General Resources
Work Sheets
Resources for the Ninth Meeting: Rule of Life
Scripture for Reflection
Exodus 35:4-29
Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-11
Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 19:7-14
John 15:1-11
James 1:19-27
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
Prayers
For the Joy in God’s Creation (BCP, 814)
For the Right Use of God’s Gifts (BCP, 827)
For Guidance (BCP, 832)
Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP, 832)
Hymns
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide (Hymnal 1982, #662)
Fight the good fight with all thy might (Hymnal 1982, # 552-553)
God be in my head (Hymnal 1982, #694)
I have decided to follow Jesus (Lift Every Voice And Sing II, #136)
In my life, Lord, be glorified (Lift Every Voice And Sing, #216)
Morning glory, starlit sky (Hymnal 1982, #585)
Rise up, ye saints of God (Hymnal 1982, #551)
Scripture for Reflection
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 127:1-2
Philippians 4:4-7
Matthew 25:28-30
Mark 6:7-13, 30-32
Prayers
A Collect for Proper 19 (BCP, 233)
A Collect for Proper 17 (BCP, 233)
A Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (BCP, 225)
A Collect for Saturdays (BCP, 99)
A Collect for Saturdays (BCP, 123)
A Collect for Peace (BCP, 123)
For the Good Use of Leisure (BCP, 825)
For Cities (BCP, 825)
For Towns and Rural Areas (BCP, 825)
Hymns
Come to me (Lift Every Voice And Sing II, 156)
Dona nobis pacem (Hymnal 1982, 712)
How lovely is thy dwelling place (Hymnal 1982, 517)
I heard the voice of Jesus say (Hymnal 1982, 692)
Just as I am, without one plea (Hymnal 1982, 693, also Lift Every Voice And Sing II, 137)
My Shepherd will supply my need (Hymnal 1982, 664)
Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless (Hymnal 1982, 343)
Daily Practice Suggestions
- Choose a day or a time of the week in which you don’t work or take up a hobby,
- set limits on social media consumption/technology use (such as turning off your cell phone during meals and at bedtime),
- set regular time apart to be by yourself or with family and friends without an agenda or distractions, or
- take a walk or bicycle in your neighborhood or park.
Recommended Resources
Scripture for Reflection
Isaiah 2:1-4
Isaiah 61:8-11
Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 41:1-4
2 Corinthians 5:16-20
1 John 3:11, 18-14
1 John 4:16-21
Luke 10:1-11
Luke 10:25-37
John 20:19-23
Prayers
The Collect for Proper 6 (BCP 230)
The Song of Mary (Magnificat) (BCP 119)
For our Enemies (BCP 816)
For Social Justice (BCP 823)
In Times of Conflict (BCP 824)
Hymns
All who love and serve your city (Hymnal 1982, 570-571)
Christ is the world’s true Light (Hymnal 1982, 542)
Go forth for God, go to the world in peace (Hymnal 1982, 347)
Go, tell it on the mountain (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, 21)
I, the Lord of sea and sky (Wonder, Love, and Praise, 812)
In Christ there is no East or West (Hymnal 1982, 529)
Jesu, Jesu (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, 74)
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love (Hymnal 1982, 602)
Lord, you give the great commission (Wonder, Love, and Praise, 780)
This little light of mine (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, 160)
We are marching in the light of God (Wonder, Love, and Praise, 787)
Daily Practice Suggestions
- Identify a community or culture that is unlike your own and learn about them either by attending an event, reading, or speaking to a friend or acquaintance in that group.
- Take a prayerful walk through a neighborhood or space shaped by a community or culture different from your own.
