June 15, 2008
The Holiness of Place – a Leunig Prayer in response
Dear God,
We give thanks for places of simplicity and peace. Let us find such a place within ourselves. We give thanks for places of refuge and beauty. Let us find such a place within ourselves. We give thanks for places of nature's truth and freedom, of joy, inspiration and renewal, places where all creatures may find acceptance and belonging. Let us search for these places: in the world, in ourselves and in others. Let us restore them. Let us strengthen and protect them and let us create them.
May we mend this outer world according to the truth of our inner life and may our souls be shaped and nourished by nature's eternal wisdom.
Amen
Posted by Paul Northup at 09:07 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2008
Tess Ward's 'Night Shielding Prayer'
Loving Creator, you made us infinitely special.
As I lie down this night under the varied stars,
melt the envy I sometimes feel for others.
Let me trust your grace in my own becoming
and the timing as you unfold your gift.
Abundant Spirit may I see the gift of yourself
in every stranger and friend I have met this day.
May I learn to rejoice in the uniqueness of each different soul
and our stories known only to you,
As I lie down with thanksgiving.
Posted by Paul Northup at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2006
Prayer
Prayer, the Church’s banquet, Angels’ age,
God’s breath in man returning to his birth,
The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,
The Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth;
Engine against th’ Almighty, sinner’s tower,
Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,
The six-days’-world transposing in an hour,
A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;
Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,
Exalted manna, gladness of the best,
Heaven in ordinary, man well dressed,
The milky way, the bird of Paradise,
Church bells beyond the stars heard, the soul’s blood,
The land of spices, something understood.
By George Herbert
Posted by Paul Northup at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2006
Nicola Slee poem found by Gillian
We told our stories-
That's all.
We sat and listened to
Each other
And heard the journeys
Of each soul.
We sat in silence
Entering each one's pain and
Sharing each one's joy.
We heard love's longing
And the lonely reachings-out
For love and affirmation.
We heard of dreams
Shattered
And visions fled.
Of hopes and laughter
Turned stale and dark.
We felt the pain of
Isolation and
The bitterness
Of death.
But in each brave and
Lonely story
God's gentle life
Broke through
And we heard music in
The darkness
And smelt flowers in
The void.
We felt the budding
Of creation
In the searchings of
Each soul
And discerned the beauty
Of God's hand in
Each muddy, twisted path.
And His voice sang
In each story
His life sprang from
Each death.
Our sharing became
One story
Of a simple lonely search
For life and hope and
Oneness
In a world which sobs
For love.
And we knew that in
our sharing
God's voice with
Mighty breath
Was saying
Love each other and
Take each other's hand.
For you are one
Though many
And in each of you
I live.
So listen to my story
And share my pain
And death.
Oh, listen to my story
And rise and live
With me.
Posted by Paul Northup at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2006
Liturgy on Thankfulness
Fuzzy – Wednesday 10 May 2006
Gee, thanks
Opening Sentences
Leader From the rising of the sun till its setting in the west
All God’s holy name be praised.
On the lips of children,
By babies at the breast,
All God’s holy name be praised.
In the visions of the old
And the dreaming of the young,
All God’s holy name be praised.
In the hopes of the poor
And the longing of the lost,
All God’s holy name be praised.
In the big tops and marquees of heaven
And the forgotten corners of our hearts,
All God’s holy name be praised.
Let every breath in every life
Sing the name of the Holy One.
All Amen. We praise God’s Name.
A Litany of Thanks
Leader To wake from sleep into this day
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To sip a glass of clean, cold water -
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To hear the birdsong in the street
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To share with friends in making of Fuzzy
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To find the holy in music, paint, poetry and video
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To form the words that make a prayer
All Is gift enough for thanks
Leader To sit in silence in the holy place
All Is gift enough for thanks
A Silence
(In which we remind ourselves of who – loosely – we are and why – roughly – we are here, of who we love and feel for today … and in which we ask God to be with us and thank Him for something specific.)
Music
Communion
Discussion
Polite
Courteous
Thankful
Grateful
Overwhelmed
Which are you? Is there a difference?
Is there a difference between being thankful and thanking someone?
Do we thank for things or just thank? And if the latter, who? Or is this thanks for thanks sake?
How do we foster an attitude of thankfulness?
What are the barriers to this?
In all things, give thanks
Closing Responses
Leader God of friendship and mercy,
you have been with us at the world’s beginning
All Be with us till the world’s end
Leader You have been with us at our life’s shaping
All Be with us at our life’s end
Leader You have been with us in every Fuzzy plotline
All Be with us as the story goes on
Leader You have been with us at the sun’s rising
All Be with us till the day’s end. Amen.
A Blessing
All May the God who dances in festivals
Who shakes our lives like thunder,
Who heals all wounds and puts to flight all fears,
surprise us with love this day and everyday. Amen.
