Tuesday, December 11, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | December 9 Week

Pray for someone and their local community today:

As always, leave prayer requests in comments below...please see the prayer requests from Sunday on the comments as well!!

If you want to know what the prayer map is all about, check it out here.

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Resources for the week | Dec. 1 - 30 | REVISED!

Instead of a weekly posting, we're going to just put the resources up monthly or bi-monthly. Let me know if that makes things more difficult for any of you. Revised resources for the next two weeks MONTH are here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Dec. 1 - 31 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Dec. 1 - 31 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online. The Gospel readings have been fully updated!

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Monday, December 3, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of December 2

Barb led us in prayer last night by handing out sections of various newspapers. Why not continue to pray through what we see and read this week. Some newspapers:
The Globe and Mail
The Toronto Star
The Toronto Sun
The Metro News

As always, add a comment for prayer!

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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of November 25

As ever, the things we can be praying for in our communities and in the world are seemingly never-ending. Yet, we pray with hope in the resurrection of Christ - that God is at work in the midst of suffering and turmoil. Although it seems in some respects to be a repeat of Clinton's talks 7 years ago, George Bush and the leaders of Palestine and Israel have agreed to work towards the creation of a Palestinian state. It is a step. Pray for this process, that peace would reign despite the opposition of militant Hamas and conservative Jews.

There were also more shooting deaths this weekend. One of the youth who was killed was involved with Youth Unlimited. These leaves the worker devastated and distraught. Pray for him, the community and the youth in our city.

Pray for one another! Use the prayer map. Email tilt.toronto AT gmail.com if you'd like to be added.

As always, add a comment so we can pray for you or celebrate with you!

Photo: Susan Walsh/Associated Press

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Thursday, November 22, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of November 18

Pray for someone and their local community today:

As always, leave prayer requests in comments below...

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Resources for the Week | 11/22 - 11/30

Resources for this week are here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Nov. 22 - 30 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Nov. 22 - 30 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online. The Gospel readings have been fully updated!

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Resources for the Week | 11/15 - 11/21

Resources for this week are here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Nov. 15 - 21 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Nov. 15 - 21 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online. The Gospel readings have been fully updated!

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Tuesday, November 6, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | November 4 Week

Jeremy led us through the Lord's Prayer on Sunday night. Here's the Voice's translation of it:

Our Father in heaven,
let Your name remain holy.
Bring about Your kingdom.
Manifest Your will here on earth,
as it is manifest in heaven.
Give us each day that day's bread, no more, no less,
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive those who owe use something.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
But let Your kingdom be,
and let it be powerful
and glorious forever.
Amen.

What does this lead you to pray for? Leave your thoughts/prayers/comments here. What does it look like when we pray the Lord's Prayer for one another? Use the new prayer points map!

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Monday, November 5, 2007

Resources for the week | Nov. 6 - 14

Resources for this week are found here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Nov. 8 - 14 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Nov. 6 - 14 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online. The Gospel readings have been fully updated.

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Friday, November 2, 2007

Resources for the Week | 11/01 - 11/07

Resources for this week are found here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Nov. 1 - 7 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of October 28

This week, pray for 2-3 "stars" on the map each day. The prayer map has been updated and improved! There are still a couple of glitches to work through (sorry Lesley and Michelle...soon to be fixed) All fixed I hope! CHECK OUT THE NEW PRAYER POINTS MAP. The new map is done in Flash - if you are using Internet Explorer, you might have to click on the image once before all the controls are activated. You can click on ANY star at ANY time to go to a specific place. Click on each name to see where the person is in the city. Let me know how it goes by commenting below. An explanation of the prayer points map is here.

Many people still aren't on the map. If you're interested, just send me (tilt.toronto {at} gmail.com) the info. This form tells you what I need. No exact addresses or full names are used. Also, email me to update your various places as well.

Of course, please leave your prayer requests here by commenting!!

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Our Stories | Jan D'Angelo

Jan D'Angelo is a beloved part of our TILT community. As many of you know, she has been ardently working with LAUNCH for the past year. (Note that a permanent link to LAUNCH is now under "TILT Friends" on the right.) Read more of her story...

It was a year ago that I returned to the workforce and began my journey with LAUNCH. It has literally flown, as I have been stretched and challenged and encouraged and inspired! My resolve has been to try and remember to pause and wait for the Lord to show me the next step about everything…and He has proven to be kind and faithful. I have found Youth Unlimited to be a special place to “hang my hat” three days a week as the LAUNCH Coach Coordinator. It is an organization that sets the bar high and in doing so, encourages each of their employees and volunteers to serve the Lord whole-heartedly and with excellence, as well. I feel well cared for…and that says a lot!