- Listen deeply when in conversation with friends or family members who worship in a different Christian denomination or religion, seeking to hear common ground in our expressions of faith
- Participate in Episcopal City Mission events and consider volunteering when it’s appropriate
- Support our Diocesan Missioners in their particular ministries
- For more social justice opportunities, see the Diocesan Website’s Social Justice Resources page
Recommended Resources
Books
Barbara Ehrenreich, Nickeled and Dimed – On (Not) Getting by in America
Howard Johnson, The Broken Heart of America
Stephen A. Jovorics, Hospitable Planet: Faith, Action, and Climate Change
Douglas A. Knight and Amy-Jill Levine, The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us
Richard LeMieux, Breakfast at Sally’s – One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey
Colson Whitehead, Underground Railroad
Colson Whitehead, 12 Years a Slave
Isabel Wilkerson, Caste
Videos
Sounding Black History: Celebrating God’s Trombones video series on the Diocesan YouTube Channel
Other Resources
Anti-Racism Covenant
Prayers
For the Mission of the Church (BCP 816)
Thanksgiving for the Mission of the Church (BCP 838)
Prayers for Mission of the Church (three collects found in BCP 100-101)
Hymns
Bless the Lord my soul (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #825)
Christ for the world we sing (Hymnal 1982, #537)
Come, labor on (Hymnal 1982, #541)
Come, thou font of every blessing (Lift Every Voice And Sing II, #111)
King of glory, King of peace (Hymnal 1982, #382)
Lord, you give the great commission (Hymnal 1982, #528)
Peace before us (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #791)
The Servant Song (Richard Gillard)
They will know we are Christians by our love (Peter Scholtes)
Ubi caritas (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #831)
Daily Practice Suggestions
- Share hope: name the good that you see
- Share your story of how God gives you encouragement and hope (practice sharing how God has been working in your own life
- Prayers – Pledges – PHONE CALLS
- check on a shut-in neighbor
- be present in conversations with others, listening deeply in order to share in joys, sorrows, and concerns
- consider any specific and concrete way your life can bring life and joy to others
- take on a practice of stewardship for creation
- take on a practice of stewardship to help support the parish
Recommended Resources
Scripture for Reflection
Isaiah 56:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 4:23
Luke 24:28-35
Prayers
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom (BCP, 102)
Venite (BCP, 82)
Jubilate (BCP, 82)
A Song of Creation (BCP, 88, also Enriching Our Worship 1, 25)
A Song of Praise (BCP, 90, also Enriching Our Worship 1, 29)
Additional canticles found in Morning Prayer Rite 2 (BCP, 85-95, and Enriching Our Worship 1, pp. 30-41)
Hymns
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee (Hymnal 1982, #376)
How great thou art (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #60)
I come with joy to meet my Lord (Hymnal 1982, #304)
Santo, santo, santo (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #785)
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing (Hymnal 1982, #433)
What wondrous love is this (Hymnal 1982, #439)
Daily Practice Suggestions
Corporate, public:
- Participate in worship at least weekly
- Holy Eucharist
- Daily Office
- Litanies
- Practice hospitality
- Practice staying present throughout worship service
Personal, private or in small groups (corporate and private):
- Daily Office
- Worship using the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (BCP 136-140)
- Worship using Daily Prayer for all Seasons
- Worship by praying one or more hours of the Daily Office (apps, podcasts, and online groups are available)
- Morning Prayer (BCP 75-102)
- An Order of Service for Noonday (BCP 103-107)
- An Order of Worship for the Evening (BCP 109-114)
- Evening Prayer (BCP 115-126)
- Compline (BCP 127-135)
- Lectio Divina (focusing on the 4th movement of contemplatio as adoration of God)
- Centering Prayer (silently adoring God)
- Consider what physical aides or changes in your home worship space will help you enter more easily into worship (candles, music, incense, icons, etc)
General practices
- identify a way to be more fully present in worship (e.g., arriving early for a time of silence or to say a prayer of thanksgiving before worship, or pray for the worshipping community each day)
Recommended Resources
The BCP Online
Scripture for Reflection
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm 25:1-9
Psalm 86:1-13
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
James 5:13-18
Luke 11:1-13
Prayers
A Collect for Proper 10 (BCP 231)
A Collect for Proper 11 (BCP 231)
A Collect for Guidance (BCP 100)
A General Thanksgiving (BCP 836)
Collect at the Prayers (BCP, 394-5)
Hymns
Breathe on me, breath of God (The Hymnal 1982, #508)
Come down, O Love divine (The Hymnal 1982, #516)
Day by day, dear Lord (The Hymnal 1982, #654)
Ev’ry time I feel the spirit (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #751)
It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #797)
King of glory, King of peace (The Hymnal 1982, #382)
O Lord hear my pray’r (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #827)
Daily Practice Suggestions
Pray by listening
