Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Saints Fabian (+250) and Sebastian (+330)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Invitation to Worship
Come, Let us sing to Adonai, let us praise the God of all Creation!
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Streams and rivers bless our God.
~Seas and oceans, bless our God.
Monday MORNING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
Dawn’s radiance washes over Earth,
refreshed and rested from the night:
the grateful world, awake, aware
is bathed in Christ’s baptismal light.
Emblazoned thus, our Earth proclaims
its first foundation and its end.
Another day stirs life afresh:
its gifts from God to God all tend.
O Christ, indwelling source of life,
reflecting fair your Abba’s face,
your radiance brightens all the Earth
as we awake in your embrace.
Within your love we sing our praise,
transcendent God who nurture all;
day’s dawning splendor sends us forth
to answer with our lives your call. Amen.
Text: Aelred-Seton Shanley; Tune: Plainsong
PSALMODY
Antiphon
I lie down to rest, and sleep comes at once;
I rise again, for Adonai sustains me.
Psalm 3
How many are my oppressors, O Adonai!
How many are plotting against me!
How many are saying about me:
“There is no help for this one even from God.”
But you, Adonai, are a shield around me,
my glory, for you lift my head.
I make my prayer to you aloud,
and you answer me from your holy mountain.
I lie down to rest, and sleep comes at once.
I wake and rise, for your love holds me up.
I will not fear even thousands of people
who are ranged on every side against me.
Arise, now, O Adonai; save me, my Love,
for your truth will leave the wicked speechless,
and break the teeth that are eating me alive!
O Adonai of Victory, bless the people you love.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
I lie down to rest, and sleep comes at once;
I rise again, for Adonai sustains me.
READING Dr. King’s quotation of Isaiah 40: 4-5
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. In a time of favor I answer you, * on the day of salvation I help you. V. I say to the prisoners: come out! To those in darkness: show yourselves! * on the day of salvation I help you.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
The Sun of Justice, will arise with healing in his wings!
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To Guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
The Sun of Justice, will arise with healing in his wings!
Litany of Intercession
For all those engaged in the struggle to dismantle racism, sexism, classism and every form of injustice and discrimination, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all those engaged in building the Beloved Community and “One World House” where all are provided what they need to flourish, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all those working to renew and reform church and society, matching each person’s gifts and talents with the needs and opportunities of the world, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all those who suffer from sickness, injury, or disability and for those called and gifted to serve and care for them, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have died and all who grieve their passing, God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Holy One, Source of all light and life, in the third century you called Saint Fabian to organize the ministry of the church to better serve the needs of the poor and Saint Sebastian to witness with his life to your all-inclusive love. In the twentieth century you called Martin Luther King to work tirelessly and non-violently to dismantle the legal institutions of segregation and oppression. As we celebrate their memory today, fill us with your compassion for all who suffer and your passion for justice so that we may join all the saints in establishing your reign on earth as it is in heaven, for yours is the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in trusting God’s Love, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may abound in hope. ~Amen.
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.