FEATHER: Almighty, Creator God, we the children of your creation lift our prayers of thanksgiving for the continued presence of your Spirit in all things around us; we thank you for the change of seasons and the warming winds which caress our faces. We praise your holy name for the wonder of new growth and the renewal of life in creation. We confess that we too often focus on the negative and step over and beyond the peace and hope that are present around us in all things. Open our hearts and eyes to see more than that which we focus on, too often to our detriment. Grant us courage and strength to do that which we are called and commissioned to do, help us to be leaders and witnesses to your truth and peace, pull us from the storms of conflict and fears, walk with us into the peace of faith in you, that we too might be brought to new life in the season around us. May your Spirit guide us to rebirth through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord in this Easter season. This we pray in the risen Christ. Amen.
SAGE: The month of May in Plains Cree is Sakipakawipisim (Sa/ki/pa/ka/wi/pisim), which translates as “Leaf-budding Moon” or “New-growth-coming-up Moon.” This month is the epitome of what we might be looking for in this season of Easter, like the crocus with its small bluish-purple flower, first of the season, an example and witness of new life and beauty rising up to the glory of the Creator Father, and for all Creation. Easter and spring call us to grow anew by walking in new life in the sacrifice of Christ our Lord; in the ministry of the church evolving and adapting; and in the fruits of our willingness to change and follow Christ.
As children of God our Creator, we need to acknowledge our need individually to change and come to new life in Christ, our hope for new growth in the church especially in our prayers for the new leaders being lifted up, and finally our thanks for the new growth that springs up when we offer all we are and have to the glory of the Creator who gave everything for us, the children of Creation.
Please keep the church and your leaders in your Easter prayers. Pray for the new bishops, ministries and offerings as we come to the new life in Christ and the new season in faith and healing.
