On Sunday morning, Eilish read the Emmaus story and I’ve been meditating upon this Collect for the presence of Christ from Book of Common Prayer.  I’d invite you to pray these words aloud:   Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Psalm 4 reads, “I lie down in peace and take rest my rest for it is in God alone that I dwell unafraid.” What an inviting thought.  I pray this is true for all of us as we lay down to sleep tonight.

We are living abundance this evening thanks to Oakley and Tony.

Oakley has recorded Psalm 23 from the The New Zealand Book of Prayer.  May God’s ministering angels guard you through this night and lead you toward stillness and peace as we hear the priceless encouragement and comfort that “Thou are with me.”

Tony has videoed the evening hymn, “Day is Done” in the great outdoors.

Peace throughout this blessed evening … Love dwells ever near!


You can hear Oakley reading Psalm 23 by clicking here

You can hear Tony playing, "Day is Done" by clicking here

You can watch this Sunday's video service by clicking here.  

Churches Canada-wide are invited to ring their bells for those who lost their lives in the shootings in Nova Scotia and for all those affected by this tragedy. Friday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. Atlantic Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time).
Marnie and Jonas will be ringing the bell again tonight for the people of N.S.

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​A number of years ago, I read a thought provoking book called, Sleeping with Bread. The authors are Dennis and Sheila Linn and Dennis' brother, Fr. Matthew Linn S.J. 
They write: During the bombing raids of World War II, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But, many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow."
The cover of the book gives the impression that it’s a children’s book.  When I opened and read the book, I realized it’s a foundational spiritual practice that should definitely begin in childhood and continue through life.  
The authors write:  “This is the simplest book we have ever written. It is about asking ourselves two questions: For what am I most grateful? For what am I least grateful? These questions help us identify moments of consolation and desolation. For centuries, prayerful people have found direction for their day and for their life by identifying these moments.”
You may frame the questions differently and consider - When did my spirit soar today?  When did I feel most alive today? When did I feel life draining out of me? Or, what was today's high point? What was today's low point? 
This practice is very much rooted in the Ignatian tradition.  Ignatian spirituality is one for everyday life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others.
 
God is active, present and present to us at all times.  
 
This link is a valuable tool for this spiritual practice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8QvBTj23ON4#at=111
 
Finally, Colleen has recorded David Haas’ version of the Lord’s Prayer as a gift for your evening prayer time.  Thank you Colleen!
 
Rest well everyone.

​Franciscan Prayer, Lord, help us to maintain a reverent attitude towards nature, threatened from all sides today, in such a way that we may restore it completely to the condition of brother/sister and to its role of usefulness to all humankind for the glory of God the Creator.
 
Psalm 96, Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it.  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord 
 
“Sleeping in the Forest,” Mary Oliver
I thought the earth remembered me, she 
took me back so tenderly, arranging 
her dark skirts, her pockets 
full of lichens and seeds. I slept 
as never before, a stone 
on the riverbed, nothing 
between me and the white fire of the stars 
but my thoughts, and they floated 
light as moths among the branches 
of the perfect trees. All night 
I heard the small kingdoms breathing 
around me, the insects, and the birds
who do their work in the darkness. All night 
I rose and fell, as if in water, grappling 
with a luminous doom. By morning 
I had vanished at least a dozen times 
into something better.