- Contemplative silence or centering prayer (can be part of Lectio Divina, especially the 4th movement, contemplatio)
Pray through motion
- Contemplative writing or journaling your prayers
- Pray by coloring
- Pray using prayer beads
- Walking prayers (prayer walks, including praying a labyrinth)
- use prayer postures
- Dance your prayers (motio divina)
Pray using your imagination and senses
Pray using set prayers and liturgies
- Singing hymns and spiritual songs
- Pray the Collect of the Day (from the weekly bulletin or weekly meditation on the Collect)
- Pray the Prayers of the People from Sunday (in the bulletin or any of the forms found in the BCP 383-393)
- Pray one of our parish litanies
- Pray the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (BCP 136-140)
- Pray using Daily Prayer for all Seasons
- Pray one or more hours of the Daily Office (apps, podcasts, and online groups are available)
- Morning Prayer (BCP 75-102)
- An Order of Service for Noonday (BCP 103-107)
- An Order of Worship for the Evening (BCP 109-114)
- Evening Prayer (BCP 115-126)
- Compline (BCP 127-135)
Pray using Scripture
- Prayerfully read Scripture (can be part of Lectio Divina, focusing on the 3rd movement, oratio)
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer as an intercessory prayer
- Pray using the Psalms (especially consider chanting or singing the Psalms)
Weekly Prayer Practices in community
Join us for Sunday Morning Eucharist
Join us for Noon Prayers on Tuesdays and Fridays
Join us for Compline on Tuesday evenings
Other Resources
Books and Articles
Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God with Spiritual Maxims
Finding one’s prayer rhythm: Bob Hostetler, “Dancing with God” in Guideposts
Apps and Websites
Centering Prayer/Contemplative Silence: Contemplative Outreach’s app (Apple and Android)
Coloring Books from Lindisfarne Scriptorium
BCP Daily Office:
Venite: Android, Apple, Website
Mission St. Clare: Android, Apple, Website
Daily Office website
Forward Movement: Android, Apple, Website
Scripture for Reflection
Micah 4:1-5
Psalm 90:1-12
Hebrews 4:12-16
Matthew 7:24-29
Matthew 13:44-53
John 14:23
Prayers
Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (BCP 225)
Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (BCP 225)
Collect for Proper 20 (BCP 234)
Hymns
Book of books, our people’s strength (The Hymnal 1982, #631)
How firm a foundation (The Hymnal 1982, #636-7)
O Christ, the Word incarnate (The Hymnal 1982, #632)
God has spoken to his people (The Hymnal 1982, #536)
Daily Practice Suggestions
Read the scriptures from the Daily Office Lectionary (BCP 934 ff; this week’s readings are found on our website here)
Take up a Bible reading plan (such as those found at Bible Gateway or other sources)
Read a scripturally-based daily devotional (such as Forward Day by Day which is available online and in booklet form at church)
Practice Lectio Divina (paying special attention to the 1st movement, lectio)
Listen to a podcast that includes scripture (such as Pray As You Go)
Weekly Practice Suggestions
Join a lectionary study group (such as our weekly Bible Study)
Read our weekly meditations on the Collect and ponder the questions
Other Resources
Douglas A. Knight and Amy-Jill Levine, The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Jewish Scriptures and Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us
Rebecca Solnit, A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise In Disaster, 2010
Scripture for Reflection
Exodus 3:1-6
Psalm 51 (BCP 656-7)
Psalm 119:169-176 (BCP 777-8)
2 Corinthians 4:5-7
Luke 5:1-11
Prayers
Confession (BCP 79, 116-7, 127 or Enriching our Worship I 19)
The Opening Collect of Ash Wednesday (BCP 264)
Litany of Penitence , Ash Wednesday Service (BCP 267-9)
Anthems 1, 2, and 3 in the Good Friday Service (BCP 281-2)
Hymns
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound (The Hymnal 1982, #671)
Come by here (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #162)
Lead me, guide me, along the way (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #756)
There is a balm in Gilead (Lift Every Voice and Sing II, #203)
‘Tis the gift to be simple (The Hymnal 1982, #554)
Daily Practice Suggestions
Pray the Confession from the Daily Office (BCP 79, 116-7, 127 or Enriching our Worship I 19)
Pray the Litany of Penitence from the Ash Wednesday service (BCP 267-9)
Pray the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father) daily, asking God for grace to forgive those who have wronged you
Read Psalm 51 (BCP 656-7)
Practice the Daily Examen
Resources for the First Meeting
Scripture for Reflection
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-11
Psalm 19:7-14
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21
John 15:1-11
Prayers
Baptismal Covenant, BCP 304-5
A Collect for Guidance, BCP 100
A Collect for the Renewal of Life, BCP 99
Hymns
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (The Hymnal 1982, #488)
Come, thou fount of every blessing (The Hymnal 1982, #686)
I have decided to follow Jesus (Lift Every Voice and Sing, #136)
I want to walk as a child of the light (The Hymnal 1982, #490)
Will you come and follow me (Wonder, Love, and Praise, #757)
Other Resources
Bp. Michael Curry with Sara Grace, Love Is the Way, 2020
Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How A Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, And Believe