Friday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Friday, October 16

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 130; 148

Read:

Hosea 13:9-16

Acts 28:1-16

Luke 9:28-36

Pray:

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given to Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection.  Especially we thank you for

    the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering...

    the ministry of Word and Sacrament...

    all who work to help and heal...

    sacrifices made for our benefit...

    opportunities for our generous giving...

God of grace, let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice.  Especially we pray for

    those subjected to tyranny and oppression...

    wounded and injured people...

    those who face death...

    those who may be our enemies...

    the church in Latin America...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Antiphon (prepration for prayer)

God help us.  Move within my soul.  Show me forgiveness, the wiping away of guilt.  Then show me hope, the city of God coming down and a new creation.

Monday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Monday, October 12

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 97; 112

Read:

Hosea 11:12-12:1

Acts 26:1-23

Luke 8:26-39

Pray:

We rejoice in your generous goodness, O God, and celebrate your lavish gifts to us this day, for you have shown your love in giving Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.  Especially we give thanks for

    the labors of those who have served us today...

    friends with whom we have shared...

    those whom we love and who have loved us...

    opportunities for our work to help others...

    all beauty that delights us...

Gracious God, we know you are close to all in need, and by our prayers for others we come closer to you.  We are bold to claim for others your promises of new life in Jesus Christ, as we claim them for ourselves.  Especially we pray for

    those in dangerous occupations...

    physicians and nurses...

    those who are ill or confined to nursing homes...

    those who mourn...

    the Roman Catholic Church...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Hymn

As we seek first your kingdom

as we find it vividly arrayed

Add to us all things we need

Which things you alone can know

Monday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Monday, October 12

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 135; 145

Read:

Hosea 11:12-12:1

Acts 26:1-23

Luke 8:26-39

Pray:

We praise you, God our creator, for your handiwork in shaping and sustaining your wondrous creation.  Especially we thank you for

    the miracle of life and the wonder of living...

    particular blessings coming to us in this day...

    the resources of the earth...

    gifts of creative vision and skillful craft...

    the treasure stored in every human life...

We dare to pray for others, God our Savior, claiming your love in Jesus Christ for the whole world, committing ourselves to care for those around us in his name.  Especially we pray for

    those who work for the benefit of others...

    those who cannot work today...

    those who teach and those who learn...

    people who are poor...

    the church in Europe...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Examen

I'm thankful for you, Lord, and your Word.  Keep my ears open to you.  

Am I at an end of a noisy time, a preoccupied time, a time of tending to many voices not yours?  

Am I at the beginning of a quiet time, a focused time, a time of clarity of what I love and what I don't?  

Thank you for this day, to know you, whate'er befall.

Tuesday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, October 6

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 42; 146

Read:

Hosea 7:8-16

Acts 23:12-24

Luke 7:1-17

Pray:

Eternal God, we rejoice this morning in the gift of life, which we have received by your grace, and the new life you give in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the love of our families...

    the affection of our friends...

    strength and abilities to serve your purpose today...

    this community in which we live...

    opportunities to give as we have received...

God of grace, we offer our prayers for the needs of others and commit ourselves to serve them even as we have been served in Jesus Christ.  Especially we pray for

    those closest to us, families, friends, neighbors...

    refugees and homeless men, women, and children...

    the outcast and persecuted...

    those from whom we are estranged...

    the church in Africa...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Examen

Lord, though I don't feel ready, I know you are always ready.  Nothing ever quite catches you off guard.  Make me an instrument of your peace.

Monday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Monday, October 5

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 5; 145

Read:

Hosea 6:7-7:7

Acts 22:30-23:11

Luke 6:39-49

Pray:

We praise you, God our creator, for your handiwork in shaping and sustaining your wondrous creation.  Especially we thank you for

    the miracle of life and the wonder of living...

    particular blessings coming to us in this day...

    the resources of the earth...

    gifts of creative vision and skillful craft...

    the treasure stored in every human life...

