Wednesday, Dec. 28th
The Holy Innocents
FAST Day
Vigil (Matins)
(Small Hour) 4:45am, 25 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The
candle is lit.]
Centering Prayer (20 min.) or [Prayer Beads]
[See Appendix C or
Appendix B for additional help, information, or instruction.]
Dismissal/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 is extinguished.]
Early
Morning (Lauds)
(Small Hour) 6:15am
20min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The
candle is lit.]
Call to this Day as Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be
glad in it!
Lord, I make this day a gift to Thee.
Help me live this day
to Your glory!
Lectio Divina
(“Divine/Sacred Reading”) is an ancient devotional practice (see Appendix D for
full information). Listen with your heart for what the Holy Spirit would say to
you as you read. Traditionally, there
are 4 “Moments:”
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Meditatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)
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 may be extinguished]
Morning
(Prime-Terce)
(Large Hour) 8am 30 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The
candle is lit.]
Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy,
Which will come to all
the people;
For unto you is born this day in the city of David,
A Savior, who is Christ
the Lord.
[based on Luke 2:10-11]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other]
[may be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
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.
Reflection [someone may share a reflection on a
scripture read above]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version]
[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.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
We remember today, O
God, the slaughter of the holy innocents
of Bethlehem by King Herod.
Receive, we pray, into
the arms of your mercy all innocent victims;
and by your great might
frustrate the designs of evil tyrants
and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace;
through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
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.
Ignatian Exercises [Prayer Beads opt.]
[If you are observing
this time in community, a Spiritual Director can lead this time. If on your
own, you can seek out a Director or follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
the words printed here. We recommend use
of a Spiritual Director.]
Remember those circles we had been filling in during Advent?
At the center is the “I Am;” a reminder of God at the center
of our being.
Today we continue to think about “Deepest Desires,” or “Root
Desires” that find their hold in the deepest circles: Christ at the Center, and
Who we really are in
Christ.
Our Root Desires delve deep down, finding their hold, their
nourishment, their security in God’s presence and call in our lives.
We also have Branch Desires, that tend to be attached to the
“Where” and “How” aspects of life. These Branch Desires urge us to express
ourselves (Root Desires, as people of faith, urge us to express something about
God), and the “Branches” also urge us to reach for what looks like light and
warmth to us… causes of delight.
(Root Desires connect to the light and life we find in the
Holy Spirit.)
Fears are the enemies of desires. On this Feast Day of the
Holy Innocents, as we remember and reflect upon the “underside” of the Nativity
story found in Herod’s atrocities, we encounter the fears that clash with
God-given Root Desires for goodness and righteousness.
List the fears that fueled Herod’s murderous violence.
How do you see those same fears playing out in the world
today.
Now, look to yourself. In the last 24 hours, did you
experience anxiety? What were those fears, and what actions were they driving
you to take? How were those actions in direct contrast to godly Root Desires?
Were you able to stop yourself? How? How was God involved?
Do you still need his help now? Ask for it.
The Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
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.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
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 may be carried out or extinguished]
Noon (Sext)
(Large Hour) 12:15pm
30 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, the dwelling of God
is with humankind.
He will dwell with them,
they shall be his
people,
God himself will be with them,
and he will be their
God.
[based on Revelation 21:3]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may
be spoken together or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
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.
Reflection [someone may share a reflection on a
Scripture above]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… 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.
OR
[“modern;” spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
We remember today, O
God, the slaughter of the holy innocents
of Bethlehem by King Herod.
Receive, we pray, into
the arms of your mercy
all
innocent victims;
and by your great might
frustrate the designs of evil tyrants
and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace;
through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
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.
Examen [Prayer Beads opt.]
[If praying in
community, a leader equipped to do so may “direct” the following prayer
exercise. Otherwise, trust the Spirit & follow the directions on your own.]
[Ignatius recommended
praying an “Examen” prayer especially prior to sleeping, but also at the noon
hour. John Wesley used questions to prayerfully reflect, al la Ignatius’
Examen, and used them morning and night. We recommend a short-form Examen at
noon.]
Examen: Mortification (Wednesday Questions, from John Wesley)
1. Have I not only not done
what passion solicited me to, but done just the contrary?
2. Have I received the
inconveniences I could not avoid as means of mortification chosen for me by
God?
3. Have I contrived
pretenses to avoid self-denial?
4. Have I thought any
occasion of denying myself too small to be embraced?
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
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.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:] Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie
eleison.
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 may be carried out or extinguished]
Afternoon
(Nones)
(Small Hour) 4pm 10min.
Introduction
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the
faith.”
“I press on toward the
goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
“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.”
Welcoming Prayer
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
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Evening
(Vespers)
(Large Hour) 5:30pm 30 min.
Call to Worship
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.
[The “Phos Hilaron,” O Gracious Light]
Scripture with Reflection & Praise
Doxology [one of two options below, or other… may be spoken together
or sung]
Praise
God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
OR
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.
