On a journey just begun ...

Oh Holy One ... as the crowds dispersed that first Palm Sunday, so to does the rumble and grinding of the world close in around us and blot out the peace and tranquility you offer to us in such abundance ...

As the journey into Holy Week begins we see the lengthening of the shadows and the darkened corners where murmurs and whispers abound ... we heard the thump of sandals and the clang of armour ... we hear the snap of whips and a slap of striking fists ... we hear the echo of nails pounded and wood groaning under the weight ...

We hear and see and know what lies ahead ... and in the silence we struggle ...

We struggle to place one foot in front of the other ... we struggle to keep moving when our weariness and our exhaustion wants to stop and sit and wait ... yet even in our waiting, events unfold around us and the world overwhelms us ...

Be with us in the quiet O Holy One ... be with us in the shouting of the crowds and in the madness of the mobs ... be with us as the shadows cover us and we find ourselves in a deep darkness ...

Grant us the courage and faith to know that no matter how dark the days may become, the looms a bright and glorious dawn that will break over us and transform us into children of the Resurrection ...

Oh Holy One be with us now and always ...

Prayer for All Saints ...

Holy One, be with the people of Bella Coola
and be with the family who gather today to say farewell:
his mischievious grin will be missed,
his wise counsel will linger, but his blunt voice will be mourned,
his laughter and humour and generosity will remain as his legacy,
but we weep for what we've lost ...

Loving God, on this day of Remembrance
as the Saints who have gone before us are remembered and celebrated,
be with those who remember and celebrate this unlikely saint ...

He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather,
and he was most of all a friend ...
he shared his care and love with those around him,
and he offered himself without apology or regret ...
and for that we thank you for the gift that was his life ...

Holy Creator, embrace your people in thier grief,
bind up their breaking hearts,
wipe away their falling tears,
and whisper to their souls reminding all of us
of the gift of life everlasting ...

Blessed One, the earthly journey has ended,
his legacy remains,
and we entrust him into your keeping
with the ancestors and saints who have journeyed before us,
and who with you, continue thier journey in a place of
love, laughter and live everlasting ...

Hear our prayers O Holy One,
and be with those who this day mourn
those who have gone on before us ...

AMEN.

Prayer for today - June 3rd 2012 ...

Your words echo through us O Holy Servant:
Father forgive them for they know not what they do ...

Today, we feel those words more than we should ...
our media is filled with disturbing images and news
of violence and suffering,
of fear and anxiety,
of senseless actions against innocent people ...

And we feel those words:
Father forgive them for they know not what they do ...

We hear of the woundedness of others,
of the fear and suffering,
and we ache for a place of serenity and peace ...

Father forgive them for they know not what they do ...

Your call echoes through us and into the cosmos ...
The senselessness hurts and scares us ...
The Violence cuts across ages and social standings ...
The foolishness of it all leaves us weeping ...

Yet, even in those words uttered from the cross so long ago,
the end was not what it seems ...

Father forgive them for they know not what they do ...
... was answered in the Resurrection.

In the face of death
comes life.

In the face of suffering
comes wholeness.

In the face of fear
comes HOPE.

You not only forgive, O Loving One,
you heal and render whole what the world has broken.

Into your hands we commend our spirits and our lives,
into your love we offer ourselves and our communities,
into your gift of grace we plunge our fear filled moments ...

and with wholeness, healing, grace and love,
we are transformed and resurrected.

Father for give US for our doubts as you forgive
the thoughtlessness of others ...

In your name we pray ...

Prayer for today - April 16th 2012 ,,, Resurrection ...

Loving God, your servant Jesus spoke the words from the cross:

Into your hands I commend my spirit ...

Today you will be with me in paradise ...

Loving God in the quiet hush we yearn to hear those words,
to believe those words,
to feel the truth and power behind those words ...

Too many whispers around us speak of loss
and mask the weeping that comes with death ...

Our circle of community struggles
losses seem to pile upon losses,
brokeness breaks in upon brokeness,
tears of sorrow and sadness
are more abundant then smiles of joy ...

And yet in that moment when all seems lost
we hear the voice of comfort from within
speaking the familiar yet ancient words ...