We dare to pray for others, God our Savior, claiming your love in Jesus Christ for the whole world, committing ourselves to care for those around us in his name.  Especially we pray for

    those who work for the benefit of others...

    those who cannot work today...

    those who teach and those who learn...

    people who are poor...

    the church in Europe...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Lesson

In Luke, we find the story of the wise and foolish builders, but unlike in Matthew 7, here we get a phrase - the wise builder "dug down deep" to build his house on the rock.  This phrase suggests that to reach the rock where building is safe, one must be prepared to dig.

'Building on the rock' equates to putting Jesus' words into practice.  Why might this require digging?  If digging means working hard to be committed, then its important because of the difficulty and unpredictability of life.  Putting Jesus' words into practice isn't like making a recipe when its dinnertime.  Putting Jesus' words into practice is for when we are hungry or full, for the morning or evening, when we want to, or when we don't  Accounting for the topsy-turvydom of life and putting Jesus' words into practice nonetheless is what we may say is meant by this man digging down deep.

Do we not see a splendid example of this in today's Acts reading?  We see Paul suffering.  He's in court.  His trial turns out to be something like a trial on his accusers.  We see here that Acts tells the story of a church that follows the story of its Lord, as told in Luke.  Paul's life is so entrenched, so enlisted, so 'dug down deep' into the life of Jesus, that his words and his life alike are a testimony to Jesus. (Acts 23:11)

Saturday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Saturday, October 3

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 125; 90

Read:

Hosea 5:1-7

Acts 22:17-29

Luke 6:27-38

Pray:

God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    promises kept and hope for tomorrow...

    the enjoyment of friends...

    the wonders of your creation...

    love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children...

    pleasures of living...

God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.  Especially we pray for

    those we too often forget...

    people who have lost hope...

    victims of tragedy and disaster...

    those who suffer mental anguish...

    ecumenical councils and church agencies...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Vigil of Resurrection

Read/Sing:

Psalm 118; 150

Read:

Luke 24:13-35

Pray (Thanksgiving for our Baptism):

We give you thanks, Eternal God, for you nourish and sustain all living things by the gift of water.  In the beginning of time, your Spirit moved over the watery chaos, calling forth order and life.

In the time of Noah, you destroyed evil by the waters of the flood, giving righteousness a new beginning.

You led Israel out of slavery, through the waters of the sea, into the freedom of the promised land.

In the waters of Jordan Jesus was baptized by John and anointed with your Spirit.  By the baptism of his own death and resurrection, Christ set us free from sin and death, and opened the way to eternal life.

We thank you, O God, for the water of baptism.  In it we were buried with Christ in his death.  From it we were raised to share in his resurrection.  Through it we were reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we celebrate our fellowship in him in faith.  We pray that all who have passed through the water of baptism may continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.  To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever.  Amen.

Canticle

Our holy place, our temple, the Body of Christ.

Resurrected, we your Church are resurrected.

Inhabiting you, you inhabit us.

The one crucified, banished to no place, the stone the builders rejected

is now the one resurrected, the place of salvation, and the chief cornerstone

Let us explore this place.

Let us know its depth, height, and breadth.

Let us run here and spread out.

The heritage and promise of Abraham

The joy of the nations - 

Jesus Christ

Saturday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Saturday, October 3

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 63; 149

Read:

Hosea 5:1-7

Acts 22:17-29

Luke 6:27-38

Pray:

Great and wonderful God, we praise and thank you for the gift of renewal in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    opportunities for rest and recreation...

    the regenerating gifts of the Holy Spirit...

    activities shared by young and old...

    fun and laughter...

    every service that proclaims your love...