Posted by Paul Northup at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2006
A Litany of Thanks
Leader: To wake from sleep into this day
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To sip a glass of clean, cold water -
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To hear the birdsong in the street
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To share with friends in making Fuzzy
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To find the holy in music, paint, poetry and video
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To form the words that make a prayer
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Leader: To sit in silence in the holy place
All: Is gift enough for thanks
Posted by Paul Northup at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
Interconnectedness - The world wide web? (25/1/06)
"True spirituality is to be aware that if we are interdependent with everything and everyone else, even our smallest, least significant thought, word, and action have real consequences throughout the universe.’’ Sogyal Ripoche
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
The air is precious, for all of us share the same breath.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
This we know, the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
This we know, all things are connected; like the blood that unites one family.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
Our God is the same God, whose compassion is equal for all.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Every part of the earth is sacred.
Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.
Every part of the earth is sacred
For all belongs to our Creator.
"In a society that almost demands life at double time, speed and addictions numb us to our experience. In such a society it is almost impossible to settle into our bodies or stay connected with our hearts, let alone connect with one another or the earth where we live.’’ Jack Cornfield.
Time of silence – Connecting with our hearts helped by golden threads
Repeat ‘Whatever befalls the earth’ meditation (above).
Communion
1 chronicles 29.11-13
Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name.
L: We bring you these gifts:
The bread of our labour and the wine of our joy.
Accept them, Father, as tokens of our desire to share all your good things
with all your people.
As we remember the sufferings of our brothers and sisters, we look to
Jesus Christ: a man of sorrows and no stranger to grief, despised and
rejected by the powerful, a man whose body was bruised, cut and broken.
In his humiliation we find triumph, in his defeat victory, and in his death, life for all the world.
The night he was betrayed he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, gave it to his
Friends, and said: ‘Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my Body which is broken for
you. Do this in memory of me.’
After supper he took a cup of wine.’Take this’, he said, ’and drink from it. This is my Blood, Sign of the New Covenant. It is shed for you and for all the people so that you may be set free from sin. Do this in memory of me.’
All: Creator, Father of all, you give us life, you give us love, you give us yourself.
Help us to give our lives, our love, ourselves, to you.
Posted by Paul Northup at 11:08 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2005
'God Dances With Us'
A prayer Gillian was reminded of by talk of dancing at Fuzzy on 22 June.
God, you invite us to dance in delight,
shaping and forming in figures of grace.
We move to the pulse of creation's music
and rejoice to be part of the making of earth.
Praise in the making, the sharing, the moving;
praise to the God who dances with us.
In the steps of Jesus we reach to our partners,
touching and holding and finding our strengths.
Together we move into patterns of freedom,
and rejoice to be part of the sharing of hope.
Praise in the making, the sharing, the moving;
praise to the God who dances with us.
We whirl and spin in the Spirit's rhythm,
embracing the world with our circles of joy.
Together we dance for salvation and justice,
and rejoice to be part of the moving of love.
Praise in the making, the sharing, the moving;
praise to the God who dances with us.
Amen.
Jan Berry
Posted by Paul Northup at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2005
Gather us in - Liturgy
Leader Gather us in,
the lost and the lonely,
the broken and breaking,
the tired and the aching
who long for the nourishment
found at your feast
ALL GATHER US IN,
Leader the done and the doubting,
the wishing and wondering,
the puzzled and pondering
who long for the company
found at your feast.
ALL GATHER US IN,
Leader the proud and pretentious,
the sure and superior,
the never inferior,
who long for the levelling
found at your feast.
ALL GATHER US IN,
Leader the bright and the bustling,
the stirrers, the shakers,
the kind laughter makers
who long for the deeper joys
found at your feast.
ALL GATHER US IN,
Leader from corner or limelight,
from mansion or campsite,
from fears and obsession,
from tears and depression,
from untold excesses,
from treasured successes,
to meet, to eat,
be given a seat,
be joined to the vine,
be offered new wine,
become like the least,
be found at the feast.
ALL GATHER US IN!
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
a closing prayer of commission
(from the anglican alternative service book)
Father of all, we give you thanks and praise
that when we were still far off,
you met us in your Son and brought us home.
Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ's cup live his risen life;
we whom the Spirit lights,give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
Come Lord Jesus - Liturgy
Come Lord Jesus;
you were tired when day was done;
you met your friends at evening time
COME LORD JESUS
Come Lord Jesus;
you too enjoyed when nights drew on;
you told your tales at the close of day
COME LORD JESUS
Come Lord Jesus;
you kindled faith when lamps were low;
you opened scriptures, broke bread,
and shed your light as darkness fell
COME LORD JESUS, MEET US HERE.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
Loving Creator, hear our prayer
Loving Creator, hear our prayer
and listen to our call made in the spirit of truth.
You know what we are,
and that we seek to be faithful to you.
We search your word to find our way.
Let us walk in your footsteps
so that our feet do not slip.
We call on you, O Creator of life
and you answer us.
Listen to our voice
and show us your loving kindness,
O saviour of all who flee from evil.
