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Love (None) | 3:00 p.m.
Traditional hour: afternoon
As shadows lengthen, we are filled by the day’s encounters; now, more than ever, we accept the depth and breadth of God’s grace.
Opening: What we offer is enough: God’s love covers all.
Prayer:
Creator and lover of our souls: Teach us to release our burdens and accept your love. May your love be the deepest reality of our lives, and may we offer real love to others. Amen.
Praise:
A Song of God’s Love (I John 4:7-11)
Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is love.
In this, the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that
God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Scripture:
Come to me, all of you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28)
Meditation:
“Wasn’t I Real before?” asked the little Rabbit.
“You were Real to the Boy,” the Fairy said,
“because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to
everyone.”
Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit 153
What does it take to offer real love to another?
How shall we do that today?
Prayers:
May the longtime sun shine upon us.
God’s love is in us.
May God’s love shine on all people.
God’s love is all in all.
May all people know God’s love.
God’s love fills us all.
[Here, the people may add particular intercessions or thanksgivings.]
May the pure light of God’s love lead us to love others.
Lord’s Prayer
Prayer:
O love of God, how strong and true! Eternal, and yet ever new; uncomprehended and unbought, beyond all knowledge and all thought: bless us with your love, that, in loving others we may honor you. Amen.
Going Out: What we offer is enough: God’s love covers all.