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From “Common Prayer: A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals” (Oct. 4th p. 466-467)  

Francis of Assisi (1182-1286) Francis was born to a merchant family in the Italian city of Assisi.  As a young man, he was attracted to adventure and moved by romantic tales of knights.  When he himself became a knight, Francis met a leper while riding through the countryside.  Overwhelmed by a divine impulse, Francis dismounted his horse, shared his coat with the leper, and kissed the man’s diseased face.  Captivated by the experience, Francis began to re-imagine his life in light of the gospel, renouncing his selfish desires and his father’s wealth.  A beggar for Christ’s sake, Francis inspired thousands to walk away from worldly success and join his movement of friars who sought to renew the church in their day.  

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.  

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.  

Come let us sing to the Lord: let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.  

Take my voice and let me sing: always only for my king!   Psalm 22:26-30

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord: and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.

For kingship belongs to the Lord: he rules over the nations.

To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship: all who go down to the dust fall before him.

My soul shall live for him, my descendants shall serve him: they shall be known as the Lord’s forever.

They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn: the saving deeds that he has done.  

Take my voice and let me sing: always only for my king!

  Jeremiah 36:27-37:2   James 2:14-26  

Take my voice and let me sing: always only for my king!

  While praying before a crucifix in the dilapidated chapel of San Damiano, Francis of Assisi heard a voice speak to him: “Francis, repair my church, which has fallen into disrepair, as you can see.”

Prayers for Others  

Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.  

Lord, your church is such that when one member of the body fails, the whole body suffers.  Help us encourage one another in faith so that working together we might become a unified body that goes forth into the world to proclaim good news.  Amen.  

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,  wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness,  protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing,  at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing,  once again into our doors.  Amen