Good morning, everyone.
It is another dull day here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The weather kind of matches my mental state today. I am still working through this virus and feeling under the weather. Catching up with a pile out paperwork today, which may be not the best thing with a swimming head. I’m sipping on tea and wrapped up in my comfy sweater.
Yesterday I was out for a bit and ended up at Mt Carmel. I sat alone in the magnificent chapel just as it was getting to be twilight. Just me and God. Not another soul in the place. For a shrine site, that was unusual.
I needed the quiet, a space for contemplation. It has been a wonderful busy few months and I am so grateful to God for the many blessings that have come into my life and especially in our little church.
While our homes serve as our parishes, in our church, I do miss the holy space of a church that has been home to the prayers of its people. There is a fullness in the air, a presence that cannot be duplicated in the quiet space at home. My prayer space is nice but the dusky quiet of the Mt Carmel shrine spoke deeply to my spirit. It was like the difference between a triple A battery and a generator. Both have their place in our life.
On the way out, I lit some candles for the many people I know in need of prayer and healing. It was a little oasis for which I am so grateful. We all need that quiet time, that holy space, that reminder of the majesty and presence of God. I hope that you have the opportunity to experience this regularly.
Here is the morning prayer service for the Second Tuesday in Advent. May peace be yours this day.
+Deb
Morning Prayer for Tuesday in Advent
An Order for Morning Prayer
We greet the Day
O Lord, open our lips:
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.
Amen.
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
Kyrie
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Collect
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Song of Zechariah
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.
Amen.
Reading: Mark 13:33-37
Jesus said, “Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
Watch therefore–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning– lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.”
Psalm 98
1 O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Reflective Prayer
Precious Lord, as I embrace this Advent Season, please open my eyes to see the great value and blessing of your Incarnation. Help me to discover your presence in this world and within my own soul. I desire to see, understand and experience the profound effects that your Incarnation has on my life and I desire to receive those effects more fully this Advent. May I become a sanctuary in
which you dwell so that I, like your dear Mother, may bring your presence into the world. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
We offer to God the prayers of our hearts-
Gracious God source of all love and fount of all blessing, your Son Jesus Christ promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith. Confident in his word, we offer you our prayers.
We pray for our world, for the leaders of nations and all in authority, that everyone may live in peace and mutual trust, sharing with justice the resources of the earth. May your love guide each heart.
(offer personal prayers for the world, leaders, the planet)
We give thanks for our church and every faith community across the world. Encourage clergy and religious leaders to lead with compassion, mirroring your love and grace by their lives and teaching.
We offer to your care, merciful God, all who are in sorrow, sickness, discouragement or any other trouble. Give them patience and a firm trust in your goodness. Change lives today through your mighty healing touch and bring to know your loving presence at work in their lives.
We pray for our own needs and concerns, giving thanks that answers and resolution are already on their way to us. Especially, we offer these concerns to you…….
We give thanks for those who have died and for those who mourn their passing. May they find comfort and hope in the joy of your promise that you will greet us at the last and take us to your Father’s house.
Hear us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 today our daily bread.
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, the power,
and the glory,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Concluding Prayer
This day I choose to live simply. In situations that prompt thoughts of judgment, anxiety, doubt or worry, I ask for greater faith and trust in the blessings of God.. As I move through this day, may I remember to be my best self – cheerful, generous and kind, careful in conversation, respectful of others and loving to those who depend on me. Through my words and actions, may your Love be made known. Amen
Gracious God, gifts without measure flow from your goodness
to give us your peace.
Our life is your gift.
Guide our life’s journey,
for only your love makes us whole.
Keep us strong in your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the God of peace enable me to do his will in every kind of goodness, working in us what pleases him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!
Journeying with God 