We meet in Christ’s name, may His peace be with us all and in us all as we celebrate the beauty of Autumn…
Prayer inviting God into our Autumnal world:
Father of Faithfulness, Mother of Mercy
I awaken to this day.
I clothe my soul in the mantle of creation,
Heavens of light, earth of life,
Seas of love, surround and support my
Autumn-wakening soul.
Preserve my soul in compassion,
May it shine forth with the rich Autumn sunlight.
Scripture reading one:
25 My soul clings to the dust;
Psalms 119: 25-32 NRSV
revive me according to your word.
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Put false ways far from me;
and graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees, O LORD;
let me not be put to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments,
for you enlarge my understanding.
Prayer of connection to God’s natural world:
I go forth today under the Cloak of Covering:
Triumph of the treetops, majesty of foliage,
Lightness of leaves, strength of trunk,
Suppleness of bark, power of branches,
Stability of roots, penetration of sap,
Energy of growth.
May no harm befall me under the covering of this forest cloak,
This day and this night.
Scripture reading two:
Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes,
Psalms 119:33-40 NRSV
and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life.
Prayer of awakening to the colours of Autumn:
Compassionate Mystery, Sovereign of the Earth
I brighten my soul with the colours of Autumn:
Hue of light, hue of life, hue of love,
Colour my mind, my body, my heart.
May my soul be preserved from chill of dawn till call of dark.
Song – Gloria
Scripture reading three:
89 The LORD exists forever;
Psalm 119: 89-96 NRSV
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your decrees.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Creative response to God’s bounty
–We collect as many colours as we can find and creating an Autumn-bow on the ground.
Prayer of blessing:
I go forth under the mantle of the earth:
Clarity of glaciers,
Silence of deserts,
Beauty of mountains,
Sweetness of valleys,
Depth of oceans,
Equity of plains,
Homeliness of hills,
Earth-mantle cover me, keep and preserve me,
From strike of spark till fall of dark.
Amen
Words from Celtic Devotional, Caitlin Matthews
Refreshment
We will probably end up at the Central cafe! But as always we listen to all who have gathered, and then decide.