You make all things new, O God, and we offer our prayers for the renewal of the world and the healing of its wounds.  Especially we pray for

    those who have no leisure...

    people enslaved by addictions...

    those who entertain and enlighten...

    those confronted with temptation...

    the church in North America...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord, I hear it out there

    It's feet on the leaves, claws on branches

How hard to sing, to pray

    How easy to ponder the strength of this porch screen

I sing songs to you

    I pray Psalm 63

The beast retreats

    It doesn't jump through the porch screen to eat me

Gone to find other food

    Or become food for jackals (Psalm 63:10)

I look in my own soul

    Emboldened, quieted, I look within

I see tracks of retreat

    Fresh upon the leaves

Another beast has fled

    Known only by its absent presence

Oh, Luke 6, how wise

    How good, how true

To be faithful in what is small

    In what is mundane or ordinary

When no one sees

    Where no one casts blame

In the commons of life

    Where the rules are understood

To stand there

    To not condemn

To not judge

    To withhold attack

Saves two with one

    The one with the other

One threat felt

    The other unknown

Both dangers departed - 

    Your condemnation, and my own

Friday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Friday, October 2

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 25; 40

Read:

Hosea 4:11-19

Acts 21:37-22:16

Luke 6:12-26

Pray:

Merciful God, we praise you that you give strength for every weakness, forgiveness for our failures, and new beginnings in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the guidance of your spirit through this day...

    signs of new life and hope...

    people who have helped us...

    those who struggle for justice...

    expressions of love unexpected or undeserved...

Almighty God, you know all needs before we speak our prayers, yet you welcome our concerns for others in Jesus Christ.  Especially we pray for

    those who keep watch over the sick and dying...

    those who weep with the grieving...

    those who are without faith and cannot accept your love...

    the aged who are lonely, distressed, and weak...

    Reformed, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Epistle (letter)

Chris, it was good that you went through the Ten Commandments again this morning, buddy.  Because those are still your biggest problem.  Not other people.  Not the world.  For instance, that tenth one.  Oooooo-eeeee.  You want everything now.  Now if someone just came up to you and shook you and yelled, "Wait!  You have to wait!" you wouldn't want to hear it.  As it was, you traded that covetous urgency for the Lord Jesus Christ, who is here now, is Lord now, and is all you even desire now.  It is so good you did that.  Because I can see how happy you are about it.

Thursday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Thursday, October 1

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 116; 147:12-20

Read:

Hosea 4:1-10

Acts 21:27-36

Luke 6:1-11

Pray:

Loving God, as the rising sun chases away the night, so you have scattered the power of death in the rising of Jesus Christ, and you bring us all blessings in him.  Especially we thank you for

    the community of faith in our church...

    those with whom we work or share common concerns...

    the diversity of your children...

    indications of your love at work in the world...

    those who work for reconciliation...

Mighty God, with the dawn of your love you reveal your victory over all that would destroy or harm, and you brighten the lives of all who need you.  Especially we pray for

    families suffering separation...

    people different from ourselves...

    those isolated by sickness or sorrow...

    the victims of violence or warfare...

    the church in the Pacific region...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Litany

God, I ask not so much that you make me an ant as that you'd remind me I'm an ant (or a worm, as it were...of the Psalm 8 variety). 

Can I be modest with this life?

Can I enjoy

breath

holy longing

music

people

the young

the old

your Word

the season today?

Tuesday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, September 29

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 36; 7

Read:

Hosea 2:16-23

Acts 21:1-14

Luke 5:12-26

Pray:

Eternal God, we thank you for being with us today, and for every sign of your truth and love in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the gift of peace in Christ...

    reconciliation in our relationships...

    each new insight into your love...

    energy and courage to share your love...

    the ministries of the church...

Gracious God, we remember in our own hearts the needs of others, that we may reach up to claim your love for them, and reach out to give your love in the name of Christ.  Especially we pray for

    racial harmony and justice...

    those imprisoned...

    strangers we have met today...

    friends who are bereaved...

