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.

Monday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Monday, September 21

Morning

Read/Sing:

Psalm 57; 145

Read:

Esther 4:4-17

Acts 18:1-11

Luke (1:1-4) 3:1-14

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.

Lament

I try to express the gratitude but the words just won't come.  I will take the lament that is near at hand: Lord, how long until your people run the way of your commands?  Would you touch our hearts?  Direct our eyes?  Illuminate your Word?  Stretch our lungs?  Stretch our muscles?  I know you will, Lord.  Like Esther, we fast, and we speak.  Like Paul, we proclaim when you say proclaim.  Thank you for the "thank you" that isn't immediately at hand but is still right on time.

Sunday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Sunday, September 20

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 46; 93

Read:

Esther 3:1-4:3

James 1:19-27

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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

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

I'm glad after a few days to have evening prayer.  Apart from it, my mind casts about

For some new ambition to conquer

Some way to feel good about myself

Some curiosity to satisfy

With it, I'm

Singing of God's lordship, his apparel in Psalm 46

Feeling the joy of exertion

That notes laid onto words are a type of apparel

The prayers invigorate my desire to be a disciple.

To gaze upon the wonder of the gospel

To be satisfied with God's pardon

His righteousness

The gift of his life

Eternal life with the Lord...just think of it!

Saturday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Saturday, September 19

Morning

Read/Sing: (for Psalm singing resources, leave a comment)

Psalm 56; 149

Read:

Esther 2:5-8, 15-23

Acts 17:16-34

John 12:44-50

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

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.

Canticle

The Lord is gracious

    and this makes life amazing

I was numb, living life too fast

    scared to fail, ready to flee once again

The night descended

    the day was done

Instead of working more

    willing myself to work differently

You invited me to sleep

    you laid my head down

You gather all the loose pieces

    stray thoughts and fears

You bind up all the shadows

    the inchoate darkness

You push the world into light

    you awaken me from sleep

Your thoughts give me wisdom

    the morning rain falls

The Lord stands at the gate

    The Lord, a compass, encompasses

Let all creation sing

    The Lord is gracious

Friday Morning

Season:

Ordinary Time

Friday, September 18

Morning

Read:

Psalm 130; 148

Esther 1:1-4, 10-19

Acts 17:1-15

John 12:36b-43

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.  Amen.

Kyrie (means "Lord have mercy".  An imploring for mercy in our failings)

Yesterday, I heard someone talk about how the policies out there had shaped her soul "in here."  We long to see the things we build reflect the best of us.  But lest we have an overly sanitized view of ourselves, we should acknowledge that these will also bear the marks of our sinful pursuit of autonomous control and independence from God.  Then what?  Do not the things we build perpetuate sin, oppression, and dehumanization?  Be not proud, O my soul.  Ambition, be tamed.  Let the Christian then trust in the Lord, not in the work of our own hands.  Lord, give us clean hands, but also prosper the work of our hands.

Tuesday Evening

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, September 15

Evening

Psalm 30; 86

Job 40:1; 41:1-11

Acts 16:6-15

John 12:9-19

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

Antiphon

I am grateful that I don't come here to this place seeking to appease you.  How could I ever come if that is what I felt I needed.  I come to this place because your life is rich, your thoughts are great.  You make all time and all space and your storehouses are full, but the needle's point of all this is right now.  I begin with you, but I can't outrun you because I will only find you at the end and though I'm so much the worse, you haven't changed.

Tuesday Morning

Ordinary Time

Tuesday, September 15

Morning

Psalm 123; 146

Job 40:1; 41:1-11

Acts 16:6-15

John 12:9-19

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

Hymn

Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom

Lead thou me on

The night is dark and I am far from home

Lead thou me on

Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me

I was not ever thus nor prayed that thou

Should'st lead me on

I loved to choose and see my path but now

lead thou me on

I loved the garish day and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will; remember not past years

So long thy power hath blessed me, sure it still

Will lead me on

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent till

The night is gone

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have loved long since and lost awhile

- "Lead Kindly Light", John Henry Newman

Monday Evening

Ordinary Time

Monday, September 14

Evening

Psalm 97; 112

Job 40:1-24

Acts 15:36-16:5

John 11:55-12:8

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 this day...

    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

Responsory

It's such a short time to pray

as short as I could like it

Yet it expands from within

billowing with names

and all the outrageous goodness

that I yearn for them.

It was a yearning I did not quite feel

until I stopped

for such a short time to pray

Monday Morning

Ordinary Time

Monday, September 14

Morning

Psalm 135; 145

Job 40:1-24

Acts 15:36-16:5

John 11:55-12:8

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

Lesson

I have a more pronounced sense of duality, distinction, and opposition between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world.  I don't quite know how to point and say "there it is" but the way to get there is like a garment one puts on daily.  Becoming aware of false gods, I will live in this world, using this world, but I am not of it.  The Lord is the light of my life.  I don't have much to trumpet to the world, and the world may take my joy and my vigor and my hope today; but joy, vigor, hope, yea the passing of the day into night are the Lord's himself.  And I am a baptized child of God too.  I will not cling to vessels and shells of influence, even more broken than we are.  I will take stock of all I must unlearn, a man of the present, aware of the past's presence, nobody's fool for the future.

And when I mistakenly find myself putting the whole carton of milk into the microwave, I will laauuuuugh!

Sunday Morning

Ordinary Time

Sunday, September 13

Morning

Psalm 19; 150

Job 38:1, 18-41

Revelation 18:1-8

Matthew 5:21-26

Mighty God of mercy, we thank you for the resurrection dawn bringing the glory of our risen Lord who makes every day new.  Especially we thank you for

    the beauty of your creation...

    the new creation in Christ and all gifts of healing and forgiveness...

    the sustaining love of family and friends...

    the fellowship of faith in your church...

Merciful God of might, renew this weary world, heal the hurts of all your children, and bring about your peace for all in Christ Jesus, the living Lord.  Especially we pray for 

    those who govern nations of the world...

    the people in countries ravaged by strife or warfare...

    all who work for peace and international harmony...

    all who strive to save the earth from destruction...

    the church of Jesus Christ in every land...

The Lord's Prayer

Psalm Prayer

Lord, I want my faith to be expressive of a way of life that is specific, repetitive, and copy-able.  Don't let me be a disciple of lofty thoughts who thinks he can change the world.  Let me be content to allow the seasons of the year, the rhythms of morning and evening, the interweaving of Old and New Testament, the gratitude and need of my soul, and the singing of the Psalms to all tune my life to praise you - not in a world of my own imaginings, but in this very world I live in.  Let me not seek to be unique, rather let me keep faith with you and your Son and your Holy Spirit through your Word.

Saturday Evening

Season:

Ordinary Time

Saturday, September 12

Evening

Read/Sing:

Psalm 138; 98

Read:

Job 38:1-17

Acts 15:22-35

John 11:45-54

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.

Psalm Prayer

God, I'm so thankful to still be here, to be wrestling with the kinds of things I wrestle with.  Thank you for words to say at the end of the day, to talk with my Creator, Savior, and Lord.