MEDITATION:
Written by Mary Anne Whittier/Johansen
Saying prayers at bedtime is a habit many Christians practice. I have also found it soothing to repeat the books of the Bible, and the USA states and presidents. I like to use my ten fingers to help me to remember, perhaps the way the Incas used the knots in a cord to recall complicated messages. The Nicene Creed of AD 381 has ten sentences. Four begin with “We believe”. The Apostles’ Creed, AD 390 uses “I believe”. The split between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church finally resulted in the great Schism of 1054. Today, rather than the nature of the trinity, churches split over same sex marriage, support of Israel, and numerous political positions which seem to become a “religion” for their adherents. Memorization requires attention to detail. I especially like the Holy Spirit as “the giver of life” and the references to scripture. “WE believe, acknowledge, look for” gives me a comfortable sense of community. “Light from Light”, feeds my soul. We count our blessings. But memorizing the Nicene Creed has been a wonderful help in staying connected to God.
PRAYER:
Our prayer today will be the Nicene Creed, one of creeds in the Presbyterian Book of Confession.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
MUSIC MEDITATION:
Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed in Latin Chant.
Pathways Press.com 