Since I last corresponded with you there have been a number of new LAUNCH developments:
:. Our 360° Leadership Assessment has been well received by many who develop youth, on an ongoing basis. It has helped in putting together target goals for growth in their leadership development and tracking their progress. It is available free of charge and can be downloaded from out website www.321launch.ca. I actually used this assessment tool in the Spring to target some areas where I need to be growing in my leadership development as the LAUNCH Coach Coordinator. It has helped me to be much more intentional as I lead.
:. DreamLAUNCHTM, a computer program that assists young leaders as they launch their dream, is available for the nominal purchase price of $10 (free to LAUNCH coaches and LAUNCHees). This phenomenal tool is a great resource for anyone who is guiding a young person in the discovery of ‘who’ God has created them to be and the ‘how’s’ of putting in place a project of dream that they are bursting to tell the world about. To view a sample and the potential of DreamLAUNCHTM see our website www.321launch.ca.
:. On September 23rd we held our second Coaching Workshop and we now have a total of 11 coaches committed to walk alongside the young leaders. They vary in age from the late 20’s to the early 70’s and bring a wealth of life-experience and expertise to LAUNCH. Their biographies can be found in the ‘coaches’ section of our website. We are grateful for how the Lord has brought each one to us. Our next Coaching Workshops will be held January 20, 2008 and April 20, 2008.

I have been extremely thankful for your encouragement, support and prayers over this past year. As you are able, I would ask you to continue to pray:
:. For young leaders to hear about LAUNCH and apply to the program as their hearts are stirred by the Holy Spirit
:. For the Lord to continue to bring potential coaches of His choice to future workshops
:. That every coach who is ready to be partnered with a LAUNCHee will be granted patience and continued enthusiasm for LAUNCH as they wait to be matched and that when the match does take place it will occur at just the right time and with just the right young leader
:. For the Lord to bring a Resource Developer and LAUNCHee Coordinator to complete our team (see our website for details of these opportunities to serve with LAUNCH)

If you have any suggestions for me as I start this next year in my journey with LAUNCH I would certainly appreciate your ideas and input. In the meantime, please note that it would be a real privilege for me to be able to pray for you in a specific way, if you have any needs that you would like to share with me. May you know the Lord’s guiding presence in your lives, every step of the way, too!
- Jan

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COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of October 22

Gene led us in prayer on Sunday night, rooted in this passage from James 5:
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Who is going through hardship? Who is happy? Who is sick? What do we need to confess? Let's continue to pray for one another, for our community, and the world.

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Resources for the week | Oct. 24 - 30

Resources for this week are found here:
Once-A-Day Approach for Oct. 24 - 30 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Oct. 24 - 30 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of October 15

Let's continue to pray for our community, and our city:
:. Sarah P and her family as they deal with her dad's illness
:. Lindzie's mom is back in the hospital - pray for her and the family
:. Pray for the new Ontario government (well, re-elected) - that they would lead with integrity, that we as the church would submit to them yet challenge them with the reality of God's Kingdom
:. Pray for anyone at TILT through the prayer map here. (NOTE: If your information is out of date, please let me know - tilt.toronto AT gmail.com!!)
:. Pray for the many students at TILT in the midst of mid-term madness.

As Peggy was praying on Sunday, the Psalms reflect so much of our struggle in this life, yet our confidence in God. Check out Psalm 28:

Psalm 28
Of David.
1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.

3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.

4 Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back upon them what they deserve.

5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD
and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down
and never build them up again.

6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.

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Resources for the week | Oct. 17 - 23

Resources for this week are up:
Once-A-Day Approach for Oct. 17 - 23 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Oct. 17 - 23 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online.

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | October 9 Week

This is a weekly posting where we can pray for one another, our community, our city, our country, our world. Check out the prayer map to pray specifically for people within TILT.
This was the Psalm at the end of our confession liturgy on Sunday night (Psalm 34). Pray through this psalm throughout the week...

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.


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Resources for the Week | 10/10 - 10/16

Resources for this week are up:
Once-A-Day Approach for Oct. 10 - 16 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Oct. 10 - 16 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is an easy way to do the offices online.