Reflection [If in Community, someone may share a
word. Otherwise use Lectio Divina:]
1. Lectio (Reading)
2. Mediatio (Reflecting)
3. Oratio (Responding)
4. Contemplatio (Resting)]
Gloria Patri [traditional or “modern” version… 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.
OR
[“modern;”
spoken together]
Glory
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Prayer
Unison Prayer
We remember today, O
God, the slaughter of the holy innocents
of Bethlehem by King Herod.
Receive, we pray, into
the arms of your mercy
all
innocent victims;
and by your great might
frustrate the designs of evil tyrants
and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace;
through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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.
[other intercessions,
suitable for the day or the hour, can be added to the list above]
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.
Examen (20 min.) or Centering Prayer (20 min.) or Prayer Beads
[See Appendix E for
Examen; Appendix C for Centering Prayer; Appendix B for Beads]
Examen: Saving FACE (Fears,
Attachments, Control, & Entitlement)
[Reimagining the Examen]
1.
Center – Relax and let
your mind quiet down. Take a deep breath & ask God to make his presence
known.
2.
Gratitude – Thank God for
one or two of the blessings, big and small, received today.
3.
Fears – Looking over the
day, ask God to show you what Fears were predominant in your heart. Dig deeply
to the real fears. Name the fear, simply take note of it, and move on.
4.
Attachments – Looking
over the day, ask God to show you any Attachments to which you’ve been clinging
(person, idea, behavior, etc.). Pay attention to emotional attachments.
Identify it, take note of it, and move on.
5.
Control – Looking over
the day, ask God to show you situations in which you tried too hard to exert
control (people, organizations, outcomes, etc.). Admitting we are controlling
is hard, so ask God for courage. When you find your obsession with control,
acknowledge it, and move on.
6.
Entitlements – Looking
over the day, ask God to show you any notions you have had of entitlement. If
you find a false entitlement, name it before God and move on. (Examples: I’m
the victim/I work hard… I deserve ___.)
7.
Focus – Place the four
discoveries before God, and ask him to show you the one most strongly affecting
your life right now. Focus on it, ask for insight and forgiveness.
8.
Difference – Ask God to
show you what tomorrow would look like if you were free form this issue. How
would emotions, thoughts, words, actions be different?
9.
Surrender – Give this
issue to God, asking for help in living in the freedom of God’s mercy.
Lord’s Prayer & Kyrie
[traditional version –
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.
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as many times
as desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
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 may be carried out or extinguished]
Family Bedtime
(Hora Somni)
(Small
Hour) 8pm
[Appendix F has full
details, additional resources, etc. for this non-traditional Hour.]
Wednesday – Prayers of
the People, with Confession [Appendix F]
Night
(Compline)
(Small Hour) 10:00pm 15 min.
The Coming of the Light
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God. [The candle is lit.]
Behold, the dwelling of God
is with humankind.
He will dwell with them,
they shall be his
people,
God himself will be with them,
and he will be their
God.
[based on Revelation 21:3]
Examen or
Centering Prayer (20 min.) or Prayer Beads
[Appendix E for Examen,
Appendix C for Centering Prayer, Appendix B for Prayer Beads.]
Examen: Saving FACE (Fears,
Attachments, Control, & Entitlement)
[Reimagining the Examen]
1.
Center – Relax and let
your mind quiet down. Take a deep breath & ask God to make his presence
known.
2.
Gratitude – Thank God for
one or two of the blessings, big and small, received today.
3.
Fears – Looking over the
day, ask God to show you what Fears were predominant in your heart. Dig deeply
to the real fears. Name the fear, simply take note of it, and move on.
4.
Attachments – Looking
over the day, ask God to show you any Attachments to which you’ve been clinging
(person, idea, behavior, etc.). Pay attention to emotional attachments.
Identify it, take note of it, and move on.
5.
Control – Looking over
the day, ask God to show you situations in which you tried too hard to exert
control (people, organizations, outcomes, etc.). Admitting we are controlling
is hard, so ask God for courage. When you find your obsession with control,
acknowledge it, and move on.
6.
Entitlements – Looking
over the day, ask God to show you any notions you have had of entitlement. If
you find a false entitlement, name it before God and move on. (Examples: I’m
the victim/I work hard… I deserve ___.)
7.
Focus – Place the four
discoveries before God, and ask him to show you the one most strongly affecting
your life right now. Focus on it, ask for insight and forgiveness.
8.
Difference – Ask God to
show you what tomorrow would look like if you were free form this issue. How
would emotions, thoughts, words, actions be different?
9.
Surrender – Give this
issue to God, asking for help in living in the freedom of God’s mercy.
Kyrie
[The Kyrie – “Lord,
have mercy” – English:]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
[repeat as
desired]
OR
[The Kyrie in Greek:]
Kyrie eleison. Christe
eleison. Kyrie eleison.
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 may be carried out or extinguished]
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