Into your hands I commend my spirit ...

and we know you are with us ...

We hear that promise ...

Today you will be with me in paradise ...

and we know this is not the end.

Holy One, move within and among us
touch our hearts and minds

remove the doubt and fear
and replace it with hope and certainty,

remove the sorrow and sadness
and replace it with joy and trust.

Holy One, we know the promises of resurrection,
yet some days those words seem distant and cold ...

... today move among us and through us
transform us from an uncertain and doubt filled people
into a Resurrected community proclaiming our faith
and living our lives knowing we are never alone
and we are never seperated from that love
that holds and sustains us throughout our life.

Hear our prayers O Holy One,
and in your love answer.

Prayer for today - April 12th 2012 ... Thomas ...

Holy One, I am struck by the words:
behind locked doors ...
for fear of the Jews ...
The message of the Resurrection
loomed over them as they gathered,
the Good News hadn't sunken in,
they failed to comprehend,
the simply didn't know what to believe.

And then you were there.
Peace Be With You
My Peace I Give to You
The words echoed within them
yet I doubt they knew what to think
what to believe ... the quivered in fear.

And so your reassured them,
you spoke to their fears
you soothed their uncertainties
you sought to comfort them ...
... and they struggled to comprehend.

Holy One, as we again approach these familiar tales,
open our eyes, our hearts, and our minds
to the whisper of Peace that you still offer,
speak to our fears and uncertainties,
comfort our doubts and confusions,
show us again what it means
to fall to our knees like Thomas
and utter those profound words of belief:

My Lord and My God ...

Risen One, we yearn to know,
be with us in the moments of crisis,
comfort us in the times of darkness,
and guide us through the shadows,
that we may once again
hear your voice,
feel your presence,
and celebrate our experience
of Resurrection in our lives and in your's.

Holy One,
Risen One,
our friend
and our Hope,
hear us as we pray ...

Prayer for today ... open tombs, mysterious strangers ...

Risen One ... our day began in deep dark silence,
tear fell too easily as we considered the loss,
as we embraced the enormity of death,
as we experienced the breadth of sorrow ...

In the darkness she went first to mourn and to weep,
in the darkness she found the tomb, broken and empty,
in the darkness she cried out and fled searching ...

Together in the breaking dawn they came to see ...
Running, hearts pounding, pulses racing,
they came to see if what she said was true ...

Empty ...
Gone ...

Uncertainty broke in upon them ...
from grief they fled to fear and horror ...

Death was one thing,
but a missing body was something different ...

Standing alone she heard her voice whispered
whispered by a familiar voice
whispered by the Risen One ...

Grief and fear gave way to joy ...

The missing one had returned ...
The missing one had risen ...
The missing one had been found and shows the way ...

"Mary" he called her by name ...
bringing her from a place of darkness
to stand blinking in the fullness of God's welcoming light ...

And so the day began ...

... and it ended in a room ...
They gathered, talking, discussing, arguing ...

what did all of this mean?
how has this happened?
what is happening now?

Confused and uncertain, they gathered in a familiar place
where he had prayed
where he had washed their feet
where he had broken bread
where he had poured out the cup
where he had taken a deep breath and plunged into the night ...

They gathered, waiting, wondering, praying ...

And suddenly he was there,
the missing one had come
the missing one had risen
the missing one was found anew ...

My Peace I give you,
he whispered with a smile,
My peace I give you,
he said breathing new life through the room ...

In the darkness the light had come,
in the uncertainty came awe and wonder ...

Risen One ... you called them by name ...
you guided them through the dark and lonely places ...
you whispered to thier hearts to trust in God ...
you revealed yourself in that moment that comes
when darkness gives way to light
when life continues on in the face of death
when hope glimmers and pushes aside cynicism and disbelief ...

Guide us from the garden through the streets O Holy One,
take us by the hand and lead us from doubt to believe ...
take our hands and place them in yours ...
reveal yourself in the unexpected place ...
show yourself in the breaking of the bread ...
Transform us from fearfilled disciples cowering in the dark,
to faithful messengers proclaiming the message:

He is Risen, He is Risen INDEED !!!

Hear us as we pray O Holy and Risen One,
and be with us in our journey.


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