Resources

During the continuing Public Health Emergency, St. David’s United Church will be offering on-line options for worship and Bible study (see our website www.stdavidsleduc.com for details). This news post includes some resources for home worship, along with a list of the scripture readings for the rest of the summer. Feel free to use and adapt the materials to suit your home situation. The documents can be downloaded as a pdf for use on phones or tablets; this downloadalso includes a list of the readings for the next few weeks..

The Internet offers numerous resources for families, although parents will want to preview materials to ensure that the content is appropriate. Search for the following:

  • Veggie Tales: cartoon videos of biblical themes and stories
  • Religious crafts: many web sites offer ideas and printable instructions
  • The Bible is available on line; BibleGateway.com offers several translations (for more understandable language, try “The Contemporary English Version, Today’s English Version, or The Message)

The current issue of Daily Bread offers daily readings and prayers, and can be picked up at the Church Office.

Blessings

With Spring arriving we can see the Tulips Blooming, families and individuals walking or riding their bikes, the warmth of the sun.

Gentle Whispers that OUR GOD is Near and Present

The Blue Sky, the Morning Sun and beautiful shades of pink at night with the sunset

Smiles of people from a distance and maybe a Hello

Unity of all that We are okay and We need each other

Gratitude much more expressed as the days go by

A new tomorrow filled with HOPE and LOVE

May you be inspired to reach out to someone who needs encouragement!

Praying for Mercy and Strength in the coming days.

– Judy Tabler, Connections Coordinator

Worship Resources for Use at Home (Summer 2020)

Home Meditation

Find a time and space where you won’t be disturbed for a few minutes. Turn off phones and other devices. Sit comfortably. Be quiet for a few moments, and focus on your breathing. If you are outdoors on a sunny day, soak in the warmth of the sun as a physical reminder of God’s love.

As you breathe in, feel the fresh air work its way through your body, to your fingertips and toes.

As you breathe out, let the air carry away the feelings of uncertainty or discomfort.

When you feel ready, bring to mind a couple of people or things or events for which you are thankful, and say, “Thank you, God.”

Close with a prayer, or this reading:

 “A Guided Meditation of Thanksgiving” (from Celebrate God’s Presence)

To wake from sleep into this day is gift enough for thanks.
To hear a child’s delight in laughter is gift enough for thanks.
To sip a glass of clean, cold water is gift enough for thanks.
To watch the sunset paint the sky is gift enough for thanks.
To share a moment with a friend is gift enough for thanks.
To smell the fragrance of moist soil is gift enough for thanks.
To feel the comfort of clean clothing is gift enough for thanks.
To form the words that make a prayer is gift enough for thanks.
Amen.

Optional use:

  • Use this as part of your regular walk, stopping at various points to meditate.
  • Use your creative gifts (drawing, writing, painting, sewing, etc.) to reflect what you experienced during your reflection.

Prayer Resources

As the Day Begins

Ever present God, for all the times in the past you have carried us, we give you thanks. For all the times in the future you will keep us, we praise your holy name. Help us today to find strength, patience, wisdom, and your presence. Amen.

As the Day Begins

God, our Life, be with us through this day, whether or not it brings us joy. Help us when evening comes to recall one benefit for which to give you thanks. Amen.

As the Day Ends

Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in your presence. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be.

The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

As the Day Ends (Dag Hammarskjold)

Night is drawing nigh,– For all that has been,– Thanks! For all that shall be,– Yes!

Prayer for Someone Who Is Ill

God of Love and Compassion, we pray for [name(s)]. Grant [her/him/them] peace; may [she/he/they] know your loving embrace through those who love and care for [her/him/them]. May your blessing rest upon [her/him/them] today and every day.

We remember the compassion of Jesus Christ for all who were ill. We thank you for family and friends who care, even during this time of distancing and restrictions on visits.

We give thanks for the support of the health care community. Grant all caregivers courage to meet each new day; strengthen them with your guiding presence and holy touch. In the name of Jesus who loves and cares for us all. Amen.

With Children

God, in your love, you created the whole world. You created all the fish and the animals and our pets. Help us to love our pets and to care for them well. Help us to learn about all the fish and animals of the world, in the jungles and the deserts, in the forests and the seas. Help us offer our love and friendship to all your created beings. They need our help and our love. Show us how we can be friends to them all. Amen.

