Prayers of the People: Arise and Shine! ~ Sunday of the Epiphany '19 Yr C

For Sunday, January 6, 2019, Sunday of the Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

     Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you…Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. [Isaiah 60:1, 3]

     For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper. [Psalm 72:12]

     Of this gospel I have become a servant accord to the gift of God’s grace…This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. [Ephesians 3:7a,11-12]

     “Go and search diligently for the child…” When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. [Matthew 2:8b, 10]

       EPIPHANY IS BIG! It brings us a bright shiny and HOLY revelation. Yet, unless on Sunday as this year, the Epiphany seems to be somewhat ignored in these times. It IS the continuing and the expanding of the celebration of the birth of our Messiah, and his importance to us all, but perhaps we are worn down. We have come through the four weeks of anticipation in Advent, the hustle and bustle of preparation for gifts and food and gatherings, the familiar rush of the time of year, followed by the pageantry and the glorious music, and then the usual “let down.” Perhaps Epiphany, the 12^th Day of Christmas, has become an anti-climax, the end of the story, the time to take down the decorations. Yet it is in truth a beginning. We open new chapters of the Story that will take us from Jesus the Baby, to Christ our Redeemer. While we celebrate the birthday with great fanfare, the Epiphany moves us into the reason for which this Child was born of a woman, the revelation of God’s eternal purpose is upon us. A theophany then ~ the manifestation of God visible to humans ~ a re-discovery now.

      At the Nativity of Jesus, Luke tells us that the angels appeared to the shepherds who received the good news of great joy, but Luke never mentions the Magi. Matthew never mentions the shepherds or even the birth itself except for a brief phrase: "...until she had borne a son; and he [Joseph] named him Jesus." But Matthew did tell us of the "...wise men from the East..." They saw a great star revealing to them the need for a journey to pay homage to a new born king of the Jews. Herod gets involved and we begin to see the ominous cloud moving in to shadow the glorious star. But having heard this story so very many times are we listening as it is read again? Have we tuned out rather than engaging with the experience? Or, have we re-awakened to the wonder and pondered what it could possibly mean for each of us in our own time?   
       These three “Kings” have trekked long distances to tell Herod, and us all, of the power and majesty this Child brings. It is a new dawn, another chance to listen and to hear deep within. In the compression of time given in the Gospels and the Church calendar, it is a short season indeed before we begin the unfolding of the ministry, miracles, teaching, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is time again to rediscover the astonishment, the amazement, the true adoration in this event.

       Hear the story as if for the very first time – know that we have been given an extraordinary gift, Christ, Our Lord, has been born to us! Let us be overwhelmed with joy! Let us search diligently for the child within us and around us. Epiphany is the time to seek the Magi-cal gifts in my own life that call me to pay homage, follow and live into the light and life of Christ in boldness and confidence through faith in him. Arise, shine; for your light has come!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, as we arise in the shining Light of Your glory, help us to come together as Your people, to seek the joy that You bring to us again and again, and to share in Your eternal promise.

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven                              

RESPONSE:                 Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, guide all nations to come to Your light, and all leaders of governments to the brightness of Your dawn. Let us model the very compassion and peace needed in the world to reverse the damage of violence, oppression, and injustice in our own time. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, deliver from distress all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and comfort all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

~ Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, lift the hearts of those lost in grief as those we love are now receiving the boundless treasures of eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

~  Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

             

~ Holy Messiah, Heartbeat of God, lavish special blessings upon the wise women and men who lead us in Your Church, as they prayerfully bring us Your words, works, and wonders on our life’s path toward Redemption. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, Light of Heaven

                                                       Our Strength and our Redeemer

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy Christ, God’s Eternal Purpose, grant us the willingness to become a servant to You, our guiding star in the dark moments of life, and our rising and sustaining sun in each and every day. We ask with deep humility and hope through our Almighty Creator of all that is, and in the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of our souls, who together with You are One God, now and forever. Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Begin at the Beginning ~ 1st Sunday After Christmas Day '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 30, 2018, 1st Sunday after Christmas Day, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Ps 147, Galatians, 3:23-25, 4:4-7; 

John 1:1-18

       For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what it sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations…I will not keep silent…I will not rest…until the nations see Your vindication. [Isaiah 61:11, 62:1a, 2a]

     Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God!...He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds…The Lord lifts the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:1a, 3, 6]

