort of, maybe? But have no worries about it. LIVE this life, work for the next. All those questions, and so many more, will be answered in the sweet by and by.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of the Living, in You death is a transition to Life Eternal for we who are children of the resurrection. Keep us as the apple of Your eye and shelter us in Your wings through our human moment on Earth.

                                                            O LORD of Grace                                          

RESPONSE:                         Strengthen us in works and words

~ God of the Living, may those who lead us on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, arise each day, with the heartfelt intent and purpose to govern with justice, mercy and in peace, acting only in the best interests of Your Planet and all her Inhabitants. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

                                               

~ God of the Living, attend to the cries and hear the prayers of all whose spirits are low from chronic illness, deadly addiction, or emotional turmoil, and lift the energy of those who give them care.  We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions 

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

           

~ God of the Living,  dry and sanctify the tears of the mournful as those who are now entering the gates of Your salvation, are embraced forever in the promised Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

~ God of the Living, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

           

~ God of the Living, we give You great thanksgivings and ask Your special blessings upon all who stand with Christ to guide our life’s journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                            O LORD of Grace

                                                            Strengthen us in works and words

                                                                                                        

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, Compassionate God, hold us fast to the path you set before us and answer our call to You. Help us to arise each day to seek the light and fullness of faith of all the Saints who surround us from Heaven and on Earth. We ask through the salvation of Christ, and being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, who together with You, are One Holy and Loving God now and forever.  Amen.

Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: The Saints Among Us, 5th Sunday in the Season of Creation '16

For Sunday, November 6, 2016, The Saints Among Us, Season of Creation***V, Readings: Breastplate of St. Patrick*, Canticle 1**, Romans 12:9-18, Matthew 5:1-12a

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me. [St. Patrick]

O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord,

O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord,

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord,

praise him and magnify him for ever. [Canticle 1]

Let love be genuine...Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of it all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

[Romans 12:1a, 17-18]

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:7-10]

        Saints among us, the theme for this week, may beg the question - what is a Saint? Dictionary.com in part defines "saint" as:

1. any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the

    Christian Church, especially by canonization.

2. a person of great holiness, virtue, or benevolence.

       In other words, certainly not me! However, we each know someone we would designate as a "saint" even if they are not formally recognized. Especially at this moment in this country's election process, anyone that can resist the pull into angry debate and diatribe has at least one star towards potential sainthood! And yet the readings especially chosen for this Sunday all give us clear direction as we arise each day for a path to saintly living. Further, in the Epistle appointed for All Saints' Day, the writer of Ephesians says, ...with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints...[Ephesians 1:18] Saintly living is very hard work for most of us and definitely requires a lifetime of, first, desire to attain to it, followed by attempts, false starts, regression, and re-programming, and repeat. But the hope is there, if my faith remains strong, that I may find some measure of virtue to live by. Sure, faith wavers at times, but then there is the morning and a chance to arise today with a fresh start and a recognition of all the opportunities to feel the power of God in my life and the companions great and small who are with me in spirit and in person. And in the letter to the Romans, Paul gently says, If it is at all possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all. So my prayer for this day is keep me in a peaceful mindset and let me not repay anger with anger, and strife with strife. As the saying goes what I give out I get back. I also must remember that I need not be alone in my quest to be a better person. I have a choice to join with a community of faith, not merely a "like-minded group" but involvement with those who provide me with spiritual growth, comforts me in difficult times, joins me in the daily highs and lows of life, and challenges me to work with and for all of God's Creation in all of its glory and grunge.

       From the simple and almost child-like hymn often sung on All Saints' Day, I take great comfort and encouragement in the words describing the saints of God as one was a doctor and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green...you can meet them in school, or in church, or...in trains or in shops or at tea, for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too...[Hymn 293, "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God", The Hymnal 1982]. When it is at all possible, so far as it depends on me, with all the perseverance and prayer I can muster, I do mean to be one too. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Most High Creator, we arise today through all the strength, light, radiance, splendor, and stability of our faith in You. Fill us with the wisdom to find the Way You have set before us, led by the example of those we recognize as the Saints who have gone before us, and the saints who live among us now.  

                                                Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

RESPONSE:                          Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, may those who lead us on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community, arise today, and every day, with the heartfelt purpose to oppose all that is merciless and cruel, acting only in the best interests of Your Planet and all of her Inhabitants. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, bless all whose spirits are low from chronic illness, deadly addiction, or emotional turmoil, and lift the energy of those who give them care. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, as You bless and comfort the mournful, those now entering the gates of Your salvation, are embraced forever in the Glory of Christ our Lord. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, silently or aloud… add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

~ Most High Creator, we give You great thanksgivings and ask Your special blessings upon all who stand with Christ to guide our life’s journey to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God

Let us rejoice and be glad in You

The Celebrant adds: Gracious, Compassionate God, keep us genuine in love, pure in heart, and as peacemakers in our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to arise each day to seek the light and values of the Communion of Saints who surround us in Heaven and on Earth. We ask through the salvation of Christ, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, who together with You, are the Threeness in the One Creator of Creation forever and ever. Amen.

