Prayer Reflection: Through Light and Shadow

Here’s a thoughtful prayer reflection from Sally’s Eternal Echoes website.

Through Light and Shadow

through light and shadow

I am led, I follow,

through the ins and outs

the ups and downs 

of these days,

when my heart is failing,

when my spirit rejoices,

when I can barely put one foot 

in front of the other

still you beckon me on...

when I stumble you support me,

when I can go no further 

you carry me,

through light and shadow,

in death's dark vale,

and on the mountain peaks

you lead me,

through tangled webs,

on rocky ground,

on smoother paths,

through light and shadow

you lead me,

I follow,

may I never

walk alone...

~ written by Sally, and posted on Eternal Echoes. http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/

Benediction in a Time of Pandemic

Here’s a lovely benediction from Rev. Nora Vedress, Pastor at Calvary United Church in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Benediction

So now we leave this space of worship

And while so much of the road ahead is uncertain,

the path constantly changing,

we know some things that are as solid and sure

as the ground beneath our feet,

and the sky above our heads.

We know God is love.

We know Christ’s light endures.

We know the Holy Spirit this there,

found in the space between all things,

closer to us than our next breath,

binding us to each other,

until we meet we again,

Go in peace.

~ submitted by Rev. Nora Vedress, Calvary United Church in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Trinitarian Prayer: Called to Community and Unity

Here’s a Trinitarian prayer from Rev. John Creasy of The Open Door Presbyterian Church, a missional church community in Pittsburgh. It was written, “for this particular time of COVID and racial injustice.”

Prayer

Christian trinitarian theology may be the most unique aspect of our faith. We believe in one God who is communal in nature. We believe in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in one God who is three as much as one. We believe in one God who is drawing all of creation unto God’s self, bringing community and unity through love.

In this time of racial injustice and unrest we pray that we might experience the grace and humbleness of God the Son. Help us to humble ourselves, even unto death, for the sake of our siblings. Lord, teach us to not strive for anything, but in all things humble ourselves, as you did through the incarnation and in your crucifixion. Give us your grace that we might always extend grace to others.

In this time of pandemic and calls for racial justice we pray that we might be like God our Divine Parent, Father and Mother, loving beyond our comprehension. Through this love you birthed the universe, the vastness of galaxies and the preciousness of infants. Father God, teach us to embrace our siblings with the love that only a parent knows. Mother God, give us your patience to never give up on one another or the causes of justice in our world.

In this time fear and anxiety, Holy Spirit, commune with us. Equip us, strengthen us, convict us and encourage us toward becoming a more holy and complete church. We confess that we have pushed you aside, squelching your work within us because we are afraid of what a Spirit driven life will mean. We ask, Holy Spirit, that your power would be made known in your church and in your people. We pray that you would build the beloved community of God here in our midst.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, give your church and all of your people, the community made known in the trinity. Help us love one another as we would have them love us back. Help us feed the hungry as we would want to be fed in our time of need. Help us comfort the mourning as only a loving parent can comfort. Help us heal the sick and lift up the broken-hearted, as you, the great physician of body and mind, would do.

~ written by Rev. John Creasy, The Open Door Presbyterian Church (https://www.pghopendoor.net/) and Garfield Community Farm (http://www.garfieldfarm.com/)

Call to Worship for a Virtual Worship Service

Here’s a call to worship written during the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes from Ann Harbridge, Minister at Trinity Centennial United Church in Rosemont, Ontario, Canada.

Call to Worship during a Pandemic

 From the comfort of our homes we gather to worship.

Whether through printed word, or through the gift of technology

we are a community.

Here we seek connection to the Divine.

Come, let us worship God,

shown to us through the risen Christ.

~ submitted by Ann Harbridge, DLM, Minister at Trinity Centennial United Church in Rosemont, Ontario.