     God sent his Son, born of a woman…so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying, "Abba, Father!"  So you are no longer a slave but a child…then also an heir through God. [Galatians 4:4b-7]

     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...What has come into being was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it...And the Word became flesh and lived among us...From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.  [John 1:1-2, 3b-5,14a, 16]

       Still in the thrall of Christmas, we are on the cusp of the end of one year and beginning of another. The music, lights, and now unwrapped presents are all still claiming our senses though perhaps our attention is slightly on the wane. We’re not quite out of the holiday mood even if all the necessities of action in daily life are creeping in. Yet there is time enough to breathe deeply and inhale the air still electric with excitement for the sacred and Holy Infant's birth and the high expectations for the coming of a New Year. We fill our lungs and it disperses throughout our own life blood. We exhale the doubts and fears of uncertain faith, and inhale deeply again to set our course for a new start, a new birth in ourselves, an awakening, a fresh awareness of the presence Christ within us and all around us.

       For some it is an important moment to breathe in the hope for those who are no longer in this life, and with whom our mutual love will live forever, that their journey is fulfilled as promised, living again in a joy-filled eternity.

        John tells us in today’s Gospel that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. As the Spirit of Jesus lives in our hearts by God's gift, let us radiate that light from within, be the change we want to find in others, live as though we believe in the grace upon grace received from the Incarnation of Jesus, our Christ, the Word made flesh who lived among us. Let the first Resolution be: Begin at the Beginning and follow the Light. As John says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus, let us begin again with You. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Abba! Lord! You have revealed all life through Christ who was born of a woman to redeem us as Your children, Your heirs. Grant us the faith and courage to live every day in wisdom and in strength, through the Spirit of Christ that You have sent into each of our hearts.

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word             

RESPONSE:                    Center our hearts and minds on You

~ Abba! Lord! Let us not rest or keep silent in seeking Your righteousness and peace among all nations and all leaders, everywhere. Cause the changes we seek in others to spring up in ourselves in our daily thoughts and actions.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word

                                                       Center our hearts and minds on You

~ Abba! Lord! Lift the lowly from their distress and bind up the wounds of all hurting bodies and souls.  Renew the love and energy of all who give care and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word

                                                       Center our hearts and minds on You

~ Abba! Lord! Heal the hearts broken by grief as those we love now live again, swathed in the glory and rejoicing of the exquisite bliss of Eternity. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word

                                                       Center our hearts and minds on You

~ Abba! Lord! We pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word

                                                       Center our hearts and minds on You

             

~ Abba! Lord! May Your Holy Spark forever blaze through the souls of those anointed to lead us on our journey toward everlasting redemption through Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Jesus, God’s Holy Word

                                                       Center our hearts and minds on You

             

The Celebrant adds: Jesus, God’s Ever-Present Glory and Truth, You came as God’s flesh and blood among us in Your humanity; in Your divinity, You are our grace upon grace. As You have clothed us in the garments of Salvation, guide us to be Your Light in our world that the darkness of evil cannot overcome. We ask through God, our Creator, who together with You, our Redeemer Christ, in the unity of Holy Spirit, are One God, now and forever. Amen. 

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Between Almost and Finally! ~ Christmas '18 Yr C

For December 24/25, 2018, Year C, Readings: Christmas Eve ~ Luke 2:1-20 at Creche, Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, John 1:1-14; 

Christmas Day ~ Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20

       The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...For a child has been born for us, a son given to us...and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:2a, 6]

       Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. [Psalm 96:1-2]

        

       The grace of God appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce…worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [Titus 2:11-12]

       In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy...to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... [Luke 2:8-11, 13]

        In the beginning was the Word…What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world…And the Word became flesh and lived among us… [John 1:1a, 3b-5, 9, 14a]  

          There is something almost magical, perhaps mystical is a better word, that occurs within me when I hear the words from Luke 2, especially when we get to:  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night... I become expectant. I become my 6 year old self, hearing the resonant voice of a familiar narrator. I am hope-filled. All is right in the world...for this moment. 

          Every year someone asks, "If only we could stay this way all year." The spell cast by the words and the music, the glitter of ornaments and lights, and the chatter of little ones and bigger ones ripping paper to reap the reward, breaks all too soon. Our precious Infant has a far and difficult road to travel in only the few months between now and Easter. What part of it will we travel with him as the moment spins into what we call reality? What part of the reality of others in our community and in the world at large ~ poverty, violence, war, greed, and disasters natural or human made ~ do we shun, dismiss, ignore or, throw money to, all while decrying the lack of Christ in Christmas?

