Saturday, February 18, 2017

2017 02/23 Thursday Hour of Prayer (Feast of Polycarp)

Thursday,
February 23rd
The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Matins-Lauds 6am
“The Awakening/Resurrection Hour”

The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.                                      [The candle is lit.]
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Name of the Lord shall be praised.              
[Mal. 1:11]
“I will give my servant as a light to the nations:”     
[Isa. 49:6b]
the tribes of the earth shall come to the light,
and kings to the brightness of his rising…              
[Isa. 60:3]
Salvation shall reach to the ends of the earth.    
[Isa. 49:6b]

Centering Prayer or Beads
(20-30 minutes)

Scripture – Psalm 89

The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle goes out.]



Prime-Terce 8am
“The Blessing Hour”

Song: He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word

The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.        [The candle is lit.]
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Name of the Lord shall be praised.                      
[Mal. 1:11]
“I will give my servant as a light to the nations:”              
[Isa. 49:6b]
the tribes of the earth shall come to the light,
and kings to the brightness of his rising…                       
[based on Isa. 60:3]
Salvation shall reach to the ends of the earth.             
[based on Isaiah 49:6b]

Scripture – Psalm 131

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.      

Scripture – Matthew 5:27-37

Lectio Divina
1.    Reading       (Lectio)
2.    Reflecting     (Meditatio)
3.    Responding  (Oratio)
4.    Resting        (Contemplatio)

Gloria Patri
[traditional; may be spoken together or sung]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Amen.  

Prayer
Unison Prayer:
Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ:
In all my trials and sufferings you have given me
the strength to stand firm;
in your mercy you have granted me
         a share of eternal glory.
                           (Irenaeus of Smyrna, 120-200,
                            bishop, martyr, 2nd generation disciple)

Intercessions:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its mission.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
     [individual concerns and joys may now be shared]
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

     [when all are finished sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Kyrie & Closing
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
OR [The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle goes out.]


Sext (Noon) 12pm
“The Hour of Illumination,
  Peace, & Re-Commitment”

Song: He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word

The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.        [The candle is lit.]
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Name of the Lord shall be praised.                      
[Mal. 1:11]
“I will give my servant as a light to the nations:”              
[Isa. 49:6b]
the tribes of the earth shall come to the light,
and kings to the brightness of his rising…                       
[based on Isa. 60:3]
Salvation shall reach to the ends of the earth.             
[based on Isaiah 49:6b]

Scripture – Psalm 132

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.      

Scripture – 2 Corinthians 3

Reflection
[someone may share briefly, or reflect silently]


Gloria Patri
[traditional; may be spoken together or sung]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Amen.  

Prayer
Examen or Prayer Beads [Kids]:
[If in Community, a leader equipped to do so may lead;
otherwise, reflect on the questions printed below.]
[Use Prayer Beads as an alternative to the Examen.]
[For mid-day Examen, we make use of John Wesley’s
prayerful self-reflection questions. For this day/hour:]
Resignation & Meekness (Thur.)
1.    Have I received every thing that has befallen me without my choice, as the choice of infinite wisdom and goodness for me, with thanks?
2.    Have I resumed my claim to my body, soul, friends, fame, or fortune, which I have made over to God; or repented of my gift, when God accepted any of them at my hands?
3.    Have I said any thing with a stern look, accent, or gesture, particularly with regard to religion?

Intercessions:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its mission.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

     [individual concerns and joys may now be shared]
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

     [when all are finished sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Kyrie & Closing
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
OR [The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all! Amen. [The candle goes out.]



