by Carol Dixon,
There is not in the world a way of life more sweet nor more delightful than continual converse with God. (Brother Lawrence)
I always enjoy the long days of summer when the light in the north seems to last forever and I put together some worship resources that help me to celebrate summer. I hope you enjoy sharing them with me.
Summer Solstice
June is the month of summer solstice, the month of the sun. Sol + stice come from two Latin words meaning ‘sun’ and ‘stand still’. As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky. The Northern hemisphere celebrates in June, and the Southern hemisphere celebrates in December. While the druids worship at Stonehenge and other ancient stone circles, many Christians celebrate with prayers that honour the Creator rather than creation. As St Francis wrote in the 13th century in his Canticle for Brother Sun:
Praise be to you, my Lord, in all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who makes the day and enlightens us through you.
He is lovely and radiant and grand, and he heralds you, his Most High Lord.
St Patrick also offer praises to God in his prayer God in All:
He inspires all, He gives life to all, He dominates all, He supports all,
He lights the light of the sun, He furnishes the light of the sun,
He furnishes the light of the night, He has made springs in dry land,
He is God of heaven and earth, of seas and rivers, of sun, moon and stars,
Of the lofty mountain and the lowly valley, the God above heaven,
And in heaven and under heaven. God of all, God in All.
The Psalmist many centuries before sings praise to God in Psalm 19 (Living Bible)
The heavens reveal the glory of God;
they are a marvellous display of his craftsmanship.
Day and night they keep on telling about God.
Without a sound or word, silent in the skies,
their message reaches out to all the world.
The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it
and moves out across the skies
as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding,
or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!
The sun crosses the heavens from end to end,
and nothing can hide from its heat.
God’s laws are perfect: They protect us,
make us wise, and give us joy and light.
God’s laws are pure, eternal, just.
They are more desirable than gold.
They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.
For they warn us away from harm
and give success to those who obey them.
May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts
be pleasing to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
A Modern Prayer for Midsummer
(by Jan Berry – from Barefeet & Buttercups publ by Iona Wild Goose publications)
We give thanks for the joy of creation:
for all that is made and given;
for all that we shape and create;
for the springing forth of new vision.
WE CELEBRATE THE FLOWERING OF HOPE
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH
WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE GOODNESS OF GROWTH.
We give thanks for the vitality of re-creation:
for times of rest and stillness that renew us
for time of play and laughter that refresh us
for all that nourishes and restores our spirits.
WE CELEBRATE THE FLOWERING OF HOPE
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH
WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE GOODNESS OF GROWTH.
We give thanks for the depth of passion:
for the vision that inspires our longing
for the love that brings strength and tenderness
for all that touches our deepest core.
WE CELEBRATE THE FLOWERING OF HOPE
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH
WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE GOODNESS OF GROWTH.
We give thanks for the rhythm of the seasons:
for all that grows, blossoms and fades
for the seeds that are buried and spring again
for the constant renewal of life from the earth.
WE CELEBRATE THE FLOWERING OF HOPE
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH
WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE GOODNESS OF GROWTH.
And A Poem
(by Hilary Allen – from Barefeet & Buttercups ed Ruth Burgess publ by Iona Wild Goose www.ionabooks.com)
The lake was still, tranquil in the morning light.
I too was still, watching and listening,
What would God say to me today?
A dragonfly danced and darted,
Then rested beside me,
Amber -iridescent in the sun.
Being not doing.
God said I could be like that,
Being not doing,
Receiving his love.
[You may like to ask yourself:: What makes summer shine with God for me?]
A Midsummer Blessing:
(by Carol Dixon)
May God the Light-maker be with us
from the onset of the dawn chorus to the rising of the evening star,
May God the Night-bringer be with us
and grant us peace in our sleeping,
May God the Light of Life illuminate our hearts and minds
in sunlight and shadow, from the longest day to the shortest,
and forever. Amen.
And finally, a Song:
All creatures of our God & King (W H Draper 1855-1933 based on St Francis of Assisi)
A great way to prepare for celebrating your summer is by signing up for Making Time for a Sacred Summer retreat experience with Lilly Lewin and Christine Sine!