          Most of the readings for this sacred season are so familiar that even non-Christians will know them. Yet what stood out for me this time was the short lesson from the Letter of Paul to Titus that often gets lost in the sparkle of the others. In particular, I was engaged by a phrase in the first of this only two-sentence reading: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly… [emphasis added]. Jesus, our personal trainer, in our own time! We are so often ~ in our own time ~ bedazzled by the glamor of this season, in stark contrast to the humble surroundings of the birth of our Redeemer, that I am drawn to the concept of Jesus training us. The Gospels give us more than just advice, more than just reminders, more than just checklists of nice things to do, even more than teaching. Jesus is our trainer, the one that will keep us on track, pushing us to go beyond the comfortable, to reach a potential of faith in action that we didn’t ever consider or because we fear the risks in renouncing all that is earthbound. No easy path, but with Christ as my trainer, my faith will begin to shape up, become toned, and strengthen. For me, now, the question isn’t “what is Christmas all about” but rather “what does Christmas begin in my life?”

         Christ is always in CHRISTmas...let's remember to keep Christ in Mondays, Thursdays, in February, and August. Let us truly Sing to the Lord and bless his name and proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day to ourselves first! Let us live out what we believe in. Feel the JOY! The Light shines again and always. Suit up, the training begins now! 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, our joy, at long last, is unbounded by the arrival of You, our Messiah, come to redeem our sins and mark us as Your own forever. Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is born!

                                                             Glory to God in the Highest
                                      RESPONSE: And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, infuse our souls with Your pure light that we may stand in Your grace before the earthly powers of our world, our nation, and our community, to radiate and model Your peace, love, and mercy for all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, send healing and hope to all who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit, and  comfort those who give them support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, especially now, encircle all grieving hearts with the solace that brightens the darkness, as the vaults of heaven explode in jubilance and glory for our loved ones entering the gates of eternity. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                                    

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

~  Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

             

~ Holy Infant, Lord at thy birth, for our own Shepherds in this sacred field we give great thanks as they keep watch and guide us toward the ultimate pasture of Your redemption. We pray especially for:  add your own petitions

                                                      

Glory to God in the Highest

And Peace to God’s People on Earth

The Celebrant adds: O Lord of Hosts, God’s Word Made Flesh, so activate our wills, so engage our very beings, that we will consciously and intentionally live into Your saving grace each and every day of our lives. On bended knees, and with worshipful hearts, we ask this of You as our Prince of Peace, and of the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, reign in glory as One God, now until the end of forever. Hallelujah! Christ our Savior is Born! Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Between Not Yet and Almost ~ 4th Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 23, 2018,  4^th Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Canticle 15/Luke 1:46-55/Song of Mary, 
Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45

       But you, O Bethlehem... from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. [Micah 5:2]

      And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [Hebrews 10:10]

       My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord...for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant...He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. [Luke 1:46a, 48, 51-52]

       When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb...And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord." [Luke 1:41-42, 45]

     Here is yet another chance to pause in the midst of all the busy-ness. A moment to listen to the beauty of this exchange between these two kinswomen and consider who they were in their time and who they have become to us. The elder Elizabeth, was a barren woman for so many years until suddenly she is with child, a very important child, John, the Baptizer, who will prepare the way of the Lord. In her day she was likely ostracized in her community for most of her adult life, or at the very least considered a failure, because of her seeming infertility. The much younger and virginal Mary, recently told by an Angel that she is bearing the Son of God, of all things, would also bear shame in her community as well as the uncertainty of Joseph, her betrothed, because of her condition. Would he be able to come to terms with this mystery in such a time? (Of course, we already know he'll have an angelic visitation of his own [Matthew 1:18-25] and will be a loving, protective husband.)