Strengthen us in the struggle to do your will,
let our reward be to see you face to face,
and come into your loving presence.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
you are our God - a communal statement
From before the world began
and after the end of eternity, YOU ARE GOD
From the sea bursting out of its womb
to the wind ceasing from its chase, YOU ARE GOD
In the vastness of the universe
and the forgotten corners of our hearts, YOU ARE GOD
YOU ARE OUR GOD AND WE BLESS YOU.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
another prayer to open up with
Let the day end, the night fall,
the world move into silence,
and let God's people say Amen
AMEN
Let minds unwind, hearts be still, bodies relax,
and let God's people say Amen
AMEN
But before the day is done, let God's holy name be praised,
and let God's people say Amen
AMEN
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
a prayer to open up with
(from the iona community)
Leader: Come to us this night, O God.
ALL: COME TO US WITH LIGHT (candle brought forward)
Leader: Speak to us this night, O God.
ALL: SPEAK TO US YOUR TRUTH (bible brought forward)
Leader: Dwell with us this night, O God.
ALL: DWELL WITH US IN LOVE (cross brought forward)
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)
environment repentance prayer
our God and our Creator,
you have given us responsibility for this earth and all its creatures.
so often we have not been worthy of your trust in us.
in our pride we have exploited rather than managed the earth;
we have massacred its creatures.
we have sought to be gods rather than holy images of God.
we have diminished this earth's ecology
in our longing for a new creation. we have shattered your handiwork,
we have squandered your priceless treasure,
we have broken the body of Christ apart.
from now on may the work of our hands and the words of our mouths
be constructive and beautiful;
may we pour ourselves out into works of creativity and generosity.
may your grace fill our lives,
may your beauty fill our world.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
a prayer by Ruth Burgess
(from Bread of Tomorrow)
come God
come with the frightened
come with the poor
come with the children
come with those who have always been your friends
come and lead us to where you are living
and show us what you want us to do.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
a prayer for compassion (from the iona community)
Leader: O Christ, kindle in our hearts within
A flame of love to our neighbour
To our foes, to our friends, to our kindred all.
ALL: O CHRIST OF THE POOR AND THE YEARNING
FROM THE HUMBLEST THING THAT LIVES
TO THE NAME THAT IS HIGHEST OF ALL
KINDLE IN OUR HEARTS WITHIN
A FLAME OF LOVE
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2005
O SON OF THE TEARS, OF THE WOUNDS, OF THE PIERCINGS - A blessing
We are placing our souls and our bodies
Under your guarding this night, O Christ.
(ALL:)
O SON OF THE TEARS, OF THE WOUNDS, OF THE PIERCINGS,
MAY YOUR CROSS THIS NIGHT BE SHIELDING ALL.
(leader:)
Be the great God between your shoulders
To protect you in your going and your coming
Be the Son of Mary near your heart
And be the perfect Spirit upon you pouring.
(ALL:)
AMEN.
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)
In all that we share (a prayer)
All:
In all that we share
Let us see the common prayer of humanity
In that which we differ
Let us wonder at the freedom of humanity
In our unity and differences
Let us know the uniqueness of God
May iur courage match our convictions
And our integrity match our hope
May our faith in you
Bring us closer to each other
May our meeting with the past and present
Bring blessing for the future
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
A prayer for forgiveness
We have come to this day through darkness
And through moments of light
Along paths of pain
Always we have travelled with hope
That lies in the shared human journey
Let us prepare ourselves for this time
By calling to mind our faults and failings
O God, you created us in your image
ALL
For all the times we have not believed this
Lord have mercy
You breathed the breath of life into us
ALL:
For all the times when we have chosen
Not to affirm that life
Christ, have mercy
You redeemed us from sin
ALL:
For all the times when we have turned away from you
Lord, have mercy
Spirit of God
We believe you have redeemed us,
Forgive us our faults and failings
Help us to live and work
Towards wholeness and holiness
Posted by Chantal Freeman at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2005
Burning in the night
Jesus you are the dimly burning wick
and you are the overwhelming darkness.
You are the life of the world
the silence of a dead planet
and the emptiness of space.
You are St George and the dragon,
the heat of the battle,
and the peace of the protagonists in the long green grass.
Where shall I flee from your presence?
If I dive into despair you are there also;
you have colonised cynicism:
wherever I go you got there first.
When I wander reluctantly into days which are too hard for me
you greet me like an addict in a doorway,
whether I see you or not.
You are John XXIII and Benedict XVI,
the birdsong and the concrete,
the water and the wine.
As I gulp you down
may the burning in my throat
meet the fire in my heart
as I glimpse for one maddening moment
the isness in each pixel of the fuzzy and fragmented screen.
This is a prayer Gillian sent me after we thought about the new Pope at Fuzzy a few week's back. It's also a prayer with the word 'fuzzy' in it. Which is always a winner!
Posted by Paul Northup at 08:33 PM | Comments (0)