(image: http://anubis.dkuug.dk/JTC1/SC2/WG2/docs/n1740/psalm-b.gif)

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Monday, October 1, 2007

COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of October 1


For whom and for what can we pray for this week? What is God placing on our hearts as individuals and as a community? As always, post anything regarding prayer as a comment below! This was Scott's prayer on Sunday night from Psalm 22, the Psalm which Jesus prayed as he was on the cross:

6 But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
7 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!”
19 O Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
20 Save me from the sword;
spare my precious life from these dogs.
21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.

22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.[b]
I will praise you among your assembled people.
23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

25 I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
28 For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations.


As always, the prayer map is a great way to pray for one another. Learn more here.

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Resources for the Week | 10/01 - 10/09

Here are the resources for this week:
Once-A-Day Approach for Oct. 1 - 9 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Oct. 1 - 9 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar back in full swing.

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Resources for the week | Sep. 26 - 30

Here are the resources for this week:
Once-A-Day Approach for Sep. 26 - 30 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Sep. 26 - 30 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar back in full swing.

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COMMUNITY Life & Prayer | Week of September 23

I am re-posting last week's posting as this week's because people have already commented on it for this week!As I (Scott) reflected upon Gene's sermon on the early part Acts 6 and on our response in repentance (thank you, Rod), the following passage came to mind (if you weren't there on Sunday, check out the teaching in the teaching blog [up soon!]:


Colossians 3:12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.


Continue to pray for Sarah and her family as her father is terminally ill, and for Lindzie and her family as they deal with her mom's illness.
Continue to pray for one another through the prayer map (please let me know if you need your profile updated!).
And of course, please post your prayer requests/praises/stories/...

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Monday, September 17, 2007

Resources for the Week | 09/18 - 09/25

Here are the resources for this week:
Once-A-Day Approach for Sep. 18 - 25 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Sep. 18 - 25 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar back in full swing.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | September 11 Week


Let's pray the prayer of John Wesley throughout this week, for us where we are, and for TILT as a community and the Church throughout Toronto and Canada:

Let the inspiration of the Holy Spirit prepare and assist me in all the duties of this, Your sacred day. That my wandering thoughts may all be fixed on You, my devotion centered upon You, and my apathy quickened into longing for and thirsting after You.

Let me join in the prayers and praises of Your Church with committed and holy passion. Let me hear Your Word with listening ears and a determination to obey it. And when I approach Your altar, the tree upon which Jesus died, pour into my heart humility, faith, hope, love and a holy character which reflects the crucified Saviour.

Let me make use of this entire day to the ends for which it was intended, doing what must be done but also living out mercy, in prayer, praise and meditation; and let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be always pleasing in Your sight.
Amen.

The prayer map, as always, is a great way to pray for one another.

Click on COMMENTS below to post a prayer request.

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Resources for the Week | 09/11 - 09/17

Here are the resources for this week:
Once-A-Day Approach for Sep. 11 - 17 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Sep. 11 - 17 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar back in full swing.

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Tuesday, September 4, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | September 3 Week

"Grant us, Your servants, the courageous confidence we need to go ahead and
proclaim Your message while You reach out Your hand to heal people, enabling
us to perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus" - the prayer of the community of believers in Acts 4, displayed in God's power in Acts 5:12-16. As we prayed on Sunday, we continue to pray this for our community, for revival at the hand of God, using us as His instruments.

The prayer map is a great way to pray for one another. You can still be added!

As always, please add prayer requests by clicking on "COMMENTS" below or go here...

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Resources for the Week | 09/04 - 09/10

Here are the resources for this week:
Once-A-Day Approach for Sep. 4 - 10 - this is for those who desire reading, prayer and a song once during the day.
Divine Offices/Hours for Sep. 4 - 10 - the offices are done 8 times through the day, with a short reading and something/one to pray for.
The Divine Offices Calendar is being updated today - please be patient!

Photo: http://www.fmm.org/images/FMMprayeraction.jpg

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | August 28 Week

Anything that we as a community can pray for? Please post a request by using the comments! Given the high number of teachers and students at TILT, things are starting to ramp up again for many of us - pray for renewed energy, excitement and God's eyes on how we go about what we do.

As always, a great way to pray for one another is through the Prayer Points map!

