sabbath

The weather is very indecisive as I peek out the windows. A storm brews one minute, then sun pops out the next. My weather desktop widget tells me to expect a thunderstorm at some point. Today, I like the prospect. It's one of those tucked-in-the-house days; very restful, as a Sabbath should be. However, I missed Church which is not as a Sabbath should be. Last night, I slept poorly enough that my body was too weary early this morning; not physically capable of getting ready on time.

It's a good thing my husband is in charge of printing our Church's bulletins. After waking to a quiet house, I read the liturgy aloud. Sang the Kyrie Eleison (w/a raspy morning voice). Scripture from Deuteronomy 28 and Psalm 118. Sang the Gloria Patri (pre-tea, so still raspy). James 1:22-27. Sang the Gloria Tibi:

"Glory be to Thee, O Lord."

John 16:23-33. Sang the Laus Tibi:

"Praise be to Thee, O Christ."

Recited The Nicene Creed - "....God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God...."

Sang the Doxology (hoping my morning voice really was a joyful noise to the Lord). And then, I said the long, lovely Litany. We don't say this every Sunday, so it is a treat. I'm especially bummed I wasn't in Church today because Johnny led the Litany (our deacon was out of town). He said a line, the congregation said a line, and so on. The Litany covers just about everything; it felt right to say it aloud first thing this late morning. The cats seemed unimpressed, but as I prayed, I chanted not just for me and Johnny, or our Church, but also for our country, in desperate need of mercy.

I sang the Sanctus. Prayed the Lord's Prayer. I also prayed the post-Communion prayer, though obviously, I couldn't take Communion today. Lastly, I sang a favorite, sweet song, also in the bulletin ~ "God" by John Michael Talbot:

"God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my thinking,
God in my words.
God in my sleeping,
and in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hopes.
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my heart and my soul.
In my sufficing,
and in my slumber,
in my eternal and living soul."

That was the best I could do from the couch. Very peaceful as incense smoke curled upward. Then I walked to the kitchen to brown Italian turkey sausage and brew yerba mate in the coffee maker.



Can you see those tea strainers on the wall? I've been wanting to hang 'em there for a good while, for some reason. So there they are. Along w/bamboo utensils - charming sights to my tired eyes.

Anyway, I'm thankful for a fairly good day, for in-house liturgy, and a Thursday Ascension service + Communion to anticipate. It's at 7:00 pm, so surely I can get going by then. Yes, I will. We're gonna sing Johnny's Ascension song, too. I can't miss that.