Nones 4pm
“The Wisdom Hour”

Call to Prayer & Reflection
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
  race, I have kept the faith.”                                       
                          [2 Timothy 4:7, ESV]
“I press on toward the goal for the prize  
  of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”         
                          [Philippians 3:14, ESV]
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great
  a cloud of witnesses,
  let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin
  which clings so closely, and let us run
  with endurance the race that is set before us.”  
                          [Hebrews 12:1, ESV]

Scripture – Hebrews 8:1-7

Welcoming Prayer
[Kids may look at media for this prayer time here:              ]
At the hour of Nones, we are preparing to finish the day well, practicing the art of letting go, and
pondering things we must leave undone; all of which can usher us to a place of contemplating our own vulnerabilities, frailties, and mortality. It is also a time by which we may have accumulated a lot of negative and false things as the day has gone on… and we need some healing and restoration.
1.    Focus, feel and sink into the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations and commentaries in your body.
2.    Welcome God in the feelings, emotions, thoughts, commentaries or sensations in your body by saying, “Welcome.”
3.    Let go by repeating the following sentences:
·        “I let go of the desire for security, affection, control.”
·        “I let go of the desire to change this feeling/sensation.”

Kyrie
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.



Vespers-Compline 8pm
“The Twilight/Quiet Hour”

Song: He Never Said a Mumbalin’ Word

Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light)
O gracious light, pure brightness
         of the ever-living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the end of our daily work,
         and the setting of the sun,
         and our eyes behold the vesper light,
We give you praise, O God:
         Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
You are worthy at all times to be praised
         by happy voices, and to be glorified
         throughout all the worlds.  [Candle is lit.]

Scripture – Psalm 134

Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.      

Scripture – Exodus 6:2-9

Gloria Patri
[traditional; may be spoken together or sung]
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.  

Prayer
Song Prayers:
[Favorite Songs are Listened to, Viewed, Shared, or
Sung Together for as Long as is Appropriate or Good.]

Intercessions:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Together, let us pray for…
…our family/friends/congregations.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…those who suffer and those in trouble.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the concerns of this community.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the world, its people, and its leaders.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the church universal: its leaders, its people, and its mission.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
…the communion of saints.
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

     [individual concerns and joys may now be shared]
     Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

     [when all are finished sharing:]
We pray all these things
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.

Kyrie
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
OR [The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
[The Candle Goes Out.]

[Children can be sent off to bed, after which this
Prayer Hour concludes with an Evening Examen.]

Examen
My Relationship with God [Reimagining the Examen]
1.    Center – Ask God to make his presence known.
2.    Gratitude – Thank God for 1-2 blessings.
3.    Relationship – Think about your relationship with God. Talk to God about how it has been going lately. Are you getting along well? Do you feel close or distant? Are you spending quality time, or being neglectful? Do you sense God’s closeness when you call? Are you bored with God? When you “look upon the face of God” do you feel joy? Gratitude? Shame? Fear? Love? Ask God to show you how HE sees the relationship.
4.    Reading – “Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’” (Luke 9:18-20). Looking back over the day, reflect on each ‘scene’ by asking, “Where was Christ in this moment? How did Christ come to me in this moment?”
5.    Big Picture – Now think about the day in its entirety. Ask yourself: “Given all that’s happened today, who was Christ for me today?” (Teacher? Friend? Consoler? Coach? Silent Observer? Spouse? Savior? Parent?)
6.    Affirmation – Say to Christ: “Lord, today you were _______ for me.”
7.    Mutuality – Now ask: “If you, Lord, were ___, then who am I in relationship to you?” Listen for his response, then speak to God for a while about the way your relationship played itself out today.
8.    Future View – Look to tomorrow. How do you want or need Christ to be present to you tomorrow? What do you need him to be for you? Tell him what you want or need from his presence in your life moving forward.



Vigils-Nocturns 10pm
“The Great Silence” or “The Vigilant Hour”

The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.        [The candle is lit.]
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Name of the Lord shall be praised.                      
[Mal. 1:11]
“I will give my servant as a light to the nations:”              
[Isa. 49:6b]
the tribes of the earth shall come to the light,
and kings to the brightness of his rising…                       
[based on Isa. 60:3]
Salvation shall reach to the ends of the earth.             
[based on Isaiah 49:6b]

Scripture – Psalm 135 & Ruth 2:14-23

Centering Prayer or Beads
(20-30 minutes)

The Light Goes Forth
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with us all! Amen. [The candle goes out.]

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