Come Away and Be Still: Psalm & Harp Ministry, Volume 1

UPDATE: Come Away and Be Still is now available on iTunes ... and now Amazon.

Introducing this lovely CD of psalm settings accompanied on a Blevins therapy harp. Wonderful for prayer meetings, for retreats, for the nursery, for hospital or hospice settings, or just for cultivating an atmosphere of domestic tranquility as a sanctuary from a stressful world. Victoria's vision has been to recreate the psalms as they may have first sounded: sung/chanted in Hebrew and played on the harp with a simple tone.

Opening Prayer for 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

OPENING PRAYER [from Lightning from the East: LERW, Year A]
God of compassion, Author of creation, apart from whom no sparrow can fall: Nothing escapes your notice, your pity, or your tender love. Make us ever conscious of your perfect love for us, that we might have courage to face every challenge and to faithfully bear the cross. May we always, even in the face of death, trust in your great mercy for the gift of eternal life in Christ.

Prayer of Confession for Trinity Sunday (Year A)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
Holy God, your goodness is revealed to us in countless ways, but above all in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; yet we confess we have been slow to believe, selective in our obedience to Christ’s authority, and sluggish in fulfilling your commission to baptize and teach the nations. Forgive us for our doubtful, halting ways, and our failure to recognize your constant presence and your authority over all things. Restore to us a clear sense of your purpose for us, that we might render you steadfast, reliable service, for the glory and the pleasure of our triune God.

Prayer of Confession for the Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
Holy Spirit of the Living God, we live among a corrupt generation. We cannot claim to be above it all, untouched by temptation and sin. For we too once rejected the crucified Christ, disobeyed his teaching, and followed our own ways. Nevertheless, you offer us salvation by the death of your precious Son. Therefore, we turn to you and invoke his name, Jesus, for you and your Son are faithful, merciful, loving, and kind; and we, forswearing our past sins, would be holy, even as you are holy!

A Prayer in Preparation for Worship on Easter Evening (Year A)

IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
Lord Jesus Christ, risen Son of God,
we know that when you come again
you will be seeking faith on earth.
But for today, for now, if we are in disbelief,
it is simply due to joy at the news,
joy that the good news can be this good.
Be patient with us, therefore,
and open our joyful, tearful, disbelieving eyes,
that we may see you and know:
you are risen, indeed!

Opening Prayer for Resurrection Sunday (Year A)

OPENING PRAYER [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
Risen Savior, you are Lord of all! You are the one anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power to teach peace, to perform miraculous deeds, and to heal all who are oppressed. When the world rejected you and put you to death, you willingly suffered and died for the sake of righteousness. Now you are alive again, sovereign over all. You alone hold the keys to death. You alone give us hope for the future! We praise you, Lord Jesus! We adore you!

Opening Prayer for Good Friday (Year A)

OPENING PRAYER [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
O Lord God of Israel, for generations you have both gone before your people and been our rear guard; you have provided for us and defended us; you have taught us and reminded us of your mighty and astonishing deeds. Who could have imagined, O God, that the rejection and affliction of your Son Jesus Christ could become the basis of our hope and salvation? Yet this is what the prophets foretold and the apostles have confirmed; this is what your Word and Spirit have revealed. Grant us, therefore, the wisdom of your Spirit and the power of your holy presence, that we might better understand the mystery of redemption, glorify your name, and share the revelation of your love with those whom you are calling to yourself from the fruitless ways of this dying world.

Call to Worship for Maundy Thursday (Year A)

CALL TO WORSHIP [from LIGHTNING FROM THE EAST: LERW, YEAR A]
Remember how the Son of Man was glorified:

    He said, “Little children,

    I am with you only a little longer.”

Remember the example Jesus set for us:
    He said, “Very truly, I tell you,
    servants are not greater than their master.
    Nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.”
Remember how the Word made love the way:
    He said, “I give you a new commandment,
    that you love one another. Just as I have loved you,
    you should also love one another. By this everyone will know
    that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”