Fire & Grace Contemplative Prayer Service

Fire & Grace Contemplative Prayer Service
Living Spirit United Church – November 10, 2011

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
(from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943)

Welcome
Opening Reading (spoken together)

O Compassionate Teacher,
You are our merciful Counselor;
in the Silence,
You make yourself known
to all who take time to listen.
Would that those in power would heed your Voice:
“How long will you misuse power
that oppresses the poor?
When will you learn that to act justly and with integrity
will bring mutual blessing to all?”
Psalm 82: 1-4 trans. Nan C.Merrill)

Chant:
O God, we call. O God, we call.
From deep inside we yearn;
From deep inside we yearn
From deep inside we yearn, for You
(VU #411) (repeat to bell)

Readings:

1st reading - listen… what word/phrase/image draws you.
2nd reading - listen… how does this image relate to your life.
3rd reading - listen… what might God be calling you to?

Love never disappears for death is a non-event.
I have merely retired to the room next door.
You and I are the same;
what we were for each other, we still are.
Speak to me as you always have,
do not use a different tone, do not be sad.
Continue to laugh at what made us laugh.
Smile and think of me.
Life means what it has always meant.
The link is not severed.
Why should I be out of your soul
if I am out of your sight?
I will wait for you, I am not here,
but just on the other side of this path.
You see, all is well.
--St. Augustine

Contemplative Silence (15-20 minutes ended by a bell)

Prayers of the people followed by Our Father.

Chant:
And Love says, I will, I will take care of you…
And Love says, I will, I will take care of you…
(repeat to bell)

Closing: (spoken together)

Arise! Awaken to the new dawn!
Come into the Light; shed darkness like skin on the snake!
For the foundations of the cosmos are shaking with injustice.
I say, “Within you dwells the Beloved, the Breath of your breath.
Open your heart in the Silence and know the One in the many!
Arise! Join in the new creation!
Let harmony reign among all the nations!
(Psalm 82: 5-8 trans. Nan C.Merrill)

Namaste.


Contemplative worship is somewhat different from a traditional church service and includes prayers, chanting, readings, and a 15-20 minute period of silence. We gather together and welcome people from all spiritual paths and will draw from any ecumenical sources to which the Divine leads us. Whether you are new to spiritual journeying or are already well along on your chosen path, you are welcome to join us as we sit as companions and join our hearts with our Source.

“Seek and you will find,..
…knock and the door will be opened” Matthew 7:7
Please Join us for Fire & Grace Contemplative Worship

Wednesdays 6:15pm at either Wild Rose or Hillhurst United.
1st and 3rd Thursdays 9:30am - St Laurence Anglican
2nd and 4th Thursdays 9:30am - Living Spirit United

For more information on detailed dates and times please call Jan Bacon at 403-242-2115 or email baconj@telus.net

later man, jan