In Cumnor, many of us have been meeting on the first Sunday evening of each month. During the lockdown, our Taizé ‘regulars’ have been invited to participate in a Taizé style reflection, with the key elements (Bible reading, psalm, songs and silence)
Links to songs and video clips have enabled us to ‘meet’ together at 6.30pm or join in at any time that is convenient.
Today, St Michael’s Church, our Cathedral, and many other churches in England, will open their doors for public worship for the first time since the Covid-19 Lock down.
The Taizé community has been able to welcome visitors and worshippers, since June 17th. But restrictions remain in force for us all. Consequently, worship will have to be different for some time and most places of worship will continue to offer online services as well as more traditional worship.
Order of Service
Holy Spirit, you have a call for every one of us. So come, prepare our hearts to discover what it is that you expect of each of us.
Brother Roger, founder of Taize
Come Holy Spirit
Bless the Lord
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Nada te Turbe
New Testament reading:
We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3,16-20)
Silence
“Sometimes we are apparently silent, and yet we have great discussions within, struggling with imaginary partners or ourselves. Calming our souls requires a kind of simplicity. Silence means recognising that my worries can’t do much. Silence means leaving to God what is beyond my reach and capacity. A moment of silence, even very short, is like a holy stop, a sabbatical rest, a truce of worries.”
Brother Roger, Taizé Community founder
Prayers
Holy Spirit, help us to hold one another- our friends, family and ourselves-in prayer…
Holy Spirit, you fill the universe, and you bring within the reach of our fragile humanity these Gospel values: goodness of heart, forgiveness, compassion.
Guard us, guide us and give us peace in our hearts.
Bless our community and our nation. Have mercy on those in distress. Bless those we know, and those we love….……………………….and kindle in each one of us a flame, so we can move from indifference to love, from anxiety to trust, and from shadow toward light.
We pray for your creation and your kingdom, to the glory of the risen Lord Jesus and in his holy name. Amen.
In resurrectione tua
Let heaven and earth rejoice in your resurrection, O Christ!
Laudate Omnes Gentes
Closing Prayer
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit…be with us all now and evermore. Amen
Further reflection and study
The Taizé Community are live streaming midday and evening prayer each day.
Br John on Revelation
Br John has recorded three short talks to introduce the background to the book of Revelation.
And if you haven’t yet seen the young people at Taizé, this flash mob dancing video clip will make you smile! Enjoy…