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| I would be true, for there are those who trust me; |
| i would be true - howard arnold walter - 1906 |
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A prayer for Tuesday
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tuesday Prayer
Though the fig tree does not blossom
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
thought there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet, I will rejoice in the Lord
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer
he enables me to go on the heights.
the last words of the prophet Habakkuk
image
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sacred Christmas At Home: Idea #1
Unusual winter weather is keeping us at home this year on Christmas Eve. This is a chance to worship in a different way, with your family, your neighbors, or by yourself. Try this, or another devotion. How did it go? Let us know in the comments at the end of this post!
A simple service of lessons and carols for home.
Sing or listen to a recording of O Come All Ye Faithful
Invite someone to read
A Reading from Isaiah, chapter 9:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Sing or listen to a recording of O Little Town of Bethlehem
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Sing or listen to a recording of Joy To the World!
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
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 for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
Sing or listen to a recording of Angels We Have Heard On High
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Sing or listen to a recording of Go Tell It On the Mountain!
Invite someone to read this blessing
May Christ grant you peace and goodwill, and may the blessing of Christ Jesus be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
A simple service of lessons and carols for home.
Sing or listen to a recording of O Come All Ye Faithful
Invite someone to read
A Reading from Isaiah, chapter 9:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Sing or listen to a recording of O Little Town of Bethlehem
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Sing or listen to a recording of Joy To the World!
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
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 for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
Sing or listen to a recording of Angels We Have Heard On High
Invite someone to read
A reading from Luke, chapter 2
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Sing or listen to a recording of Go Tell It On the Mountain!
Invite someone to read this blessing
May Christ grant you peace and goodwill, and may the blessing of Christ Jesus be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
A Sacred Christmas At Home - Idea #2
Unusual winter weather is keeping us at home this year on Christmas Eve. This is a chance to worship in a different way, with your family, your neighbors, or by yourself. Try this, or another devotion. How did it go? Let us know in the comments at the end of this post!
Advent Candle Prayer
Preparation: Get five candles and put them on the table - four in a circle and one in the middle. If you don't have candles, get a piece of paper and write Peace, Hope, Joy, Love to form a circle, and the word Christ inside.
Invite someone to read this prayer: Jesus, During this time of advent, we have been waiting for you to be born in our lives and in the world. Tonight, we welcome you! Help us to feel your peace, your hope, your joy and your love in our hearts this day and every day of the year. Amen.
Light the first candle (or look a the first word). Invite each person to name a place or situation when they say: I pray for peace in.....
Light the second candle (or look at the second word). Invite each person to name a hope when they say say: In the year to come, I hope for......
Light the third candle (or look a the third word). Invite each person to say something that makes them feel joyful when they say: I feel joy when I look back on this year and remember.....
Light the fourth candle (or look at the fourth word). Invite each person to say the name of a person they love when they say: I am grateful to feel the love of.....
Light the Christ candle (or look at the middle word). Invite everyone to say together:
I pray that Christ will bring peace, hope, joy and love into my life and into the world.
Sing or listen to a recording of a quiet Christmas carol like Silent Night or Away in A Manger or What Child is This.
Advent Candle Prayer
Preparation: Get five candles and put them on the table - four in a circle and one in the middle. If you don't have candles, get a piece of paper and write Peace, Hope, Joy, Love to form a circle, and the word Christ inside.
Invite someone to read this prayer: Jesus, During this time of advent, we have been waiting for you to be born in our lives and in the world. Tonight, we welcome you! Help us to feel your peace, your hope, your joy and your love in our hearts this day and every day of the year. Amen.
Light the first candle (or look a the first word). Invite each person to name a place or situation when they say: I pray for peace in.....
Light the second candle (or look at the second word). Invite each person to name a hope when they say say: In the year to come, I hope for......
Light the third candle (or look a the third word). Invite each person to say something that makes them feel joyful when they say: I feel joy when I look back on this year and remember.....
Light the fourth candle (or look at the fourth word). Invite each person to say the name of a person they love when they say: I am grateful to feel the love of.....
Light the Christ candle (or look at the middle word). Invite everyone to say together:
I pray that Christ will bring peace, hope, joy and love into my life and into the world.
Sing or listen to a recording of a quiet Christmas carol like Silent Night or Away in A Manger or What Child is This.
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