Author: revpaulcalkin

From Mindful Christianity:

Today will never come again.

Be a blessing.

Be a friend.

Encourage someone. 

Take time to care.

Let your words heal, and not wound. 

Peace Be With You. – Paul

— WORD FOR THE DAY — (from grateful.org)Listen to your heart and trust the direction you are being pulled. Something inside you already knows what to do.

SPRING WASHAM

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, 

A heart that forgives the worst, 

A mind that forgets the bad, 

And a soul that never loses faith in God.

• Mindful Christianity

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“If you want to change the way you feel about people, you have to change the way you treat them.” ~@ANNELAMOTT

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Here are the Prayers of The People from

Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church

Worship – March 30, 2025

Prayers Of The People

What a week, God!

Some we know and love have been injured in body, in soul, in their very being.

Some we know have sat by bedsides and said “Goodbye.”

Some we know have become more cautious in actions and movements.

Some we know have sought to be more like “the accepted ones.”

Some we know are trying to be present for all these. 

And it is difficult.

So we seek your loving, soothing presence today, 

For others, for ourselves.  

God, in your love,

Hear our prayers.

Rest has not come easily for exhausted ones,

Energy is low at times,

Financial and emotional resources vanish quickly.  

So people of faith step alongside, 

Ignoring taunts of those in power 

Ignoring the illusions of might and the bluster of hollow words.

They step in with little more than faith. 

Walk with them, God.

God, in your love,

Hear our prayers.

In a world of violence and upheaval, 

Let us rest in you for strength. 

Guide us that we might be a holy space – 

A space where all are affirmed,

All are loved,

Where mistakes are forgiven, 

Where promise is always present.

God, in your love,

Hear our prayers.

Rest in the hearts of all in need,

Rest in the hearts of the confused, 

Rest in the hearts of those seeking life,

Rest in the hearts of the sad and hurting,

Rest in the hearts of helpers,

God, in your love,

Hear our prayers. Amen. 

Peace Be With You. – Paul

In the Fioretti  of Saint Francis of Assisi, there is an enchanting story.  

One day, when leaving the monastery, Saint Francis met Brother Leo.  Leo was a simple and good brother, and Francis loved him very much.  Unpon meeting him, Francis said, “Brother Leo, come, let’s go preach.”

“My father,” answered Brother Leo, “you know that I have not had much schooling. How would I be able to preach to people?”

Since Saint Francis insisted, Brother Leo agreed to go.  They walked the entire city, praying silently for everyone who was working in the shops and gardens.  They smiled at the children, especially the poorest.  They exchanged some words with the most elderly.  They caressed the sick.  They helped a lady carry a heavy container full of water.  

After having traversed the entire city a number of times, Saint Francis said: “Brother Leo, it’s time to return to the monastery.”

“And our preaching?” 

“We did it,” answered Francis.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“When it feels dark, 

remember you are made of 

light, and hope, and courage.  

Even when you’re tired, beautiful one.” 

                       – Nanea Hoffman

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“Good and evil increase at compound interest.  That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.  

The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. ” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“I know how difficult it is going to be, but I also believe that if just in one place we can win the battle over greed and callousness, that one victory may swing the tide over the entire world.”From Dragons in the Waters

Madeleleine L’Engle

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Here are the Prayers Of The People from

Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church.

March 23, 2025

Prayers Of The People

I invite you to take a breath. 

Sometimes we forget to breathe, 

it being all automatic and everything.

In this moment, we breathe with intent.

O Holy One, you enter our lives in the breath of life,

Bringing us a moment of rest,

Allowing us a moment of peace,

A chance to let our body catch up to our mind.

We thank you.

God of love, Hear our prayer. 

All manner of turmoil surrounds us,

Personal, cultural, spiritual.

It gets overwhelming, stressful, painful.

We seek direction, insight, peace, hope.

We seek to be merciful, to be people of great love.

Rest inside us, guide us.

We thank you.

God of love, Hear our prayer. 

When it is time to act, tell us.

When it is time to rest, guide us.

When we get the two confused, instruct us.

We thank you.

God of love, Hear our prayer. 

In this place, this place of solace, 

Of strength, of acceptance, of love, of light,

Our hearts find hope.  

May we be all of these for any who enter these doors.

We thank you.

God of love, Hear our prayer. 

For all in distress this day,

For all who are seeking new directions,

For all,

We pray to you.

We thank you.

God of love, Hear our prayer. Amen.

Peace Be With You. – Paul