*The first Hear the Silence liturgy for the season is set for Saturday October 15, 7:00pm
A
meditative liturgy for the evening, held at All Saints. This is a time of worship built around music, prayer, readings and stillness, led by Gord Johnson and Larry Campbell. Be warned ahead of time: there is no communion, no sermon, no coffee hour, no big social focus… just an opportunity come away into the stillness, move into a space of deep openness to the Spirit of God, and then go quietly into the evening’s darkness. Many of the songs in which we enfold ourselves during Hear the Silence have simple melodies and profound lyrics which are sung over and over… the repetition anchoring us in prayer. Click on the arrow below to hear a sample of a frequently used song – You alone are my praise.
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We gather at 7:00pm on the third Saturday of the month, with the following dates now on the calendar: October 15, November 19 and December 17.
Reflections on attending Hear the Silence: One evening this past week, we were talking about prayer with some friends. One friend said that she tended to pray desperately for: her alcoholic brother to stay dry, her grand daughter to stay off drugs, her son to get healthy. She wondered about the meaning of worship. Last night at Hear the Silence, I was reminded of that comment as I entered the silence and started to listen to my prayers. I realized I was doing much the same thing. I was praying for all the hurting friends and family in my life, the North End with all its pain and destruction, asking God to bring healing, peace and comfort,. Nothing wrong with that! Then I was jolted into another level of prayer by several phrases. “For those beloved of God are given gifts even while they sleep.” It changed my prayers. I started thanking God for the gifts He will bring to the people in my life, not just praying desperately for the alleviation of their pain. “Have mercy on us Holy God, Holy and Mighty.” This is the One to Whom I pray! I thanked God that He is the “Mighty, Immortal One” in all the pain. It lifted my heart to thanksgiving! Is this worship? (Written by Adeline Berg, following the November 20 gathering)