    Orthodox and Coptic churches...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Antiphon (preparation for prayer)

I talk on and on like I know you so well, like I've got it all figured out.  So now I hold up my faith to you and I would sooner look on you than my toolkit of concepts.  What I've seen I've seen.  What I know I know.  What I believe I believe.  But now show me who you are.  Lord, I would, I really would decrease so that you may increase.  Refine my words with your Word.

Tuesday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, September 29

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 12; 146

Read:

Hosea 2:2-15

Acts 21:1-14

Luke 5:12-26

Pray:

Eternal God, we rejoice this morning in the gift of life, which we have received by your grace, and the new life you give in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the love of our families...

    the affection of our friends...

    strength and abilities to serve your purpose today...

    this community in which we live...

    opportunities to give as we have received...

God of grace, we offer our prayers for the needs of others and commit ourselves to serve them even as we have been served in Jesus Christ.  Especially we pray for

    those closest to us, families, friends, neighbors...

    refugees and homeless men, women and children...

    the outcast and persecuted...

    those from whom we are estranged...

    the church in Africa...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Hymn

O blood of Christ

perennial witness

witness to sabbath rests

tucked into the folds

nestled into the shadows of these desert hills

witness to refreshing paths

witness to the willing heart

within me that would run barefoot

seeking, assured, hoping, thrilled

to find all that there is that is not condemnation

Monday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Monday, September 28

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 62; 145

Read:

Hosea 2:2-15

Acts 20:17-38

Luke 5:1-11

Pray:

We praise you, God our creator, for your handiwork in shaping and sustaining your wondrous creation.  Especially we thank you for

    the miracle of life and the wonder of living...

    particular blessings coming to us in this day...

    the resources of the earth...

    gifts of creative vision and skillful craft...

    the treasure stored in every human life...

We dare to pray for others, God our Savior, claiming your love in Jesus Christ for the whole world, committing ourselves to care for those around us in his name.  Especially we pray for

    those who work for the benefit of others...

    those who cannot work today...

    those who teach and those who learn...

    people who are poor...

    the church in Europe...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Litany

O Lord, I should pray to you about things I know, not only about things I don't know.  Just because I know them doesn't mean I have any more control over them!

Sustain the earth.

Nourish children with hope and vision.

Make pathways for the nations to honor you.

May the earth see its Savior as he truly is, behind the veil.

Cut down the mass of iniquity, the powers and principalities that shroud themselves in misdirection and rumor.

Sunday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time,

Sunday, September 27

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 66; 23

Read:

Hosea 1:1-2:1

James 3:1-13

Matthew 13:44-52

Pray:

We lift our voices in prayers of praise, holy God, for you have lifted us to new life in Jesus Christ, and your blessings come in generous measure.  Especially we thank you for

    the privilege of worship and service in this congregation...

    the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ for us...

    food and drink to share in the Lord's name...

    our calling to discipleship...

We hold up before you human needs, God of compassion, for you have come to us in Jesus Christ and shared our life so we may share his resurrection.  Especially we pray for

    the healing of those who are sick...

    the comfort of the dying...

    the renewal of those who despair...

    the Spirit's power in the church...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Eulogy

She died yesterday.

Thank you God for the way she knit threads together while I naively crossed swords in a chess match way over my head.

She had this lower jaw as tough as love, and her arms curled around my arm as though she were embracing my soul.

She was so youthful and pretty.

To remember her dancing to Lefty Frizzell in our Lorraine hallway is a memory that, itself, makes the hallway, rebuilds what has been destroyed.

She was everything great about the town.  Every bit the savor of hill country, flatlands, damp autumn leaves, old brick one-story houses, and steely character.  

My mother was so good to think I'd want to find out this way.  It's only fitting that when I found out she had passed on to glory, I had ten solid minutes to pay attention to the matter at hand in the presence of a loved one.

O Lord, help me to love the ministry of Word and Sacrament as much as she loved helping me to attain it.

