Dear Holy Presence, who dwells in sanctuaries of stone and silence, in chapels of laughter and song, In mosques, temples, meetinghouses, cathedrals, and living rooms alike— We lift our hearts to You as a new week unfolds.
May every place of worship—humble or grand, ancient or new— Be filled with Your peace, Your wisdom, and Your renewing Spirit. Let each gathering be a wellspring of unity, Where differences become dialogue, and strangers become kin.
Bless the leaders who prepare sacred words, The musicians who stir souls with melody, The children who bring joy, And the seekers who come with questions and hope.
May we approach this week with unity and purpose, Rooted in love, guided by truth, and open to transformation. Let our endeavors—whether in prayer, service, or quiet care— Be blessed with Your grace and multiplied for good.
And when we depart from these sacred spaces, May we carry their light into the world, Becoming living prayers of compassion, justice, and joy. Amen 💕✌️🙏
If our love were but more simply, we should take him at his word: and our loves would be all sunshine in the sweetness of our Lord. – Faber
Key Scripture Passages:
* Matthew 18:3: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
* John 14:1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me.”
* Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”
Reflection:
Faber’s words invite us to adopt a posture of childlike faith—a love that is uncomplicated, trusting, and simple. He suggests that if our love were less burdened by fear, doubt, or striving, we would more readily accept God’s promises. In doing so, we would experience the divine sweetness of grace, not the shadow of suspicion.
Jesus calls us to emulate children—not naïve but open-hearted. Children trust easily, love freely, and receive joy without calculation. This is the kind of simplicity Faber emphasizes: a love that does not overanalyze God’s promises but simply rests in them.
John 14 reminds us that belief extends beyond mere intellectual understanding; it is relational. To “take Him at His word” entails trusting that God is who He asserts to be—faithful, kind, and near. Psalm 34 invites us to experience God’s goodness firsthand, not merely theorize about it.
When our love is simple, it radiates with brilliance. It reflects the divine sweetness of the Lord’s presence, not the coldness of spiritual performance.
Application:
Practice Childlike Trust: Release the desire to comprehend every aspect. Trust God’s intentions even when you perceive no discernible influence.
Take God at His Word: Interpret Scripture not as a challenge, but as a heartfelt correspondence. Embrace the promises and find solace in them.
Embrace Simplicity in Love: Refrain from complicating your relationship with God. Return to the fundamental principles: grace, presence, and joy.
Reflect His Divinity: Allow your life to emanate the warmth of God’s love. Cultivate gentleness, kindness, and an open heart towards others.
Prayer:
Dear Lord of Light and Love, guide me in cultivating simple love—to trust Your word without trepidation, to repose in Your promises without exertion, and to reside in the radiance of Your sweetness. Allow my heart to be unburdened, my faith childlike, and my love to be radiant. In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏
O God of Light and Peace, We lift our hearts in gratitude for the sacred spaces that gather Your people— from quiet meetinghouses to incense-filled sanctuaries, from whispered prayers to chanted hymns, from the stillness of waiting to the joy of celebration.
Bless St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, whose icons and liturgies reflect the beauty of heaven, and whose faithful witness to tradition and mystery draws hearts into deeper communion with You.
Bless every place where Your name is honored, where love is practiced, and where truth is sought. May this week be filled with unity of spirit, purpose in action, and grace in every endeavor.
Guide our steps, soften our hearts, and make us vessels of Your mercy. Let our worship overflow into the world— as healing, as hope, as holy presence.
In Your name, O Christ, who gathers all into one Body, we pray. Amen 💕✌️🙏
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.In every hour of the day, reveal Your will to me.Bless my dealings with all who surround me.Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.Direct my will, teach me to pray.And You, Yourself, pray in me.Amen. 💕✌️🙏
On October 26, 2025, the faithful at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Urbana gathered in reverent celebration of Great-Martyr Demetrios the Myrrh-Streaming and the Sixth Sunday of Luke, embracing a liturgy that wove together remembrance, healing, and holy witness.
The Divein Liturgy opened with Tone 3 hymns of resurrection, calling all creation to rejoice in the triumph of Christ. The faithful were invited to contemplate the life and martyrdom of St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki, pierced by spears for his unwavering confession of Christ. His fragrant relics, streaming myrrh, became a sign of divine grace and healing—a reminder that suffering borne in love becomes a vessel of sanctity.