    These women come together and speak to us, to awaken us from the haze of frantic preparations for a celebration that is more earth-bound than spiritual. In their greetings to each other we discover the unexpectedness of this moment of expectation, the message of embracing the twists and turns of life, and recognizing that God is present at all times ~ when we feel elated and when we feel shamed or anxious or uncertain. We are not alone in the darkest of times or in the happiest. Blessed is s/he who believes that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Promise. Jesus comes as the face of God to sanctify and save us. Stop, sit, breathe in the peace of the quiet. Let us not race ahead, but remain in the stillness, in the space between not yet and almost, savoring the expectation of Christ's birth, and finding an unexpected freshness in the joy of anticipation. 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Holy and Almighty God, open our souls to proclaim Your greatness, and call upon our spirits to rise in joy, as we await the coming of the One of peace, the Light from Light begotten to sanctify and save us.

                                                    O Lord of Strength and Mercy

RESPONSE:                 Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, help us to lift up the lowly in this World, in our Nation, and in our Community. Guide us in our quest to implore all earthly leaders to persevere in the cause of peace, justice, and joy for all of the children of Abraham. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, grant hope to all laid low by chronic illness, poverty, or emotional anguish, and bring comfort to all who love them. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

  

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, unburden the hearts of all who grieve with the assurance of new life for those who now rest forever in Your radiant glory. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

~ Holy and Almighty God, bestow extra grace upon those who are anointed to bring us Your Word and Sacraments, as they guide us all to discover and act upon Your will in our lives. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O Lord of Strength and Mercy

Magnify our Faith

The Celebrant adds: O God of Hosts, shine Your favor upon us as we make ready to receive the One who comes. Restore us to Your purpose that the fruit of our lives may be a reflection of Your infinite blessings. We ask through Jesus, our Joyful Expectation, and the Holy Spirit, Your Sacred Breath, who together with You, live and reign as One God, now and forever. Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Fire and Fruit ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 16, 2018,  3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20, First Song of Isaiah, Philippians 4:4-7, 

Luke 3:7-18

    The Lord, your God, is in your midst...he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love. [Zephaniah 3:17]

      Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid…the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior... [Canticle 9/Isaiah 12:2, 5]

      Rejoice in the Lord always…The Lord is near. Do not worry...And the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  [Philippians 4:6]

      Bear fruits worthy of repentance…One who is more powerful than I is coming…He will baptize your with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

[Luke 3:8a, 16b,c]

      In the midst of this otherwise reverently penitential Advent, our season of waiting for the Nativity of Jesus, we come to the Sunday of Rejoicing. The rose candle, the symbol of joy, will be lighted as a sign of our call to be joyous in the nearness of God, in the coming of Christ. Time to experience the excitement, that in Christ, we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and the fire to spark our faith into action. The writer of Philippians is quite specific by saying Do not worry about anything, because the Lord is near with the peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s hardly easy to relax and not worry in a world seemingly mad with fear and anger, division and hate. Yet all the readings for today exhort us to rejoice, exult, and sing ~ even John the Baptizer, while issuing some serious warnings, proclaimed the good news to the people about the One who is coming.

     While enjoying the joy, we must also take the Baptizer’s message to heart and take some prayerful time to contemplate our sins. That winnowing fork of Jesus, John speaks of, will gather the faithful but send the chaff that doesn't bear good fruit ~ the unrepentant ~ to burn with unquenchable fire. As I race to hang the stockings with care, I need to consider how am I actually living into the faith that I claim? I’m guessing that my murmurs of familiar words on Sunday morning aren’t quite enough to keep me out of that burning refuse.

      Although this is the third Sunday of Advent, it’s a new moment in time. A chance to begin again, to discover that our God, our Christ, our Holy Spirit is truly in our midst, present, teaching, renewing us in love, and filling us with holy fire. Let us turn our focus toward our God ~ that is, to repent ~ to refresh our minds and hearts by worship, praise, and prayer. It is time to reconcile who we are in faith with who we want to become. What must I do differently to be thankful, joyful, and live faithfully? This is the time to look through rose-colored glasses to see the joy that lights up the darkness. Together in faith we become a spiritual orchard bearing only good fruit, gathered by Christ, our Savior, and brought Home.  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! [Philipians 4:4]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Stronghold, stir up our faith that our trust in You will free us from fear and worry. Renew us in Your love as we give You thanks with great rejoicing, exalting Your name by every part of our lives.

