Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47:2-7, John 16:20-23

we leave
our fear
and silence
and speak
of God’s desire
for love
and peace
knowing
we live
in His Presence
and power
filled with a joy
that cannot
be taken

as a mother’s pain
of her labor
is forgotten
in the joy of birth
so shall we
in our homecoming

How do we let go of our fear, suffering and sorrow?
How do we enter God’s desire for us?

Acts: 1: 1-11; Psalm 46: 2-9; Ephesians 1: 17-23; 4: 1-13; Mark 16: 15-20

the eyes
of our heart
enlightened
we see
our unity
of Spirit
our bond
of peace
a surpassing power
above every
principality
authority
and dominion
we go
and proclaim
the good news
of Love
among us
raising us
with Him
to new heights
of Glory

Translation: Put down your gun and take my hand.
Have your eyes seen the glory of the Lord?

Acts: 17:15, 22-18:1, Psalm 148: 1-14; John 16: 12-15

we turn
our hearts
and mind
to the one
in whom
we live
and have
our being
given
breath
and life
and every thing
not fashioned
in any image
of our hand
or imagination
but in love
incarnate
that flows
eternal

Who owns your breath?
Who leads you to Truth?

Acts 16:22-24; Psalm 138:1-8; John 16:5-11

lost in our confusion and grief
we do not hear
His words of consolation
the Advocate
to come
to bring all we need

how easy to be lost
in the world’s chaos
and darkness
yet how beautiful
and amazing
to be found
and opened to God’s love

gratitude for our being
we sing in the Presence of angels
a song heard
by ears tuned
to God’s Glory

What Truth do you hear?

Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 149: 1-9; John 15:26-16:4

our hearts
opened
by inspired word
and prayer
we are touched
by the Spirit of Truth
our advocate
in times
of need
feeling God’s
strength
and delight
we are filled
with a song of joy
turning
our minds
and hearts
to all that is Good

How can you keep your heart opened to God’s word?
How can we keep our minds and hearts open to goodness?

Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10.25,26,34,35,44-48; Ps 98:1, 2-4; 1 John 7-10; John 15.9-17

God of all
undivided
spirit
poured out
on an undivided
world
a new song
is sung
of justice
of kindness
of faithfulness
from hearts
so filled
with joy
from knowing a God
who truly
loves us
who loves
ALL
from the beginning
friend of God
chosen
only to love
we lay down
our lives
for this

Do we see God’s love for all as justice?

Acts 16: 1-10; Psalm 100: 1-5; John 15: 18-21

Holy Spirit
Of God
guide
of our steps
our coming
and going
we journey
with you
in a joy
and peace
the world
cannot give
though persecution
may come
we remain
faithful
to the love
we have found
through
His name

Who is your guide?

Acts 15: 22-31; Psalm 7: 8-12; John 15: 12-17

I will
wake
the dawn
with song
and praise
for the love
that lights
each day
beyond
the world’s burden
that disturbs
i turn to
the peace
of mind God gives
and the love
that breathes us
to life
for this
we lay down
our lives
for each other

Do you wake the dawn with song and praise?

Acts 15: 7-21; Psalm 96: 1-10; John 15: 9-11

remaining in God
who knows
our minds
and our hearts
we follow
the way of love
singing
of His blessings
and marvelous deeds
we live
simply
in His joy
that our joy
may be complete

Do you live in the joy of the Lord?

Hope is the voice inside my head
That cries “love” above all else
In good times and in times of horror
She knows that all shall be well.
Holy Spirit of God
Lover of all with infinite compassion
She will not let go of my hand

For she has seen the face of God
And lived to tell the Wonder and Glory
That lives beyond
Hardened hearts and closed minds-

So willing to enter
The fragility of our Being
As she lifts us up
From our lowliness

I hear myself telling my friend
About real love
A love so clearly from above
Yet so grounded
That it knows itself as “here”
Embodied with no pretention of otherness
Faithful to itself in its bond to reality

Author of life
You spin in the cycles of me
I have only to think of you
And the wheels of love turn in me

I can give up hope
But she does not give up on me
Waiting always in the wings
To take center stage
Offering all of her gifts.


Susan Morse
May 1, 2024