Morning Prayer

Our morning prayer service is an opportunity to carve out space for contemplation and stillness in our otherwise busy lives. Throughout January, our theme is Dare. Each week we'll explore this theme in different ways, focusing on how we might live with more courage and intention.

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.

Glenda Stansbury

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. Today we consider how we dare to face the future, and we ask:

• What would it look like to follow the advice of Wendell Berry, who encourages us to “be joyful, though [we] have considered all the facts?” How do you hold both suffering and hope together without denying either?
• How does the practice of being fully present change your awareness of the current moment or help you notice the presence of God, even when the future feels uncertain or threatening?
• Marilyn McEntyre writes, "Death and disaster will never have the final word." How would fully believing this change the way you live, love, and take risks for the sake of the world?

As we reflect together, remember: your whole self is welcome here.

In this moment, we invite you into silent prayer, meditation, or further contemplation of the considerations.

From the Crush of Wealth and Power, Hymn 552
New Century Hymnal 

One: Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, in this world where not all things are as they should be, “Your kingdom come,” we pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
All: If we want a garden, then we have to sow the seed. Plant a little happiness, and let the roots run deep. If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap. God, hear our prayer.

One: Give us this day our daily bread.
All: You already know that it is not just flour, yeast, salt, and water, that we are after, Holy One. Every day we need work, rest, and play. God, hear our prayer.

One: Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
All: All of us have fallen short at one time or another, so may mercy be our first instinct. Let us loosen our grip on grudges and grievances. God, hear our prayer.

One: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
All: We know that violence begets violence, so help us transform our pain instead of transmitting it. Grant us courage to do the next right thing. God, hear our prayer.

One: We lift up the beloveds of this congregation: for Jonathan, Lynn’s sister Becky, Shannon and Rebecca, Meg, Joan, Dennis, Julie’s mom Shirley, Kristi, and Judy.
All: In a world where it is so easy to feel forgotten, may our beloveds know that we hold them close. God, hear our prayer.

One: 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: In our sleeping and waking, in our work and in our play, in our responsibilities and in our rest, come to us, Holy One, abide with us, and grant us your peace.

Rev. Sheridan Irick

Won't You Let Me Be Your Servant, Hymn 539 
New Century Hymnal

Rev. Sheridan Irick

When you came in this morning, you received a notecard and an envelope. As part of our practice of daring to face the future, we invite you to write a note to your future self, six months from now. Our opening considerations are in your bulletin, and they might help guide you. Perhaps you want to remind your future self of the ways you are currently finding joy, even in the midst of all the facts. Perhaps you want to focus on cultivating a practice of presence, and you want to invite your future self to slow down and notice. Perhaps you are ready to change one way that you live, love, or take risks for the sake of the world, and you want to encourage your future self to keep going.

You’ll have a moment to write to yourself and address the envelope to whatever address you’d like to receive it at. When you are done, you can come place your envelope on the alter, and in six months, we’ll mail them out to you.  
 
What might you need to hear, six months from now, to dare to face the future?

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.