*The Breastplate of St. Patrick  [abridged/also known as The Deer's Cry]

I arise today through the strength of heaven, light of the sun, radiance of the moon, splendor of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today through God's strength to pilot me, 
God's eye to look before me,
God's wisdom to guide me, 
God's way to look before me, 
God's shield to protect me. 
From all afar who shall wish me ill, 
Afar and a'near, 
Alone and in a multitude, 
Against every cruel, merciless power 
That may oppose my body and soul.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.
May thy salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

 Click this link for the beautiful music video:   The Deer's Cry 

**Canticle 1    A Song of Creation  [The Book of Common Prayer]

I  O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

III  O let the earth bless the Lord; *
    O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord;

O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye wells, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord;

O ye whales and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord;
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord; *
    O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord;

O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

IV  O ye people of God, bless ye the Lord; *

    O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord;

O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; *

    praise him and magnify him for ever.

O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord; *
    O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord.

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; *
    praise him and magnify him for ever.

***for more information on the Season of Creation and the Earth Charter see:  http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2016/10/prayers-of-people-very-beginning-1st.html




Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.

Prayers of the People: Up a Tree, 24th Sunday after Pentecost Yr C

For Sunday, October 30, 2016, 24^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-18, Psalm 32:1-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-14,11-12; Luke 19:1-10

...cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.  [Isaiah 1:16b-17]

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble, you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. [Psalm 32:7]

We must always give thanks to God for you...because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. [2 Thessalonians 1:3b]

Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost." [Luke 19:9-10]

        I was very fortunate as a child to know two of my great-grandmothers. One of them lived with her "spinster" daughter in a small home that had a parlor with a Victorian settee, lace doily and all - I don't recall that I ever did more than peek into that room. Usually we were in the kitchen when we visited. But I remember clearly there was a framed print on the wall in the small and darkened formal dining room that said: Christ is the Head of this House, the unseen Guest at every meal, the Silent Listener to every conversation. And I remember being afraid of that room because of that plaque, it was very creepy to me as a child to think of the Unseen Guest Listening.  Many years later, when my spinster great-aunt passed away, I asked for and was given that print that I still have tucked away. It's fragile and crumbling and I hadn't thought of it in a long time until I began working with this set of readings. 
        My first thought always when I read the story of Zacchaeus is - what was Mrs. Zacchaeus thinking? Did she give him that look - you know the one, seriously, THIS guy for dinner, and he invited himself? I'm sure she already knew what the neighbors were thinking being less than the popular couple on the block because of her husband's job. Yet here is Jesus calling Zacchaeus out of the tree - to the chorus of nay-sayers and finger-pointers (glad I've never been one of them, well, sort of, mostly not, well, ok, maybe once in a rare while) and telling him Salvation has come to this house...the Son of Man came to seek out to save the lost. Did Zacchaeus think he was lost? How about the grumblers, did they think they were lost? It's much easier for me to point to the other as lost without knowing or accepting when I am lost. Yet in those most lost moments, I cry out to God in despair. I want some kind of magic fix-it, right now! But as I read the words of the Psalmist that God is a hiding place, I remember the Unseen Guest, not as a scary shadow, but a Companion in every moment of the highs, the lows, and the ordinary moments of life. If I remember, then I will be more able to be a better person, point fingers far less often, and work for the betterment of others before myself as Isaiah tells us. If I remember, I will have fewer of the kinds of conversations I wouldn't want Jesus to hear. If I remember, I might realize that I can work to grow my own faith through seeing Christ in others first, and to love even the unlovable (including myself). God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are within us all. We need only remember to reach out in prayer and through all we do in each moment of life. Jesus may be Unseen, but he's always there, even when we're up a tree.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ LORD of Hope and Promise, as You know us better than we know ourselves, guide us to seek and recognize You in others, to find You living deep within us, and to learn to rescue, defend, and plead with more fervor for others than for ourselves.

                                                Forgiving God

RESPONSE:             Preserve us from trouble

~ LORD of Hope and Promise, search again the hearts of us all, especially those who lead in governments globally and locally. Instruct us all in the ways of Christ’s peace, that together we may find the path where peace will grow and spread beyond all barriers and borders. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Forgiving God

                                                Preserve us from trouble

~ LORD of Hope and Promise, lay Your healing hand upon those weary of the pain, anguish, or fears of this life, and hold fast to those who offer caring help. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Forgiving God

                                                Preserve us from trouble

           

~ LORD of Hope and Promise, lighten the darkness for the grieving, as our loved ones return Home to the eternal splendor and glory of new life in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Forgiving God

                                                Preserve us from trouble

~ LORD of Hope and Promise, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                Forgiving God

                                                Preserve us from trouble

           

~ LORD of Hope and Promise, bestow courage and confidence upon those anointed to call us to Your holy table, that our worship may be true, faithful, and pleasing to You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Forgiving God

                                                Preserve us from trouble

The Celebrant adds:  Lord of Creation, Salvation, and Wisdom, grow our faith abundantly and increase our ability to love one another as we are loved by You. Grant us the grace to embody Your Presence and to serve the world together in Your name. We ask through Jesus our Christ, and the Holy Spirit, our Counselor, who together with You are One God, now and forever.  Amen.

        

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