Contemplative Worship April 28th 9:30am

Welcome

Please enter quietly

 and join with us to hold this silent space for all.

Jesus answered them, “The hour has come, for the Son of man to be glorified.   Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.                                                     (John 12: 23-24 NRSV)   

   

Fire & Grace Contemplative Worship Service

Living Spirit United Church – April 28, 2011

Welcome 

Opening Reading  (spoken together)

Come and find the quiet centre

          In the crowded life we lead,

Find the room for hope to enter,

          Find the frame where we are freed:

Clear the chaos and the clutter,

          Clear our eyes that we can see

All the things that really matter,

          Be at peace, and simply be.     (#374 Voices United)

Chant:

Listen, listen, wait in silence listening,

For the One from whom all mercy flows.

 (Psalm 130 ) (repeat)

Lectio Divina Readings…

1^st reading – listen, what word or phrase draws you.

2^nd reading – listen, for an image that relates to your life.

3^rd reading – listen, what might God be calling you to?

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

(Frederick Buechner)

Silent Meditation (20 minutes ended by a bell)

Prayers of the people followed by Our Father.

Chant:

If you will, if you will, if you will, if you will.

You can become all flame,

become all flame, become all flame.

You can become all flame… become all flame!

(Darlene Franz, Seattle) (repeat)

Closing:  (spoken together)

Lift up your hearts to the Most High!

Let the earth ring with songs of praise!

Be glad O people of the Light!

Let your life be impregnated by Love’s gifts.

Discover in the Great Silence the mystery

of who you are, and be true to your self.

For wherever you dwell, there is beauty;

Infinite Love is everywhere.

Know that the beauty hidden within your soul,

Is seen by the eyes of your heart.

Let the still small voice of the Beloved

Guide you by day and comfort you at night;

Then will you be blessed and, in turn,

You will be blessing to the world.

                             (Psalm 129 trans Nan C. Merrill)

Namaste.