small is holy resumes for the feast day of st. francis: october 3 @ 4 pm

This Sunday we return to the online reflections and liturgy of Small is Holy. (Please join us @ ttps://www.facebook.com/Be-Still-and-Know-913217865701531) It is the Feast Day of St. Francis and our return to our small group of friends seeking to go deeper into contemplation and compassion. Our Evening Prayer Eucharist will follow this order borrowing from the Celtic communities of Northumbria, Iona, and Corrymeela.

Small is Holy Evening Prayer and Eucharist
At 4:00 PM (EST) we open with quiet music for gathering and centering.

We gather in peace,
In the name of God: the Creator + Christ, and Holy Spirit. Amen
My soul waits for the Lord,
More than those who watch in the morning.
Out of the depths I have cried to you, O God.
O Lord, hear my voice.
With my whole heart I want to praise you.
O Lord, hear my voice.
If you, O Lord, should mark my iniquities:
Who could stand? O who could stand?
So I will wait upon the Lord
And rest like a child upon her mother’s breast.

Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis/ASH GROVE)
Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God our Creator triumphantly raise;
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
By guiding us on to the end of our days.
God’s banners are o’er us, pure light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished,
As forward we travel from light into Light.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 131 and St. Mark 10: 13-16

Response in Song: Alleluia, allelu; alleluia, allelu; alleluia, allelu; alleluia.

Reflection

Response in Song: Ca va bien aller – All shall be well with God – Alleluia (3x)

Invitation to God’s Open Table (Iona)

The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord is with you – And also with you.
Lift up your hearts – We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God 

It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is right…

Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy God Ruler All-Loving: heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O God. Blessed is the One who comes, who comes in the name of God. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

The Eucharist Prayer continues and closes with the Lord’s Prayer. Please pray this in whatever form resonates with your heart…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name: your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil; for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

The bread and wine are blessed and prepared for sharing.

The bread which we bless + and share is our participation in the brokenness of the world. 

And the cup which we bless + and share is our participation in the celebration of joy. 

These are the gifts of God for the whole people of God: come for all things are ready.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

We share the bread of life and the cup of blessing.

Prayer and Song (South Africa/Community of Celebration)
Sing amen: Amen we praise your name, O God.
Sing amen: Amen, we praise your name, O God.
Amen: amen, amen, amen, amen.
Amen we praise your name, O God.

Prayer of Parting
Lord, you have always given us bread for the coming day; and though I am poor:
Today I believe.
You have always given peace for the coming day; and though of anxious heart:
Today I believe.
You have always kept us safe in trials; and now, tried as I am:
Today I believe.
You have always marked the road for the coming day and though it may be hidden:
Today I believe.
Lord, you have always lightened this darkness of mine; and the night has come:
Today I believe.
Lord, you have always spoken when time was ripe; and though you are silent now:
Today I believe.
Go in peace to love and share God’s presence by your being:
Thanks be to God.