Celtic retreat altar
So many have expressed disappointment at not being able to join us for the Celtic retreat that I thought I would publish the morning liturgy for you to follow along with if you are interested
Joining Together – Preparing the Altar
Gathering Prayer:
God we gather in this quiet place,
To hear the prayers you have placed in our hearts,
Filled with the ache of hurting people and a broken world,
We come willing to listen to the silence,
Alert and attentive to your voice speaking within us.
Let the busyness of our bodies rest,
Let the worries of our minds rest,
Let the doubts of our hearts rest,
Letting go of self may we all hold on to God.
God we release to you the rush and noise of life,
We breathe out all that hinders our closeness to you,
Fear, anxiety, busyness, confusion, guilt and tiredness,
We throw off our busy distractedness and breathe in all that is of you,
Love, joy, peace, compassion, justice, grace and mercy.
O God may we embrace the rest that flows from your love,
And enter the place of deep communion with you,
Where time is stilled and place is fertile ground for seeds to sprout,
May we willingly walk into the unknown mystery of faith.
(Silence)
God may your silence penetrate deep inside,
Opening for us the rest and release of Jubilee,
May it bring us to the place where love and justice meet,
Enabling us to surrender all that holds us captive,
And encouraging us to release all that has enslaved us.
God may we be mindful of you today,
Knowing that each moment of time is sanctified by your spirit.
May your words echo deep within us O God,
So that we can hear your call to holiness, justice and compassion.
Amen
Song – be Thou My Vision
Introduction to Celtic tradition
Setting up the Altar
Eternal God, creator of the earth, the stars, the universe,
You who are more majestic then the mountains,
More beautiful than the trees around us,
More secure than the rocks beneath our feet.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
As we gather your gifts to build our altar,
May our eyes be opened and our ears unstopped,
May we see in every sight a cathedral giving glory,
And hear in every sound angels singing alleluia.
God in this time of Jubilee and new beginnings,
May we hear your trumpet sound,
May we see what you promise, and believe what you offer,
Rest from our striving and release from our captivity.
Go out to collect items for decorating the altar