Sirach 51: 12-20; Psalm 19: 8-11; Mark 11: 27-23

God
author
of life
you send
wisdom
to all
who will
hear
guiding
our hearts
that delight
in your word
and instruction
giving us
a way
a light
through
the darkness
and despair
that surround us

Do you embrace Wisdom?

Sirach 42: 15-25; Psalm 32: 2-9; Mark 10: 26-52

calling out
in our blindness
to one who knows
we say
we want to see
he says
your faith
has saved you
receive sight
and go
your way
we receive
and follow
i say
what do we see?
God’s Love

How do you see this love?
How do you live this love?

Acts 2.1-11; Ps. 104 1, 24, 29-31,34; 1 Cor 12.3b-7,12,13; John 20.19-23

a noise
a strong
driving
wind
tongues of fire
Holy Spirit
advocate
coming down
among us
to renew
the face
of the earth
fruits of each
from the God
who loves all
for one good
He brings peace
and we breathe easily
freed from fear
we live
in the gifts
and drink of
the one spirit
we give our lives
for this

The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness, gentleness, love, joy, patience,
kindness, generosity,self-control (Gal. 5:22-23)

How do you use your gifts?

receive
my Holy Spirit
of love
and joy
and peace

that you
may be
faithful
and patient
with self control

and give
generously
kindly
and gently
to others

Acts 22: 30; 23: 6-11; Psalm 16: 1-11; John 17: 20-26

my soul
rejoices
in you
who show me
the path
of life
each day
in your
presence
i rest
in your counsel
and safety
even as
my body
is tired and in pain
and my mind
may be
confused
i am at peace
in your love

Is your soul in peace?

Acts 20: 17-27; Psalm 68: 10-21; John 17: 1-11

God
our saving God
who controls
the passageways
of death
who breathes
our breath
our life
has meaning
only
in your love
and grace
the powers
of the world
will fade
yet your word
is eternal
even though
we have tears
and trials
we will not shrink
with your Holy Spirit
as our guide

What gives your life meaning?

Acts 19: 1-8; Psalm 68: 2-7; John 16: 29-33

never alone
always
in God
we live
and breathe
in God’s presence
a home
for all
widow
and orphan
forsaken
and captive
living
by Christ’s
Holy Spirit
he draws us in
while his enemies flee
we rejoice
and sing
in God’s presence

Do you ever feel alone?

Acts 1.15-17, 20a-26;Ps.103: 1-2, 11-12, 19-20; 1 John 4.11-16; John 17.11b-19

our protection
is prayed for
by one
who knows that
while we allow
His love
and truth
to transform
our fragile lives
we live
in a world of power
that may
betray
that may
even hate
who we are
as we stand
in His truth
for the sake
of love

From what do you need protection?

Acts 18: 23-28; Psalm 47: 2-10; John 16: 23-28

you say
until now
we have not
asked anything
in your name
you say
ask
the father
in my name
and you will receive
so that your joy may be complete

so i ask for
 the end of war
and hate
and violence
and sin
and suffering
and death and grief
exploitation
of one another
through slavery
and human trafficking
and greed and lust
and the end of
racism and sexism
and guns and weapons
that kill and destroy
for the blind to see
the deaf to hear
the lame to walk
the hungry to be fed
the prisoners set  free
we ask you
in Jesus’ name
we ask for love and peace. Amen

Will you answer?

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

all labor pain
is forgotten
in the joy
of new life
as a woman
beholds
her baby
the miracle of
I am

do not be afraid
go on speaking
do not be silent
I am
with you…

Is all your pain forgotten in the joy of new life?