Saturday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Saturday, September 26

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 100; 63

Read:

Esther 9:1-32

Acts 20:1-16

Luke 4:38-44

Pray:

God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    promises kept and hope for tomorrow...

    the enjoyment of friends...

    the wonders of your creation...

    love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children...

    pleasures of living...

God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.  Especially we pray for

    those we too often forget...

    people who have lost hope...

    victims of tragedy and disaster...

    those who suffer mental anguish...

    ecumenical councils and church agencies...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Examen

I thank you for Resurrection Vigil.  For Jesus' resurrection (Mark 16:1-7), for Psalm 150, Psalm 118, for Miriam and the horse and rider thrown into the sea (Exodus 15), for the darkness of sin and death giving way to light that we celebrate every time Saturday turns to Sunday, for baptism and the water that went over my head one lovely June day so long ago.  May I thank you above all that this is not a novelty.  Thank you for being freed from novelty in my walk with you.  Maybe others can do the novelty thing better than me, but when I do it, its just a big monologue, talking-to-myself thing.  I want to be nourished by you and I don't want to be fooled into thinking that the form the nourishment comes in could ever be emaciated or dried up.  Bring my dry, emaciated soul to these nourishing moves each day.

Friday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Friday, September 25

Morning

Read/Sing:

Esther 8:1-8, 15-17

Acts 19:21-41

Luke 4:31-37

Pray:

Eternal God, we praise you for your mighty love given in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the new life we have received by his resurrection.  Especially we thank you for

    the presence of Christ in our weakness and suffering...

    the ministry of Word and Sacrament...

    all who work to help and heal...

    sacrifices made for our benefit...

    opportunities for our generous giving...

God of grace, let our concern for others reflect Christ's self-giving love, not only in our prayers, but also in our practice.  Especially we pray for

    those subjected to tyranny and oppression...

    wounded and injured people...

    those who face death...

    those who may be our enemies...

    the church in Latin America...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever

Kyrie ("Lord have mercy")

Lord have mercy.  

Even the few people I do see in pandemic-land are getting their feet kicked out from under them.

Lord have mercy.

Have we all retreated into our own inner sanctum, chanting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" to no avail, to counter no threat, and to our city's peril? (Acts 19)

Lord have mercy.

You tell the demons to be quiet but when you turn your head they just keep talking. (Luke 4)

Lord have mercy.

Did you not give the most that anyone can give?  Why does spilt blood count for so little?  Such thick darkness.  Such deep pits.

Lord have mercy.

I try to take the temperature out there.  The thermometers don't work.  Am I here at the wrong time?  Is the clock broken too?

Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  Lord have mercy.

Thursday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Thursday, September 24

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 81; 116

Read:

Esther 7:1-10

Acts 19:11-20

Luke 4:14-30

Pray:

We give you our praise and thanks, O God, for all gifts of love we have received from you, and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    work we have accomplished pleasing to you...

    the faithful witness of Christian people...

    the example of righteousness we see in parents and teachers...

    the innocence and openness we see in children...

    all works of Christian compassion...

We give you all our cares and concerns, O God, because we know you are kind and care for your children in every circumstance.  Especially we pray for

    those who struggle with doubt and despair...

    people afflicted with disease...

    those called to special ministries...

    people neglected or abused...

    Baptist, Disciples of Christ, and other free churches...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Responsory

Lord, the whole world may take everything from me that I ever cared about.  Grant that I may yet feast on the riches of your presence alone on a thousand evenings like this.

Thursday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Thursday, September 24

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 143; 147:12-20

Read:

Esther 7:1-10

Acts 19:11-20

Luke 4:14-30

Pray:

Loving God, as the rising sun chases away the night, so you have scattered the power of death in the rising of Jesus Christ, and you bring us all blessings in him.  Especially we thank you for

    the community of faith in our church...

    those with whom we work or share common concerns...

    the diversity of your children...

    indications of your love at work in the world...

    those who work for reconciliation...