The Gospel reading from Luke 8:26–39 recounted Christ’s healing of the man possessed by demons in the country of the Gadarenes. This dramatic encounter revealed the Lord’s authority over spiritual darkness and His tender restoration of human dignity. The man, once tormented, sat clothed and in his right mind at Jesus’ feet—an image of peace reclaimed through divine mercy.
In the homily, worshippers were invited to reflect on the power of holy presence: Demetrios stood firm in the face of imperial violence, and the healed man bore witness to Christ’s compassion. Both became icons of transformation—one through martyrdom, the other through healing. The liturgy called each soul to consider: Where do we stand in the face of fear, injustice, or despair? How do we bear witness to the One who restores and redeems?
The commemoration of the Great Earthquake in Constantinople (740) added a layer of historical memory, reminding the Church of its enduring prayers for protection and renewal in times of upheaval. The faithful lifted intercessions for peace, healing, and steadfastness in a world still trembling with uncertainty.
As the choir chanted the Apolytikion of St. Demetrios—“The world has found you to be a great defense against tribulation”—the sanctuary became a place of refuge and renewal. The myrrh of the martyr mingled with the tears and prayers of the people, sanctifying their struggles and hopes.
In closing, the faithful were sent forth with hearts stirred by the witness of Demetrios and the healing of the Gospel. May we, too, become vessels of mercy, defenders of truth, and bearers of peace in our own communities. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and heal our world. Through the prayers of Your holy martyr Demetrios, strengthen us to stand, to serve, and to shine with Your light. Amen
In the Rethinking God with Tacos podcast, Jared Scholz reflects on the idea that every day is a new beginning, not as a motivational cliché, but as a deeply theological truth. This perspective invites us to live in the present love reality of God, where grace is not just a past event or future hope, but a daily renewal.
Key Scripture Passages
Lamentations 3:22–23“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
2 Corinthians 5:17“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Isaiah 43:18–19“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”
Reflection
Jared’s insight reframes our understanding of time and transformation. In Christ, we are not bound by yesterday’s failures or tomorrow’s anxieties. Each day is a fresh canvas, not because we start over by our own strength, but because God’s mercies are renewed.
This echoes Paul’s declaration in 2 Corinthians: we are new creations—not someday, but now. The Spirit doesn’t wait for us to be perfect; He meets us in the moment, offering grace that transforms.
Isaiah’s call to “forget the former things” is not denial—it’s divine permission to release what no longer serves us and embrace what God is doing today. And Lamentations reminds us that this renewal is not occasional—it’s daily, dependable, and rooted in God’s faithful love.
Application
🌅 Begin Each Day with Grace: Let go of yesterday’s weight. Receive today as a gift, not a test.
🔄 Practice Present-Moment Awareness: God is not just in your past or future—He is in your now.
🧘 Release Regret and Fear: You are not defined by what was or what might be. You are held in what is.
🕊️ Live from Union, Not Separation: You don’t need to chase God—He’s already with you, renewing you daily.
Prayer
Dear God of New Beginnings, Thank You for meeting me in this moment, for renewing Your mercy with the sunrise, and for calling me into the freedom of now. Help me to live from grace, to release what’s behind, and to trust what You are doing today. Let each breath be a beginning, each step a response to Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏
Dear Holy One, Source of Light and Love, we gratefully praise your name in every place where silence is honored and song rises like incense. Bless all houses of worship this week—cathedrals, chapels, meetinghouses, and monasteries—each a vessel of your presence.
As voices gather at 10:00 AM to sing hymns in the commons, let joy ripple through the air, binding us in harmony across traditions and generations. Let every note be a prayer, every breath a blessing.
As Friends settle into the Meeting for Worship at 10:30 AM, and as the faithful at St. Nicholas bow in reverence, may your Spirit move among us—in silence and chant, spoken ministry, and sacred liturgy. Let our worship be a living offering, rooted in humility, unity, and awe.
Bless the little ones in First Day School and all children learning love and reverence. May their hearts be nurtured, questions welcomed, and joy embraced as holy.
As introductions and announcements are shared at 11:30 AM, let us recognize each other as companions on the journey—each bearing stories, gifts, and sacred worth. Let our words be seasoned with grace and our intentions guided by peace.
As refreshments are served and fellowship unfolds, let laughter echo, kindness abound, and connections deepen. Let this time nourish our bodies and spirits.
As we enter the Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business, may discernment be gentle, listening be deep, and decisions be led by love. Welcome all who gather—newcomers and longtime Friends alike—in person and online, with open hearts and shared purpose.