Prayer requests from last week:
Hey all!
If you could pray for me as I approach a very different Fall not going back into vocational ministry that would be greatly appreciated. Prayer for direction, wisdom, new and different ministry - with Chloe, potential mom's group (s), neighbourhood and time with friends... that would be greatly appreciated!
Blessings,
monica

Hi friends,
Back in the Spring, I asked you to pray for the husband of a colleague of mine who had a double lung transplant. Just got an update from her ... he is now in a rehab hospital, having suffered a stroke after his surgery. However, there is no sign of rejection of the lungs! She asks for continued prayers as he recovers ... specifically for energy, as he lost a lot of weight, is nauseated by the drugs he's on, and tires very easily. Also, their son is getting married on September 8 ... pray that he would have the energy to be able to make it through that day.
I would also appreciate prayers as I have just begun studying for my psychology licensing exam ... the second last "hoop" for me. Thanks.
Lesley

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Resources for the Week | 08/29 - 08/31

Here are the resources for the rest of August:
Once-A-Day Approach for August 29-31
Divine Offices/Hours for August 29-31.
The Divine Offices Calendar is updated to the end of August - sorry for a few blank days there.

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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | August 21 Week

Thank you for your prayer support last week as many of us were up at Moose Deer Point Reserve in Muskoka. I don't think any of us within TILT desire this to be a one-time one-week connection, but seek to build a relationship with the people of Moose Deer. So, continued prayer for that community is a vital aspect of such a relationship. Prayer for broken families, for fathers to return to their children, for healing, for breaking cycles of violence, negativity and defeatism. Prayer for hope, and peace. The list could go on, but pray as God leads!

As always, please post prayer under the comments below. It's easy to do and a great way to stay connected during the week.

We continue to use the prayer map - read about it and view it from this posting here.

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Resources for the Week | 08/22 - 08/28

Here are the resources for next week:
Once-A-Day Approach for August 22-28
Divine Offices/Hours for August 22-28.
As always, you can do this online with the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online.

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Saturday, August 11, 2007

Moose Deer Trip | Update One

Well, this isn't really an update, but I thought I would post the flyers we are handing out tomorrow on the reserve. Prayers for a positive response to them would be much appreciated!

Check out the flyer here.

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Resources for the Week | 08/15 - 08/21


Since we are leaving Sunday, here are the resources for next week!
Once-A-Day Approach for August 15 - 21
Divine Offices/Hours for August 15 - 21.
As always, you can do this online with the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online.

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | August 7 Week

Continue to prayer through the Prayer of St. Francis in the context of our city and our lives - as TILT and as individuals. Read about the prayer here.

The prayer map, as ever, is a great tool for pray for each other. Read about it here (I'm still looking for people to add!). View it here.

Of course, add your comments through the week below as items of prayer, praise/stories come up!

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Resources for the Week | 08/08 - 08/14

Here are the weekly resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for August 8 - 14
Divine Offices/Hours for August 8 - 14.
As always, you can do this online with the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's as easy as apple-custard pie...

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | July 30 Week

Bill challenged us this week as to whether or not we had tasted the reality of the person of Jesus in our lives and the changes that occur when we encounter Christ. Only after that can we truly proclaim His Kingdom and be a community of healing. Can we pray for this for one another?

As always, the prayer map is a great tool for pray for each other. Read about it here (I'm still looking for people to add!). View it here.

Of course, post your comments below...

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Resources for the Week | 08/01 - 08/07

Two options for meditating on Scripture and journeying in prayer through the week...If you do once-a-day, maybe you and a few of your friends can sing together like these guys on the right? :)
Once-A-Day Approach for August 1 - 7
Divine Offices/Hours for August 1 - 7.
(A continuing reminder that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)
Of course, you can use the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's pretty easy!

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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | July 23 Week

This past Sunday, our evening was centered around the Scripture of Acts 2:41-47, which describes the early church community:

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

How can we pray for such unity, devotion and fellowship at TILT? Do we want the same thing? Why or why not? What would we have to give up in order to live as a community, which witnesses to the world of God's love and grace?

As always, post prayer requests on this post by clicking on "Post a Comment", or "# COMMENTS" below...

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Resources for the Week | 07/25 - 07/31

Here are our two options for meditating on Scripture and journeying in prayer through the week...
Once-A-Day Approach for July 25 - July 31
Divine Offices/Hours for July 25 - July 31.
(Note that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)
Of course, you can use the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's pretty easy...

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | July 16 Week

What can we pray for this week?
Pray for individuals of the TILT community using the prayer map here. What's the prayer map you ask? Read here. Get on the map! My apologies for not yet updating some new additions - early next week I promise!

What is happening in Toronto that we can pray for? Canada? World? The newspaper is always a good place to start - Globe, Toronto Star...