For Understanding

O God, we ask you to send the Holy Spirit into our lives. Open our ears,– that we may hear what you are saying to us in the things that happen to us and in the people we meet. Open our eyes,– that we may see the needs of people around us. Open our hands,– that we may do our work well, and help when help is needed. Open our lips,– that we may tell the Good News of Jesus and bring comfort, happiness, and laughter to others. Open our minds,– that we may discover new truth about you and the world. Open our hearts,– that we may love you and others as you have loved us. Amen.

For Creation, with repeated response

God created us and all animals, sharing the spirit of life. So let us praise God, saying:

Response: O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

We thank you, God, for the gift of life: for the beauty and wonder of creation, and for our own life which comes from you. R

We thank you for the richness and variety of animal life: for fish and birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals. R

We thank you for the animals who give us faithful companionship, for animals who are our partners in daily life and work. R

May we learn to love and respect all living things. R

Amen.

For Strength

God, our beginning and our end, grant us grace to bear bravely the changes we must undergo, the pain we may have to face, the uncertainty we live in now. Grant us the courage to welcome the unimaginable as it unfolds around us. Grant us trust and confidence; grant us your deep peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For Creation, with repeated response

For the beauty and wonder of Creation:

Response: We thank you God.

For our daily food, for homes, families, and friends: R

For minds to think and hearts to love: R

For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play: R

For those who are brave and courageous, patient in suffering and faithful in adversity: R

For all who pursue peace, justice, and truth: R

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ: R

Today we give thanks especially for... (add your own words); and for all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ: R

Amen.

For Canada

God of all nations, we thank you for the life and history of our country, for its vast beauty, its wilderness, and wealth of forest, mine, and sea. We thank you for the variety of our traditions and our cultures, the riches of our spiritual and religious heritage, the strength of our democratic institutions. We pray for Canada, for our peoples and for our governments, that together we may face the future with confident hope and faith in your purpose for our world. Amen.

The Prayer of Jesus

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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessing

Go into the world in peace. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength, and love your neighbour as yourself.

Home Communion

Any meal can be a time to remember the Last Supper.

Greeting

Jesus said: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Scripture Readings (read one or more)

Prayer

Offer prayers for the needs of the household, congregation, community, and the world. End with a prayer of thanksgiving,such as the following.

Loving God, you made this wonderful world for us to enjoy. Through the prophets, you showed our ancestors how to care for one another.

You gave us Jesus to be our friend and to bring us closer to you. He died on a cross but you brought him to life, to live with us forever.

You send us your Spirit and bring us to this table so that we can share your love. For all your goodness we give you thanks; and together we give you praise. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Prayer of Jesus

Communion

In the name of the One who said, “I am the bread of life,” come and eat. In the name of the One who said, “I am the true vine,” come and drink.

In the name of the One who said, “Love one another, as I have loved, you,” come to the table of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life. (Share bread)

Jesus Christ, the True Vine. (Share the drink)

Prayer after Communion

Loving Gracious God, may your gifts of love transform us to live with thanksgiving. May your presence among us fill our hearts with your peace, and your love. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Blessing

May the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.

To Live with Respect in Creation

(This service, from Celebrate God’s Presence, could be used outdoors or while camping.)

Call to Worship

This is the day that God has made. Let us rejoice, giving thanks for the newness of life offered to us. We are glad for warmth, for green grass, and for flowers, for soft breezes and the music of birds, for gentle raindrops upon our faces. On this day of hope and new life, we are reminded that God dwells with us and within all creation. We remember we are called to be partners with God in creation. Let us join in celebrating God’s gift of life.

Scripture Readings (one or more)

  • Read one or more of this week’s readings from the list at the end; or Genesis 1:1 to 2:4, or Psalm 104

Prayers for Creation

Creator of the land, the water, and the sky, come and renew the face of the whole earth. Giver of life, we are the sons and daughters of your holy breath; grant us new awareness of our role in the world of your making. Touch us with the power of your new Creation.

God of sparrows and wild flowers, open our eyes to see that all things are interconnected. Weave us into our rightful place in your great design.

Strengthen the will of people everywhere to appreciate your Creation, and to seek to live in deep and caring harmony within it. So may the whole earth be truly blessed by our hard work and joyful living, by your presence and ours. Amen.

Blessing (Option 1: Julian of Norwich)

Be a gardener for creation. Dig, toil, and sweat, and turn the earth upside down, seek the deepness, and water the plants in time. Continue this labour, and make sweet floods to run, and noble and abundant fruits to spring. Then take this food, drink, and beauty, and carry it to God as your true worship.

Blessing (Option 2: Iona Community)

Bless to us, O God, the moon that is above us, the earth that is beneath us, the friends who are around us, your image deep within us.

 

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