Worship prepared for the Middle Musquodoboit Community of Faith for September 15, 2024 to be enjoyed at your own leisure, in your own Sacred Space: by the water at dawn, mountain top view at midday or around the campfire. Wherever and whenever you feel peace. 

Please scroll along, watching video links as desired or finding your own version to enjoy.

Acknowledgement and Opening Words

As we gather to worship, let us pause to remember that in this region we live and work and worship on lands that are, by law, the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaq. May we live with respect on this land and live in peace and friendship with its people.    

We light this candle/fire as a symbol of the light of LOVE, which cannot be held back by distance, which shines in each one of us, no matter where we are.

Sacred Stories  

Genesis 15:1-6

Questions for Journaling, Reflection, Discussion

1. Who are the people in your family? How did they come to be part of your family or what values/experiences do you share?

2. In what ways have you been intentional about creating family? (ie marriage, adoption, step-parenting, baptism, etc)  

3. Have you ever done anything for someone “in the name of love”? (U2 song reference) Do you view that person as “family”? Is there a difference?

4. Do you have a formal list of family values or a family motto?  If not, what could be a family motto or core values list? (for a sample list check my printable resources for this season)

5. How does your role in your family as a child determine your role in your family as an adult?  Does your family role spill out into the workplace or organization you participate in? (This resource along with others in the bibliography will likely be necessary.)

6. How does our church function as a family?  How can we encourage self differentiation and avoid becoming a dysfunctional organization?

Community Prayer

Please find yourself some colouring pencils/markers, etc and paper.  If you wish to cut out individual people, you will also need scissors and glue. Draw a large circle on a piece of paper or create a circle with tealights or ribbon.  Use the prompts in the prayer below to draw people/stick figures/blobs/write words to represent the people you know who might fit in this category.  Alternatively, you can cut out individual paper dolls or write pseudonyms in your journal if you aren't feeling creative.  It's also ok if you simply think of the person for a few moments.  The point is to spend some time thinking about that person, the art is simply a way to keep you on task and engage more of your senses.

Constantly creating God,

There are so many people in our circles that deserve prayer.  

We pray for those people in our circles who are experiencing loss or loneliness….

We pray for those in our circles who need to find a way to move forward in life and for those who reveal a solution or way forward….

We pray for those in positions of power or influence that they might have the strength and courage to continue to advocate for justice….

We pray for those who are sick and for those who care for the sick….

We pray for ourselves….

As we have prayed together in colour, we offer these people our compassion and support and we offer you our gratitude for each of them as we pray together the words that so many in our circles have prayed over the years as we say together the words that Jesus taught:

Our Mother/Father in heaven….

I encourage you to take a picture of your prayer - I’d love to place it on this website.

Closing Blessing

Carry a flame to kindle the darkness, to illuminate the path, to keep the shadows from overtaking. Share this light widely and gladly and keep it safe until we meet again. Amen.