Please post how we can pray for you, or share your story...click on "COMMENTS" below or post here.

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Resources for the Week | 07/18 - 07/24


As always, we continue to provide two options for meditating on Scripture and journeying in prayer through the week...
Once-A-Day Approach for July 18 - July 24
Divine Offices/Hours for July 18 - July 24.
(Note that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)
Of course, you can use the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's pretty easy...

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | July 9 Week

How can we pray for one another this week? An easy way to do so is to pray through the new prayer map here. As always, post a comment for specific prayer by clicking on "Post a Comment" or "COMMENTS" below.

It was saddening to hear the recent remarks by the Catholic Church (read here). Although committed to ecumenical discussion (i.e. discussing between all different denominations), they declared themselves to be the only "full" Churches of Christ. Pray for the same spirit of unity for which Jesus prayed (John 17), that rather than bickering among ourselves, we would as the Church worldwide actually focus on the mission for which God has created and sent us!

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Resources for the Week | 07/11 - 07/17

Urban Monk resources for the week...
Once-A-Day Approach for July 11 - July 17
Divine Offices/Hours for July 11 - July 17.
(Note that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)
Of course, you can use the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's pretty easy...
NOTE: the picture is of St. Benedict upon whose "rule" we have based the Divine Offices...!

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Tuesday, July 3, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | July 2 Week

David led us in prayer on Sunday night, through many specific requests that have been on the website over the past couple of weeks. To view all of the weekly postings, click on the label "Community Prayer".

This week, we are introducing the prayer points map. For an explanation of the concept, check out the post below. Click on any red circle with a star to see details about the person/place and specific prayer requests. We encourage not only to pray for those specific requests, but for the places as well - that we would bring healing, reconciliation, grace, forgiveness and love to the places we are throughout the week. Note, you can also click on the names on the left to view where specific people are through the week. Here's the map.

If you are not yet included, please read this form and email your response to tilt.toronto@gmail.com!! I'll get you on the map ASAP :).

As always, please leave specific prayer requests, stories, praises by commenting on this post. Click on "COMMENTS" below or go here.

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Resources for the Week | 07/04 - 07/10

Weekly resources are here!
Once-A-Day Approach for July 4 - July 10
Divine Offices/Hours for July 4 - July 19.
(Note that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)
As always, you can use the Divine Offices Calendar, which includes links to reading the text online. It's pretty easy...

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Sunday, July 1, 2007

Prayer Points | Praying for Our Communities

If you've ever walked into a church before, chances are there was a map of the world with pictures of various missionaries whom the church body had supported in their activities. This is a wonderful idea, but it neglects the reality that each and every one of us is sent by the church, our faith community, to be a sign of God's Kingdom in the places we are each and every day. We are called to authentically live as children of God, bringing compassion, justice, love, mercy, tenderness and grace to the places we are - at home, at work, on the sports field, in the coffee shop, at the grocery store, wherever.

So, here is our "prayer points" map! Any ideas for a better name? If you click on the image above, or go here, a map of Toronto will open up with various red circles scattered throughout the city. As TILT, we gather together on Sunday evening, but for the rest of the week, we are the scattered community of TILT. This map gives us an opportunity to pray for one another in the places we are throughout the week. Not only that, but to pray for the communities, places of work, schools, etc. themselves. Pray that we would reveal the goodness and graciousness of God wherever the people of TILT are as we live out the values of God's Kingdom. For a picture of what God's Kingdom is like, check out Psalm 145 here, (or any other number of biblical passages, stories, especially the life of Jesus!).

We would like as many people involved and represented on this map as possible. If you aren't yet on it, please check out this form here and email a response to tilt.toronto@gmail.com or give it to anyone on leadership at the next TILT gathering. If your information is out of date, please send updates to the same email!

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | June 26 Week

What do you think of the picture? I initially put it up more for amusement than anything. But, as we prayed yesterday during the day, God has already created a perfect community, mirroring the unity of the Trinity - the community of Father, Son and Spirit. We do not have to create unity, it is there for us to take hold of! We can't excuse our disunity as a result of our "imperfectness" - we are united in Christ by the Holy Spirit already! May TILT reflect this unity and may the world know God by the love we have one another. I'll pray for that!

As always post your own prayer requests/stories for praise here.

