Week of 12/18/2016

O God, we await your presence among us in the form of our great teacher and healer, Jesus. Give us courage, like Joseph, to live according to your will and dream for the world. Grant us patience and open our hearts as we receive Christ’s presence in our lives. Amen.

Week of 12/11/2016

Loving and awesome God, in you all things are possible. We join in Mary’s song and lift our praise and hope to you. You do not abandon us. May your transforming grace and promise of justice live in our hearts this Advent as we align our hearts with yours. Amen.

Week of 12/4/2016

You love us, O God. Open our hearts to face, with courage, a broken world in need of healing and justice. Our fragility reminds us that we need you, and we need each other. Help us tune into the best parts of ourselves and our child-like qualities, as you accompany us to surrender to your deep vision of peace. Amen.

Week of 11/27/2016

O This Night is Dark
1 Cor 15; Psalm 126; Isaiah 2; Amos 9; Isaiah 65

O this night is dark indeed
While we’re waiting for the light.
For the nations to be judged
And the powers to be put to shame.
O Lord, spare your poor, save our souls
From our violence, oppression, fear, and anxiety.

Although I am weeping
Lord help me keep sowing
Seeds for the day when your peace
Will arise with the dawn
When the bombs we are dropping
And the guns that keep firing
Melt in the face of the just,
When Your kingdom comes.

Now I sow in tears,
That one day I might reap with joy
When the mountains drip with wine
And we beat, beat, beat our swords
Into plowshares.

—Tom Wuest

Providing Safe Space, 11/18/2016

Good and gracious God, Who loves and delights in all people, we stand in awe before You, knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life.

Differences among cultures and races are multicolored manifestations of Your Light.

May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers.

We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action and in Your Presence in our Neighbor.

May all peoples live in Peace.
AMEN.

Week of 11/13/2016

Creator of heaven and earth, you enable us to rejoice even in times of sadness, loss, and discouragement. Through your creative presence, transforming old ways into new possibility, you fill our hearts with joy, calling us to share in the promise of your unfolding love. Amen.

Standing at Standing Rock, 11/3/2016

Creator, You loved creation into being. Your goodness is present in the land and waters, in the creatures and peoples You created. You call us to be in right relation with all living things. Be present today, and every day, where people stand in peaceful defense of your creation. We recognize Your presence in Standing Rock, with Indigenous peoples who are protecting the waters. May we also be present in spirit and in truth. We recognize Your presence in our own country where Indigenous peoples also stand peaceably in defense of land and waters. May we be present in witness and solidarity. We recognize and repent for the violence that has marked relations with Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. We claim your challenge of truth and justice, and your promise of healing and reconciliation. In Your mercy, help us move forward in a good and just way. Amen.

Week of 10/30/2016

Holy God, your wisdom has formed all that has been, that is, and that shall be. Thanks for revealing your glorious ways in Christ and in the lives of all your saints. Strengthen us to live faith-filled lives, with confidence in your eternal love. Amen.

Week of 10/23/2016

Dance with us, Holy Partner, and show us how to step humbly into life with you. Lead us with arms of strength and steps of grace. Help us to be righteous: raise us when we are low, and gently bring us down when we have jumped too high. Love us into wholeness, we pray. Amen.

Week of 10/16/2016

God is not the judge, but the widow.
Jesus says, “Do not judge,” but still we judge.
We fail to fear God and respect other people.
God comes to us among the powerless, the orphan, the widow, the Crucified One, pleading for justice.
So busy with what we want, we don’t hear what God wants.
But God keeps coming, keeps pleading for justice.

She does not shout, does not lift up her voice,
but calmly, confidently, again and again she comes.
She will wear us out with her continual coming,
until we do justice.

Persistent God,
help us listen to your cries in the poor,
to your whisperings in our hearts,
to the light in your silence.
We still our minds, cease our judging, and listen.
In our hearts, a river flowing, we listen.
In the unsaid billion prayers, we listen.
We keep praying and do not lose heart.

-Steve Garness-Holmes

Week of 10/9/2016

Take nothing for granted,
even sunlight or breathing.
Don’t let your privilege blind you
to the sheer underserved miracle
of your blessings.
Don’t think you're entitled
to colors or conversation.
Let gratitude overwhelm you,
sneak up behind you
and lift you off your feet.

Pick anything to practice on—
the sunlight on the poorly painted ledge
of the apartment across from yours,
standing as if ready to leap off
into your arms—
pick something, and give thanks.

When someone asks you how you are today
say, “Grateful,”
then use the surprised pause
to think of what for.
The person looking at you quizzically
may give you a hint.

—Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Week of 10/2/2016

Holy Spirit, who kindled faith in our ancestors even in the most trying circumstances, rekindle that same sincere and powerful faith in us. Inspire us to carry our testimonies, gladly and fearlessly, to a new generation, relying on your gift of grace. Amen

Week of 9/25/2016

Just and loving God, open our imaginations to catch your vision of all people living together in wholeness and harmony. Strengthen our leaders to work for justice and peace, so that all people may be brought to live in your reign of shalom. Amen.

Week of 9/18/2016

Persistent God, we are grateful
that your love never gives up.
May we find ways to share this love
with one another.
Amen.