Communal Prayer of Sacred Reading, January 27, 2025, Nine a.m.

  Zoom Meeting ID. 814 8663 8380

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Call to Prayer Leader    Let Us gather in the welcome of our Triune God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.  Gathered:  Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Lighting the Christ candle Leader       Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.        Gathered:   The Light no darkness can overcome  Invitation Song to Lectio Divina, written and gifted by music minister John Penoyar of Hinesburg, Vermont "The Road To Emmaus" Were not our hearts burning as He spoke Were not His words words we longed to hear Were not our eyes opened in the breaking of the bread Were not our hearts burn -ing as He spoke Our God is here He walks among us When two or three of us are gathered in his name Our God is here and he surrounds us And all creation sings the glory of his name And we shall rise, as he is risen And though he promised us we did not understand Yes we shall rise as he is risen And we will know him when he calls to us by name. Lectio Divina Guidelines Leader:  - During the first reading, listen for the overall sense of the passage. Select  a word or phrase that captures your attention, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be warmed as God speaks to you.  Leader:  During the second reading let us listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in us. What message might God be speaking into your life now?. Leader:  - During the final reading let us attend to our own hearts for a response to God’s love. What response will you carry forth from this encounter with the Living Word into the world?  Leader:   Let us now rest in the silence and attend once more to the presence of Christ among us. We hold a quiet space to hear God speaking in our hearts. Presentation in the Temple, Rembrandt van Rijn. 1627 Luke 2: 25-38 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29  "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.  34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul, too." 36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Lord's Prayer    Leader:  In gratitude for Jesus’ presence among u let us speak aloud the prayer he taught us to say to the God who loves us: 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 and ever. Amen. Closing Prayer  God of steadfast love, you sent your Son to be the light of the world, saving people everywhere from sin and death. As Anna gave thanks for the freedom he would bring, and Simeon saw in him the dawn of redemption, complete your purpose once made known in him. Make us the vessels of his light, that all the world may glory in the splendor of your peace. Amen.

Communal Sacred Reading, Monday, January 20, 2025, Nine a.m.

 Zoom Meeting ID. 814 8663 8380

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Call to Prayer Leader    Let Us gather in the welcome of our Triune God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.  Gathered:  Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Lighting the Christ candle Leader       Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.        Gathered:   The Light no darkness can overcome  Invitation Song to Lectio Divina, written and gifted by music minister John Penoyar of Hinesburg, Vermont "The Road To Emmaus" Were not our hearts burning as He spoke Were not His words words we longed to hear Were not our eyes opened in the breaking of the bread Were not our hearts burn -ing as He spoke Our God is here He walks among us When two or three of us are gathered in his name Our God is here and he surrounds us And all creation sings the glory of his name And we shall rise, as he is risen And though he promised us we did not understand Yes we shall rise as he is risen And we will know him when he calls to us by name. Lectio Divina Guidelines Leader:  - During the first reading, listen for the overall sense of the passage. Select  a word or phrase that captures your attention, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be warmed as God speaks to you.  Leader:  During the second reading let us listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in us. What message might God be speaking into your life now?. Leader:  - During the final reading let us attend to our own hearts for a response to God’s love. What response will you carry forth from this encounter with the Living Word into the world?  Leader:   Let us now rest in the silence and attend once more to the presence of Christ among us. We hold a quiet space to hear God speaking in our hearts. "Captive Slave", John Philip Simpson, 1827 Luke 4:14-21 14 Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding region. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Lord's Prayer    Leader:  In gratitude for Jesus’ presence among u let us speak aloud the prayer he taught us to say to the God who loves us: 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 and ever. Amen. Closing Prayer  In you, O Lord our God, we find our joy, for through your law and your prophets you formed a people in mercy and freedom, in justice and righteousness. Pour your Spirit on us today, that we who are Christ’s body may bear the good news of your ancient promises to all who seek you. Amen.

Communal Sacred Reading, Monday, January 13, 2025, Nine a.m.

   Zoom Meeting ID. 814 8663 8380

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Call to Prayer Leader    Let Us gather in the welcome of our Triune God, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.  Gathered:  Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Lighting the Christ candle Leader       Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.        Gathered:   The Light no darkness can overcome  Invitation Song to Lectio Divina, written and gifted by music minister John Penoyar of Hinesburg, Vermont "The Road To Emmaus" Were not our hearts burning as He spoke Were not His words words we longed to hear Were not our eyes opened in the breaking of the bread Were not our hearts burn -ing as He spoke Our God is here He walks among us When two or three of us are gathered in his name Our God is here and he surrounds us And all creation sings the glory of his name And we shall rise, as he is risen And though he promised us we did not understand Yes we shall rise as he is risen And we will know him when he calls to us by name. Lectio Divina Guidelines Leader:  - During the first reading, listen for the overall sense of the passage. Select  a word or phrase that captures your attention, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be warmed as God speaks to you.  Leader:  During the second reading let us listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in us. What message might God be speaking into your life now?. Leader:  - During the final reading let us attend to our own hearts for a response to God’s love. What response will you carry forth from this encounter with the Living Word into the world?  Leader:   Let us now rest in the silence and attend once more to the presence of Christ among us. We hold a quiet space to hear God speaking in our hearts. Water into Wine, Cara B. Hochhalter, 2019, John 2:1-11 "The Gospel of John is the only one that tells of this miracle at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus and his mother are at a wedding, and the wine runs out. This is humiliating for the family, and Mary asks Jesus to do something... and water turns to wine! Just as Jesus often exaggerated to make a point, in my image, the size of the jars was accentuated. Perhaps the largeness of these earthen vessels points to the abundance of generosity that Jesus presented when someone was in a situation of shame or humiliation. Although, perhaps it was Mary’s sense of justice (and hospitality) that really is at work in this story!" John 2:1-11.   The wedding at Cana 1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet." So they took it. 9 When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now."11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. Lord's Prayer    Leader:  In gratitude for Jesus’ presence among u let us speak aloud the prayer he taught us to say to the God who loves us: 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 and ever. Amen. Closing Prayer  O God of steadfast love, at the wedding in Cana your Son Jesus turned water into wine, delighting all who were there. Transform our hearts by your Spirit, that we may use our varied gifts to show forth the light of your love as one body in Christ. Amen.