Prayer- Celebrate the Summer Solstice!

Earlier in the we marked the summer solstice--the longest day of the year. The celebration of Midsummer's Eve was from ancient times linked to the summer solstice. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. Why not use this fiery moment as a time of "spiritual summer cleaning"  And say good bye to disappointments by lighting them on fire! We all have these little drains on our psyche that seem to keep us from truly letting go of somethings. Well, today  resolve to stop letting disappointments from the past bring you down and hand them over to God once and for all. Started by making a list of these things on separate pieces of paper. Next, light them on fire.You might be surprised how free this can be!

Worship: Bring a Friend to Church!

June 12^th  at Trinity's 9:30 worship service is “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday!” Come and help us celebrate on Pentecost by inviting a family member, co-worker, neighbor, or any one you can think of to join us for a service at Trinity. We will be having a special message at the 9:30 service for our children as well as an exciting give away and extended coffee hour. Please bring a desert or snack to share.  All are welcome!

Prayer: Musical Intercessory Prayer

I recently made a running play list for an upcoming race made up entirely of songs suggested by my friends and loved ones. When ever a particular person's musical suggestion comes up on the list, I say a prayer for them. This way, they are blessing me with their music and I am blessing them with a prayer of thanks. Give it a shot!

Prayer: Ascension Day Traditions

Today is Ascension Day! There are many superstitions and traditions surrounding this day. Here are a few of my favorites and suggestions for ways you can add them to your prayers today:

• Eggs laid on Ascension day are said to never go bad and will guarantee good luck for a household if placed in the roof. Have eggs for supper and give thanks for the birds and farmers who raised them.
• In Devon, it was an ancient belief that the clouds always formed into the familiar Christian image of a lamb on Ascension Day. Head outside with the family for a mini-sabbath by cloud watching--try to spot the lamb! 
• If the weather is sunny on Ascension Day, the summer will be long and hot; but if it rains, crops will do badly and livestock, especially cattle, will suffer from disease. Luckily for us, the weather is great! Why not take a prayer walk and give thanks for this glorious day?!
• According to Welsh superstition, it is unlucky to do any work on Ascension Day. If you can't take the whole day off, make sure to have a sabbath time built in somewhere to contemplate this Holy Feast.

Worship: Ascension Day

Come and join us on this wonderful Fest of the Ascension! Today, June 2, we will celebrate Jesus' Ascension at 7:30 pm in the chapel. All are welcome! 

Prayer- Try Mini-Home Retreat

While the weather is nice, why not try a mini-home retreat outside? Schedule two hours in your day to spend in a mini-retreat. Follow this schedule to put you in a retreat frame of mind:

•  First 30 minuets Engage in some kind of centering prayer. This could be yoga, the Daily Office, listening to music, journaling, or simply sitting and drinking in the moment.
• In the next hour, spend some time practicing Lectio Divina.
• Choose a piece of Scripture for today’s sacred reading—perhaps from Morning Prayer or from a devotional.
• Ask God to bless your time.
• Read the Scripture slowly and attentively several times.  It is recommended that you read it aloud at least once
• Ask God what God would like to say to you today?  It may be a verse, a word, or an idea.
• What would you like to say to God in response?

• When you have completed this, spend the next 30 on a nature walk mediating on the way God might be calling you during this time. 
• After resting a few moments with the Divine Presence, give thanks and go on your way, carrying with you throughout the day the words you have shared.

Worship: God in a Shop

It’s relatively easy to worship God when we are in a beautiful building, surrounded by stained glass, religious art, and moving music. Everything we see, hear and even smell—for those in an incense-friendly liturgical church—is designed to turn our minds and hearts to God.

There is a big world out there beyond the walls of our sanctuaries, and God can seem less obviously present in it. We sometimes think of buying and selling as the antithesis of faith, but if faithful people operate a business ethically, with awareness that “All things come of you, O God,” including the business, merchant work can also be an act of honoring and praising God.

I was recently asked to perform a blessing for a business whose owner is clear that it is a gift from God, that her ability to work is a gift from God, and that the creative talents of the artisans who stock her shop are gifts from God. We prayed for God’s presence in the building, for peace and prosperity for those who work there, and that visitors will also be blessed. So we worship intentionally with our work throughout the week as well as on Sundays and holy days.