                                                   O Lord, our Sure Defense              

RESPONSE:                 Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, infuse us with such joy that we may turn the tide of hatred and division into the calm waters of Your peace. Let us inspire especially, all who impose their political pathways on this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, restore health and hope for all afflicted with serious illness, addiction, or despair, and strengthen all who give them love and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, soothe the grieving with the comfort of knowing that You have gathered those we love into the blissful splendor Your Eternal Home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~  O God, our Stronghold, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

~ O God, our Stronghold, grant special grace and enduring eagerness to all anointed to serve You in Your Church, as they draw us to You on our journey to salvation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy God always in our midst, revive our desire to bear good, worthy, and faith-filled fruit in our souls. Turn us always in Your direction, that we may receive and experience the depth of Your peace that passes all understanding. We ask through the Good News of Jesus our Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our faith; who together with You reign as One God, in glory, now and forever.  Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Un-warp ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 9, 2018, 2^nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Canticle 16/Song of Zechariah/Luke 1:68-69, 

Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

       For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back…carried in glory, as on a royal throne. [Baruch 5:6]       

       In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death... [Canticle 16/Luke 1:78-79a]

      I thank my God every time I remember you…And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight…so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless… [Philippians 1:3, 9, 10b]

     [A]s it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...'" [Luke 3:4]

             "Slow down you move too fast, got to make the [moment] last..." sang Simon and Garfunkel once upon a long time ago. But at this time of the year we seem to be in warp speed. The clock is ticking, the dates on the calendar fly, there's so much to do, to get, to buy, to wrap, to cook, to clean, to prepare, to finish...so how is THIS supposed to be the season of waiting? The clear question arises – for what is it, exactly, are we preparing? It is, of course, for the coming of Jesus, the birth of the Child raised up by God as our Mighty Savior, as we hear in the Song of Zechariah. John, the son of Zechariah, comes out of the wilderness, as the voice crying in the wilderness, that Isaiah foretold, to proclaim a baptism of repentance and remind us to prepare the way of the Lord.

      Advent is time to think new thoughts about the whys of what we do; a time to be conscious about what is the true gift of life; time to take a break from the ordinary hurry and worry to make ourselves ready for the Christ who saves our souls. Yet this time is made excessively stressful by self-imposed earthly expectations that we accept on behalf of this season. Waiting in these few weeks exacerbates the multiple frustrations of life. There are lines everywhere ~ at the copier, the elevator, the Post Office, the grocery store, in traffic, the doctor's office, and don’t even talk about the mall! But instead of caving to irritation and anger, we can use it to take long, slow, deep breaths and reflect on our deeds of the day, the week, or whatever time frame we choose; the moments that were good, bad, or really not pretty. How often have I looked for God in those moments, offered a brief prayer, a petition, a thanksgiving? 

       How might a little waiting time with God adjust my perspective during my short time in this world? One minute now, 5 later, in the shower, just after turning out the light...just before opening my eyes in the morning, on the way to work...I can make those times God-moments and the more of those I have, the less stress I will have, or at least the stronger I’ll feel in the midst of it all.

      Another suggestion I’ve seen is to start Dec 1 and read one chapter of Luke per day so that by Christmas Eve we will have read the entire life of Christ. Perhaps we’ll arrive at a deeper understanding of the meaning of Christmas itself. Even the decorations take on a new vibrancy, as if you prepare your home for the arrival of an amazingly special guest, the One on whom your entire life depends. So, even though this is the second Sunday of Advent, there's time to catch up and prepare your own way for the Lord. Slow down. Don’t move too fast. Un-warp. The Lord is with you.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Glory and Praise, calm our preparations for the celebration ahead, that we may take time now to prepare ourselves for Christ, God’s true gift. Overflow us with Your love as we make way for the coming of our Savior in each and every day.

                                                     O Lord, our God

RESPONSE:                  Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, for all who cry out from the wilderness of hunger, separation, and fear, urge us to exhort all who govern on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community, to deliver the distressed from the shadow of death into the brightness of safety and abundance. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, shine Your healing light and love on those who dwell in the darkness of chronic illness or spiritual isolation, and sustain the energy of all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, hold fast to those traveling the rough way of grief as You embrace our loved ones now arrived in the fullness of joy to Your everlasting splendor. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

~ God of Glory and Praise, grant continuing renewal and unlimited energy to all who guide us in our worship, teach us Your words, and share our journey to eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

The Celebrant adds: O God of the Eternal Dawn and Endless Love, guide us to accept and proclaim a new baptism of repentance and to put our life in Christ above all worldly pursuits, that if suddenly called, we will be ready to account for our time of earthly life. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our Mighty Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.

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. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com