Theme “Hope”
Psalm 23
A Version of Psalm 23 by Rev. Maud Robinson
Love is my shepherd; I shall not want
She bids me lie down in green pastures
She leads me beside quiet waters.
She restores my soul
She leads me in paths of righteousness for her name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
Prayer for St Brigit’s Day – 1st February
Context: Legend tells us Brigit asked the authorities for land to build a sacred space for God, and was told that she could have as much as her cloak would cover. She spread forth her cloak in faith. The cloak expanded, spilling outward to cover all the acres of land she needed to establish her
Trust
Spirit of Life and Love,
In this moment let us be conscious
of the free gifts of air to breathe
and solid ground beneath our feet.
Conscious of these natural realities,
Let us likewise recall the importance
of interpersonal trust in our lives.
While being open to others
Carries its risk,
We know our hearts will
May we take with us
May we take with us some of the joy of this gathering…..
May we go forward with hope…..
May we live rightly, in peace with one another….
And may we know the blessing of God until we gather here again.
Amen.
Chalice lighting
As we light the chalice,
We see the flame rise up,
held in the bowl of the chalice.
Just so our spirits yearn for the Divine
Held in the circle of community.
Chalice lighting
We gather here within these walls
Hallowed by the community
that has gathered here over the centuries.
Countless hands have tended the flame of fellowship
and countless more will keep the light burning. As we light the chalice flame today
Let us not hide our light under a bushel
but be a beacon of hope
Chalice lighting and welcome
Let this be a light of welcome, of hope and of joy.
You may have had a busy day-you are here
You may have had a quiet day-you are here
You may have had a difficult week-you are here
You may have faced challenges-you are here
You are here, bring joy or sadness.
Be calm in this moment.
May you find the
Gathering words
We gather together and, in lighting our chalice, we witness a flame of hope.
Whatever has been our personal pathway here today and where ever it takes us afterwards, whatever our beliefs, religious heritage, faith, certainty and doubt: we are all sisters and brothers in common humanity.
We join in this community seeking the best way