A few other things we can pray for:
At TILT:
:. There are potentially, from what I know, four families from TILT (Halls/Adams/Moores/Kays) all moving within the next month. This can often be a stressful time and difficult in moving from a certain neighbourhood. May God grant peace and a sense of excitement about moving into a new neighbourhood. What is exciting for us (I speak for myself [Scott] only here, but I'm sure the others would agree) is that we are all moving into the same neighbourhood around Yonge & Sheppard. An awesome opportunity to be missionaries together in the area around Spring Garden! Are there any other people moving that we can pray for?
:. Continue to pray for Matt's step-brother Trevor and his family as they care for him.
:. Continue to pray for Martin as he prepares to head to France. Read more here.
:. We had a good day-long meeting yesterday as TILT leadership (thanks for praying). Pray that what God spoke to us and what became clear to us through the day would be brought into practice. In particular, pray for unity between TILT and the broader Spring Garden community - we affirm our part of that community and want to seek to be truly committed to one another in support and unity.

Broader Community:
:. There is supposed to be a First Nations blockade from Toronto to Montreal on Friday (read more here). This is a "national day of action". I'm not even sure what or how to pray for this. The First Nations people have been hurt so badly and yet confrontation and violence will not bring reconciliation in this nation. This is especially poignant for us as we can visibly be people of reconciliation as we visit the Moose Deer Point First Nations Reserve in August.

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Resources for the Week | 06/26 - 07/03

This week we have switched our lectionary to the one found in "For All the Saints: A Prayer Book For and By the Church". This is a lectionary that was designed to be used across all denominations, and I think this is something we all value - emphasizing the unity of the Body of Christ (the Church) in practical ways such as reading Scripture together across all denominations.

As a result, you will notice this week we'll be reading a couple of times from the book of "Ecclesiasticus", which is an Apocryphal book. Typically not included in the Protestant Bible, it is read by Catholics and some Anglicans (I think?! Matt A, am I right?). If you print out your resources, use the Divine Offices Calendar to find these texts as I imagine none of us have a Bible with the Apocrypha in it!

The resources for this week can be found here:
Once-A-Day Approach for June 26 - July 3
Divine Offices/Hours for June 26 - July 3.
(Note that if you print out the Divine Offices, I've changed the format so that they can fit on ONE double-sided page!)

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Monday, June 18, 2007

Resources for the Week | 06/19 - 06/25

Please find resources for the week here:
Once-A-Day Approach for June 19 - June 25
Divine Offices/Hours for June 19 - June 25.

The Divine Offices Calendar is up and running too (click on the right sidebar). It is a great and incredibly easy to pattern your life around prayer.

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COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | June 19 Week

We have now finished our series entitled "Moth and Rust". It's been a seven-week journey (I think) of looking at various Scriptures relating to a spirituality of money and giving our everything to Christ. How has God spoken to you through these Scriptures and the gatherings at TILT? How can we pray for one another to respond to God with action in our lives?

Some things that came up for prayer last night:
:. Martin Dewar is headed to France in July. Read about it here. Pray for him!
:. Pray for Matt's step-brother Trevor, for his caregivers throughout this week.
:. Pray for Laura's friend Julia how is grieving the loss of family members very suddenly.

Please post anything else by clicking on "COMMENTS" below!! You can always post anonymously, or write in your comment that you don't want it to be published and only TILT leadership will pray for you.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | June 12 Week

On Sunday night, we spent time in small groups of 3-4 praying for one another. If you were at TILT, continue to lift the people in your group up in prayer. If you feel comfortable, please post the prayer requests you had so that more people from within the community can journey with you in prayer!! Post here.

We also learned on Sunday night that Rick Wukasch is leaving Spring Garden Church for another opportunity as a pastor with the Meeting House. Pray for him as he makes this transition. We will miss him!

Please pray for discernment as we seek people for the community connections trip to Moose Deer Point Reserve to run a kids' day camp. Our heart is that this be the beginning of a long-term relationship, but we want to make sure this is God's desire and not just ours! If you want more info, go here.

Of course, there are always things happening around our city and our world which we have the privilege of praying for with God. The looming renewed Cold War comes to mind. Please post anything else! Are there things at your places of work for which we can pray? Relationships? Government?

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Resources for the Week | 06/12 - 06/18

We are back on the bandwagon for getting the resources out on time!
Once-A-Day Approach for June 12 - June 18
Divine Offices/Hours for June 12 - June 18.
If you print out the Divine Offices, click here for a format which you can print on one double-sided sheet.

Please post any thoughts, insights, experiences, ponderances as you use this resources throughout the week.

