Reminder: Death, Sex & Money Study Group Tonight!

[Rev Alison Mock]

Dear YKUC Friends,

Just a quick reminder that our Lenten Study, Let's Talk About Hard Things, will gather tonight at 7pm MT. Tonight's hard conversation is about Money. Here's the link:

https://zoom.us/j/93854209639?pwd=3DTtXCq6cePZMaaU3b7940HkWp4cZS.1

Evening prayers will take place as usual tonight at 8pm at this link.  I'm loving this Lenten practice so much. Thanks to all who have participated. Thursday night, Zoom prayers will NOT happen as usual, because I'll be in the air on my way to Yellowknife (hooray!)

One of the scriptures this week is Colossians 3:12-17. It's not the lectionary text, but it's one of the texts often used for PIE Day (otherwise known as Affirming Sunday), which we will mark this Sunday in worship. The text is about "clothing ourselves" in all the things God chooses for us: mercy, gentleness, kindness, humility, and patience. It's a beautiful image. Here's a prayer based on this text that you could pray tomorrow night. I'll be thinking of you all, and will see you again on Friday. 

Cheers,

Alison 

An Evening Prayer 

God of mercy,

You call us your chosen ones,
holy and beloved.
Yet we come tonight aware
of the ways we have clothed ourselves poorly; 
with impatience, with sharp words,
with resentment we have carried too long.

In this Lenten season,
strip away what does not belong to you.
Teach us again how to be dressed for your kingdom.

Clothe us with compassion
when the world invites us to harden our hearts.
Clothe us with kindness
when anger feels easier.
Clothe us with humility
when pride tempts us to believe we are always right.
Clothe us with gentleness and patience
when we are tired of bearing with one another.

Above all, O Christ,
wrap us in love:
Your love that binds together what is broken
and makes a community whole.

Let your peace rule in our hearts tonight.
Quiet our anxious thoughts.
Still the noise within us.
Make room for gratitude.

Let your word dwell richly among us
in our prayers, in our songs,
in the quiet places of our lives.

And whatever we do,
in word or in deed,
help us to do it in your name,
giving thanks to God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.