Sunday, September 13th, 2026
Our Morning Prayer service is an opportunity for contemplation, stillness, and spiritual grounding.
Throughout September, we will consider what it looks like to rest from perfectionism and the pursuit of endless progress and embrace what is good enough.
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
Throughout September, we will consider what it looks like to rest from perfectionism and the pursuit of endless progress and embrace what is good enough.
We offer you a warm welcome, and as is our practice, we remember that the land on which we meet is, was, and always will be native land. We acknowledge those indigenous tribes to Oklahoma: the Wichitas, Caddos, Plains Apaches, and the Quapaws, as the original custodians of the land in this place. We grieve the violence done to native language, culture, and personhood, and seek to honor the sovereignty and dignity of native peoples.
Gathering Music
Glenda Stansbury
Here We Open Our Hearts
Let us begin the day with this time of consideration, holy listening, supported silence, song, and prayer. We invite you to settle into your seat, let your shoulders drop, and take a deep breath. Remember: your whole self is welcome here.
Today we consider what it might mean to let ourselves be happy enough, and we ask:
Today we consider what it might mean to let ourselves be happy enough, and we ask:
- What does “happiness” mean to you, and where and when do you feel the most pressure to appear happy?
- What might the difference be between pursuing happiness and making room for contentment?
- If we stop measuring the success of our lives by our own happiness, what other ways of measuring might help shift our perspective?
Stillness
In this moment, we invite you into silent prayer, meditation, and further contemplation of the considerations.
Hymn
Surely No One Can Be Safer, Hymn 487
New Century Hymnal
New Century Hymnal
Prayers of the People
One: God who sees us as we are: we come to you today buoyed by joy and carrying the weight of our own expectations. Meet us here in the truth of our imperfect lives as we pray together.
We pray for the leaders of our world, our nation, and our communities.
All: Humble the powerful and lift up the humble. Give our leaders the wisdom, humility, and courage that leadership requires. Give us the wisdom, humility, and courage that we need as well. God hear our prayer.
One: We pray for this world so fractured by division and violence and for all people for whom peace feels so far away: our siblings in war-torn places like Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, and Ukraine; our siblings in Nepal, Tibet, and other places reeling from disaster; our immigrant neighbors who live in fear and uncertainty.
All: Help the helpers, comfort the mourners, and sustain them now and in the days to come. God hear our prayer.
One: We pray for the beloveds of this congregation and trust one another with our burdens, by saying aloud now a name or place that is on our hearts…
We invite you to say aloud a name or a place that may mean something only to you, but that will be enough for us to help you carry it.
Despite our best efforts, we do not always know what we need, what our neighbors need, or what to say.
All: Trusting that the Spirit intercedes for us, God, hear our prayer.
One: Give us strength for today, hope for tomorrow, and the clarity to see the ways you are already at work among us. We pray all of this in the name of our teacher, Jesus, who showed us how. Amen.
We pray for the leaders of our world, our nation, and our communities.
All: Humble the powerful and lift up the humble. Give our leaders the wisdom, humility, and courage that leadership requires. Give us the wisdom, humility, and courage that we need as well. God hear our prayer.
One: We pray for this world so fractured by division and violence and for all people for whom peace feels so far away: our siblings in war-torn places like Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, and Ukraine; our siblings in Nepal, Tibet, and other places reeling from disaster; our immigrant neighbors who live in fear and uncertainty.
All: Help the helpers, comfort the mourners, and sustain them now and in the days to come. God hear our prayer.
One: We pray for the beloveds of this congregation and trust one another with our burdens, by saying aloud now a name or place that is on our hearts…
We invite you to say aloud a name or a place that may mean something only to you, but that will be enough for us to help you carry it.
Despite our best efforts, we do not always know what we need, what our neighbors need, or what to say.
All: Trusting that the Spirit intercedes for us, God, hear our prayer.
One: Give us strength for today, hope for tomorrow, and the clarity to see the ways you are already at work among us. We pray all of this in the name of our teacher, Jesus, who showed us how. Amen.
Call and Response
One: Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum,
omnes, gentes, Alleluia.
All: Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum,
omnes, gentes, Alleluia.
[English translation: Praise the Lord, all you nations.]
[from the Taize community, J. Berthier]
omnes, gentes, Alleluia.
All: Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum,
omnes, gentes, Alleluia.
[English translation: Praise the Lord, all you nations.]
[from the Taize community, J. Berthier]
Meditation
Rev. Sheridan Irick
Meditation Response
We can be convinced that our happier life, our better self is out there, somewhere. But maybe it's not as out of reach as we thought. Look around. Hold your hand to your chest or place your fingers on a pulse point and feel your steady heartbeat. What brings you contentment right now? Or, if that question feels too amorphous, try thinking about one pleasant thing. Something almost absurdly small. Something specific. Something unimpressive on purpose.
The particular quality of light at certain time of day.
Someone's laugh from another room.
When a stranger steps aside without being asked.
When the cup of tea is the perfect temperature.
Noticing that what is good does not require pretending that the world isn’t on fire or your week isn't terrible. In fact, being able to hold both things as true is the point.
You have a piece of paper on which you can name a few small, specific things. Or you could draw a picture. What are the things in your life that help you feel happy enough?
The particular quality of light at certain time of day.
Someone's laugh from another room.
When a stranger steps aside without being asked.
When the cup of tea is the perfect temperature.
Noticing that what is good does not require pretending that the world isn’t on fire or your week isn't terrible. In fact, being able to hold both things as true is the point.
You have a piece of paper on which you can name a few small, specific things. Or you could draw a picture. What are the things in your life that help you feel happy enough?
Benediction
As you go out into the remainder of the day, may you carry the still, small voice of the Divine within you. May your hearts be filled with peace, your hands moved by compassion, and your steps guided by love. Go in peace. Amen.