Meditations

Be With Us in Relationship (Acts 2:42-47)

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Fill us with the excitement of a new relationship, Loving God.
Bring us into a new relationship with you.
We all remember the feelings of a new love.
Help us to fall in love with you all over again.
Remind us what it feels like to be excited and energized
by life again.

Fill us with the comfort and ease of a long-lasting friendship, Lord.
Remind us how easy it is to talk to someone who can finish our sentences
and knows all of our old stories.
We know even if we spend time apart, that you will always be there,
waiting for us.
Like a close friend, you offer comfort, healing, and acceptance.
Remind us what it feels like to be supported and encouraged
by life again.

The early church was energized by their relationship with each other
and their new faith.
Over the years, maybe we have become more complacent.
Fill our hearts with the excitement of your teachings.
Open our eyes to the plans you have for us here on earth.
Use us to fulfill those plans here.
Help us to create a community of believers here in this place.

As a community of believers, we gather here each week.
We pledge to support one another and to work for the common good.
We ask that you be with those among us who need your healing grace.
We name ___.

As you are with us now, you were with us when you taught us to say,
“Our Father…”

Hearts of Love (Isaiah 65:17–25)

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Now more than ever, All Loving God,
we need the gift of your love in our world.
Open our hearts to accept your grace freely.
Open our hearts to share that grace with others,
without reservation and without hesitation.
As you strive to create new heavens and a new earth,
through us as we follow your teachings,
help us to truly be your church.

In a world full of conflict, open our hearts to peace,
a peace that does not compromise your teachings.
We ask that you use us to make this world, your world.
Jesus stood up for the sick, the refugee, and the beggar.
Help us to act as he taught us, to work for good,
and not to hurt or destroy.
Help us to work towards peace and equality for all your children,
rich or poor, white or of color, male or female, young or old,
gay or straight, abled or disabled, citizen or immigrant,
Christian or Muslim, rural or urban, employed or unemployed
Our list of polarizing descriptions can be endless.
We can use these descriptions to separate and divide us, and yet,
we cannot pretend that if we just ignore the label,
we are all treated equally.
Help us to truly see each other with love and with understanding.

We ask that you use us to make this world, your world.
Open our eyes to see how we can make this world, your new Jerusalem.
Use our hands to create places of shelter and to plant gardens
full of your bounty.
Use our minds to sort fact from fiction and to clearly see your truths.
We are your followers, your church, and
we are called to show your love in the world
as you have loved us.
Give us the strength to follow Christ’s teachings.
Give us the courage to help build the new Jerusalem
where no one labors in vain or has their belongings cheated from them,
where there is no fear and where there is no weeping.
As we support each other within this community, we ask that you
be with those we name today, ___

And until we are in the new Jerusalem, we continue to follow your teachings,
using the words you gave us so many years ago, “Our Father…”

9/11 Remembrance (Romans 12:1-8)

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When tragedy strikes, well-wishers may tell us it was God’s plan.
They tell us we may not understand today,
but someday it will be made clear.
But we know that you have given us free will
and it is our choices, or our failure to choose,
that cause accidents, pain and injury to ourselves and others.
We know there is true evil in this world and
we know there are people who choose evil
and people who choose to hate.
As we remember the pain of 9/11,
we recognize our lives began to change at that point in time.
We came together then in grief and shock
but we have now allowed fear to separate and divide us.

Help us to choose love.
Transform us with your grace.

When tragedy strikes, remind us to see the first responders
who risk their lives to save others.
Remind us to see the helpers,
the people that use their gifts to heal and comfort those in distress.
Help us to use our gifts to be those helpers,
to fulfill your teachings here on earth.
Give us the strength to stand up to hate.

Help us to choose love.
Transform us with your grace.

When we look at the people around us, Gracious God,
help help us to see who is missing and marginalized.
Help us to seek understanding over being right.
Help us to use our gifts to fulfill your plan here on earth.
We ask that you be with those who are grieving,
those those who are angry, and those who are fearful.

Help us to choose love.
Transform us with your grace.