Mighty God, with the dawn of your love you reveal your victory over all that would destroy or harm, and you brighten the lives of all who need you.  Especially we pray for

    families suffering separation...

    people different from ourselves...

    those isolated by sickness or sorrow...

    the victims of violence or warfare...

    the church in the Pacific region...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Exhortation:

The outside world encroaches on my discipleship.

    Let it come.

The outside world troubles my waters

    Amen.  Amen.

I don't expect to turn any of these voices away at the door.

I'd sooner go out to fetch them myself.

Enter my soul, brother.  Sister, you are welcome.

Where's your note, your pitch, your key, your song, the banner you wave?

Then tell me the story, the main characters

take me tragic till it turns

till we see the hidden alliances

the source material

the grand saga condensed to you

and all the grander for the condensing

intensified, enlivened, again

we begin

Wednesday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Wednesday, September 23

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 125; 91

Read:

Esther 6:1-14

Acts 19:1-10

Luke 4:1-13

Pray:

Give us your peace, O God, that we may rejoice in your goodness to us and to all your children, and be thankful for your love revealed in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    people who reveal your truth and righteousness...

    courage to be bold disciples...

    those who show hospitality...

    surprises that have blessed us...

    the unity of the church of Jesus Christ...

Give us your peace, O God, that we may be confident of your care for us and all your children, as we remember the needs of others.  Especially we pray for

    friends and relatives who are far away...

    neighbors in special need...

    those who suffer hunger and thirst...

    those who work at night while others sleep...

    Episcopal and Methodist churches...

Hymn:

I praise you for the season that come around again.  That I can more attentively do things I've always done.  I've been receiving gifts from your church for years before I was quite conscious of it.

I praise you also because its easier to attend to you moment by moment knowing that this fall day in ordinary time has never occurred before, nor will it ever come again. 

Wednesday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Wednesday, September 23

Morning

Read/Pray:

Psalm 65; 147:1-11

Read:

Esther 6:1-14

Acts 19:1-10

Luke 4:1-13

Pray: 

God of all mercies, we praise you that you have brought us to this new day, brightening our lives with the dawn of promise and hope in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the warmth of sunlight, the wetness of rain and snow, and all that nourishes the earth...

    the presence and power of your Spirit...

    the support and encouragement we receive from others...

    those who provide for public safety and well-being...

    the mission of the church around the world...

Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ.  Especially we pray for

    those in positions of authority over others...

    the lonely and forgotten...

    children without families or homes...

    agents of caring and relief...

    the church in Asia and the Middle East...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Antiphon (prelude to prayer)

Enter his courts with prayer.  Note who is honored there.  What will the king do for the one he wishes to honor?

Tuesday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, September 22

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 54; 146

Read:

Esther 5:1-14

Acts 18:12-28

Luke 3:15-22

Pray:

Eternal God, we rejoice this morning in the gift of life, which we have received by your grace, and the new life you give in Jesus Christ.  Especially we thank you for

    the love of our families...

    the affection of our friends...

    strength and abilities to serve your purposes today...

    this community in which we live...

    opportunities to give as we have received...

God of grace, we offer our prayers for the needs of others and commit ourselves to serve them even as we have been served in Jesus Christ.  Especially we pray for

    those closest to us, families, friends, neighbors...

    refugees and homeless men, women, and children...

    the outcast and persecuted...

    those from whom we are estranged...

    the church in Africa...

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen

Examen ("the ancient practice of examen challenges us to intentionally witness the state and quality of our consciousness and conscience..."  -Kathleen Deignan)

I awake with joy to your Word.  Last night I cast about for something solid to put my feet on.  The things that satisfied me as a child don't work anymore.  Last night, I asked for you to meet me.  Today, you meet me with your Word.  I don't want to be satisfied with any other blessing or baptism than yours.  Scorch the earth of all I've been.  Drown that sucker in the Red Sea of the cross of Jesus Christ.