Beaufort Sea

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Methodist Hymnal (1965), of The Methodist Church

Words by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  I sing th’almighty power of God,

That made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad,

And built the lofty skies.

I sing the wisdom that ordained

The sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at his command,

And all the stars obey.

2.  I sing the goodness of the Lord,

That filled the earth with food;

He formed the creatures with his Word,

And then pronounced them good.

Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,

Where’er I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread,

Or gaze upon the sky!

3.  There’s not a plant or flower below,

But makes thy glories known;

And clouds arise, and tempests blow,

By order from thy throne;

While all that borrows life from thee

Is ever in thy care,

And everywhere that man can be,

Thou, God, art present there.

Moravian Seal

Image Source = http://www.hopemoraviannc.org/

Prayer Source = James G. Kirk, When We Gather:  A Book of Prayers for Worship, Year C (Philadelphia, PA:  Geneva Press, 1985)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

O Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, we come as your chosen instruments, called to serve.  By your  might we are empowered to do what you ask of us; with your blessing, we can rejoice in the gift of new life; to your glory we have been granted the Spirit’s counsel.  Receive our gifts of thanksgiving as we give you all honor and praise forever and ever.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-b/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-c/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/devotion-for-the-fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

Smile

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = James G. Kirk, When We Gather:  A Book of Prayers for Worship, Year C (Philadelphia, PA:  Geneva Press, 1985)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Girded with praise, we come rejoicing.  You are God of salvation; we give you praise.  When we cried for help  you heard us; from out of the pit you rescued us.  You have turned our mourning to dancing, loosed our sackcloth and adorned us with favor.  We raise our voices in faithful thanksgiving and give glory and honor to your wondrous name.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-b/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-year-c/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/devotion-for-the-fifteenth-day-of-easter-third-sunday-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

The High Altar of Old Coventry Cathedral, England

Image Source = sannse

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Coventry_Cathedral_burnt_cross.jpg

Gracious God, why is forgiving so difficult?

I know what I need to do, and I want to do it–

except when I do not want to do it.

Forgive me for this sin, I ask you,

and bestow grace upon me sufficient to enable me

to forgive others and myself,

so to live in Godly liberation with you and my fellow human beings.

Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

FEBRUARY 27, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY, YEAR A

THE FEAST OF GEORGE HERBERT, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND POET

Earth and the Moon from Mars

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = James G. Kirk, When We Gather:  A Book of Prayers for Worship, Year C (Philadelphia, PA:  Geneva Press, 1985)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

O God, who sent Jesus, making the nations his heritage, the ends of the earth his possession, all that we have is a gift of your sovereignty.  Our wealth is measured by the mercy you have shown us; even life itself is due to your grace.  Entrusted by Jesus as stewards of your dominion, we come before you with the fruits of your labor.  Accept them as signs of our gratefulness and use them to further your rule over all creation.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-b/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-c/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/devotion-for-the-eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

Image Source = http://ssje.org/monasticwisdom/?p=444

Prayer Source = James G. Kirk, When We Gather:  A Book of Prayers for Worship, Year C (Philadelphia, PA:  Geneva Press, 1985)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You are the Alpha and the Omega, O God, the beginning and the end of creation.  You caused the formless void to burst into splendor, filling space, and revealing your goodness.  Your only-begotten, Jesus Christ, came to bring peace and reconcile those who are estranged.  We who have been made one gather to praise your goodness, and raise our voices in glad adoration.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/devotion-for-the-eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-c/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-b/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-a/

St. Anthony of Egypt, by Piero di Cosimo (1480-1490)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 115

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In spring, summer, winter, or fall,

let me pray with Saint Anthony of the Desert

as I journey toward you,

my Lord and my God:

“Today I begin anew.”

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/devotion-for-the-eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-c/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-b/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/eighth-day-of-easter-second-sunday-of-easter-year-a/

The Three Marys at the Tomb (1396)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 113

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Christ is risen and with him all creation!

Light replaces dark,

life replaces death,

joy replaces sadness, suffering, and fear.

Alleluia!

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/devotion-for-the-seventh-day-of-easter-saturday-in-easter-week-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/seventh-day-of-easter-saturday-in-easter-week/

The Good Samaritan, by Rembrandt van Rijn (1630)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 111

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Set me free to love the Lord my God

with my whole heart,

my whole soul,

and my whole strength.

Set me free to love my neighbor

with my whole heart,

my whole soul,

and my whole strength.

May I yearn for your love

as intensely as you yearn for mine.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/devotion-for-the-sixth-day-of-easter-friday-in-easter-week-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/sixth-day-of-easter-friday-in-easter-week/

Christ Pantocrator

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 109

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In you, O Lord, I place all my trust.

I unashamedly love you.

You are my God.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/devotion-for-the-fifth-day-of-easter-thursday-in-easter-week-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/fifth-day-of-easter-thursday-in-easter-week/