As your children, we know that we are loved.
We lift up our voices using the words your Son taught us,
“Our Father…”

**Bold text may be read responsively by the congregation.

Our Sense of Humility (Luke 14:1, 7-14)

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Gracious God, we know that when we invite someone
to have a meal with us, that it is a special event.
We don’t have dinner with just anyone.
We give you thanks for always inviting us to your table,
for always making us welcome and
for providing a generous feast.
Sharing food with each other at a common table
sparks conversation and allows us to share ourselves with others
on an equal setting.
Help us to find opportunities to be with one another
and to share our lives with others.

As humans, we compare ourselves to others
and strive to excel, to be seated at the best seat at the table.
Remind us, Creator God, that you have made us in your Image
and that each of us is the child of God, deeply loved and uniquely cherished.
As your children, we sit around the family dinner table
and share the story of our day as equals.
May we be able to tell the story of how we shared the good news of your teachings,
the story of how our voices were raised to speak for those without a voice,
the story of how we stood up for those without power and
the story of how our love changed someone else’s day for the better.

As we join together at your table, we form your community,
the body of Christ.
We come together every week in this sacred place,
to be one with each other, to put others first before ourselves.
We ask that you be with those among us who need your grace and your healing strength.
We name ___.
We support one another and share grace at your table of abundant plenty
regardless of where we sit at the table.
Bring us together in community and in harmony.

We come together to the table set by your Son,
following the teachings of your Son, and
using the words your Son taught us,
“Our Father….”

Our Sense of Faith (Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16)

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Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
without proven evidence.
But our faith allows us to see that evidence,
in our daily lives.
The Bible tells us about those before us,
who had faith in their interactions with God.
And we’ve heard about those who lost their faith,
and then found it again despite their doubts.

Gracious God, we confess it can be hard to keep the faith.
But then we see the signs of your connection to us,
in our daily lives
and our faith is renewed.
We feel you throughout our days,
in the people that we meet,
and in the beauty of your creation.
We realize that you are with us,
you know our hopes and our fears,
and you know us completely.
And when we live in faith, we allow our faith to grow.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
without proven evidence.
Part of our hope are the words that your Son
taught us:
Thy will be done here on earth as in heaven.
We need to take our faith and turn it into action,
to step out boldly into the world
knowing that we are following your plan
and following your Son’s teachings.
Be with us as we carry out your plan.
Be with us as we share the joyful news of your love
with others.
And be with those among us who are hurting
or need your strength. We name ____.

Gracious and loving God, you are the assurance
of our hopes.
In faith, we lift up our voices using the prayer
your Son taught us, “Our Father…”

Growing In God’s Love

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Timothy 1:12-17
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These were the words of Paul to Timothy. Paul certainly did not start out as a saint or a follower of Christ. We first meet Paul, or Saul, in Acts when he approves the stoning of Stephen. We hear in Acts 8:2-3 that “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” In Acts 9, Saul is converted when healed by Ananias, becomes Paul and began preaching the word of the Lord.

The grace of God changed Saul. With God’s love and mercy, he abandoned his evil ways and became Paul. How has God’s grace transformed us? How has God’s grace changed you?

We are all sinners. Our sins may not compare to Paul’s first life. But we are all sinners in some form. As you look back at the past week, what would you do differently if you had the chance? Is there anyone you should make amends to?

Paul does not take credit for his transformation. He does not take credit for the works that he does in Christ’s name. He gives all the credit and the glory to God. What gifts and talents has God given you? How are you giving back to God by sharing your gifts and talents?

Prayer:
Our world is your world, Lord.
You have given us the gifts, the blessings and the teachings
we need to change this world, to have your will done on earth as it is in heaven.
Paul changed his world after he himself was changed by your love.
When we love each other despite our differences,
when we share our gifts and talents freely with each other,
when we use the physical resources you have given this world wisely without plunder,
and when we seek to help others before ourselves,
that is when we make a difference in this world, one person at a time.
I can make a difference in this world, Lord.
You have given me the gifts, the blessings and the teachings I need.
You have given me your grace and your love.

To You, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Teach Us (Genesis 45:1-15)

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Lord, there is so much conflict in our world.

Conflict between countries, between neighbors,
and within families.
We want to be right,
sometimes more than we want to forgive
or to ask for forgiveness.

Teach us, Father, to be more like Joseph.
Teach us to forgive those who have wronged us.
Teach us to ask for forgiveness when we have behaved badly.

Lord, we know that you accept us as we are,
that you cherish us as we are.
We are your children.
As you love us, we need to love ourselves
and love those around us.
It is in loving our neighbors, near and far,
that we fulfill your plans and your commandment.

