11.11.2005

gratefulness

here's my lame attempt to be poetic. it fits today.
gratefulness arises at the end of the day when all is said and done.
the pain has come, and is going. the air is crisp and refreshing.
something about the friday afternoon reminds me of a friday afternoon for a middle school student, when life is freeing and intriguing.
at the end of the day, we realize we have life.
we have healing through our god.
we look for meaning, and for the day to come.
amen

11.07.2005

the prayers of the people

i have had the opportunity to visit a number of random churches in the los angeles vicinity, and most recently stumbled upon a tiny episcopalian church in alhambra. as we gathered, about 20 people (in addition to the choir and leaders) came together for the service of worship, liturgy, prayer, and eucharist. during the service, more and more people trickled in, for a total of about 75 that ate a filipino meal after the service.
what struck me most significantly was their communal approach to worship. communal thanksgiving, communal repentance, communal petitions. it reminds me of the writing to the colossians, which reads:
"eucharistoumen tw thew patri tou kuriou emwn iesou christou pantote peri umwn proseuchomenoi" [ok, so the transliteration is sloppy].
but it's communal. "we give thanks to god the father of our lord jesus christ when we always pray for you (all)."
lets pray together, and pursue our faith together. the prayers of the people from this week's liturgy struck me. maybe you will appreciate it as well:
Prayers of the People
Prayer is offered with intercession for:

The Universal Church, its members, and its mission
The Nation and all in authority
The welfare of the world
The concerns of the local community
Those who suffer and those in any trouble
The departed

(Form I: Deacon or other leader)

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the
Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”

For the peace from above, for the loving‑kindness of God,
and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy Church
of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For our President, for the leaders of the nations,
and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For Los Angeles, for every city and community,
and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather, and for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the
wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, or in the air [or
through outer space], let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and
for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For_______________, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed,
for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives,
and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection,
and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence,
oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without
suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in thy compassion protect us,
O Lord, by thy grace.
Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of Trinity Episopalian Church and of all the saints,
let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life,
to Christ our God. To thee, O Lord our God.

Silence