In all things this week, let us walk in unity, serve with joy, and rest in your blessing. Let our worship be wide enough to hold the world, and our prayers bold enough to shape it with love. Amen 💕✌️🙏
My day in Rantoul, Illinois was more than a moment of rest—it was a sacred encounter. To embrace fellowship with God is to walk with Him not only in prayer, but in presence. Like Adam in the garden, we are invited to walk with God in the cool of the day, to listen with our hearts, and to respond with reverence.
To savor nature’s joys is to receive creation as a gift. Psalm 104 reminds us that the earth is full of God’s wisdom and wonder. The breeze, the birdsong, the rustling leaves—all are invitations to worship. When we slow down and notice, we are not just admiring beauty—we are communing with the Creator.
And to protect it with all your senses is to live as a steward, not a consumer. Genesis 2:15 calls us to tend and keep the garden—not just the one in Eden, but the one we walk through every day. Stewardship is not just duty—it’s devotion. It’s a way of saying, “This world matters because it belongs to God.”
Application:
Practice Presence in Creation: Take walks with God. Let your senses become instruments of prayer—seeing, hearing, touching, and tasting His goodness.
Protect What You Love: Stewardship begins with awareness. Recycle, plant, conserve, and advocate—not out of guilt, but out of gratitude.
Let Nature Renew Your Soul: When life feels heavy, return to the garden. Let creation remind you of God’s faithfulness and creativity.
Invite Others into the Fellowship: Share your sacred spaces. Host a prayer walk, a picnic, or a moment of silence under the sky.
Prayer:
Dear Creator God, Thank You for the beauty of this earth, for the breeze that whispers peace, and the soil that holds Your promise. Teach me to walk with You in every field and forest, to savor the joy of Your creation, and to protect it with all my senses. Let my life be a living prayer— rooted in wonder, guided by love, and faithful in stewardship. In Jesus’ name, Amen 💕✌️🙏
Luke 8:5–14 invites us to reflect on the condition of our hearts as we receive God’s word. May we be good soil—open, rooted, and ready to bear fruit.
This passage, often called the Parable of the Sower, is a profound spiritual mirror. Jesus describes four types of soil—each representing a different response to the word of God. Some hearts are hardened like the path, where the word is quickly snatched away. Others are shallow like rocky ground, joyful at first but unable to endure trials. Some are tangled in thorns—choked by worries, riches, and pleasures. But some are good soil, where the word takes root and yields fruit with patience.
This parable reminds us that spiritual growth requires more than hearing—it demands depth, resilience, and surrender. It’s not just about receiving the word, but about cultivating a life where it can flourish. In our busy, distracted world, we must ask: What thorns are choking our faith? What rocks are keeping us from growing deep roots?
Whether we worship in silence among Friends or in liturgy at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, this Gospel calls us to examine our spiritual soil and prepare it for transformation.
Prayer on Luke 8:5–14
Dear Divine Sower, You scatter seeds of truth and grace across every heart. Help us, O Lord, to be good soil—softened by compassion, deepened by prayer, and cleared of distraction. Remove the thorns of worry and the rocks of resistance. Let Your word take root in us, growing strong through trials and bearing fruit in love.
Bless all who hear Your word this week—in meetinghouses, churches, and quiet corners of the world. May we listen with open hearts, receive with joy, and live with purpose. And may our lives reflect the harvest of Your Spirit.
Dear Holy and Loving Presence, we lift our hearts in gratitude for every place where Your name is praised, Your Spirit is sought, and Your people gather. Bless all houses of worship this week—chapels and cathedrals, meetinghouses and monasteries, sanctuaries and sacred spaces—where souls come to be renewed and communities are formed in love.
We pray especially for the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends. May the hymns sung at 10:00 a.m. rise like incense, and may the silence of worship at 10:30 be filled with Your gentle whisper. Let spoken ministry be led by Your Spirit, and may each child in First Day School be nurtured in wonder and care. As Friends gather to explore the Testimony of Stewardship, may their reflections deepen our collective reverence for the Earth and all creation.
We also lift up St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, and all who enter its doors seeking beauty, tradition, and truth. May the liturgy be a balm to weary hearts, and may the fellowship shared there reflect the joy of Your kingdom.
Guide us all to approach this week with unity and purpose. Let our prayers be sincere, our actions compassionate, and our gatherings infused with grace. May we listen deeply, speak kindly, and walk humbly with You.
In stillness and in song, In ritual and in reflection, Be with us, O God.
Whispers of Grace 