Teach us, Father, to be more like Joseph.
Teach us to forgive those who have wronged us.
Teach us to ask for forgiveness when we have behaved badly.

Lord, it is love that saves us, your love.
We are made in your image.
We are your children.
You show us mercy and give us your grace.
We ask that you be with ___

Teach us, Father, to be more like Joseph.
Teach us to forgive those who have wronged us.
Teach us to ask for forgiveness when we have behaved badly.

In your love, you sent us your Son. And in love, he gave us these words,
“Our Father…”

Love Each Other (Romans 12:9-21)

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Creator of Love and Light,

Your lesson to us has always been love.
Love each other as we love ourselves.
Three easy words, Love each other.

Giver of all things,
Your lesson to us is to hate evil and cling to love.
Remind us to lift up in prayer, even those we do not care for.
Love each other as we love ourselves.
Three easy words, Love each other.

We are the children of God.
As children, we may not comprehend the meaning of all your teachings.
Three easy words, Love each other.
Your teachings come down to these three words.
As we are cherished and loved as your children,
we, too, also need to love each other.

Compassionate One,
As we are loved, we know that we are to support one another.
We lift up __ in our prayers and know that while You are also with them,
we need to show them our love and our concern, in our words and in our prayers.
As the body of Christ, we cherish each other as you cherish us.

Lord of Peace,
Remind us that by loving one another, we create peace in our world.
Love each other as we love ourselves.
In love, you sent to us your Son.
In love, He taught us these words,
“Our Father….”

Bread and Wine, Body and Blood

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John 6: 51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

Take a piece of bread from the Table. Hold it in your hands and consider its texture – the hardness of the outside compared to the soft inside; smell it and remember the welcoming smell of baking bread and the feelings that evokes; taste it and as you eat the bread, consider the life-giving force contained within the bread. As you chew and swallow the bread, it becomes one with your body providing nutrients, energy and sustenance to you.

Meditation phrase:
“…abide in me, and I in them.”

Consider these words and what it means to abide in Jesus and to have Him abide in you.

Prayer of Confession:

Lord, those words imply a spirit of oneness, complete intimacy.
I long for that closeness, but I confess I don’t always strive for that closeness.

I let myself get distracted by the shiny things in life not recognizing that
what appears attractive and inviting to me may not be part of your plan or will.

I let myself get distracted by my fears and worries
not recognizing that I should be focusing on living within your spirit of love.

I let myself get distracted by the day to day demands of my life
not recognizing those in need that you place in front of me.

Help me remember always that the gift our Father gave us in You is an eternal gift.
The one who eats this bread, who abides in You, is one with You eternally. Remove
my distractions and help me recognize that spirit of oneness and to openly
share in the complete intimacy You offer to me.

I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

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The hymn “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”, written by John C. Ylvisaker, describes a God who has been with us throughout our lives, from birth to death, and all the stages in between. Depending on how our journey has evolved, we have come to know God at different stages in our lives. Some of us have grown up from birth knowing God. Others come to know God later in life and some of us are still trying to know God.

The events of our lives can be challenging, joyful, tragic, peaceful, triumphant, overwhelming, rewarding and scary. How has God and the people He has brought into your life helped you travel through your life’s journey so far?

Read through the verses of this song and spend a few moments on the questions that have been interspersed into the verses. There is space allotted after the questions if you would like to jot down some notes.

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.

Spend a few minutes thinking about the circumstances of your birth and your childhood. Who were the important people to you in your childhood? How would you describe your relationship with God as a child?

When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk ’till rising sun.

Spend a few minutes thinking about your life as a young adult. Who were (are) the important people to you in this phase of your life? What were (are/will be) some of the more significant events in this phase of your life? How would you describe your relationship with God as a young adult?

In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.

Spend a few minutes thinking about your life as an older adult. Who are (will be) the important people to you in this phase of your life? What were (are/will be) some of the more significant events in this phase of your life? How would you describe your relationship with God as an older adult? What work or goals are not yet completed?

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

Sit quietly and feel God sitting beside you, walking in step with you through every phase of your life, watching over you as a parent would watch a child, with pride and love at the person you have become or the person you are becoming. Know that God is with you at each stage of your life and know that God loves you.