Contemplative Service of Word and Prayer January 11, 2023 Welcome to worship this evening with Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. During this liturgical season of “Time after Epiphany” or “Ordinary Time,” we gather in worship mid-week during our ordinary daily life to contemplate our divine God who became human, appearing in flesh among us. This service of spoken word follows the liturgy from All Creation Sings. God’s word, voices of contemporary contemplatives, personal silent reflection, and prayer is the heart of this contemplative service. Throughout the service, we will observe time of silence together. Silence makes room to breathe deeply, time to still the heart and quiet restless thoughts, and, a place to listen and rest in the presence of God, “like a child upon its mother’s breast” (Psalm 131:2). Some times of silence will last no longer than a deep breath; some will be more spacious. A handbell or singing bowl may be rung to mark them. We begin worship together in silence and in the unhurried pace of prayer.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer.
Gather in silence GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you. OPENING PRAYER Let us pray. O God of steadfast love, you are near to those who call, to all who cry out to you for help. Hear our cries and save us, grant to us your grace and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen. CONTEMPLATIVE VOICE: RICHARD ROHR Richard Rohr OFM (born 1943) is a Franciscan friar, ecumenical teacher, and founder of Center for Action and Contemplation. He bears witness to the deep wisdom of Christian mysticism and traditions of action and contemplation. One great idea of the biblical revelation is that God is manifest in the ordinary, in the actual, in the daily, in the now, in the concrete incarnations of life. Our experiences of ordinary life will transform us if we are willing to experience them fully. This is quite different than much of religion’s emphasis on being pure, perfect, or correct to find God….