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Monday, June 4, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | June 3 Week

Last night, we prayed through the Lord's Prayer several times and used part of it to lead us in praying for our community and beyond. The version of the Lord's Prayer we used is here under The Daily.

Our prayer time was specifically centered around this part of the prayer:
"Bring about Your kingdom.
Manifest Your will here on earth,
as it is manifest in heaven."

Stemming from this, we prayed through Psalm 145:9-16.

Please post comments, prayer requests, stories of God's Kingdom being revealed here on Earth!

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Resources for the Week | 05/29 - 06/11

Hello fellow urban monks! Forget what this urban monk this is all about? Check out the original post here. You can also click on all the "about" links on the sidebar at the right.

We are a little behind on the resources, so here's two weeks worth.
Once-A-Day Approach for May 29 to June 4
Once-A-Day Approach for June 5 to June 11
Divine Offices/Hours for May 29 to June 4
Divine Offices/Hours for June 5 to June 11

We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...
As always, you can also use the Google Calendar for Divine Offices. This calendar isn't yet updated but will be soon!!

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | May 27 Week

Bill spoke to us on Sunday about having a heart as a community after the heart of God. This is what God said through the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 58:

This is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

Let's pray through this passage this week. How can we at TILT reflect God's heart in our community? Please post any thoughts, words, comments, issues, reflections, challenges...as always, personal requests can be posted so we can pray for one another.

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Monday, May 14, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | May 14 Week (and probably part of May 21 week as well!)






Hello friends!

On Sunday we had some exciting announcements! Scott and Kate are now husband and wife! Monica is going to be induced Friday May 18! Jen-Mai has a new 7 pound 12 oz nephew Jakob Alexander Peterson as of May 10 (the top picture)!! And Jay and Michelle had their daughter Rylie Noelle McIntyre also May 10, (middle pictures)!!! Super exciting! Plus, here is a picture of Trev and Gwyneth's Annie for those of you not with us when we showed her off! (bottom picture).

This last Sunday night and throughout the week we also had the opportunity to pray for one another about many things... Nick's mom going to England to care for her sister just out of surgery but missing her chemo because of it, all the new mom's and mom's to be in our community, Les' colleagues' husband who received the lungs he needed for surgery, Conrad's struggle with his job and being in a "valley" time in life... I forgot to take notes, so if there were some that I have forgotten, please post them! Also, we as a community have been invited by zoecarnate.com to be part of praying and working against present day slavery throughout the globe, which is a huge issue of justice to which the Church should be responding. For specific information, please check out http://www.mychurch.org/notforsalecampaign

In new and sad news, Marion Goertz's father passed away this week. Please continue to pray for Marion and Donald Goertz as they have now lost two parents in a months time.

Please post comments throughout the week to let us know how you're doing, if there are places we can pray in thanksgiving or requests!

Christ be with you!

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Resources for the Week | 05/15 - 05/21

Hello fellow urban monks! Forget what this urban monk this is all about? Check out the original post here. You can also click on all the "about" links on the sidebar at the right.

Here are the resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for May 15 to May 21
Divine Offices/Hours for May 15 to May 21
We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...
As always, you can also use the Google Calendar for Divine Offices.

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Monday, May 7, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | May 7 Week

On Tuesday night, anyone is welcome to join the broader Spring Garden community in an evening of prayer at the church at 7:30 pm.

We continue to affirm this weekly posting as a place where we can 'gather' together throughout the week to journey with one another, pray for one another and listen to one another's stories. Nick spoke to us about his journey with respect to the story in John 21 and the reality of the cost of following Jesus. Pray through the reality of following Jesus - what will this cost you? What will it look like? How does TILT as a community whole follow Jesus? How are we to respond to his words to feed his sheep - ALL his sheep, not just the ones we agree with, like or the ones that believe what we believe?

Post your comments throughout the week!

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Resources for the Week | 05/08 - 05/15

Click on the links below for the associated resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for May 8 to May 14
Divine Offices/Hours for May 8 to May 14
We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...
As always, you can also use the Google Calendar for Divine Offices.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | May 1Week

Rebecca led us in prayer this Sunday evening - guiding us through praying for one another as a TILT community, for our city, Toronto and for broader international issues. Scott challenged us to hear the mission to which God is calling TILT - to receive it and respond to it in faith. Please post any reflections, thoughts, answers to prayer and of course prayer needs!

