Morning Prayer

Our morning prayer service is an opportunity to carve out space for contemplation and stillness so that it becomes a spiritual practice that sustains us in our daily lives. 

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. Remember: your whole self is welcome here.

Today we consider how the Spirit of God fires us up and breathes new life into places of uncertainty, fear, and weariness, and we ask:

• Where are you currently holding your breath in anticipation or anxiety, and can you allow yourself to breath deeply instead as an act of trust and faith?
• Can you notice the brief, silent pause between inhalation and exhalation, and imagine that space as a thin place where your spirit meets the Divine?
• What unique gift or truth have you been given that is waiting to be fanned into a flame?

Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow, Hymn 271
New Century Hymnal

One: On this day of rushing wind and dancing fire, we remember the ancient promise: that the Spirit would be poured out on all people—that our young would see visions, our elders would dream dreams, and every barrier of language and nation would be bridged by Love. In that spirit of connection, let us pray together.

God of many languages, you sing in joy with us, you join us in the dance of life. Rejoice with us as we rejoice this morning…
 
All: For the birthdays of our beloveds, including Jamie Butler, Danne Nunn, Bob Hockaday, Jeremy Wilcox, Adelaide Hill, Anna Eldredge, and Kelly Smith; for the work of Ellen and Joe Kirby restoring our church porch railing, and for these late spring rains, we give thanks.

One: You also weep with us in sorrow and accompany us in uncertainty. And so, we say aloud names and places that may mean something only to us, trusting the gathered community to help us, for we are not meant to carry everything alone. . .

All: [Please say those names and places aloud so that we can hold them close with you.]

One: We trust that you hear us, even our whispers and sighs too deep for words. To those names we add members of this community. . .

All: George & Jeanette Atwood, Meg Hunt, Mike Fox, Carolyn Wade, and Mark and Shelley Manning. May they know they matter and are not forgotten. Be with our neighbors in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Ukraine, and help us to do the things that make for peace, Holy One.

One: With hope, we join our voices with the voices of countless generations, languages, and communities as we pray the words Jesus taught us, saying:

All: Our Creator, who is in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For you reign in the power that is love, now and always, Amen.

One: Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)

All: Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)--repeat

Verse 1: Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth, with your glorious light. Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Verse 2: Come, Mother of the poor, come generous Spirit, come, light of our hearts. Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Verse 3: Come, from the four winds, O Spirit, come breath of God; disperse the shadows over us, renew and strengthen your people. Veni Sancte Spiritus.

(From the Taize Community. J. Berthier.)

Rev. Sheridan Irick

Rev. Sheridan Irick

When you are ready, open your eyes and come forward to light a candle as a reminder of the Divine Spark that is already within you and empowering you.

Bring your breath, bring your fire, and let us illuminate this space together.

[Response music: Glenda Stansbury]

God of Wind and Flame,
We thank you for the breath that has moved through us in this moment of stillness. Just as you are always creating and re-creating, make us new and restore with us the hope that that the Holy Spirit is—even now—igniting new possibilities for our shared life, faith, and thriving. This we pray, as clear our throats to shout good news. Amen.

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.