One thing on our hearts as leadership today was marriage. We were praying specifically for one person, but we know the numbers tell us that on the whole Christian marriage is no better off than society as a whole. Pray for marriages within the TILT community, but also the institution of marriage as a whole!

As always, please post through the comments!

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Resources for the Week | 05/01 - 05/07

Click on the links below for the associated resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for May 1 to May 7
Divine Offices/Hours for May 1 to May 7
We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...
As always, you can also use the Google Calendar for Divine Offices.

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

Our Stories | Diana Marello

In regards to TILT: I have so loved it. Just shortly after the night of the commissioning, I was asked three times...not once (just like Peter!)...by the staff of the Sanctuary to come to the drop-in for women. I prayed and I believe that this is where I needed to be now. I went yesterday afternoon and it felt just right! God is good! It felt so wonderful to be with my buds there. I will be going there on Tuesday afternoons from now on. Praise the Lord!
- Diana

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Monday, April 23, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | April 22 Week

A number of things came up in prayer at TILT last night as Jen-Mai led us: Praying for the healthy pregnancies of Michelle, Monica and Shelby. Praying for discernment for Matt as He seeks God going forward past seminary. Praying for leadership at TILT and Spring Garden as a whole. We continue to pray for the after-effects of last week's shooting at Virginia Tech.

Greg spoke truthfully and powerfully to us about our human condition - rather than just following Jesus, we so easily start looking at others' journeys and wish we had theirs. We compare ourselves - either berating ourselves or pridefully building ourselves up. Pray through this throughout the week, asking God to see where in your life you are more distracted and motivated by others' journeys rather than just following Jesus.

It is also important that we pray through this as a community - as Greg told us. Is the community of TILT trying to be something other than a group of people following Jesus in the context of a specific community? What draws us away from this? Let us simply be a group of people authentically following Jesus and sharing that journey together.

As always, please post thoughts, prayer requests, whatever we can to share our journeys with one another.

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Resources for the Week | 04/24 - 04/30

Sorry this is a bit late!!
Click on the links below for the associated resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for April 24 - April 30
Divine Offices/Hours for April 24 - April 30
We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...
As always, you can also use the Google Calendar for Divine Offices.

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Monday, April 16, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | April 17 Week

You may remember this image from the two weeks when we did the Stations of the Cross and our Easter Celebration. The image is meant to represent Jesus after his resurrection, when Mary mistook him for a gardener. Gene commented that it took him almost the whole time of worship to realize it.

Sometimes in the midst of this world, it is hard to see the resurrected Jesus! How do you need the hope of the resurrection in your life right now? How do those around you need it? Other places in the world? Our city?

Please, as always, post your responses to the above and anything else that we can pray for, celebrate, and reflect upon. Have a great week.
Scott Moore | From TILT Set-ups

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Resources for the Week | 04/17 - 04/23

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But we're not trying to keep anyone away here...I was trying to connect this somehow to daily resources here, but it all seemed too contrived...
Click on the links below for the associated resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for April 17 - April 23
Divine Offices/Hours for April 17 - April 23
We would love to hear from you if you are using these! Post comments on this post...

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Monday, April 9, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | April 10 Week

How can we respond in prayer and celebration to the resurrection of the crucified Jesus? What does it mean for us today in our lives? What does it mean for a world full of pain, suffering, hurt, broken relationships? How can we both bring and embody hope to those around us? If Christ is resurrected and we are His living Body, the tangible expression of Him in this world, where is God leading us?

Please post those places where we can pray both for hope in your own life, and also for you to bring hope to those around you. Death has been conquered! Let us be people of the resurrection, albeit always grounded in the crucifixion.

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Resources for the Week | 04/10 - 04/16


Click on the links below for the associated resources for the week:
Once-A-Day Approach for April 10 - April 16
Divine Offices/Hours for April 10 - April 16
Please add any comments as you read through these this week...

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Tuesday, April 3, 2007

COMMUNITY LIFE & PRAYER | April 3 Week

One of the stations on Palm Sunday was about Jesus Dying on the Cross (read the handout here). When Jesus died, the curtain which separated God from the rest of the world (symbolically) was torn. Gene's question to us was:

But I wonder – did the veil rip so we could enter the heart of
the temple? Or did the veil rip so God could get out?
How does the death of Jesus bring you into closer and more
intimate relationship with God? Are you actually utilizing that access?
How does God want to get out into the world through you?

Pray through these questions this week. Pray for the places God 'wants to get out into' through you. As always, post your thoughts, reflection, prayer requests and stories here!

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